Meeting 12th September

Today's meeting celebrated Harvest, Jewish New Year and upcoming International Day of Peace on 21st September.

We began with some songs from Bharati and Dinesh from the Hindu tradition, singing to Lakshmi and Shanti and then the mantra Om Namah Shivaya.
Then Neesa and Peter read us an Aramaic version of The Lord's Prayer, both in Aramaic and the English translation by Neil Douglas-Klotz (you can find a version online here). Peter also shared with us his own version of the Lord's Prayer.
Eve's activity was inspired by Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement on 18th September, and involved us speaking as the voices of plants and animals, telling humanity how we should live.  We each chose a plant or animal and meditated on what that creature would want to say, then these messages were read out to the group.

From the Plant Kingdom:
Twisted Willow - Be still and be.
Dandelion - Give me the earth and the rain and the air, and give me the bees.
Oak tree - Align your spine with the old oak tree.  Cry your frozen tears.  Spread our message around the world, root out your innermost fears.
Silver birch - Be at peace with your surroundings.  Don't chase the wind, listen to it.
Yew tree - Reach into the deep past, dare to reach into the far future.  Bring them together as rebirth in the now.
Tomato - Live in peace with one another and don't try to control other people or deny them what they need.

From the Creatures of the Air:
Bee - Why do you want to destroy beauty?
Buzzard - Get a high view on things!
Eagle - Find other ways of flying.
Seagull - Please take your rubbish home!
Eagle - I come to remind you not to lose yourself in the darkness and pain of life on eath but to soar above into the limitless realm of Great Spirit.

From the Creatures of the Sea:
Dolphin - Stop fishing us out - we live in the sea!
Plankton - I've seen things come and go forever.  I don't feel threatened but I wonder why humans choose this living death over vibrant life.
Mermaid - We've been calling out for aeons and people thought they were being called onto the rocks.  But actually we need understanding and opening to the mystery of life so that our oceands and world remain abundant.
Octopus - No nets!  Stop using nets!  Especially the ones which drag the sea bed.
Crab - Don't be fooled by these claws and this hard shell - underneath lies a sensitive being which feels pain.

From the Creatures of the Earth:
Tiger - Respect the tiger and its home - no more taking away my home and my freedom to roam.  Respect my power, and see it as a reflection of the power that resides within you.  Respect my courage, and see it as a reflection of the courage that resides within you.  Relax!
Cat - Human beings, go back to true human values.  Have no more war, racism and injustice, no more money.  Everybody wants this.
Dog - I love to be free to roam and smell the thousands of odours.  I give you great loyalty; please, give me loyalty too.
Worm - I love to work hard.  Give me the space to work for you.
Fox - You persecute me and call me vermin as you do the seagull, rat, pigeon and squirrel, but we are all kin.  We are survivors. 

Neesa then led us in a Jewish dance as we sang Shalom.
Rob and Jehanne sang two songs for us, The Corn King and Harvest Festival.
Finally we gathered around the centre to wish each other Shana Tova (a good and sweet New Year), and shared apples brought from the gardens of our hosts.

Announcements
Jehanne and Rob are performing on Thursday at 2.30 at Stroud Subscription Rooms as part of Your Musical Memories.  See the Subscription rooms website for more details.

The Bath Peace Ceremony is on September 21st.

Bharati and Dinesh are having an evening of sacred songs on Saturday 18th September at 7.30 at St Lukes Medical Centre.  See their website for more details.

Don't forget Neesa's Sacred Traditions course (see details in previous post).

Exploring Sacred Traditions

Hello all,
Neesa has asked me to let you know about the following course she is running.  It sounds very interesting, do contact her if you want to know more.
Don't forget the next Celebration of Life is on September 12th at the usual time and place.

EXPLORING SACRED TRADITIONS

Neesa will be facilitating a fortnightly course, Thursdays 7 - 9.30pm, from 7th October until 16th December. It will be held at Kate Collier's house, 30 Bellevue Road, Stroud.  It will take the form of an experiential enquiry into a number of different faiths, through discussion and practice - including meditation, prayer, song, dance and ceremony.  We will be joined for some sessions by representatives of the faith we are studying that week.  Hopefully the course will continue after Christmas.

Cost:  £65  (£45 with concession)

Contact: Neesa on 01453 759689, 07837 403854,  or neesacopple@gmail.com  for further information and to reserve a place.