Friday, August 30, 2013

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

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

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."

Friday, August 2, 2013

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