Holy Day

Every day is indeed special... but yesterday was more so. I say that because Spirit’s Presence and hand in the unfolding of events was so clear.

Yesterday Rog and I were called into service to marry Alana and Matthew, a college couple who wanted a simple wedding ceremony in Sedona. They asked us to gather the two witnesses required by the state and to select a locale. We chose the site of the Amitabha Stupa, a bronze image of the Buddha of Limitless Light that is filled with hundreds of millions of prayers for peace, sacred relics, and ritual objects. It is a beacon of light and virtue and is considered a vortex of Enlightened Presence, radiating waves of compassion to all beings. And, you don't have to be a Buddhist to visit it and benefit from it.

Here the grounds have character, the vistas are beautiful and abundant. There is even a ramada to offer some protection from the elements, which was a consideration yesterday as it was blustery and there was a chance of rain.

Rog and I arrived early to go over the logistics. Over the course of time while waiting for the bride and groom to arrive, not only did the two people we’d asked to be witnesses show up, but one-by-one so did three other people we knew! When we explained why we were at the Stupa wearing our ministerial stoles, they were all intrigued. We asked if they’d like to join us in the wedding and they readily agreed.

Each of our five friends contributed to the wedding celebration both in the physical realm and spiritual. One friend led the group in the ceremonial walk of seven times around the Stupa, chanting a Tibetan prayer. Another had a video camera with him as he had bicycled over to the Stupa to shoot sacred garden space - little did he know he’d be photographing a wedding! Another had an orange and a bar of chocolate that she turned into a ceremonial offering for the wedding (she found out you’re not permitted to leave food as an offering at the Stupa) - she was also the unexpected still photographer. Another offered up words of congratulations, love, and wisdom as we toasted the newlyweds drinking sparkling apple cider in plastic champagne glasses (the bride and groom’s of course were specially decorated). And, our fifth friend provided restaurant suggestions for a romantic dinner. All contributed their spiritual consciousness.

Much of this was unplanned - well, at least by us humans. There was way too much synchronicity and “woo-woo-ness” to go into detail here, but suffice is to say that Spirit indeed had a plan. Nine beings were brought together at a sacred space in Sedona to celebrate a sacred sacrament. It was awesome.

Each ‘guest’ played a part in uplifting and supporting Alana and Matthew as they embarked on their new life. Each called themselves into service on a moment’s notice. This was a wedding that could not have been more perfect if it had been planned for 12 months, had cost $50,000, and 200 guests attended. For this perfect wedding was orchestrated by God and God needs no advance timing, money, or more people than is required to do His work.

We converged at the Stupa as if by clockwork and this coming together was not lost on any of us. I don’t think this event was just about two people entering holy matrimony. I think it was so much about God wanting to send us messages - many messages - and clearly announce Its existence. I’m still processing it all; I’m so grateful to have been a part of this extraordinary experience - thank You, Spirit!

We joked that this couple had eloped because they have big families and didn’t want to have a big wedding where most of the guests are... well, ya know, strangers. Instead they chose to be with us... strangers! But of course, we were not strangers at all. We came together as one family under God, with God’s presence shining. It was indeed a holy day to recognize God all around and in us.

Congratulations, Alana and Matthew! And, thank you for bringing us and God all together to celebrate you!

Gratitude Circle

I have found my home at the weekly Gratitude Circle at Unity of Sedona I just recently started attending. I’ve been trying to figure out what makes it feel like home because the only other venue I feel this is close to is a 12 Step meeting.

Here’s the bottom line: sharing honestly, from the heart, about Spirit working in our lives as we strive to wake up, in a sacred space of openness and respectfulness of each one’s path.

I’m quite often surrounded by intellectualism and not much expression of experiencing and feeling God’s Grace. Although the vast majority of people in my life are spiritual and on a conscious path, it seems to me we don’t often talk from the heart about our experience. Missing are the tales of synchronicity, miracles, "oh shits" turned into blessings. I could sit around 24/7 listening to people share about this stuff. This was what I was hungering for before I joined 12 Step program almost 20 years ago, and it is what I hunger for still. Connection. To people, to Spirit.

This kind of meaningful, heartfelt talk and sharing of the journey opens me up to God and to the connection between us spiritual beings having this human experience. There’s this heart bond. In 12 Step program our bond is that we share a common malady that is solved by coming to believe in a Power greater than ourselves and then we put our faith and gratitude into service, into action; we are graced even more.

Sitting in a sacred circle of gratitude hearing experience, strength, and hope makes me feel like one heart, like One.

Purpose and Service

I’m back once again thinking about my life and what meaning there is in it. I feel that my life only has purpose when I am being of service. When I was very involved in the 12 Step program, I felt that I was of service to others who came after me in pain and in need of healing. Through my own experience, I was able to provide strength and help to others, as those who came before me had helped me. I was able to listen, to love, and to not judge, to accept other folks at the level they were at.

I was reminded today that my experience gives me a purpose in life. With it - hitting bottom and rising up from it - I’ve learned compassion. With that opening of heart, I am able to help others, to serve God.

This world of form is changing mighty quickly these days, making way for a new world, a new way of living. Many people are in pain - and not even aware of it. I am in the ranks of those who are being prepared to help those less aware and enlightened about this world of form and how it fits into our lives, our being. My life experience has paved the way.

My purpose is to help others to realize that regardless of what the material world looks like and offers in terms of ‘toys’, we are eternal spiritual beings, whole and perfect, full of love.

My purpose is to hold the sacred space and help people realize that they are not alone. We are all One, we are all in this together, and all is well.

Dear Spirit -
I offer my love, my compassion, and my peace to You in service.

The First 100 Days

100 days of... the new U. S. Presidency? No, we’re talking about the first 100 days of my blog! Yes, I’ve written 100 blogs since November 13, 2008, one every day without fail.

As has been noted, my reasons for writing it and doing so on a daily basis were: to feel less isolated, to make myself available for service to hold a sacred space for others, and to place me in a regular daily practice of connecting to God.

I’m glad to report that the blog has been achieving what I’d hoped for. There have been additional benefits too, gifts actually. In allowing myself some time to research online, I’ve gained knowledge and have discovered some wonderful websites revolving around spirituality. It’s been fun, fun, fun! And, my writing voice and style have been developing.

I’m grateful for the inspiration that was given me to start this creative endeavor and for its moving me further into my real work of spiritual counseling and companionship.

Here’s to the next 100 and the myriad of blessings they will bring me, and hopefully others.

The Time Has Come

Well, it seems that it is time to really start reaching out to others (and myself) to help with connecting to Spirit. Every time that I do, my soul is enriched, my heart expanded, and I am of service. Surely this is good, this is a “God thing”, this is God’s will.

This spiritual being having a human experience so very much needs to be reminded that it is a spirit first, God first. It too often and quickly gets caught up in the matters of the outside world, the physical “stuff.” I know that there is so much more to life – to being – than the physical and oh so want to be focused on that and in the flow.

If you need someone to talk to about matters spiritual, I am here. I am an ear that will listen whilst I hold a sacred space for you to be. Together we will meet God and commune. It will be a privilege and honor to share this time with you. Thank you. You can leave a comment or email me.

Namasté (I respect that divinity within you that is also within me.)