The Power of "YES" and the Theory of You (or U)

Dear Friends: Yesterday many of us witnessed a rare sacramental celebration in Vancouver: the Sacrament of Marriage, between two very dear friends, Constance Lucky and Ralph Danyluk. It was Dec. 21st, the winter soltice, and the weather had cooperated in providing a fairy tale-like setting. It had snowed the day before. The local mountains looked like they had been sprinkled with powdered sugar. The local evergreen boughs looked as if someone had painstakingly painted each one silvery white. The roads were good by the morning of the wedding, the bride and groom were delivered safely. The last wedding in our church took place in 2001. We are very fortunate now that a member of our congregation is licensed to conduct weddings and can issue a certificate of marriage, required in B.C., so we actually had 2 ceremonies. Since she is also a storyteller, we were treated to one of the tales from King Arthur. The reception downstairs was beautiful: roses and evergreen boughs and candles everywhere. How did all this come about? It happened because a question was posed, and the answer was a very firm and considered "YES". This is the power of 3 letters - Y,E and S. As Rev. Grimm mentioned in his sermon today, one can also find E and S together in the words Present and Presence. One also finds these letters in the words Essence, Essential, Best and Essence. All very powerful and positive words. There is a very wonderful book by Otto Scharmer called Theory U, a remarkable application of anthroposophy as a business model. In it he discusses accessing the Source. Coincidentally, I was reading a book by Florin Lowndes at the same time: Enlivening the chakra of the heart, who also discusses accessing the Source, through Rudolf Steiner's 6 fundamental exercises. In Scharmer's book he discusses how economics has moved its focus over the past 2 centuries from a focus on goods/economies of scale, to a focus on services/economies of scope, and how we are now moving to a focus on co-created personalized experiences/innovation/economies of presencing. (Please refer to the blog on co-celebrating The Act of Consecration of Man.) This means we are moving from a focus on the working class, to service class, to the creative class, which includes science, engineering, architecture, education, arts and music. In other words, a kind of 21st century Renaissance is afoot. Last weekend we were treated to 2 workshops by Stephanie Georgieff, one on the Virgin of Guadalupe and one on the Black Madonna (please take a look at her blog, The Heart of the Black Madonna). It's a curious thing that for the most part, there is no artist associated with the black madonnas sprinkled throughout Europe. These icons were created as gifts to the world for many centuries to come, and the name of the artist did not matter. The same is true of many of the great cathedrals. Creating/building/painting a work of art was a task given by the Spirit, or perhaps one could say Source. The artists knew they were creating something using natural materials at hand, that could be a source of inspiration in the future - something that could be taken into one's soul. Oh, one more thing, there is another sacrament where a question is asked, and it is hoped the answer will be Yes - The Sacrament of Ordination. :))) Sparky

The Good News

Dear Friends, life is always on the move, and as much as we try to make plans, things will always come up that one must pay attention to, perhaps calling for an alteration, or new direction. As Rev. Polter told the delegates' meeting a few years ago, "I have bad news, good news, and bad news." The past couple of blogs discussed more or less the difficulties we can face, as individuals and as a Movement. That's the bad news. The good news is, there are forces at work, waiting and wanting to help. I am speaking of course, of the spiritual world. This time of year, from now until Epiphany we instinctively feel the spiritual world drawing ever closer. Time has a way of making us feel like we are in a vortex, swirling down and down, faster and faster, until we come out the other side, or "the eye of the needle". We need something to hang onto, a lifeline. Otherwise, we can easily get caught up in the madness that materialism and commercialism bring this time of year. Remember that the spiritual world is always ready to help, all we have to do is ask. From our guardian angels, spirit and healing guides, the angelic being of our individual communities, all the way up through the hierarchies, to the Seraphim, or Spirits of Love, they are waiting and wanting to help. This is not possible, however, without our active participation. Outside the Vancouver Art Gallery right now is a sign that reads, "Warning, Perception requires Involvement." You must be willing to be involved, physically, mentally and spiritually, in order to be able to perceive, one could say, something in the supersensible. A very wonderful exercise during our workshop in Sacramento with Rev. Baan, was working a little bit with the Greek text, from which the Bible was translated into English. It's very interesting how many of the words we use today, are derived from the Greek. Take the word, koinoia. I love this word, partly because it sounds like "coin", which again takes me back to the Living Gold Conference. This is a very wonderful word: The essential meaning of the koinonia embraces concepts conveyed in the English terms community, communion, joint participation. These are all things directly related to our church, or community. I like the word community much better than congregation, which sounds more passive. Those who have studied the word find there is always an implication of action included in its meaning. One could also consider the words communication and commitment. Koinonia embraced a strong commitment to "kalos k'agathos" meaning "good and good", an inner goodness toward virtue, and an outer goodness toward social relationships. In the context of outer goodness, translated into English, the meaning of koinonia holds the idea of joint participation in something with someone, such as in a community, or team or an alliance or joint venture. The term can also relate to a spiritual relationship. In this sense, meaning something that is held and shared jointly with others for God, speaking to man's "relationship with God". Epictetus talks of religion as ‘aiming to have koinonia with Zeus". The word Zeus was later understood to mean Deus. The early Christian community saw this as a relationship with the Holy Spirit. The idea of community denotes a "common unity" of purpose and interests. By engaging in this united relationship a new level of consciousness and conscience emerges that spurs the group to higher order thinking and action, thus empowering and encouraging its members to exist in a mutually beneficial relationship. There are, of course, various levels of community, from just 2 people, anywhere and up to including humanity as a whole. This is where we are eventually heading: from 2 people in the beginning, to feeling connected and working together as a whole, across the whole world. Now there is one more meaning to the word koinoia, which we will be celebrating on December 21st, a very special wedding between 2 long time friends, Constance Lucky and Ralph Danyluk: Two people may enter into marriage in order to have "koinonia of life", that is to say, to live together a life in which everything is shared. Koinonia was used to refer to the marriage bond, and it suggested a powerful common interest that could hold two or more persons together. Next time, I hope to discuss another basic derivative, "es". Sparky

Support Your Local Sheriff (I mean Priest/Church)

Hi there, just a brief note, continuing where I left off last week with regard to an orientation on the working of a priest. I know the title will put me in a certain age bracket, but there it is, and I still like James Garner, as well as his successful actor daughter, Jennifer. For some of us, part of the reason for attending the workshop, was in the hope of learning how better to support the work of the priest. It's a huge job, and it was extremely indicative of the working of the priest, that none of the lecturers, all priests, ever spoke of what a priest can expect in terms of a salary or stipend. They are sent into a community with the trust and faith that they and their families will be adequately supported and provided for. Having attended several delegates' meetings, I would like to emphasize the word, adequate, which could also read, "barely". They truly do seemingly take a vow of poverty, when they are ordained. The fact that we are still struggling to find ways to support our priests in retirement, speaks volumes. That to me, is the first and foremost question: what does our priest and their family need? Take a good look, this is the responsibility of all members. Are they living at least as well as the average member of the congregation? If not, why not? Secondly, there are all the myriad little details that again, board members are usually well aware of, but other members of the congregation may not, and should be. In fact, one community is in the process of sending out a questionnaire, trying to find out what skills different members have, that could be volunteered in aid of the operation of the many things that often fall to a priest to carry: practical care of vestments, candles, flowers, the incense. Putting together the program, event planning, finances, website administration, email, study groups, building maintenance, taxes, insurance, etc., etc. The more that we as individuals can offer, the stronger our sense of community will become. Take a good look at your church building. Is it something you can be proud of? Would you be proud to bring your friends and family? If not, why not? Thirdly, the more of these things other people can take care of, the more the priest can concentrate on the things they are supposed to be doing: celebrating the sacraments, soul care in the community, and teaching/bringing the Word into physical being. That is the whole point of the Act of Consecration. The building of community, or helping to bring the spiritual down into the physical. The fact is, we are not just onlookers when we attend a service - we are co-celebrants. We are working together to help create something that can work positively on the Earth, and that will help carry it into its next evolution. Of course, in doing this, we also work on transforming ourselves, moving ever closer to something sacred that is waiting to be discovered in each and every one of us. We can all strive to breathe in the Word and transform it into the physical. Any and all work can become sacred. This is, of course, all done out of the freedom of our own will. The more we choose to work with the sacraments, not just by ourselves, but with others, the wider our horizons of perception and understanding will expand. Okay, that's the hard part. Next time, the Good News! Sparky

Orientation on the Working of the Priest, Sacramento, Nov. 8-10/13, Part I

Dear Friends: This past weekend was spent down in Sacramento, California. The whole adventure, from beginning to end, was so rich and full, that I will have to take some time to organize my impressions and thoughts, but I would like to offer this as a preliminary impression. This trip began very early in the morning with a train trip from Vancouver, Canada to Portland, Oregon, from there by bus to Eugene, and from there by car to Sacramento, primarily following the western coastline. It was very exciting to feel that I was on the way to something completely open and unknown. Even though I could not see all of them, the ancient volcanoes of the Cascade Range called to me on the way down: Mount Baker, Rainier, St. Helen's, Hood, Washington and finally Shasta. These snow-capped, silent sentinels still hold an energy that can be felt within a very large radius. In fact, in some circles, Mount Shasta is known as the root chakra of the Earth. Its energy radiates out, unbound and unchannelled. It may be no coincidence that a school of eurythmy sits at its base. It is possible that even the Lemurians gazed in wonder at this breathtaking mountain. The Willamette Valley, and the mouth of the Columbia River spoke to me of the Lewis and Clark expedition, when on Nov. 15, 1805, they reached the west coast. The legend of Sacajawea was also with me. I say legend, because so much remains unknown about her, even amongst her own people, the Lemhi: "For a person who has been called one of the most famous women in American history, the absence of concrete information about Sacajawea is remarkable. She was never sketched or painted, or if so the likenesses were lost. Though her "image" has graced everything from stamps to statues, no one really knows what she looked like. A monument in Idaho´s Lemhi Valley denotes her birthplace, but no one knows whether the location of the monument is within miles of being accurate. The best reporting done on her during her lifetime is contained in the journals of Lewis and Clark, and they raise more questions than they answer." What is known is that she had a son, named Jean Baptiste, which seemed significant to me, considering some of the content of our workshop. The drive from Eugene to Sacramento along the I-5 is well worth taking. What I had not realized is that this part of the Cascades was also part of the gold rush in California in the 1800's. Many places still bear the names as testament to this period of history, as well as many streets in Sacramento. These names shone for me, having experienced the Living Gold conference last year. We heard the salmon are now running, but did not have a chance to see this. In general conversation, we learned that Sacramento actually came from the word, Sacrament, so our workshop held even more significance. It was interesting that among the first settlers were people from Hawaii, who were no strangers to the power and energy of volcanoes. The raw energy of the root chakra must be properly channelled to be of benefit. 2013 is known in some circles as a "lightning" year. How does one go about harnessing or channeling, such energy? That, my friends, is a mystery in the Sacrament of Ordination. How is it that the activity of the Christ is made to flow into priestly activity? How is it that what comes from heaven as a spiritual message can be conveyed as a living force? This is part of what it means to be-come a priest. I'm sure that any priest will tell you that when one has set one's feet upon the path, it is not so much the journey, but the people you meet along the way, that is most significant, and I was very blessed with the people I met on this journey, from the woman I met on the bus, who was expecting her 5th child in 2 weeks, whose mother travels widely to teach midwifery and knew about homeopathy, to the woman who was willing to leave her young family to travel down with me from Eugene, trusting that someone she had never met before would get her there and back safely, to the family whose home we stayed in, in Sacramento, and of course, the workshop leaders and participants. More later. Sparky

The Language of Love

Dear Friends: In my last blog, I quoted Mother Teresa, who talked about those who feel unwanted, unloved and uncared for, as evidenced in the West, which are things much harder to "fix" than poverty, hunger and homelessness. The Delegates' Conference this year was entitled, Finding our Voice, but we soon found in our workshops that it is really about finding a way to express the love each of us holds in our hearts for our church, or spiritual home. The New Testament, from cover to cover, is the highest expression of love. Through the Deed of Christ, the disciples were able to become "apostles", or conveyors or an even better word could be "channel" of this love. What we experience as individuals in the Act of Consecration, we experience as love, and when we try to explain to other people what our church is all about, it helps if we remember that we are in fact trying to express love, that is, something that dwells in our hearts. When we go back out into the world after a service, we are carrying within us something not just for ourselves, but something that wants to be expressed in the world around us. Everyone knows that this is a risky business. You could get slapped in the face, you could have your heart broken, but the fact is that from the time we are born, we need and continue to seek for love. Everyone you meet, is longing for love, for community, for a "spiritual" home. How each individual, or each community, sets about to express that love, is unique. We become Board Members because not only do we love our church, we want to find ways to care for it. We become servers because, not only do we love the Act of Consecration, we also want to help carry it. Men and women may wish to become priests out of the love they hold for their fellow human being. We become artists or writers out of a need to find ways to express divine inspiration. A valuable experience to me when I go to a delegates' meeting is to experience a Sunday Service with our hosts. Each chapel is different, every altar painting is different, every priest brings something personal and unique. In Devon, I have never seen a community so devoted to their church and their priests. The love these members hold was literally shining from their eyes, their devotion abundantly clear, and I have been blessed to have had the opportunity to witness it, but then, what else should I have expected, from the City of Brotherly Love? Petals have fallen from the rose, Revealing the seed of the Spirit. Song: For this the heavens are waiting, written by Giselher Weber, who lives on Vancouver Island, and translated by Michael Brewer. Sparky

Giving thanks and our Delegates' Conference

Dear Friends, the Canadian Thanksgiving is upon us,the Delegates' Conference soon after, American Thanksgiving, then Christmas will be here before we know it. The Nobel Peace Prize has been much in the news lately, and my thoughts always turn to Mother Teresa, who won in 1979. I would like to share some of her thoughts with you, as these words also live in one of the hospitals in Vancouver. Here are some excerpts from her lecture, including the prayer by St. Francis: St. Francis of Assisi: Lord, make a channel of Thy peace that, where there is hatred, I may bring love; that where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness; that, where there is discord, I may bring harmony; that, where there is error, I may bring truth; that, where there is doubt, I may bring faith; that, where there is despair, I may bring hope; that, where there are shadows, I may bring light; that, where there is sadness, I may bring joy. Words from Mother Teresa: The poor are very wonderful people. One evening we went out and we picked up four people from the street. And one of them was in a most terrible condition - and I told the Sisters: You take care of the other three, I take of this one that looked worse. So I did for her all that my love can do. I put her in bed, and there was such a beautiful smile on her face. She took hold of my hand, as she said one word only: Thank you - and she died. As that man whom we picked up from the drain, half eaten with worms, and we brought him to the home. I have lived like an animal in the street, but I am going to die like an angel, loved and cared for. And it was so wonderful to see the greatness of that man who could speak like that, who could die like that without blaming anybody, without cursing anybody, without comparing anything. Like an angel - this is the greatness of our people. And that is why we believe what Jesus had said: I was hungry - I was naked - I was homeless - I was unwanted, unloved, uncared for - and you did it to me. There is so much suffering, so much hatred, so much misery, and we with our prayer, with our sacrifice are beginning at home. Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do, but how much love we put in the action that we do. It is to God Almighty - how much we do it does not matter, because He is infinite, but how much love we put in that action. How much we do to Him in the person that we are serving. And so here I am talking with you - I want you to find the poor here, right in your own home first. And begin love there. Be that good news to your own people. And find out about your next-door neighbour - do you know who they are? I had the most extraordinary experience with a Hindu family who had eight children. A gentleman came to our house and said: Mother Teresa, there is a family with eight children, they had not eaten for so long - do something. So I took some rice and I went there immediately. And I saw the children - their eyes shining with hunger - I don't know if you have ever seen hunger. But I have seen it very often. And she took the rice, she divided the rice, and she went out. When she came back I asked her - where did you go, what did you do? And she gave me a very simple answer: They are hungry also. What struck me most was that she knew - and who are they, a Muslim family - and she knew. I didn't bring more rice that evening because I wanted them to enjoy the joy of sharing. But there were those children, radiating joy, sharing the joy with their mother because she had the love to give. To be able to do this, our Sisters, our lives have to be woven with prayer. They have to be woven with Christ to be able to understand, to be able to share. Because today there is so much suffering - and I feel that the passion of Christ is being relived all over again - are we there to share that passion, to share that suffering of people. Around the world, not only in the poor countries, but I found the poverty of the West so much more difficult to remove. When I pick up a person from the street, hungry, I give him a plate of rice, a piece of bread, I have satisfied. I have removed that hunger. But a person that is shut out, that feels unwanted, unloved, terrified, the person that has been thrown out from society - that poverty is so hurtable and so much, and I find that very difficult. Our Sisters are working amongst that kind of people in the West. So you must pray for us that we may be able to be that good news, but we cannot do that without you, you have to do that here in your country. You must come to know the poor, maybe our people here have material things, everything, but I think that if we all look into our own homes, how difficult we find it sometimes to smile at each, other, and that the smile is the beginning of love. And so let us always meet each other with a smile, for the smile is the beginning of love, and once we begin to love each other naturally we want to do something. So you pray for our Sisters and for me and for our Brothers, and for our Co-Workers that are around the world. That we may remain faithful to the gift of God, to love Him and serve Him in the poor together with you. What we have done we should not have been able to do if you did not share with your prayers, with your gifts, this continual giving. But I don't want you to give me from your abundance, I want that you give me until it hurts. The other day I received 15 dollars from a man who has been on his back for twenty years, and the only part that he can move is his right hand. And the only companion that he enjoys is smoking. And he said to me: I do not smoke for one week, and I send you this money. It must have been a terrible sacrifice for him, but see how beautiful, how he shared, and with that money I bought bread and I gave to those who are hungry with a joy on both sides, he was giving and the poor were receiving. This is something that you and I - it is a gift of God to us to be able to share our love with others. And let it be as it was for Jesus. Let us love one another as he loved us. Let us love Him with undivided love. And the joy of loving Him and each other - let us give now - that Christmas is coming so close. Let us keep that joy of loving Jesus in our hearts. And share that joy with all that we come in touch with. And that radiating joy is real, for we have no reason not to be happy because we have no Christ with us. Christ in our hearts, Christ in the poor that we meet, Christ in the smile that we give and the smile that we receive. Joy and Peace Sparky

Fall into Spring

Reflections

What happens when you throw a pebble into a lake? One can observe ever-widening ripples. So too, the ripples continue from our Living Gold conference, held last year. Paul Corman in Lima, said that even 10 years after the conference held there, they were still reaping the benefits.

What is happening now in Vancouver? Something inexplicable and wonderful! How can I put this into words?

In springtime in the northern hemisphere, tender green shoots spring up from the earth, signalling the end of winter. One can imagine the quiet stillness of winter as a time when the earth receives sustenance from the outside, or one could even say, the spiritual world.

In the autumn, if one is particularly observant, in some species of deciduous trees, the leaves begin to change color from the top down, as the air starts to cool. In other words, change happens from the top down.

The reverse occurs in the southern hemisphere.

We know that we are slowly but consciously moving from an era of materialistic knowledge to one of Love in the highest sense. As we have penetrated the depths of scientific research by reducing everything to its smallest particle, our "inner" eyes are now attempting to penetrate ever more deeply into the vast lake of all-encompassing, compassionate love.

Here in Vancouver, where one can observe the movement of the earth's orbit in the top-down radiant blaze of color that nature reflects, the tender green shoots of Love are springing forth, revealing in a spiritual way, the promise of rebirth.

Dedicated to my brother Rick, October 6, 1958 - May 19, 2011

A poem by David Adams

Recently we have had a couple of visitors from Botton Village, England, namely David Adams and his wife Marie-Reine. During the few days of their stay we saw them at the Christian Community and at Cascadia Society for Social Working, our local Camphill in North Vancouver. They are on a tour of several countries to visit various Camphill locations. Last Sunday at our Christian Community we had a special event after the Michaelmas where many of us sat in a circle and shared poems both self created and quoted from existing authors, stories and music. The last song we sang is one written by Giselher Weber in 1983 called Arcangel Michael. Giselher is a gentleman who attends our Congregation here in this part of the world and although this song is not too well known here, incredibly it is very much sung over in England! You just never know where one's creation may catch on and become popular! The next day at Cascadia David Adams handed me a copy of his own poem which he had read out at Michaelmas and asked me to post it here which I will now do on his behalf. It appears to be an untitled poem.

Let us just be famous
Famous for the truth.
Open, trusting, positive
And other such virtues
Calling from the future.

As our castles crumble round us
Let us stand straight and tall
Wearing these qualities like a cloak
So we do not fall.
Let us be open and honest
Striving for the truth.
This will lead to freedom
And the new-dawning day.
                   David Adams 


 All the contributions that day were well recieved and it was a very pleasant event in general, there have been similar gatherings in our community before and God willing there will be more!

Easter Monday Walk

It was my intention to post these photos a long time ago but for some reason I could not get them to appear all on one post at the same time. So today I will just put up a few of the very best images and I will let them do most of the talking. Basically several of us went to Burnaby Lake after the Service on Easter Monday. Most people had lunch first then we walked east along the shore a ways just enjoying the scenery and the wonderful sunshine! At the eastern end of the lake Gerry, my wife Leila and I decided we would continue all the way around Burnaby Lake, some of those photos are here too. Enjoy!

Listening

Dear Friends:
I read somewhere that these 3 days, September 20 to 22, and very important dates for 2013. Perhaps partly because we just had the full moon, and also because it includes the autumnal equinox. To me this means that we must strive to use all our inner sensory perceptions and to be "aware" of all that comes to us. All summer in our Sunday services, we were exhorted to do this as well, to strive to develop our inner "eyes" and "ears".
I set out with this in mind this morning, as I took my dog for a walk around our nearby man-made lake. It's a lovely little lake, home to many ducks and geese, sometimes a beaver, or river otter, or even turtles. The city recently added a beautiful fountain, and in winter the trees are decorated with lights.

This is a picture of the one in our famous Stanley Park.
The thing that struck me most this morning on our walk was the sound of the cascading water. Of course, with a natural waterfall, this is even more impressive. Nevertheless, the sound filled me with a sense of something streaming into my soul. Imagine that something good is streaming into your consciousness, loving gifts from the universe. This is the time of year when our gaze in the northern hemisphere turns inward, so to speak. Through quiet walks in nature, meditation and contemplation, we can be open to what is streaming towards us and ultimately, the true message of Christmas. Peace and Good Will to all people on Earth.

"Do you hear what I hear?"

Sparky

For the sake of the Child

This is just a very quick blog, encouraging people to look at Stephanie Georgieff's blog: blackmadonnaheart.blogspot.com It's a very wonderful blog, particularly her last one on September 10th. I haven't been following the news lately, but as of the 10th, the situation for Syria at least sounded encouraging. I'm bringing it up for several reasons, other than political: In my corner of the world, there are many people who have come from the Middle East for a chance of a better life for their families, including Syria and Iran. I have the opportunity to meet and talk with them, as a worker in the health care industry. Contrary to what you might hear in the media, they are not all radical terrorists. The women in particular, are strong, intelligent, practical, warm, friendly and loving mothers and wives. They want what any woman would want: a chance for their children to grow up in a world that knows peace, not fear. A world where there are job opportunities, to be able to support their families. A world that does not know despair, pain, or hunger. When you look at an image of the Madonna and Child, you know this is their message, too. It's not just a dream or a wish that can never come true. As Stephanie writes, this is possible by taking the Christ into our hearts. What a truly wonderful gift, and the best part is, it's free, all you have to do is ask, wherever you are, right now. Sparky

Rain at last!

Hi there! This may seem a strange title for our Vancouver Centre, but we have actually enjoyed a long dry summer this year. I believe July was the driest on record, and very little has fallen in August until just this week. Under such conditions, we often will get a thunderstorm, and such was the case last night. Personally, I love storms, especially windstorms. If you live on the Prairies, you can get spectacular displays of lightning, particularly chain lightning. If you live by a body of water, you will know that you are often subject to a strong wind factor. After such a long dry spell, however, the rain is welcome. The air feels fresh and clean. It settles the dust, and people can literally breathe easier. Of course, the earth and plants are very grateful, too. It doesn't take long for the grass to become lush and green again. Oh, and don't forget to watch for a rainbow! There is such a thing also as being "spiritually" parched. I see this all the time in people I know who have failed to acknowledge the presence of God. I feel it every Sunday as I sit, absorbed in the Act of Consecration of Man, and am so grateful to have this in my life. Without spiritual "water" a person can eventually wilt and dry up under the glare or pressure of everyday life, especially in times of crisis. As we prepare to return to our regular Fall activities and come together again, let us keep this in mind and be ever grateful for the fact that we have the opportunity to experience "drinking from the well" on a regular basis. There are lots of songs about the desert and water, but this is one of my favorites, called "Desert Pete": I was travelin' west of Buckskin on my way to a cattle run, 'cross a little cactus desert under a hot, blisterin' sun. Thirsty down to my toenails, I stopped to rest me on a stump, but I tell you I just couldn't believe it when I saw that water pump. I took it to be a mirage at first. It'll fool a thirsty man. Then I saw a note stuck in a bakin' powder can. "This pump is old," the note began, "but she works. So give'er a try. I put a new sucker washer in 'er. You may find the leather dry. Chorus: You've got to prime the pump. You must have faith and believe. You've got to give of yourself 'fore you're worthy to receive. Drink all the water you can hold. Wash your face cool your feet. Leave the bottle full for others. Thank you kindly, Desert Pete. Yeah, you'll have to prime the pump, work that handle like there's a fire. Under the rock you'll find some water left there in a bitter's jar. Now there's just enough to prime it with, so don't you go drinkin' first. Just pour it in and pump like mad and, buddy, you'll quench your thirst. (Chorus) Well, I found the jar, and I tell you, nothin' was ever prettier to my eye and I was tempted strong to drink it because that pump looked mighty dry, but the note went on, "Have faith, my friend, there's water down below. You've got to give to really get. I'm the one who ought to know." So I poured in the jar and started pumpin' and I heard a beautiful sound of water bubblin' 'n' splashin' up out of that hole in the ground. Then I took off my shoes and drunk my fill of that cold refreshin' treat. Then I thanked the Lord, and I thanked the pump, and I thanked old Desert Pete. Sparky

When two worlds collide

August 11, we were treated to a lecture by Johannes Kuhl from Switzerland on rainbows and other natural heavenly phenomona. These happen as a result of a collision, if you like, between light and dark, in a way one could even say like fireworks. There are actually different kinds of rainbows, some of which although they may exist theoretically, are still waiting to be discovered, or perceived. According to the Bible, rainbows only first existed in the time of Noah. Prior to then, it was not possible for them to appear, or for humans to perceive them. As humanity evolves, so will our perception. The same idea relates to the human be-ing. As we evolve, we will be able to perceive things which we cannot at present. Other senses will be opened. Historically, and especially in the 20th century, we are becoming more and more "aware" of other realities. I am thinking in terms of the Age of Exploration, when East met West, and North met South. We were all of a sudden confronted by other cultures. As our hearts and minds were opened, we came to an appreciation and respect for these differences, or are at least striving to do this. When two worlds meet each other, there is a new window of limitless possibilities. We can see this in nature, in the evolution of plant and animal species, and of course people. Where male and female come together, there are again endless possibilities, or one could say, variations. (We see this also in music, especially in Wagner's Ring Cycle, as described by Daniel Hafner in his lectures.)We are presently experiencing the onset of the so-called Age of Aquarius, or a more female-oriented point of view. What will this mean in the future? In order for humanity to continue its evolution, there must be a cooperation between male and female points of view, or orientation. Where the female is more emotion/feeling/intuition and the male is more action-oriented, there must come about a harmony between the two, a blending or balancing. When two worlds collide, sparks fly. "I've got the notion, you cause a commotion, in my soul."

Echoes of Living Gold

Dear friends, Wednesday and Thursday this week, the congregation in Vancouver was treated to a workshop by Rev. Daniel Hafner on Wagner's Ring Cycle, as a precursor to the stage performance, set to begin in Seattle on August 4, and continuing on the 5th, 7th and 9th. Tonight, he is doing a talk in Seattle at 7:30 p.m. Contact information is DoloresRose Dauenhauer at steinerbooks@comcast.net, or 206-524-2561, or 206-985-2059. I encourage everyone who can, to make this talk, even if you are not an opera, or classical music, fan. Not only did our "Bragi" strike a chord in our hearts, but our time with him was pure gold. How and why Wagner set about to write this cycle of operas, and then also Parsifal,is indeed a deep mystery. If one looks at the topics of his essays from 1879 to 1883, one can begin to catch a glimmer of what he was about. Consider also that the premiere for the Ring Cycle was in 1876, and the premiere for Parsifal was in 1882, and then recall the great cosmic event that happened in 1879. Rev. Hafner's lectures could rightly have been included in our conference on Living Gold last year, and it's a pity that only a small number of people were able to hear what he had to say. Do try to catch his lecture tonight. Sparky

The Black Madonna

Please donate or pass this on to anyone you think would be interested, thanks so much!

Hi All! August 9th, 2013 @ 11 59 pm, a few days after the Feast of the Transfiguration, is the end of the crowd funding opportunity for my book on Indiegogo. My book is called The Black Madonna:Journey of the Human Heart, and is a unique view of the history, folk lore, spiritual and religious symbolism surrounding these most beautifully enigmatic depictions of The Virgin Mary in Europe. http://igg.me/p/434709/x/3595911 This link will take you to the funding page and has all the premium perks listed there, which range from signed copies of the book, Webinars, workshops and a tour to the Black Madonna's of Czestohowa, Einsiedeln, Montserrat, Le Puy and Chartres in Europe in August/September 2014. There are several opportunities to learn more about The Black Madonna: Journey of the Human Heart. I have started a Blog on the subject which offers excerpts of the book as well as insights on current events in the light of The Black Madonna. You can visit and subscribe here http://blackmadonnaheart.blogspot.com/ You can also "like" my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Heart-of-the-Black-Madonna/452078264864169?ref=stream&hc_location=stream which features thoughts, excerpts and updates on public lectures, upcoming tours for the Book, and Webinars. You can follow me on Twitter https://twitter.com/BlMadonna and watch video blogs on You Tube at http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcDgyP-SIKd6qf9vYDOi5gQ I will be hosting three free Webinars where I will introduce the book and allow for questions and answers. The dates for these on line events will be: Saturday July 27 at noon PDT 3pm EDT Saturday August 2nd at 9 am PDT, noon EDT Wednesday August 7th at 3 pm PDT, 6 pm EDT. Links to those Webinars will be published soon via email, twitter, blog and Facebook, so stay tuned for details. I cant thank you enough for your generosity, and ask you to please donate what ever you can, as well as pass this on to anyone and everyone you think would be interested. With your help, this incredible message of hope, endurance and our spiritual task in these turbulent times can be spread by my book. Sincerely, Stephanie Georgieff

Spiritual Eldering

Well, it's taken a little longer than I had hoped to get back to finishing what I started. Grandparenting takes up a lot of my spare time at the moment! The book I mentioned in my previous blog will be the basis for this one, and it's very interesting how it ties in with a lot of what I hold dear in our own church, and amazingly, two talks held today with regard to St. John, so here goes. "All of life is a preparation for old age and its crowning task of Self-development. It encourages us to begin cultivating a spiritual life in middle age. Spiritual eldering implies an inner search for God, a self-directed flowering of the Spirit that unites all people in a common quest. In this approach, people practice ways of life that promote a direct, inner experience of the divine." I purposely began my own quest 7 years ago, when I lost someone very dear to my heart. It meant that all the mirrors I had held up to myself at that point shattered, and I had to begin a deeper search for, and actualization of, my Self. "Spiritual eldering is an ongoing process. It deals with developing contemplative skills, harvesting one's life (i.e., coming to terms with our mortality, healing our relationships, enjoying our achievements), leaving a legacy for the future, and preparing for passing over the Threshold. This can be accomplished by attending classes in a supportive community with people who are committed to the same high aspirations." It's an interesting thing that this is also along the lines of an inspired sermon from the pulpit today by Werner Grimm, with regard to a constant flowing and enlivening of our own inner lives from the Spiritual stream - that is to say, Movement! I think this also offers a great deal of scope for classes that could be offered at the Seminary. According to Zalman Schachter-Shalomi and Ronald S. Miller, an elder is "flexible, unattached to outcomes, tolerant and patient, and willing to teach when asked. Because personal coercion is absent, such a person radiates an enormously beneficial influence by evoking the questing spirit in younger people. They evoke the individuality of their apprentices, applauding them as they struggle to clarify their values and discover their authentic life paths. Such a person evokes our questing spirit, not by giving answers, but by deepening our ability to question and to search for meaning. They can model how to slow down our feverish pursuit of material possessions by embracing inner-directed values that stress unconditional love, self-acceptance, and service to others." Now stop a minute and think of someone you know who embodies these qualities. I can think of several people in our congregation, and I bet you can, too. The authors go on to write about developing a new community of Spirit. In Susan Locey's talk after the service today, this also is a theme for St. John. By beginning the work of becoming empowered once we retire, we benefit not only ourselves, but the younger generation that comes after us, in as many ways as there are individuals, for we all have something unique that we can give back. If you may allow me to say so, my new little granddaughter is to me not only a manifestation of a precious gift from the Spiritual world, but perhaps also a herald of many new and wonderful things about to come into my life. Sparky

Something old and something new...

Okay, I hope this picture downloads properly! What is it about holding a newborn in your arms? Your complete attention is focused on this precious little tiny being. The simple, timeless rhythms of feeding, changing and rocking take over. I find myself singing little nursery rhymes that I sang for my own kids. Maybe a little bit of French thrown in so she will hopefully have an ear for that language when she gets older. The past, present and future seem to coalesce in these bright blue eyes. I once said that my church gives me hope for the future. This baby seems to be a physical manifestation of that hope. It's very hard to explain, but is a part of the process of becoming an "elder". All of a sudden, new possibilities open up. All I know is, a new chapter is opening up in my life - or perhaps even a whole new book! Somehow she gives me courage to take on new challenges. Whatever has happened in the past seems to fade in importance. Being a grandparent is different from being a parent. I don't have to worry about the economics of providing for her. She has 2 very wonderful parents to do that. There are now other responsibilities, that are also a part of eldering. I can offer advice if asked, I can offer my time to help out. If allowed, I can pass on some snippets of wisdom based on my own experience. If given the chance, I may be able to teach my grandchild something about nature, or perhaps some old fashioned values, as my grandmother taught me. I can offer support to her mom and dad. The part about nature is especially important - valuing and protecting the Earth and all life. This is something that can and should be a focus for retired people. Find a project or a cause and go for it - we have nothing to lose, and everything to gain. It's about creating a bridge between the past and the future. It's about standing up for truth, freedom, justice, the environment. If I seem to be rambling, I hope to bring everything together more logically in my next blog, but in the meantime, find yourself a little baby to hold onto, and see what happens! Cheers Sparky

OBSTACLES

What are the obstacles in making your vision a reality? On this plane of existence, we know that the 2 big ones are Time and Money. In business, it is even said that Time is Money. Most excuses go along the line of, I don't have the time, or I don't have the money. This is the obstacle of Thinking. Something cannot be brought into being, because it is not logical, or it does not compute. Intellect comes into play, as does Ego. It is the rational point of view. It cannot be done because... One of the things I love about Reverend Susan Locey is that she rarely says no to an idea. More often that not, she will say, Okay, let's do that! In rare instances, she may ask how? or who? HOW IS THIS TO BE MADE POSSIBLE? This is a human question heard often in the Bible. The other one is WHO AM I THAT I HAVE BEEN CHOSEN TO DO SUCH AND SUCH? The answer is given time and again, Have Faith. Know that I am God, and I make all things possible! This is not Logic. It is Eternal Wisdom. It is opening up onself to possibilities, becoming the vessel. Another obstacle is emotions. These can play for or against your idea. The big one is, I'm afraid to try this. We are conditioned from birth to avoid things that may cause us pain - emotional, physical, psychological; however, pain and suffering, can also open the door to compassion and insight. Quiet contemplation and meditation can allow one to put things in perspective. Through Right Meditation, one may reach the Right Standpoint or Balance. One can find oneself going like a ping pong ball from emotions to unproductive thoughts, and back again, over and over. By striving to attain Balance, it opens the door to seeing what Can be done and what Is possible. It may take time, effort, knowledge, money, resources that are not currently available. It's an interesting thing that if you are doing something out of love, or loving what you do, time and money don't matter so much. Aboriginal people call this relationship between thinking, emotions, the spiritual and the physical, a medicine wheel, and has probably been known for thousands of years. I would like to quote a few lines from a wonderful article I found recently on the internet, by William Bento, Ph.D., called "True North: The Compass of the Heart". Google it and you will find it, and this is another reason why I love The Sacrament of the Consecration of Man: "The doing is our collective prayer, our ritual of communion with the beautiful, the truth and the good. By doing this inner work as sacrament, we increase the power of love in the world, the only power to eradicate the evils loosened into this post-modern world of ours. In Christian esotericism this Culture of Love is referred to as the Future City of Jerusalem." Whatever your vision or idea is, if you are striving to create something beautiful and good in the world, you will attract the resources needed to make it a reality, if not right now, certainly in a future time. Think back to the great artists of the Renaissance, and the great composers. Were they appreciated in their time? Rarely. They lived often in poverty, hand to mouth, but their works of love and beauty will exist for all time. I hope I have sparked some interest and the reader will follow up with their own research. Now back to the phrase, Time is Money. I will add another one: Silence is Golden. Switch this around a little, and you have, Time is Golden. This will be the subject of my next blog, including some thoughts on grandparenting, and a lovely book I just found at a book sale: From Age-ing to Sage-ing, a profound new vision of growing older, by Zalman Schacter-Shalomi and Ronald S. Miller. This discusses the concept of "Eldering". Oh, and don't forget our Strawberry Tea on June 23rd, in celebration of our Elders! Cheers Sparky

MANIFESTING

As promised, a short discussion on manifesting. This is a very old fashioned word. It means to make something obvious or evident to the eye, or to one's understanding. After the crucifixion, Thomas could not believe that Christ had overcome death, until he could see and touch His wounds. On the spiritual side, we may have a vision or inspiration, that we then want to try to create in the physical world. It could be something very specific, or only an idea or concept that we have to try to work with and be guided by to see how it will take shape. The idea is to try to focus one's energy to bring something into being. The greater the vision, the more likely it will be a long term project, sometimes not completed in one lifetime. Usually it starts out as a tiny seed for which the ground must first be cultivated. Planting has to occur at just the right time. Then it must be carefully nurtured. At first there are roots, then a small sprout, then leaves. Eventually there may be a flower and even fruit. These in turn produce more seeds, and the whole process starts over again. In the plant kingdom, depending on the type of plant, there can also be a dying away, or sacrificing, of the old plant. Also for some types of insects, fish, etc. Sociologists and anthropologists have also documented this process in different cultures, civilizations, and empires. What exists today is the result of thousands of years of history. What we create today will be the foundation for the future. What kind of future do we want for our children and grandchildren? What can we do to help bring this about? What obstacles have to be overcome? What can get in the way of bringing the spiritual into the physical? That will be the subject of my next blog. 'Til next time, and Happy Mother's Day to all.

DREAM TIME

Dear Friends: Today I want to talk about dreams. I do a lot of this in the summer, when the weather is warm and sunny. It makes me drowsy, and I like to sleep as much as I can. We know that through prayer and meditation, we can enter sleep with openess, and even intent. We know that as we sleep, our physical and etheric bodies are refreshed and nourished. Just as important, we may receive a dream or a vision. We may also receive answers to questions, or clarity. It is possible to move out of our subjective, earthly experience, and obtain some objectivity, or larger picture that helps put things into perspective. Sometimes we may even get a quick glimpse of something that may happen in the future. Day dreaming or envisioning, is something that we do with even more intent. We might do it as children, dreaming of what we want to be when we grow up. We might do it as adults, usually wishing for something good, either for ourselves or others that we love. Exploration and migration happened because poor people wanted a better life for their children, a life of opportunity and real possibilities. That is partly why lotteries are so popular. "If I only had a million dollars, I could do this or that." These are not always selfish wishes. Sometimes people wish they had the money to do some good in the world. To raise people out of poverty. To end world hunger. To provide free education and medicine. All these good wishes will never happen through a government. Unfortunately, all governments are corrupt, even in what we call "free" and "democratic" societies. It doesn't matter which party is in power. Politicians, no matter how good their intentions, eventually will succumb to the realities of politics. You simply cannot be a person of integrity, and a politician, at the same time. Nevertheless, we can still dream of a better world for our children. We can still envision and work towards a future where there is no hunger, poverty, war, illness. Our Living Gold conference last year on Vancouver Island was a great gift. For me, it was like a dream, a chance to suspend reality, a chance to receive spiritual nourishment. Ultimately, it was a planting of seeds for the future. It's a very interesting thing that 9 months later, my daughter is about to give birth to her first child, and my first grandchild. Next blog: MANIFESTING

Little Miracles

Dear Friends: My last blog was about miracles. In springtime this is especially evident. Everywhere you look, nature is bursting forth, not just with the plants but also with the animals. It seems everywhere you look also, babies are waiting to be born, who were conceived in the auspicious year of 2012. While everywhere around the world, there can be found stories of great concern politically, economically and environmentally, still there is the promise of new life. If you are privileged to hold a new baby in your arms, there is no question in your mind what is most important, or what has the most value. You are the richest person in the world at that moment. Nevertheless, this kind of wealth, or new life, is achieved only through sacrifice. My own daughter, who is due very soon, has already had more than her fair share of worry and pain. So far, she has had to have 2 blood transfusions. There is still the labour and delivery, and perhaps after that, a bone marrow transplant. The baby's future is yet unknown. Today, however, I heard of a little baby, about 5 months old, who is struggling just to live. This baby's family lives in Kamloops, about a 4 hour drive from Vancouver. His name is Karter. The family made the journey down to Vancouver for his birth, and he had to have a pacemaker shortly afterwards. Now it seems that the mother had stomach lupus, which passed on antibodies into his blood, now affecting his heart even more. He is currently undergoing surgery here in Vancouver to add another lead to the pacemaker, and he will be put on the list for a heart transplant, which will give him a better chance for the future. We are thankful that we live in a time and place where such surgery is available. This is not the case yet in many countries. Heart surgery, especially for children, was in its infancy when I had my own congenital heart defect repaired, so I have a good idea of what a family goes through. I hope you will spare a moment to think of little Karter and his family. Perhaps you also know of a special child facing serious challenges. In a time when we are facing so much uncertainty, it is important to remember what should take priority.

Miracles

Passiontide is, for me, probably the most deeply meditative time of the year. This is likely in part due to the color (black), and the words, that we are presented with from the altar for these weeks before Easter. It is the time of year when we are called upon to really consider the act of sacrifice. Each small or large thing we are willing to give up, even temporarily, aids in the ultimate creation of something good, sometimes even a miracle. Everything truly good, beautiful, and long-lasting comes from sacrifice. We can see this in nature, too. The plants that last Fall died and gave up their seeds, are getting ready to sprout up anew in Spring. The Animal Kingdom, too, is getting ready to give birth to new life. Nature's annual rebirth, however, is becoming ever more difficult, due primarily to our thoughtlessness and selfishness. Every year we lose more species of plant and animal life because their habitat is either polluted, or gone completely. Through the Act of Consecration of Man and the transubstatiation of earthly substance, we work together with the Spiritual World to heal not only ourselves, but in fact our entire community and ultimately, the world. Another process that works in a similar way, is the work of Dr. Masaru Emoto. After years of research, he has found that it is possible to heal polluted water with prayer, words of love, gratitude. This works in our bodies as well, since we are primarily made of water. Once a year, he visits a different place in the world to hold a special healing ceremoney for the waters of the Earth. This year, today, it will be on the Big Island of Hawaii, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Even if you are not there physically, you can be there in spirit during this time. Ideally, if you can set aside some quiet time, and set a glass of water in front of you on a table, concentrating, and repeating a prayer expressing love and gratitude to the water, it can be a truly amazing experience. His heart, of course, has a special place for Japan. Tomorrow, March 11, marks the 2nd anniversary of the tsunami that took so many lives and resulted in a nuclear reactor meltdown. At 2:46 p.m. in Japan, (or 10:46 p.m. Vancouver time March 10, due to the international date line), he will hold a special prayer for Japan. Again, we can join in by sending our our thoughts and prayers at precisely the same time, from anywhere in the world. Here is an excerpt from his blog: "I speak of this well known Einstein theory at my seminars: E = MC2 Mass–energy equivalence by Albert Einstein I believe the true meaning and power of this equation is ENERGY = # of people x CONCSIOUSNESS2 The amount of energy or power of the prayer is determined by amount of people who collective connect their pure hearts at the same time. Therefore, I would like to request the everyone around the world to join together for a Simultaneous Global Prayer at exactly 2:46pm Japan time on March 11th. Together we will collectively send our sincere prayers with the following words. To the victims lost in the oceans and to the water in Pacific Ocean which has suffered radioactive contamination from the nuclear accident in Fukushima. “I am sorry, please forgive me, thank you and I love you.” (Repeat 3 times) Where: Right from where you are. When: Match 11, 2013 Time: 2:46pm Japan Time *** Use this Time Convertor Link to find out what time 2:46pm Japan time is in your time zone. http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/converter.html My sincere love and thanks to each and every one of you for your simultaneous participation in collectively connecting to your heart for this powerful global prayer." Interestingly, this corresponds to the ancient Hawaiian tradition of ho'oponopono. This is an ancient Huna healing tradition, or practice of reconciliation and forgiveness. Visualizing a person or thing that is troubling you, you use the same phrase as above: I am sorry, please forgive me, thank you, and I love you. Through water, all peoples and places of the Earth are connected. Together, we can work miracles. Sparky

The Black Madonna

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1865436395/the-black-madonna-journey-of-the-human-heart?ref=live Dear Friends: In these troubled times of uncertainty and unrest, when most of the news in the media is downright depressing, and it seems many parts of the world are being hit by one calamity after another, we need to search for messages of hope. Not only must we be seekers, but when we find something good, we need to spread the word and share these messages with others. The link above will introduce you to a project that is waiting for your help. A lady in California has spent years searching for a way to bring the message of the Black Madonna to others. In her own right a healer, this book is a compilation of years of research, and reflects Stephanie's own personal journey. I was able to attend her workshop last summer on the Virgin of Guadalupe, and it was very beautiful. Her research and presentation was inspiring, and Stephanie herself is irresistibly delightful and witty. This book would be a wonderful gift for yourself or anyone you know. With your help, we can make it a reality. Pssst - pass it on...........

A Contemplation for the New Year

I knew some of you would be disappointed if I didn’t show you the Canadian postage stamp for 2013, celebrating the Chinese New Year, so here it is. This year is the Year of the Snake, not just any snake but a Water Snake. Thanks to Stephanie Georgieff’s workshop on studying the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe during Living Gold, I now look upon images with much more observance. First, note the colours of green and gold, with a little red snake in one corner. What do these colours say to you? Think of the colours that we observe at the altar during certain festivals: green, red and gold. Next, observe the shape of this snake, again, very interesting – almost like a lemniscate. What does this symbol mean to you? The fact that it is a Water snake is also very interesting. Think of the symbology of water in the Old Testament, and, as we heard this past Sunday, the transformation of water into wine, the First Miracle in the New Testament. According to the Chinese, the Year of the Snake means that anything is possible. It’s very interesting that it is this particular symbol that meets us as we enter a new cycle of time (post 2012). Think also of the fact that a snake can shed its skin. Traditionally, in preparation for the New Year, the Chinese pay all their debts and clean their house from top to bottom. In other words, they like to start off the new year with a clean slate.The evening before, all the families gather together, much like we do for Christmas, here in Canada, or Thanksgiving, in the States. An old employer of mine who was from Hong Kong taught me this phrase: Kung Hay Tim Ding Fat Choy (reverent joy, many children/grandchildren, and prosperity). Sparky