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 Hi folks; We have begun a new year and a new decade. Presently, it is below zero and snowing like there will be no tomorrow..translated—whole bunch lots. In my own childlike ways, I love every moment of it. Snow is like a breath of fresh air for my eyes. I drink each snowflake deeply and enjoy the aliveness of the cold air. I can get lost in the beauty of the moment. Recently, I experienced religious bigotry about my native American heritage and spiritual practices. I realize that much of this behavior comes from ignorance and irrationality. In this instance, it prevented my getting some consulting work and was left as if I was practicing Satanism, although it was never specifically stated. Such is the various forms of religious bigotry. As a result, I decided to add some clarity about shamanism and indigenous spiritual beliefs. I own them as mine; however, you might find them useful as you struggle with how to counter the various forms of religious discrimination Shaman is an indigenous term that means holy man, spiritual leader---similar to reverend, priest, minister. Shamanism is an indigenous spiritual practice, similar to prayer, meditation, & fasting. Some who practice shamanism may also practice other formal religions. Many conservatively religious individuals do not understand shamanism and as a result show their religious bigotry toward shamanism through their denigrating and prejudiced views and intolerance of the opinions of others. This irrational behavior is intriguing as it is well documented that many of the ceremonial practices of shamanism, such as use of incense/smoke to clear or create sacred space, were derived from or were influenced by the ancient spiritual practices of shamanism. When applied to religious history, the practice of fasting, going to the desert or the mountains without food or water so as to get closer to God to receive a vision, such as tablets of stone or the New Testament, is a shamanic practice tens of thousands of years old. In native American terms, this practice is often called vision questing; however, the original process was called lamenting (crying) for a vision. It was believed that God placed every person on earth with a specific and unique vision of how the world could be different as a result of one’s personal existence. Over time, it was believed, each individual would forget this purpose as a result of growing up in the excitement of the wonderment of life. Around puberty, the individual would, through cultural teachings, begin to realize that he or she had forgotten their original God given purpose. When this was realized, the individual would begin to lament that loss for up to a year. Prayer ties would be created in preparation for going to the sacred space of the local area, often, the desert, a mountain, or a dense woods. For four days and four nights, the individual would be required to face all fears developed since birth so that clarity of one’s God given purpose would surface and again guide that individual’s existence within the community and on the earth. Presently, we have two workshops scheduled for this year. First, we will meet in Bethel Horizons retreat center near Dodgeville, Wisconsin 22-24 January 2010 for an Emergence workshop. For the first time in many years, I have begun making crystal necklaces and prayer horns to celebrate our time together. Interestingly, the necklaces are lemurian seed crystals and arrow heads found by my father. I wonder what spirit is preparing each of us to emerge. The second workshop is over Halloween. Details will come later in the year. I recently wrote a poem about death. It is not a morbid poem. Rather, it is more like an exploration of life, the awakening of the lifeless parts of ourselves which are often neglected. I hope you ponder it as I have found great solace in it...reminding me that the gift of life is within all aspects of our existence.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx DeathLike an old friend, I find comfort in your presence, Your curiosity surprises me You prod me with reminders I grapple to understand As my old friend, ©thstevenson xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Upcoming WorkshopsEmergence of the Soul
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Bountiful Blessings