Wednesday, August 17, 2011

This is your Life.

A few weeks ago, just before I went to Triangles Bar, and met Deryk. I posted this on my Facebook account. Many friends commented on it, and it challenged me.  Why dream about that day when you will live the way your heart desires?
When I saw this I posted it and I prayed it, I repeated it several times putting that 'vibe' out into the Universe for the Creator to hear it was a deep yearning, yes I want this!
Now my opportunity to live it has come to me, through a person I met; who was also searching for someone, someone to share his life with, to work with him to build a future that we have both dreamed about. 
And because of my skills, talents, gifts education, experience and background. Together with his many gifts and talents for Building and Knowledge of farming, and background in Spirituality, we can build a Retreat Center in the wilderness totally living off the land. Just as the early Franciscan communities did. Living in a  simple modest way leaving as little a footprint as possible, having respect for all creatures. Holding workshops on Organic Farming, Forest identification, Hikes, Prayer, Counselling, Spiritual Direction.

Pray for your Dream, have faith. It will come!



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Tuesday, August 16, 2011

My Spirituality an organic process leading me back to the old ways

This page: is a work in progress, as is the nature of our journey.


“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.” -Teilhard de Chardin
Christians believe we have a soul, and that the body is a "temple for that spirit to dwell in" the body dies the spirit lives forever. As most scholars know Christianity is a relative late comer. Most "Christian Holidays" were originally pagan celebrations that the Church adapted and made Christian. Mostly widely know is Christmas. Jesus was most likley born in September "when Shepherds were watching the flocks by night." Yet the Church was fighting Pagan celebrations centered around winter solstice. Google it some great articles a books on this subject.

When I was a child I could see people's aura's I remember asking Nanny about it, she said well in pictures of Saints you can see halos so yes people can see the light of another. I also saw them around plants and trees and animals; but over the years I learned to ignore them; now only when I concentrate and in the right light conditions.
I was of course raised Catholic, and from an early age felt a calling, a vocation. After UNB and my undergrad degree I began to explore. That previous year or so I spent in Moncton 18 years ago I wrote to and visited several religious orders. St Francis of Assisi spoke loudest to me. Francis was very connected to nature and animals and simple living. When I was in Italy I visited the early communities and places where Francis lived and built.

The Canticle of the Sun

by Francis of Assisi

Most high, all powerful, all good Lord! All praise is yours, all glory, all honor, and all blessing.

To you, alone, Most High, do they belong. No mortal lips are worthy to pronounce your name.

Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures, especially through my lord Brother Sun, who brings the day; and you give light through him. And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor! Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.

Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars; in the heavens you have made them, precious and beautiful.

Be praised, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air, and clouds and storms, and all the weather, through which you give your creatures sustenance.

Be praised, My Lord, through Sister Water; she is very useful, and humble, and precious, and pure.

Be praised, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom you brighten the night. He is beautiful and cheerful, and powerful and strong.

Be praised, my Lord, through our sister Mother Earth, who feeds us and rules us, and produces various fruits with colored flowers and herbs.

Be praised, my Lord, through those who forgive for love of you; through those who endure sickness and trial. Happy those who endure in peace, for by you, Most High, they will be crowned.

Be praised, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death, from whose embrace no living person can escape. Woe to those who die in mortal sin! Happy those she finds doing your most holy will. The second death can do no harm to them.

Praise and bless my Lord, and give thanks, and serve him with great humility.

*This prayer above is very pagan; earth, air, fire, water. The Four elements.

The Prayer of St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
The Prayer of St Francis of Assisi


 St. Francis was born at Assisi in 1182. After a care free youth, he turned his back on inherited wealth and committed himself to God. Like many early saints, he lived a very simple life of poverty, and in so doing, gained a reputation of being the friend of animals. He established the rule of St Francis, which exists today as the Order of St. Francis, or the Franciscans. He died in 1226, aged 44.

Francis is loved by many, christian and non-christian, and is easily relate-able to "indigenous peoples" When I did my under grad degree my secondary major was Anthropology, and more specifically studying cultures that were living in the "stone-age" the Yanomowmow in Brasil, and also various tribes of Papua New Guinea. Their rituals and pagan beliefs.


Priesthood:
I was ordained in the Catholic Church. An"indelible stain on my soul" priests are ordained to “the Order of Melchizedek,” 
The Melchizedek priesthood is the name of several priesthoods in different religions[which?]. Priesthood is generally attributed to Melchizedek as he is the first individual to be given the title Kohen (priest) in the bible (Torah).
Although the Old Testament ("Torah") affirms that Melchizedek was "priest of God Most High." [1], The Midrash and Babylonian Talmud maintain that the priesthood held by Melchizedek, who pre-dated the patriarch Levi by five generations[2] was given in his stead to Abram who in turn passed it on to his patrilineal descendents (Issac and then to Jacob).
Midrashic literature attributes this transition as a consequence due to Malchitzedek preceding the name of Avrohom to that of god, while some Jewish commentarians write the Melchizedek gave the priesthood to Abram willingly[3]
Maimonodes, in his Mishna Torah compilation, explains that Jacob separated his son Levi from his other sons and appointed him to instruct and teach the ways of service to God, specifically the servicial methods used by -his forfather- Abraham, to his brothers. He also instructed his sons to perpetuate this status of Levi ("Shevet Levi") for eternity[4][5].
In Medrash, it is written that Amram the son of Kehoth the son of Levi was the spiritual leader of the sons of Jacob ("Israel") during their Egyptian Bondage. Following his passing, his post was assumed by his son Ahron.
At the time of the erection of the Mishkan, God commanded Moshe to appoint Ahron and his sons to the Kohanic service as a precondition to God revealing his Shechinah amongst the nation of Israel;
And Ahron and his sons I will sanctify to serve me and I will dwell amidst the sons of Israel and I will be to them a God, and they will know that I (am) God their Master that took them out from the land of Egypt (in order that) I (will) dwell in their midst
—Exodus (Shmot) 29:44-46
King David in the Psalms refers to the future King of kings or Messiah as a "priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek." (Psalm 110:1-4.)
Melchizedek is referred to again in Hebrews 5:6-10; Hebrews 6:20; Hebrews 7:1-21: "Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek"; and Hebrews 8:1.
And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises" (Hebrews 7:5-6).
If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law" (Hebrews 7:11-12).
Hebrews 7:3 "Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually."

Melchizedek was an ordinary man. He is called a "man" in Hebrews 7:4. He had a "decendant" or genealogy but it was not counted (Hebrews 7:6). He was an ordinary man who lived in the days of Abraham, as plainly taught in (Genesis 14:17-24; Hebrews 7:1-11). He was without recorded father of mother, begining of days and end of life so that he could be a type of Christ Who really had no beginning or end of days and Who was to be a priest after his order forever (Hebrews 6:20).

So ... was Melchizedek a pagan? On the one hand, being neither Jewish nor Christian, the answer might be yes. On the other hand, he evidently worshiped the One True God, so the answer might be no. On the third hand, being pagan does not automatically exclude being monotheistic; the tribal religion of the Ashante of Ghana is monotheistic, and the pagan Pharaoh Akhenaton was monotheistic. But again, Melchizedek may have lived before the split between "pagan" and "non-pagan" became clear.


Pagan and Mystic beliefs: 

I know that I am a part of the Whole of Nature. May I grow in understanding of the Unity of all Nature. May I always walk in Balance.
May I always be mindful of the diversity of Nature as well as its Unity and may I always be tolerant of those whose race, appearance, sex, sexual preference, culture, and other ways differ from my own.
May I use the Force (psychic power/ prayer/positive energy) wisely and never use it for aggression nor for malevolent purposes. May I never direct it to curtail the free will of another.
May I always be mindful that I create my own reality and that I have the power within me to create positivity in my life.
May I always act in honorable ways: being honest with myself and others, keeping my word whenever I have given it, fulfilling all responsibilities and commitments I have taken on to the best of my ability.
May I always remember that whatever is sent out always returns magnified to the sender. May the Forces of Karma move swiftly to remind me of these spiritual commitments when I have begin to falter from them, and may I use this Karmic feedback to help myself grow and be more attuned to my Inner Spirit.
May I always remain strong and committed to my Spiritual ideals in the face of adversity and negativity. May the Force of my Inner Spirit ground out all malevolence directed my way and transform it into positivity. May my Inner Light shine so strongly that malevolent forces can not even approach my sphere of existence.
May I always grow in Inner Wisdom & Understanding. May I see every problem that I face as an opportunity to develop myself spiritually in solving it.
May I always act out of Love to all other beings on this Planet - to other humans, to plants, to animals, to minerals, to elementals, to spirits, and to other entities.
May I always be mindful that the Goddess and God in all their forms dwell within me and that this divinity is reflected through my own Inner Self, my Spirit.
Godhead is one unique and transcendent wholeness, beyond any limitations or expressions; thus, it is beyond our human capacity to understand and identify with this principle of Cosmic Oneness, except as It is revealed to us in terms of It's attributes and operation.
The most basic and meaningful attribute of the One that we, as humans, can relate to and understand, is that of polarity, of action and reaction; therefore we recognize the Oneness of the Divinity, but worship and relate to the Divine as the archetypal polarity of God and Goddess, the All-Father and the Great Mother of the universe. The Beings are as near as we can approach to the One within our human limitations of understanding and expression, though it is possible to experience the divine Oneness through the practices of the Mysteries.
Harmony does not consist of the pretty and the nice, but the balanced, dynamic, poised cooperation and co-relation.
May I always channel Love and Light from my being. May my Inner Spirit, rather than my ego self, guide all my thoughts, feelings, and actions.



Who or what are the Druids?
What do they believe and what is their purpose in this time?

The Ancient Druids were once, Judges, Kingmakers, Scientists, Magicians and Priests and their modern counterparts may be viewed likewise. The word itself (Druid) comes through both Brythonic tongues (Cornish and Welsh) meaning either knowledge of the Oak or Wizard, or Wise man, in Gaelic ( Irish and Scots.)

Druidry itself is both a philosophical viewpoint and a religious world view, although it would be fair to say that many Druids view themselves also as Pagan Priests.

So what is a Pagan Priest and how does a Priest differ from the rank and file? To answer this question we have to first look at other belief systems and the way in which they differ betwixt believer and Priest.

The Druid or Pagan Priest in this context may be seen as the Celebrant and the believers, not as a congregation as is the case in most systems, but as equals. It should be noted that Pagans tend to meet or congregate in circles the importance being that they have no head, nor do they have beginning or end (rather like the Round Table). Thus, the circle mirrors the turning of the wheel, and the cycle of the seasons held in such reverence by the Pagan community.

There are three basic grades or types of Druids.

The Bardic grade, which deals predominantly with musical, poetic, artistic, and academic skills.

The Ovate grade, which deals predominantly with the Intuitive and Magical skills including healing, astrology and divination.

And of course the Druid grade that deals with Public ritual and Judgments, ceremonial, inspiration and culture.

There are many different Orders of Druids, both National and Local. Some prefer only to work within their own Sacred landscape, whilst others are equally at home in many different locations. Some Orders concentrate on the teaching side of Druidry, whilst others will concentrate on the Magical and Intuitive, and yet others, the Ritual. It is up to the individual as to which type of Druid Order they join, bearing in mind how he or she prefers to work.

Tradition has it that Druids, as opposed to other branches of the Pagan faith, work with the Sun and the Solar Festivals. This is because ..
"All we do. we do in the eye of the Sun and before and in the presence of the assembled congregation"

It is this Spirit of openness that has led to the spectacle of Public Ritual, and the rebirth of an ancient magical religion.
Responsibilities of the Druids.

There is an inherent responsibility for those involved in the first type Bardic orders to pass on such knowledge and understanding as they have received, for generations yet to be.

Likewise, there is a responsibility for the use of such knowledge by those of the Ovate grade and that such knowledge should be used for the benefit of the planet and our environs.

Those Orders and individuals who perform ritual in the public eye, and are therefore themselves in the public domain, have likewise a responsibility to the public as a whole and therefore should speak out publicly against injustices at least as frequently as they do in Ritual. They must be able to support their magical beliefs by their daily conduct in life.

©Arthur Pendragon /|\


Some of my favorite quotes: 


People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
-Maya Angelou
---------------------- 
"To love another person is to see the face of God"
 - Les Miserables.....

----------------------

"Who you are now is God's Gift to you, what you become is your gift to God."
----------------------
" This too shall Pass."
------------------
The greatest revolution of our generation is the discovery that human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives. 
~William James 
-----------------
"When I am old I shall wear purple."
------
“The fullness of Joy is to behold God in everything.” - Julian of Norwich



****************
 "Out beyond who is right and who is wrong....is a field, meet me there." 
~Rumi (Sufi Mystic, Whirling Dervishes) 
************
"Preach the gospel always and everywhere and where necessary use words."
~ St Francis of Assisi


And anyone that knows me,
 knows that when they tell me about something that someone else did, I will eventually say: 
"Yeah, well that does not make them a bad person!"
______________________________________________________________

My spiritual journey has led me all over the place, and now full circle.  When I left the Capuchin Franciscans I had no regrets, I knew God led me into the Order and that she was leading me out of the Order; and that is was all for a purpose. It did not always make sense to me.
Full circle: Favorite memories: At home in Molus River when the power was out and we had a blizzard; lots of those winter days and nights. Lanterns, outhouses, farm life; eating healthy working hard; praying together. Talking about God, Jesus and the Spirit.
Favorite Saint: Francis living simply with nature in remote areas. harmony with nature.
Future: Eco living off the grid working and living in a home like my old family home! Oil lamps, praying and working together.
Full Circle!!!!!!

It is starting to make sense now!!!


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"This too shall pass;" a plan comes together

"This too shall pass" (Persian: این نیز بگذرد, Arabic: كله ماشي‎, Hebrew: גם זה יעבור‎, Turkish: Bu da geçer) is a proverb indicating that all material conditions, positive or negative, are temporary. The phrase seems to have originated in the writings of the medieval Persian Sufi poets, and is often attached to a fable of a great king who is humbled by the simple words. Some versions of the fable, beginning with that of Attar of Nishapur, add the detail that the phrase is inscribed on a ring, which therefore has the ability to make the happy man sad and the sad man happy. Jewish folklore often describes Solomon as giving or receiving the phrase. The proverb and associated fable were popular in the first half of the 19th century, appearing in a collection of tales by the English poet Edward Fitzgerald and being employed in a speech by Abraham Lincoln before he became president.

History

The phrase appears in the works of Persian Sufi poets, such as Sanai and Attar of Nishapur.[1] Attar records the fable of a powerful king who asks assembled wise men to create a ring that will make him happy when he is sad, and vice versa. After deliberation the sages hand him a simple ring with the words "This too will pass" etched on it, which has the desired effect.[1]
Jewish folklore often casts Solomon as either the king humbled by the proverb, or as the one who delivers it to another. Many versions of the folktale have been recorded by the Israel Folklore Archive at the University of Haifa.[2] In some versions the phrase is simplified even further, appearing as only the Hebrew letters gimel, zayin, and yodh, which begin the words "Gam zeh ya'avor" (Hebrew: גם זה יעבור‎, gam zeh yaavor), "this too shall pass."
In Turkish folklore, the phrase is commonly used in short stories and songs. The use of this phrase in colloquial Turkish is thought to have its roots in these songs and stories.
 
The story, generally attached to a nameless "Eastern monarch", became popular in the West in the first half of the 19th century, appearing in American papers by at least 1839.[3] In 1852, the English poet Edward Fitzgerald included a brief version in his collection Polonius: A Collection of Wise Saws and Modern Instances. Fitzgerald's unattributed version, titled "Solomon's Seal", describes a sultan requesting of King Solomon a sentence that would always be true in good times or bad; Solomon responds, "This too will pass away".[3] On September 30, 1859, Abraham Lincoln included a similar story in an address before the Wisconsin State Agricultural Society in Milwaukee:
It is said an Eastern monarch once charged his wise men to invent him a sentence, to be ever in view, and which should be true and appropriate in all times and situations. They presented him the words: "And this, too, shall pass away." How much it expresses! How chastening in the hour of pride! How consoling in the depths of affliction![cite this quote]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~THIS TOO SHALL PASS~~~~~~~~~~~~

Deryk has a number of Tattoos. I one that screamed at me was across his back at the shoulder, it reads: "This Too Shall Pass." I say this all the time!! in the past week I could think of several people I has said that phrase to. I was a favorite of my grandmothers too.
Saturday night we decide to go dancing again, get showered up, and go to the club. Again its like there is no-one else in the club. We get drinks, dance, go out for a smoke, and the evening is magical. While he is in washroom, Marc I guy I had talked with a few times before comes over."Gyrlllll.. where did you find that hunk of a man!!!!! OMG he is gorgeous!!!!!, and is he smitten with you!!!" we chat a bit I fill him in.
Deryk returns, with fresh drinks beer for him D.Pepsi & white Rum in a tall glass with a twist of lime, for me.
We dance the night away, mostly slow dancing in the middle of the floor with people jostling us, and bumping into us. We barely notice them. By 2:00 am the place is full loud and when we go for a smoke, I suggest we leave and go back to my place.
Another wonderful night. Sunday morning I make him an omelet  with fresh mushrooms and peppers. We discuss our future. He decides to extend his stay from leaving Tuesday to leaving Thursday. He understands that I cannot miss work, and that people are depending on me.
Monday morning I go to work and leave him my spare keys, he checking out job opportunities for October.

At work I am calling staff "sweetie and honey" smiling everywhere. Just before noon I am in a meeting and the phone rings, I ignore it. After the meeting, Kim (Cook) brings me a message. "Yeh." she says. " A Deryk called, and he said for you to phone home????"
I smile ear to hear, laugh and she laughs. So I fill her in she is happy for me. we laugh.
I call "home" and Deryk answers.
Ok he says just wanted to make sure you are there, I say yes good I was wondering if you were real too!! I tell him I should be "Home" by about 3:30. After getting home he tells me my outside key does not work, he had to follow someone in the building to get in, but the apartment key works. I apologize an admit I never tried it. lol We decide to go to a Vegetarian Restaurant. just down the street. We enjoyed a lovely meal.
Wednesday evening he makes a lovely organic, healthy meal for me.
My doctors are gonna be happy. I was diagnosed with High Blood pressure, have been on different meds, just getting the number down to a normal range now.  He also did all my laundry for me, as I was going to do it on the weekend but got distracted !!
So he does laundry, cooks, I mean really???? I am floating above the ground.
We talk that evening he want me to come see his farm in Nova Scotia, I want him to move in with me in October and live with me while he is in Moncton for the winter.
Then he asks could you ever live away from you family again??
 OH God yes!!
When I moved back a year ago I remember praying, how I needed a year to heal and to get re-connected to my family; that really I did not want to date too soon. Also that my apartment is next to the train tracks, when I got the place I thought great I will not be here long, this is transitory like the trains I will keep moving.
I actually applied for several jobs in Halifax, always wanted to live in Halifax, visited there with my sister Daneen before my Ordination several years back. Strong attraction to Nova Scotia; had recently googled camp grounds and gay friendly place there. Always wanted to visit and see the Annapolis Valley.
Thursday morning he left for Nova Scotia, I asked if he was going to be at the Market in Annapolis that Saturday, why he asked. I had a plan. I had to go see his home, what he has built over seven years.
By Thursday evening I had everything covered, I could leave after work Friday and be there by dark. and could return late Sunday, as I arranged a late start on Monday.
I called him three or for times, left a few messages; he called when he finished his chores, and I told him, so exciting.
Drove down after work on Friday, the trip went smoothly only a couple wrong turns, that were quickly recognized thanks to crows!!!
My Grandmother, when she say crows would say: " one crow sorrow, two crow Joy, three crow letter, four crow boy......." when she saw just one she would throw a kiss. All along the way I saw pairs of crows. Then after turning off highway onto Rte 236? and few minutes I saw one crow, threw a kiss, and a few minutes later another single crow; stopped checked my direction.. I was heading toward New Glasgow!! wrong direction!! I am driving west into the setting sun, hard to see but St Francis is singing " Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures, especially through my lord Brother Sun, who brings the day; and you give light through him. And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor! Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness." 
I arrive on the farm at sunset, to see the sun setting across the Bay of Fundy, setting over New Brunswick.
When will this feeling of euphoria end???? " this too shall pass" I kept saying to myself.
He shows me his home, wow (pictures on my Facebook Profile). Its like I stepped back in time to my Family farm. Buildings are all new but built using traditional techniques. It is beautiful.
Sister moon is nearly full she is shining bright. "Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars; in the heavens you have made them, precious and beautiful." She will be full tomorrow night!
We spend the evening talking and dreaming together. smokin some smoke, lighting a few oil lanterns. the mood was perfect. In his kitchen a beautiful wood stove with a warmin' closet like at my grandparents, and a cot in the Kitchen; I feel so at home. When will this end, be calm and breath, remember to breath!
Over the weekend I see the property and meet his friends that have cottages on the same farm and share the work of organic farming, woodlot, management, building a community!
With the Franciscan I was Vocation and formation director, Local superior of several houses, building community. It all seems to perfect given my history and gifts and skill set.
The timing is perfect. We decide that He will move to Moncton for the winter as planned, and in the Spring I will move home with him. now we have but a few months, time will go fast and our time apart? well... This too shall pass.


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