The Leopard told me once “It’s hard work, being a Grandfather”. Years have gone by; more and more, I understand. The Leopard gave me courage – the years, clear sight. My duty now is to tell the truth. Some truth lifts, pleases, brings joy. Other truth stings, touches grief. I owe you both. Knowing that some will hurt, I owe … Read More
Born Whole post #17 – Appendix 3: The Beginnings of Physical Existence
Later in the research, Grant and I decided to take another journey. This was a side trip from our initial pre-conception-to-birth itinerary. We would begin again at the point when the Chosen One among the eggs was about to be released from the ovary. However, this time we would move not forward but backward in time. Our goal was to … Read More
A gift of gratitude
This morning I offered three sacred herbs to the water in a ceremony of gratitude. My gratitude today was for my spiritual path and the teachings of giving back. As I made the offering I spoke my gratitude for my teachers, to my teachers, and for the lineages they have carried and shared. In my mind I saw teachers I … Read More
Loneliness and ceremony
Sometimes as I am preparing to lead a ceremony with other people I feel lonely. That feeling may remain until I arrive at the place where the ceremony will be held, when I can connect with those unseen ones who will guide, accompany, and witness me and the other two-leggeds who will participate. Then the loneliness disappears and I understand … Read More
Born Whole post #16 – Appendix 2: Four Days Without Water
This is the story of a powerful experience of solitude in nature, and some of the lessons I learned in that time and place. André looked at me and said, “What are you taking with you?” “Sleeping bag, underpad, tarp and ropes in case it rains, my ceremonial materials, and some water.” “No, you’re not.” “Huh? Not what?” “No water.” … Read More
Circle in the sand
It’s early morning. In the beach sand by the ocean I draw a circle, as perfect as I can make it. This sand already holds the tracks of water, deer, crow, gull, otter, rabbit, and now this two-legged one. I mark the directions, the cardinal points of east, south, west, and north. In my mind and heart I also mark … Read More
Limitations of a spiritual teacher
One day I drove five hours; the route and place I knew only from a map. But the map is not the territory; the lines and dots and names, once seen, heard, felt, smelled, and tasted in experience, transcend that impoverished flat map, whose value now is only in the memory – which also is a map, not the formed … Read More
Born Whole post #15 – Appendix 1: A Life-Changing Vision
This is the story of an experience I had several years before I met Grant McFetridge. The vision I was given that night put me on the path that prepared me to work with him. I emerged from the darkness and heat of the sweatlodge, “the womb of our mother, the Earth,” into a moonlit night in July. For a … Read More
Consciousness in the River
Your life in this “ever-moving present moment” is like floating down a river. The river is a metaphor for consciousness. Look at the surface of the river in this present moment. Open to your senses. Feel the breeze on your skin, see the beauty of a flower or cloud, hear the sounds of waves and birds, smell the aromas of … Read More
Greeting an Other-Self
If I were to tell you that there’s a quote at the bottom of this page from the Old Testament, would you immediately stop reading? What if I said it was from the star beings of Betelgeuse, channeled by someone in flowing purple robes and feather earrings? Carved on a wall in a temple beside the Nile? Written in the … Read More