Soma
Sacred Earth => Shaman [Public] => Topic started by: Nick on September 02, 2006, 02:35:22 PM
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"Then comes the invitation. Sometimes, for a big ceremony, I will let the spirits know well ahead - this is esp true of physical journey ceremonies (a difficult concept to explain). If the ceremony is ‘external’ I like to use a special spirit catcher as a callout. Once the ceremony begins, I call the spirits. This means first the immediate local spirits - never leave them out, as they can get very nasty if ignored. By these I mean, I look out at the major beings around me - special trees, hills, storms, creeks etc, but more importantly the beings that live in these, and for that one needs to know spirits and how to call them."
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"good ones... oh me oh my could we not rave, there is so much out there.
mostly when we talk of spirits in external operational terminology, we are referring to those that inhabit places, locals, and archetypes, but most interesting are the nature spirits that inhabit places of power. these are the ones shamans commonly dance with. they can be found in creeks and trees and mountains, and in old places of significance, like temples, caves, hill tops, rings etc. they can also be found inside us, but most virile humans like a full on experience. there are centre hub places for different types of energy... most interesting subject.
in the end, i personally am of the opinion that the best are the spirits of freedom. especially that bird. for these we have to sacrifice the cheaper time fillers.
the spirits of silence, they are to be acknowledged, they open the cosmic landscape of silence, that we can almost just walk into. they are subtle, fine. waiting like vultures, to rip out my heads. lying there like a soft naked woman, to receive me as i let go all that stuff, and sink into her flesh of silence.
m"
You said you have to know spirits and how to call them, how do you know and contact?
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Mary Christ! that's not easy nai.
but it is the best of questions in this Ahrimanic world.
you already know, you just didn't realise thy were spirits. so one has to start, to meet your first spirit. it is one thing for me to say that everything can only happen by the auspice of a spirit. but that won't help you nai.
so what to do?
how are you at dreams? that's always the best start.
caves are perfect. can you find a cave? old is better.
if not, i'll need to ask for you.
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Mary Christ! that's not easy nai.
but it is the best of questions in this Ahrimanic world.
I'm researching this Ahrimanic thing...
interesting stuff.
you already know, you just didn't realise thy were spirits. so one has to start, to meet your first spirit. it is one thing for me to say that everything can only happen by the auspice of a spirit. but that won't help you nai.
I could ask a million questions and go and on about how I think I have on some level known this, but I'll let it stew a bit.
so what to do?
how are you at dreams? that's always the best start.
caves are perfect. can you find a cave? old is better.
if not, i'll need to ask for you.
I'm divided... Part wants to just say yes, please ask for me, cause no I'm not good at dreams, not yet. And, no don't believe there are any caves round these parts.
Other part wants to do it itself. I'm learning to trust.
I am getting better at dreams and I know what I have to improve at dreaming. So, I choose to try my hand at dreams.
But, then, what do I do?
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I made my own cave, my Ojibwa. It is enough.
Anyway, any good medicine man worth his salt will have one.
One way or another. Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha !!!!!
t
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Ian, your issue has come at an interesting time. Now Tommy is right, a medicine man worth his salt will have one, a cave that is, but there are many ways to see that.
Now, what I want you to do is to cast your mind around the area you live - can you think of a place that has a 'thick' energy. This could be an old church, a woody area, a creek - esp where there are nooky corners and old trees, or any place that has a natural intensity. (Not spooky houses or tunnels where there are vibes of nasty things having happened - no need to contact them.)
We always find or locate such places where ever we live. The kind of energy I am thinking of is not exposed, but recessed.
Can you think of such a place?
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Ian, your issue has come at an interesting time. Now Tommy is right, a medicine man worth his salt will have one, a cave that is, but there are many ways to see that.
Now, what I want you to do is to cast your mind around the area you live - can you think of a place that has a 'thick' energy. This could be an old church, a woody area, a creek - esp where there are nooky corners and old trees, or any place that has a natural intensity. (Not spooky houses or tunnels where there are vibes of nasty things having happened - no need to contact them.)
We always find or locate such places where ever we live. The kind of energy I am thinking of is not exposed, but recessed.
Can you think of such a place?
Off hand I think of several places that upon further examination might fit the bill. Yet, I would have to investigate further. This weekened I will have lots of time to scope them out.
There are a couple of places that I believe will work right by my house actually.
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good, now the next thing is to have a spirit catcher. many things can be used for this - essentially it is best to use a sound (tho a dance is possible). Loud sounds are good - conch shell etc - but also soft work - bull roarer, voice. It is in the way you make the sound - sending it out, one note is best. you could play an instrument, like a drum.
even two resonant hardwood sticks that can be hit together.
voice - sing a low tone, single note, that is felt like a rumble.
a spirit catcher is really a way to tune yourself and the local - its in that tuning that the spirits are attracted - they are aware of when a person enters trance, as for them it means the person comes out of the fog, and becomes capable of seeing them... ie interacting - like turning a light on in a dark cavern.
can you think of a spirit attractor you could use?
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Yes. I'll have to ponder some to be sure of exactly what to use, but you mention using voice too. Voice would be interesting, sometimes when I'm really happy or just emotional I'll chant somehting that is usually just vowel sounds. This is something I have always done. So voice would be interesting.
I can also think of lots of objects I might use, I would like to explore several to find something I like. ;) I'm sure it is a serious thing contacting spirits, but this sounds like lots of fun.
so yes.
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of course its fun, that's why we do it... unless you are after one of the heavy dudes.
now you should consider some purpose in contacting a spirit. Try to think of some not too big deal, but something that is not going right for you at present. Something that you could do with a little help to work out smoothly.
This is a request that you ask of the spirits of this locale... they like helping, esp if you entertain them, and offer them the final doorway (i'll get to that bit). And it will assist you in the important process of validation - an ongoing process Ian, with many hits and misses as we try to resolve our true connection.
Can you think of such a request?
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Yes... for something small I might ask for help with something like my studies when I go back to school in November. Not nessisarily answers, of course once in awhile... >:D
but, more to help me focus on my studies.
I could also ask for help in exorsizing this Craig monkey on my back.
Or, just ask help with my recapping or dreaming.
Or, I could ask for help with energizing my alter as a starting place.
On that note is there anything one should not ask for?
I know we aviod the "heavy dudes" as you call them, and if this Craig thing is one of them I get why, but are there wrong questions?
You know like careful what you wish for stuff.
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I have found that it is best to ask for help in low level things for a start, until you get the knack of it - the bigger the problem, the more complex it is and the more you need to understand it deeply yourself, and so a lot of other factors come into play.
Anyway that's up to you, it is just a good part of the exercise to have some purpose. From the point of validation, it can be useful with a situation that looks hopeless, like getting a ticket to something, or something that is straight forward, like healing someone who has just got sick - I know that's not a small problem, but you see it is straight forward - there are usually not a lot of complex aspects. You just want the person's operation to go well. Or a safe trip to somewhere ... that's a common one.
I'll explain the details in a day or so - this weekend would be a good time, as it is looking a like I will be able to deal with quite a few such issues myself then.
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I'll explain the details in a day or so - this weekend would be a good time, as it is looking a like I will be able to deal with quite a few such issues myself then.
I'll be waiting. ;D
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OK, here is the method - one method, but it's fairly standard.
Night is best. Don't get mugged! Know that you intend to do it one night. Best if you are able to go there before, during the day, and silently tell the place what you have in mind - send out the invitation.
When you approach the place on the night, look carefully, or vaguely as the case may be, to discern the correct place to sit. This part requires some practice, but in principle you look for the place that jumps out at you... may be the lighting, the shape of the land etc, but it is often that a spot you pick out during the day is not the spot that calls you on the night - always make a fresh decision.
Take your bag, some special items, water, something to sit on, etc.
Best to just sit quietly for a time. The place will go into silent watching when you turn up, so you are waiting for everyone to go back to normal. All the little life resumes, and you get under the covers so to speak, become one of the crowd. This also give you the chance to hear if there are any people or animals about, that may want to move along a little.
Then you do your expression. That is the call, the sign - controlled expression followed by controlled silence. In the expression you are sending out your intent, your invitation and your entertainment. First gesture to the primary beings around you.
You will notice that every such place has its elders. Large trees or shrubs, hills, mountains, creeks whatever are the big boys and girls on the block - acknowledge them. Also the moon and stars. Now the moon is a special case. There are times we don't like to be exposed to the moon - often preferred to be in moon shadow, then let the moon discover you once you are well into it.
State your request, then put on a bit of a show for the locals. This can be loud or very quiet - spirits can hear very well, though some shamans like to begin with a loud noise, just to wake them all up. Up to you really, how you feel at the time. It is usually in the high point of the trance state brought on by the spirit attractor you are using, that you will catch glimpses of shapes in the darkness - often like black emptinesses, or just intense spots of vibration. Other times you simply feel them - like a thickening of the air around you.
After that, sit still and silent for a reasonable time. That gives spirits the chance to glimpse through you a higher state, depending on how well you can do that silent thing. There you are bringing your spiritual peak to the place. Many very advanced practitioners do only this part, for months if necessary, and thus convert a low vibe place into a high spirit place - upon which those who see will later build a temple etc.
Then go home and have a dried banana.
You will dream of the spirit(s) approaching you, either some nights before or after. The question is will you remember. Take a torch, pen and pad to bed with you, and write ever little dream snippet down during the night, even if you swear you will remember, write it down. that will help your conscious self to take note of your dream self, and enhance the possibility of you remembering the spirit event on the astral.
I'll send through a message on the wind, to help.
m
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OK, here is the method - one method, but it's fairly standard.
Night is best. Don't get mugged!
he he. yes that would be bad. thanks good advice.
Know that you intend to do it one night. Best if you are able to go there before, during the day, and silently tell the place what you have in mind - send out the invitation.
I was thinking of doing this next full moon as the rest of this week and weekend will only provide enough time to be sure of the place that I will go to. And maybe give me sometime to get to know the area a bit. I live in a small town surrounded by some wilderness, I want to case the area and make sure there arn't to many houses near by since I'll be making noise.
I choose the next full moon cause full moons seem a good time for me as far as energy goes. But you said: "Ian, your issue has come at an interesting time."
I have to ask, why was the timing interesting?
And does this mean that I should maybe "make" time to go out to the spot and call the spirits sooner?
When you approach the place on the night, look carefully, or vaguely as the case may be, to discern the correct place to sit. This part requires some practice, but in principle you look for the place that jumps out at you... may be the lighting, the shape of the land etc, but it is often that a spot you pick out during the day is not the spot that calls you on the night - always make a fresh decision.
Yes. I'm familiar with this one. One night I was walking my dog and I saw a sign in a particular direction and I went to walk that way. The next morning I wanted to explor the same area but as soon as I walked in that direction I felt drain, light headed, sick and nauseous.
Now the moon is a special case. There are times we don't like to be exposed to the moon - often preferred to be in moon shadow, then let the moon discover you once you are well into it.
May I ask why, why there are times we don't like to be exposed to the moon?
Then go home and have a dried banana.
Ahhh....? lol.
Why dried banana? Not dried mango or pineapple?
And, when you say dried banana you mean like:
http://bellaviva.com/Dried-Fruits-and-Nuts/Dried-Bananas.html
right?
:)
You will dream of the spirit(s) approaching you, either some nights before or after. The question is will you remember. Take a torch, pen and pad to bed with you, and write ever little dream snippet down during the night, even if you swear you will remember, write it down. that will help your conscious self to take note of your dream self, and enhance the possibility of you remembering the spirit event on the astral.
I'll send through a message on the wind, to help.
m
Thanks sooo much!
cheers.
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when you do it is up to you Ian, just that this weekend is good for me to give whatever help I can, but you choose what is best for you.
moon - the problem I find with full moons is that it is very bright, and personally I prefer darkness. In fact I prefer the moon to be down. But that may be just my personal preference, as I like complete darkness.
Exposed by the moon is close to being on stage, and better suited for action. The darker the more intimate. Spirits generally prefer to come out in winter and in dark, as a general rule - the more external the environment, meaning the more light and growth, then the more they are expressing themselves through the environment - when the environment retreats, it frees the spirits to detach and roam. But that also depends on the type of spirit we are talking about. I think the ones we are currently courting won't be affected by light, but you might be. you might feel more comfortable in shadow, when doing something not so normal.
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when you do it is up to you Ian, just that this weekend is good for me to give whatever help I can, but you choose what is best for you.
moon - the problem I find with full moons is that it is very bright, and personally I prefer darkness. In fact I prefer the moon to be down. But that may be just my personal preference, as I like complete darkness.
Exposed by the moon is close to being on stage, and better suited for action. The darker the more intimate. Spirits generally prefer to come out in winter and in dark, as a general rule - the more external the environment, meaning the more light and growth, then the more they are expressing themselves through the environment - when the environment retreats, it frees the spirits to detach and roam. But that also depends on the type of spirit we are talking about. I think the ones we are currently courting won't be affected by light, but you might be. you might feel more comfortable in shadow, when doing something not so normal.
I see...very good points.
I will have to see how I feel, and how much time I will have this weekend.
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I will send a message through anyway, and who knows it may last till you do your puja, but i have a sneaking sense that spirits have short memories for such things - still maybe not.
I have not covered well the controlled expression part of the ceremony. This part is where every one into this, in all cultures, really get a lot happening. I suggested a simple spirit attractor, but elaborate performances have been designed by people over the ages, and the best ones are highly specific to the spirit and the time of year - just to let you know ... something for research later on.
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I will send a message through anyway, and who knows it may last till you do your puja, but i have a sneaking sense that spirits have short memories for such things - still maybe not.
I have not covered well the controlled expression part of the ceremony.
This part is where every one into this, in all cultures, really get a lot happening.
I suggested a simple spirit attractor, but elaborate performances have been designed by people over the ages, and the best ones are highly specific to the spirit and the time of year - just to let you know ... something for research later on.
I was thinking for now I would use my voice.
Above in your statement it sounds like you are saying something very interesting, but I can not make out what cause the wording seems funny to me. I have placed in bold the area that I'm confused about, could you clarify ? I.e. what do mean by "gets" a lot happening? Not to nit pick just trying to get the idea here. I think you mean "has" a lot happening, but even there I'm still not so sure exactly what you are getting at.
oh, and I have ment to ask, was there a signifigance to the reversal of Ian into nai, in your first post?
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This part - the expression, is where anyone who is into the worship or increase of spirit, do their thing - the aboriginals of australia had fabulously powerful social structures built around their ceremonies. Yogi's in India will be seen making ritualised offerings with nothing in their hands, on the side of rivers and fires. Thus by the careful manipulation of the mind and body, we are able to make the walls thin, and we can look at them and they look at us. ie they get a lot happening.
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Thank you for clearing that up. I will be doing my puja this weekend sice you will be sending your help. :)
You said you would send your message through. I get the whole interconnection of life thing. But, how? How do you send this message? That is how as in both the technique and the theory behind it, if you will of course please?
The most important point, is that at the start of your ceremony, you should permeate the ceremony with your intention - we call this seeding. Never let anyone who you are not absolutely sure you trust has real knowledge, seed such an experience for you. Khadi is best. Some special utensils, that are used solely for this purpose are a good aid, and prayers, invocations or whathaveyou. We purify the experience we are about to have, then we ‘offer’ it to the pursuit of knowledge, such that what we perceive will in fact be true knowledge, and not fantasy.
As you become accustomed to this - it can be done before any experience you are about to undertake (getting on a bus etc), you learn to very quickly condense your awareness to a pin point. Still if you must blabber on, then by all means do it. What happens after that is in the lap of the gods.
I know this is about the use of power plants but it does relate does it not?
I was pondering that if there is spirit in everything and nothing can be done except by the auspice of a spirit, then it stands that every day my life is unwittingly happening by the auspice of some spirit, possibly several spirits. So then it interests me to be aware of this interaction and take part in it willingly. There have been times when I thought that the spirit or a spirit had been saying hi or something, but I didn't know what to do. When I was a kid I used to watch the wind communicating with the trees and woundered if they really where communing (though I knew on some level it was true). Then if they are communing what is this communication....
Now the thought comes and can I partake in it!?!
I want to "see" the life in all things again....I've been far from my spiritual home.....
I think maybe that is what brought on this line of questioning to begin with.
How can one begin to incorporate himself into the interactions of the spirit world and bring all that back into the living of our day to day life?
they like helping, esp if you entertain them, and offer them the final doorway (i'll get to that bit).
And, this?
thanks for your help. love.
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I love this entire thread and have been looking forward to reading each of your posts on it. Its a wonderful flow that Ive not wanted to interupt.
I found this such a beautiful and ironic question.. I just couldnt help myself.
How can one begin to incorporate himself into the interactions of the spirit world and bring all that back into the living of our day to day life?
Your whispers will be granted by that very statement alone.. if you were standing here Id hug ya!
Silence within opens a gateway to another world..
Many blessings to you with your dance with spirit Ian, I hope you can find words for sharing later.
Love, Raven
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Michael, your such a precious being for the work you do and share so beautifully with us. Thank you so dearly for all you are and share.
Much Love, Raven
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You said you would send your message through. I get the whole interconnection of life thing. But, how? How do you send this message?
that is difficult to explain - i do it on the wind mostly. But I also can reach into your situation, sweep my hands through the trees around and call the denizens out, ask them to take note of your attempt.
When I was a kid I used to watch the wind communicating with the trees and woundered if they really where communing (though I knew on some level it was true). Then if they are communing what is this communication....
Now the thought comes and can I partake in it!?!
to understand that you need to set yourself up in a tree, in a saddle or hammock, and join with the tree and wind ... then you will understand.
How can one begin to incorporate himself into the interactions of the spirit world and bring all that back into the living of our day to day life?
by doing it ... its all about validation
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I returned about an hour an half ago. just saying hi. will talk more when I not tired. just wanted to say LOVE and thanks for your support...
will see what dreams may come :-*
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will see what dreams may come :-*
:D :-*
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that is difficult to explain - i do it on the wind mostly.
Ha. Great mental picture. Once I realized it was my Intent doing it, the trees and wind and all just seemed to call me as I brought their essence, their force into me. Guess it probably was happening all the time and I just hadn't cleared my senses to it all. It has to be as easy as smiling. Maybe it's just an opening up or something that I realized. It can be described many ways yet explaining it, for me, is almost impossible.
I was in ceremony years ago and the old ones came out of the Virginia trees. I was shocked that I was not frightened by them. I think that might be a key, just accepting things around me, letting the flow happen.
But I don't know if a person can try to do it. Does that make sense?
t
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A shadowy figure approached me in a dream a couple of days before the ceremony.
The shadowy figure came to collect on debts that I perceive I owe.....
I was in my living room where I was sleeping. This dream encouraged the next. In both all I saw were simple objects, like platonic solids, but the perspective was what held the significance. The figure was not seen in the second dream.
In the two dreams the first perception was coated with superfluous concerns, attachments, and worries. In this dream everything was dark. The other dream was brighter, colors were apparent, and everything was thought of as a tool to aid on the path. --
The day before the ceremony I dreamt of beings on the outside of a circular pool of water. The water was glowing, and flowing down through the center of the pool into another pool of water below. The beings where waiting for me. They also seemed to be using the pool for some sort of gazing. The pool had a very inviting refreshing ambience. Somehow I felt by going to the woods I was going to that pool. The pool also represented this forum. I believe that pool is also a part of me…
There was a dream, after the ceremony, in which several beings, saying something in seeming gibberish, pointed out a part of the park near the woods. There was some big straw totem that they were pointing at, and they seemed to be worshiping at it. The totem was so big it obscured the baseball diamond it was positioned by. I got the idea that maybe they where going to set the straw totem on fire. I wrote down what they had said but I don’t know if it is appropriate for me to share the gibberish yet or at all.
The day of the ceremony I was planning to share my intent with the spirits late in the day, but then I saw a sign. I saw and heard several Eagles flying in the distance outside my house. I went outside to get a closer look, and all flew out of view except one. This one flew in the direction of my house then off in the distance behind it. I left to fallow and when turned the corner I could not see the Eagle so I sat down and waited. The Eagle eventually returned, as I hoped it would if this was indeed a sign, and the Eagle flew in the direction of the woods. Eventually the Eagle flew into the brightness of the sun, I lost track of it when I walked under a tree, but by then I was most of the way to the woods so I went all the way.
There was something I felt during this walk. Something about my surroundings, they seemed alive, in agreement, cheering me; they seemed very jovial; it was like several happy eyes watching….
As for the ceremony, I went to the woods Sunday night. I used my voice as the spirit catcher. My spot was right by one of the biggest trees in the area. I spent about 2 hours, if I remember correctly. What I enjoyed the most was the sounds I heard. The crickets where amazing. And, this one bird…I wish I could figure out what kind of bird it was, but I heard it near my house a couple of nights afterwards. When I recall now the sound gets associated with my present sensations and feelings, there is resonance.
I can’t be sure if I saw any spirits. I feel like I know, “somehow”, what spirits are now.
I saw several combinations of shadow, and light while I was out there, but the “feeling” wasn’t right.
Maybe I just was not connected enough to the part of me that “feels”, this is the truer answer.
Pondering these things I keep coming back to the sounds I heard…so beautiful. On pondering the sounds I saw an image of myself in my minds eye. Crystal clear and transparent; impressions could come through me, central channel clear.….
There had been other dreams of significance, but these are the key dreams, though the other dreams take on new significance as I ponder and review.
The ceremony also brought various other subconscious issues to the surface.
There are more insights to be gleamed but enough for now;
Michael do you have any further advice? Maybe the bit about offering them the final doorway?
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Michael, your such a precious being for the work you do and share so beautifully with us. Thank you so dearly for all you are and share.
Much Love, Raven
ditto ;D
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But I don't know if a person can try to do it. Does that make sense?
t
Yes, unfortunatly everything makes sense to me. ;)
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well done Ian, I haven't more to say just now, except this is your journey, the dreams and experiences, you are now on your journey in spirit - this is the most precious thing we can have in life. this is your personal connection, your doorway.
rest, reflect, absorb, digest, then move further on your track again.
m
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i wanted to explain what I meant by the most precious thing in life. it has nothing to do with spirits, they just help us, help to thin the walls. It is you alone in the wild, looking at that wonderful being, each in our own way, a point of seriousness, as we see our life, and a dance we do in the audience.
this is precious because it is our life being celebrated, so much can well up in these poojas. the spirits just come to watch - they love a good show. the more serious you get the more fascinated they get, and the more they also look down the road of their own purpose in this universe.
So it really starts with you, but we naturally salute the beings around with every pooja.
So when you move into complete inner silence, it opens a door for everyone, from your trapped ancestors, to the grass you sit on.
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What'za pooja, please?
t
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a pooja, or puja, is a hindu word for ceremony. can be very small, with just a prayer and lightening a candle or incense, or can be big with music and many people ... i like the word, reminds me to make every crap count!
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LOL.
and thank you for sharing. your words always help clear things.
a vioce in my head told me I can celebrate every day, no reason not to. but, then in some way every act can become a celebration of life.
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"Mitta Koo Yah Ohh Yah Sahn!"
Lakota for, "I am alive! THAT is why I celebrate!"
2
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"Mitta Koo Yah Ohh Yah Sahn!"
Lakota for, "I am alive! THAT is why I celebrate!"
2
;) :-*