Last night my wife, Jackie, and I went to a spot high above the city and watched the sun set and then the Full Moon of the Guru rise (see yesterday’s blog for explanation). This morning we climbed even higher on the hills that rise behind our home and greeted the sunrise. We did simple ceremonies to give thanks and set our intentions. Both of these experiences were absolutely wonderful–much more fulfilling than so many of the customary things we do.

We both we struck that we have lived here in the Salt Lake valley for many years and have never paid attention to the sunrise, sunset, or stages of the moon. Granted, we live in a lower area surrounded by trees, but it’s only a five minute drive to hiking trails. It showed us just how out of touch we’ve been with the nature that surrounds us–with the earth we live on.

I learned a lot about being in relationship and always respecting and honoring the earth from the shaman I recently spent time with in Peru. Before he drank water, he offered water to the earth. Before entering any site, he conducted ceremony. He never forgot the Pacha Mama (Earth Mother) in any prayer.  He never forgot to give thanks. I can only thank him for his extroardinary example. I am going to continue that practice.

When I was on top of Machu Picchu Mountain, I slipped over the edge and entered a cave. Inside that cave I felt the strong presence of Pacha Mama. I held onto a piece of the earth and placed my forehead against the cool, damp surface. I asked her forgiveness for how long it has taken me to understand, and for my disrespectful acts. She spoke to me–interestingly in Spanish. She told me that she holds no ill will and means no harm to we humans, but that she is evolving and that we must pass with her through that transformative process. I told her I would do whatever she asked of me. She only asked that I open my heart and by doing so affect others around me–just that.

In my blog yesterday I described having walked in grace during my two weeks in Peru. Today I received two emails (one from the shaman I worked with in Peru, and the other from my friend Stephen McFadden) informing me of an incredibly important act of God’s grace that is taking place today (July 17th)–the Full Moon of the Guru. I want to pass this information on to you so that you can attend, atune, and take full advantage. I am going to paste Steven’s email below and I strongly suggest that you link to the site he has provided and watch the video clip.

I’m going to climb the mountain behind my home tonight to welcome this long-awaited grace.

*****Grace Light
   
What is the significance of the Full Moon on July 17th-18th?

A historic, global shift will begin on July 17th, the “Full Moon of the Guru” or Guru Purnima, an ancient tradition on the eastern calendar.

It is the full moon in July/Aug that falls near the vedic solstice, the month of greatest light. It is a radiant time when all the celestial teachers, light beings, ascended masters, angels and illumined ones open channels into the earth plane and act as conduits to deliver increased levels of energy and light into the world. It represents spiritual renewal of the planet.

The moon is associated with consciousness, particularly with the right brain. Each phase of the moon carries its own special energy. The full moon represents enlightenment, which is the full flowering of consciousness.

This initiatory window of the full moon, which runs from 2:20am ET on the 17th to 3:59am ET on the 18th, will open a new period of human evolution in which more light will be available for rapid human awakening. This awakening will deepen over the coming months and years.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stacey-lawson/amazing-grace-video_b_111155.html

    I just got back from an incredible two week trip to Peru. When I left Salt Lake I only had one night booked in Cusco…and the phone number of the shaman I had emailed. I have to admit I had some apprehension. When I arrived in Cusco, I called the shaman, and he asked what plans I had. I said I had absolutely none. He told me to take the train up the Incan Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes at the base of Machu Picchu. At best, I imagined he might be available to work with me for an hour or two and then send me on my way.

 

       I had one day in Cusco (buying tickets, etc.) before I headed to Aguas Calientes, so I picked one site I most wanted to visit. It’s called Saksaywayman, and it’s a combination Incan fortress and spiritual center. When I got there, an older man came up to me and began walking and talking with me. He was a shaman, and he spent the rest of the day there with me, showing me the spiritual elements and doing shamanic ceremony with me to prepare me for my trip up the Sacred Valley.

 

    When I got to Aguas Calientes I was absolutely overwhelmed by the spectacular magesty of the incredibly tall, green, totally-vertical mountains, standing in a 360 degree circle all around the town. I literally stood stunned in the middle of a bridge over the river with tears in my eyes. Then, I met the shaman I was there to meet! He’s a 50-year-old Incan descendent, about 5′ 6″, with long black hair and a small goatee. He’s a warm, open-hearted, happy man who lives in the same state of relatedness and harmony I wrote about in Hollow Bones. He and I were instant brothers. He took me into his family. We spent the rest of my trip together, and I got to experience that way of being in the world the entire time.

 

    My new brother had to lead a group up to Machu Picchu the next day, so I asked him what I should do the day he was busy. He told me to climb a mountain called Putu Cusi. I was only about 10-15 minutes into the climb when I reached the first of five tree branch ladders. The first one was about 200′. Honestly, it scared me to death, especially when I discovered that some of the rungs were broken out. I did make it to the top, a place that overlooks the beautiful Machu Picchu site far below. I meditated on that peak and asked for direction about how I should prepare for what was to come. The answer I got was that I had arrived there by grace, and that all I had to do was to relax and harmonize. I took that message to heart for the rest of my trip. When I made it back down, I was elated. I felt like I had already accomlished something I would never have believed I could do. I would have gone home happy after only that one experience.

 

    The next day my shaman brother said he wanted to take me to “Macchu Picchu.” When we got to the ruins he took me around to a stone staircase that rose to a large, natural stone and had me stand there. When the sun came over the mountain and aligned with that stone, I understood for the very first time in my life what the term “sunrise” really means. It was a powerful experience–I could see and feel the sun’s prana energy. Then he took me around the site and showed me other natural stones (power stones) which align with the surrounding mountains–the real power of the place. (It isn’t about the man-made structures at all. In fact, other people had used the site prior to the Incas.) We did some ceremony there, but left after less than an hour. He told me this wasn’t the Machu Picchu he was talking about, and pointed North to a mountain that rose high into the sky above us. “That’s Machu Picchu Mountain.”

 

    We hiked about 2 1/2 hours up another very steep slope, following the stone trail the Incans had laid. Along the way, we stopped three times to do ceremony at guardian stones–marking ascending levels of consciousness. At the top (a 30 x 8-12′ area–with vertical drop-offs on all sides) we did ceremonies that opened my heart, cleaned my body, and elevated my consciousness. I experienced the power of nature. I won’t go into details, but it was incredible.

 

    The next day my friend had me load my stuff into my pack and we walked along the river several miles until we came to a gate in the high jungle that opened onto a cultivated piece of jungle with calla lilies, banana trees, avocado trees, healing herbs, and a trout pond. It was primative and beautiful. We built a fire and slept there outside that night after doing another ceremony, which was even more cleasing and powerful than the first. We shared a lot that night and I learned a lot about things that had transpired in my life. Wonderful! In the morning we ate the figs and bread he had brought and avocados from the trees. Then my friend used a machete to cut a path through the jungle up the mountainside until we reached a huge Pre-Incan cave with paintings on the walls–very cool energy there.

 

    The following morning we climbed on the train again to ride back to Cusco. Along the way we stopped to visit other remarkable Incan sites. My shaman brother had invited a shaman friend from the interior river jungle to meet us to do ceremony Cusco. The jungle shaman, who comes from a family of healers and shamans–he knows the medicinal use of hundreds of plants–came that night. Wearing his tribal robe and crown he sang eeiry, but beautiful songs that connected me to the almost-overwelming power of the universe, and allowed me to resolve many relationships in my life. We performed another ceremony the following night in another ceremonial space high on the hill above the city, resulting in a different experience and new insights. After going to bed at 3:00 in the morning, my brother woke us to walk to the Saksaywayman ruins to greet the sunrise at 5:00. It was well worth the sleep deprivation.

 

    For the grand finale, I took the train back to Aguas Calientes and climbed back up to the top of Machu Picchu mountain again–alone this time. I spent two days and two nights up there. It was amazing! There were millions of brilliant stars, shooting stars, a new moon, and dancing layers of clouds above and below me. A Peruvian man walked up late the second day. When he started to play his flute, I knew he was yet another shaman. We shared in ceremony and became friends before he left me there and went down. I used my time on the mountain to meditate and absorb my experience. In the end I got the confirmation that I had “done well.”

 

    Believe it or not, there is much more I could tell, amazing given I was only gone two weeks. I have returned feeling open and harmonious, like I have been reborn–this time more fully alive. I plan to continue my walk down this new/old path. What I learned in Peru is that your intention brings you to the door, and that grace opens the door to you. Once you enter, you walk with an open heart, in harmony, and with continual grace. The whole trip was a lesson in grace.

In my last blog I declared a writing moratorium until I felt I had something to say that added to or improved upon the silence. I said I’m seeking a new vision. Little did I know…

I leave tomorrow for Peru for at least two weeks. I have booked two nights in Cuzco to adjust to the altitude. After that, I’ll be on my own, flying by the seat of my pants.

When I get to Cuzco I am to call a shaman I’ve been introduced to through a shaman friend here. Kucho is the spiritual gaurdian of Machu Picchu. I hope to do healing work and ceremony with him. He has asked that I bring with me the “power of the North” that we might continue the work of “unifying the harmony” of the two places.   

I’ll spend the remainder of my time up and down the Sacred Valley of the Incas on a vision quest. I must admit I’m just a little anxious, but I trust this will an incredible experience. My shaman friend told me that the anxiety part made sense, given that at least part of me knows what I’m in for. He did bless and protect me for the journey.

Hopefully, I’ll have one hell of a story to tell when I return. I ask for your blessings too, and send mine to you.

Along with everyone else, I’m in the middle of a huge paradigm shift–right in the middle. I don’t see the emerging future yet, and I don’t want to write from the past. So, I’ll wait to write more here. Until then, I’m on vacation. Check back at the first of July, and we’ll see where things stand then.

I’ll leave you with this wonderful quote from a plaque that hangs on Sai Baba’s wall.

Before you speak think:

Is it true?

Is it necessary?

Does it improve on the silence?

In my April 18th blog I encouraged all of us–especially our presidential candidates–to look at the world through a broader lens in order to see and address the urgent global problems we face. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw that someone–someone with a great deal more influence than I have–had recently delivered a very similar message to the leaders of our country.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown just delivered his first foreign policy address in the U.S. He called on the United States and Europe to lead a new era of global “interdependence” in order to address shared international problems, including terrorism, poverty, and climate change. Brown said, “We urgently need to step out of the mind-set of competing interests and instead find our common interests, and we must summon up the best instincts and efforts of humanity in a cooperative effort to build new international rules and institutions for the new global era.”  

During his visit, Brown also met with each of the presidential candidates. I hope whoever we elect will welcome Brown’s offer of interdependence and cooperation with a partner who is willing to help heal our wounded world. We should never turn down an offer like that.

Look for ways to extend that same offer of interdependence and cooperation in your own life–with your family, your friends, your neighbors, and the people you work with. Offer to change the rules of the game in your personal world. It really is possible. It really can be that simple.

 

It’s so hard to see outside our personal frame of reference. Our frame of reference is like a lens through which we view the world. We’re so accustomed to the way we see through that lens that we believe it shows us an accurate picture of how the world actually is. We have a hard time recognizing the limits to our range of vision, or the distortions in our lens. Simply put, our perspectives determine what we see.

A perfect example of the way this works can be found in the current presidential election campaign. Each media sound bite evokes an entirely different response depending on which candidate you support. The same statement can rouse one group while infuriating another. Every statement and occurence is seen from within “our candidate’s” frame of reference. We tend to dismiss or rationalize anything negative that doesn’t match our positive view of “our candidate.” We become adversaries.

The entire political process plays out as a competition between “opponent” perspectives. The goal is to have the perspective you support assume power and gain control going forward. Of course, it’s never really that simple, is it? After the election is over, the losing, unrepresented perspectives use the congress and senate, the courts, and civil action to obstruct and limit the implementation of the “winning” perspective. The battle goes on.

Abraham Lincoln invited his “adversaries” to join his cabinet, so that he could benefit from their diverse perspectives instead of excluding them. What an incredible idea! I would encourage Barack Obama, Hilary Clinton, and John McCain to consider doing the same. They will have to broaden, not reinforce and defend, their limited perspectives to address the enormous, daunting challenges that we the inhabitants of this one small earth share in common. These are not partisan issues. 

The current challenges facing us as individuals, as a nation, and as world citizens right now (population growth and a corresponding increase in competition for resoures, global warming, soaring food and oil prices, declining resources, unstable nations, etc.) require that we all stretch beyond our individual, political party, religious, and national ways of viewing things. That’s asking a lot. We’re so accustomed to thinking that the way we see things–the way things are–is the way they must continue to be. How can we possibly step beyond our current viewpoints and begin to think as a “one world” community? 

The only way to begin to think that way and to face those challenges is to expand the lens each of us sees through. We need a wider, more inclusive lens, one with fewer divisions, categories, and judgments. Yes, we’ll have to give up some of the ways that we have too narrowly defined ourselves. We’ll also have to be less short-sighted, and look down the road further. Doing that won’t make us less or smaller. It will make us more. 

The new earth that Eckhart Tolle talks about (see my March 15th post) and the heaven on earth that Chokecherry Gall Eagle envisioned (see my February 28th post) are already unfolding–right here, right now. These are not prophecies about a remote, idealistic future. They are explanations of something that is literally taking place now, in our lifetimes.

Two paths now stretch out before us. One path is the continuation of the path we have been on for centuries. On that path, we derive our personal identity from the objects we possess, our thoughts–including our beliefs, and our emotions. We experience ourselves as separate from all else, and view life either as a competition for advantage, or as a battle for survival. This path may povide temporary elations, but there is a constant undertone of fear and stress that arises from either the desire to hold on to our gains, or the craving to seek new ones. Buddha called this path the path of suffering.

Now the second path has opened. It doesn’t break off to the right or left of the first path: It gradually rises vertically above it. It is the path you find yourself walking when you no longer identify yourself as the things you possess or your different beliefs. You begin to experience your relatedness to all things. You discover the one Self that is manifesting through you and all esle. You recognize consciousness flowering in you. That consciousness reveals the new path and leads you into the new world–the one that is already here.

We are entirely free to chose the path we will take. The choice is now.

I haven’t been writing lately because I just haven’t had anything new to say. I would have been repeating things I’ve already said at some earlier point. I feel like there’s an incredible shift underway, but I feel caught in mid-turn–in between. When I look around me, when I watch the news, it seems like we’re all in the same boat.

The hardest thing for me is accepting that there’s nothing to do. I know that everything is fine–in fact perfect. But, I know how to work at letting go, I know how to work toward some goal. What I don’t do well is to wait…to wait patiently. I begin to assume something must be wrong, that I should be doing something to make things move. My solution is to get into my ego. Clever! The result is that I still must wait, but instead of relaxing and playing (as the wise would do) I wait anxiously, uncomfortably.

I surrender. This is all in someone else’s hands. I’m going for a walk. I recommend you do the same.

You Can Save the World:  Actions You Can Take

Downscale. I recently read in a local paper that developers are selling 4,000-5,000 square foot, zero-energy-use homes in a near-by mountain range development. I was delighted that the builders were incorporating that high level of energy efficiency. But, wouldn’t it make better environmental and economic sense to incorporate that same technology into smaller houses–houses that didn’t require a long commute to get anywhere? (The average house size has increased significantly in our lifetime.). That would automatically reduce furnishing expenses, upkeep costs, gas costs, mortgage payments…and save even more energy.

When the time comes to make any new or replacement purchase, seriously consider scaling down. For example, if you now drive two vehicles, consider getting by with one. How about trading in your vehicle less often? Then, when you do trade it in, consider trading it for a smaller, cheaper, more efficient vehicle. Better yet, why not walk, bike, or take mass transit instead of driving at all. Similarly, If you move down the food chain, and reduce portion sizes, both you and the environment will benefit. This same reasoning can be applied to all areas of your life.

So, as a rule, think smaller…and think less…any time you have a choice. Reducing your use of resources is still the very best way to preserve resources.