Today's theme was Freedom, inspired by the fight for freedom and democracy in North Africa and the Middle East.
We also remembered Japan and those countries affected by the earthquake and tsunami.
Neesa read a poem, linking last month's theme of living our dreams with today's theme of freedom; nothing is impossible.
Bharati and Dinesh played two songs;
Returning, Returning
Returning to the Mother of us all
and
Yemaya Assessu, Assessu Yemaya
Yemaya Olodo, Olodo Yemaya
You are a River of Love flowing endlessly free
You are One with the Earth, the Sky and the Sea
You are a River of Love flowing endlessly free
I surrender to You, You are All that I Need
Yemaya Assessu, Assessu Yemaya
Yemaya Olodo, Olodo Yemaya
Peter read some words by Kahlil Gibran (see this website for full text), and a poem about the desires and difficulties of freedom, which led into an activity where we sat in pairs, one spoke of what they wanted to be free to do and the other spoke as the voice of responsibility.
Neesa led us in a Sufi Dance of Universal Peace, singing Allah, Allah and calling in the life force. Jehanne and Rob were away this week, so Beth sang a song "Life Uncommon" by Jewel, from the Spirit album (see You Tube clip).
We finished by sitting around the central candles with Bharati and Dinesh leading us in "The Long Time Sun";
May the Long Time Sun Shine upon You
All Love surround You
And the Pure Light within You
Guide your way on
Guide your way on
(also available on You Tube)
Peter had prepared copies of last month's joint poem;
Instructions to the Sleeping Self
Like leaves blowing in the wind
I will catch myself.
At the edge of myself I hold out my hand
And feed myself with the possibility of being.
I give myself time,
I give myself space.
I am grateful for each new day,
I love more and fear less.
I hold onto my dreams,
I believe in me.
I come out of hidind,
And meet my own dear self,
I love more and fear less.
The light inside me shines.
I am a fountain rising out of my body
Falling beautifully into the world.
I keep stepping into the unknown,
I trust my feet.
I laugh and love and shout and learn,
My doing comes out of my being,
I stand up to be counted.
I discover I am a compassionate being.
How would it be if I knew I was already awake?
Next month's Celebration of Life will be on April 10th.
