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.
Sunday, 13 March 2011
Thursday, 24 February 2011
Tuesday, 15 February 2011
The Scientific Poetry Show
The Scientific Poetry Show
A multi-purpose evening of humorous poetry, unscientific science, spiritual poetry, and music.
The launch of 2 new books by Peter Adams, the “homeopathic poet” – one about homeopathy, one of his poetry. The evening will be a reading of poems of various kinds, with a poetic look at science and a scientific look at homeopathy woven in.
Peter is a Registered Homeopath, the owner of Stroud Natural Health Clinic, and a frequent contributor to poetry evenings in Stroud.
With music by Jehanne and Rob Mehta
Bar. Books and CDs for Sale
Free Admission
Saturday 5 March 2011, 8pm
Imperial Hotel, Stroud
(Near The Railway Station)
Sunday, 13 February 2011
Meeting 13th February
Today we were "dancing our dreams awake", moving from the internal, contemplative state of winter to a more active stance, thinking how we could manifest our hopes and dreams in the world.
Neesa began with a poem by Stephanie Kaza calling on Mother Earth. Then we sang a song "I walk in Beauty", to voice our intent to walk through life in a way that manifests our hopes and dreams.
I walk in beauty before me,
I walk in beauty behind me.
I walk in beauty above me,
I walk in beauty below me.
I walk in beauty all around me,
As I walk the beauty way
As I walk the beauty way
Peter read a poem:
Waking The Dreaming Self
I think I am walking on my own clean feet
But I end up knee deep in dirt.
I think I’m talking with my own pure tongue
But I hear poisonous words falling out of my mouth.
There is so much of me that I do not own -
I am riding a monster I cannot see
Except in the life I’ve made
And the world we share.
What is there waiting beneath our dreams, beneath our sleep
For our waking to reach down like dawn
And open it’s secrets?
What monsters, what caves, what treasures
Await the touch of our nervous feet,
And what streams of living water
Rise from those deep places?
Again and again life leads me to the living water
And I do not drink.
Again and again life takes me to the edge of my self
And I do not step over.
Again and again life shows me my ignorance
And I forget what I have seen.
Between opportunity and inertia, between courage and fear
I grow slowly like a crystal washed in a solution of experience.
I am learning the lesson of love as fast as I can
And painfully slowly.
I keep getting into trouble
And life keeps leading me to the water;
Next time I will stoop and drink.
Then Peter and Eve led an activity where we sent a message to our potential selves, showing how they might be brought into being over the coming year. Eve inspired us by reading a poem (see this website to read the poem).
We wrote or drew a picture, then swapped our messages with each other to have them read out to the circle. As Peter said, the 'wisdom and creativity' of the group was amazing.
Neesa led us in a dance, singing "I am making my dreams come true". Then Jehanne sang two songs, "February" and "Manon of the Storm" in French.
February
‘February fill the dykes’,
That’s what the old rhymes call her,
When the tumbling torrents split their sides
And there’s mud beside the river,
When thrushes on the rooftops sing
A tantalizing ode to spring,
But the east wind hasn’t lost its sting
And the winter’s not yet over.
O Candlemas if thou be fine,
Spring will be long a-coming,
But if thou bring us clouds and rain,
Why then it’s time for roving,
Where the February maid’s are seen
In bridal white all trimmed with green
And the east wind sweeps the pavements clean
All of a Sunday morning.
It’s time to clear the ditches out
And lay the blackthorn hedges.
I’ll send my love a valentine
And all my heart’s true pledges.
We’ll meet beneath the old yew tree
Just long enough to say ‘Goodbye’.
Tomorrow I’ll be on my way
As far as this road reaches.
It’s February clear the decks,
Let every land be shriven.\
If we sweep our debris from the sky
The earth will be forgiven.
There’s many a carnival played out
On the February roundabout,
And many a beast with horns and snout
Out of his corner driven.
I’ll take my music on my back,
I’ll take my scarf and jacket
And I’ll follow that old March hare along
Through all the toil and traffic.
I’ll not expect the year to bring
A fortune fair nor anything
But love and just a chance to sing
These few songs in my pocket.
I’ll not expect the year to bring
A fortune fair nor anything
But love and just a chance to sing
The new songs in my pocket.
© Jehanne Mehta
Manon of the Storm (rough translation from the French)
Manon of the storm goes out in the wind, that jostles the daffodils at the threshold of spring. She takes on the day with same fervour as the vows of young lovers. She braids the twisting tendrils of ivy in her long pale hair that floats on the air, and I realize that there’s s huge gap between me and her fabled country.
Chorus: Heat of the sun, solidity of earth, gusts of wind, torrents of rain. Eye of the storm, source of all passion, Manon your mystery is the mystery of life.
When she goes out in the morning under the oak trees and the box, her rustling dress is woven from the streaming rain, with its gleams of silver under the great grey clouds, and she opens to the secrets of the winds. Manon runs barefoot in the sea foam, on that edge which is neither water nor land, and that’s where she harvests those fertile flashes that inspire words and songs.
Chorus as above.
Manon of the storm does not let herself be trapped by numbers, structures, routines or notebooks. She lives in the moment, does not weep for tha past and opens like a flower in the spring. And sometimes when fear holds me rigid I think of her and at last I sense her secret: that passion is the reverse side of a peace so complete that it goes beyond all anguish and all fear.
Chorus: Song of the thrush at the winter’s end when the power of the green pierces the frozen soil. Source of miracles, source of inspiration, Manon your mystery is the mystery of life.
We closed with a further poem from Neesa, and singing "This little heart of mine".
Announcements: Maxine Bennett is running another workshop on "Sing and play Interfaith Chants: Create a soundscape" on 20th February 2.00pm - 5.00pm at the Landsdown Gallery. Contact Neesa for more information.
Peter will be launching his books at the Imperial Hotel in Stroud on 5th March (details to follow).
Neesa began with a poem by Stephanie Kaza calling on Mother Earth. Then we sang a song "I walk in Beauty", to voice our intent to walk through life in a way that manifests our hopes and dreams.
I walk in beauty before me,
I walk in beauty behind me.
I walk in beauty above me,
I walk in beauty below me.
I walk in beauty all around me,
As I walk the beauty way
As I walk the beauty way
Peter read a poem:
Waking The Dreaming Self
I think I am walking on my own clean feet
But I end up knee deep in dirt.
I think I’m talking with my own pure tongue
But I hear poisonous words falling out of my mouth.
There is so much of me that I do not own -
I am riding a monster I cannot see
Except in the life I’ve made
And the world we share.
What is there waiting beneath our dreams, beneath our sleep
For our waking to reach down like dawn
And open it’s secrets?
What monsters, what caves, what treasures
Await the touch of our nervous feet,
And what streams of living water
Rise from those deep places?
Again and again life leads me to the living water
And I do not drink.
Again and again life takes me to the edge of my self
And I do not step over.
Again and again life shows me my ignorance
And I forget what I have seen.
Between opportunity and inertia, between courage and fear
I grow slowly like a crystal washed in a solution of experience.
I am learning the lesson of love as fast as I can
And painfully slowly.
I keep getting into trouble
And life keeps leading me to the water;
Next time I will stoop and drink.
Then Peter and Eve led an activity where we sent a message to our potential selves, showing how they might be brought into being over the coming year. Eve inspired us by reading a poem (see this website to read the poem).
We wrote or drew a picture, then swapped our messages with each other to have them read out to the circle. As Peter said, the 'wisdom and creativity' of the group was amazing.
Neesa led us in a dance, singing "I am making my dreams come true". Then Jehanne sang two songs, "February" and "Manon of the Storm" in French.
February
‘February fill the dykes’,
That’s what the old rhymes call her,
When the tumbling torrents split their sides
And there’s mud beside the river,
When thrushes on the rooftops sing
A tantalizing ode to spring,
But the east wind hasn’t lost its sting
And the winter’s not yet over.
O Candlemas if thou be fine,
Spring will be long a-coming,
But if thou bring us clouds and rain,
Why then it’s time for roving,
Where the February maid’s are seen
In bridal white all trimmed with green
And the east wind sweeps the pavements clean
All of a Sunday morning.
It’s time to clear the ditches out
And lay the blackthorn hedges.
I’ll send my love a valentine
And all my heart’s true pledges.
We’ll meet beneath the old yew tree
Just long enough to say ‘Goodbye’.
Tomorrow I’ll be on my way
As far as this road reaches.
It’s February clear the decks,
Let every land be shriven.\
If we sweep our debris from the sky
The earth will be forgiven.
There’s many a carnival played out
On the February roundabout,
And many a beast with horns and snout
Out of his corner driven.
I’ll take my music on my back,
I’ll take my scarf and jacket
And I’ll follow that old March hare along
Through all the toil and traffic.
I’ll not expect the year to bring
A fortune fair nor anything
But love and just a chance to sing
These few songs in my pocket.
I’ll not expect the year to bring
A fortune fair nor anything
But love and just a chance to sing
The new songs in my pocket.
© Jehanne Mehta
Manon of the Storm (rough translation from the French)
Manon of the storm goes out in the wind, that jostles the daffodils at the threshold of spring. She takes on the day with same fervour as the vows of young lovers. She braids the twisting tendrils of ivy in her long pale hair that floats on the air, and I realize that there’s s huge gap between me and her fabled country.
Chorus: Heat of the sun, solidity of earth, gusts of wind, torrents of rain. Eye of the storm, source of all passion, Manon your mystery is the mystery of life.
When she goes out in the morning under the oak trees and the box, her rustling dress is woven from the streaming rain, with its gleams of silver under the great grey clouds, and she opens to the secrets of the winds. Manon runs barefoot in the sea foam, on that edge which is neither water nor land, and that’s where she harvests those fertile flashes that inspire words and songs.
Chorus as above.
Manon of the storm does not let herself be trapped by numbers, structures, routines or notebooks. She lives in the moment, does not weep for tha past and opens like a flower in the spring. And sometimes when fear holds me rigid I think of her and at last I sense her secret: that passion is the reverse side of a peace so complete that it goes beyond all anguish and all fear.
Chorus: Song of the thrush at the winter’s end when the power of the green pierces the frozen soil. Source of miracles, source of inspiration, Manon your mystery is the mystery of life.
We closed with a further poem from Neesa, and singing "This little heart of mine".
Announcements: Maxine Bennett is running another workshop on "Sing and play Interfaith Chants: Create a soundscape" on 20th February 2.00pm - 5.00pm at the Landsdown Gallery. Contact Neesa for more information.
Peter will be launching his books at the Imperial Hotel in Stroud on 5th March (details to follow).
Sunday, 23 January 2011
Meeting 9th January
The theme for today was "The threshold". As I was unable to attend, Carol and Jehanne have kindly sent material to include here.
Neesa began with two readings:
“2011 is an opportunity for us to stabilise what we wish to grow. It is a year to consolidate, to put down strong roots and lay firm foundations. There is a need to clear away our old baggage, old thinking patterns and any areas of our lives that are unsustainable, so that we don’t become stuck there. It is time to plant our feet firmly on the Earth and with clear intentions, begin to plant the seeds of our future.”
Glennie Kindred
“Look to this day for it is life;
The very life of life.
In its brief course lie all the realities and truths of existence –
The joy of growth,
The splendour of action,
The glory of power.
For yesterday is but a memory,
And tomorrow is only a vision,
But today well lived makes every yesterday
A memory of happiness,
And every tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well, therefore, to this day.”
SANSKRIT HYMN
Peter read one of his poems:
New Years Irresolution
I don’t know what I’m building
But the bricks keep falling into place.
I don’t know where I’m going
But road seems to be leading somewhere.
After getting lost and found so many times
I’m starting to trust the geography.
Life is bigger than I thought,
And keeps unfolding in mysterious ways.
I think it’s a hole I’m falling into
And I discover a deeper ground.
I shrink and find myself growing larger.
I step off the edge, and I’m walking on air.
Somehow my mistakes are the right ones,
And my sickness is healing me.
I’m going round in circles.
I don’t remember falling asleep, but I keep discovering myself waking up.
Every time I escape I’m still here.
The world I come back to is always better at first.
With what’s happened and what could happen so huge, the present seems thin.
One year ends and another begins immediately!
Today I stand at the edge of a new year -
I always stand at the edge of a new self.
I’m getting confused:
The known and the unknown take turns deceiving me.
Am I moving in circles or spirals?
Am I laughing or crying?
Is this a new episode in my life or a repeat?
Where will it all end?
And how will I know?
Eve’s activity was based on this reading from T.S. Eliot’s Quartet – Little Gidding:
“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language
And next year’s words await another voice.”
Jehanne sang two songs, "This place" and a song for New Year.
This Place
This place is ancient, a place where the roads meet,
Showing lines in the landscape that were laid down by stars.
The wisdom the earth has been holding in secret
Begins to be known again as the years pass,
Begins to be known again as the years pass.
This place is ancient, a place where the trees grew;
The groves of great yew trees and later of oak,
Where creation was honoured by the old ones, the wise ones
And this place still remembers the words that they spoke,
And this place still remembers the words that they spoke.
This place is ancient : great stones mark the sunrise,
The moonrise and star-rise, the cycles of time,
Where the land holds the key to the wide cosmic dance
And we learn where we came from and how to return,
And we learn where we came from and how to return.
This place is ancient, a place of high power,
With roots that lie deeper than ever were seen;
On the one hand stands love, on the other stands wisdom,
And the gateway to Albion lies in between,
And the gateway to Albion lies in between.
But this place here is new, it is under construction-
Far stronger than stone is the love that we share.
This place is inward. It points to the future.
This place is a temple because we meet here,
This place is a temple because we meet here.
Song lyric © 5th-15th September 2009
Lyrics finished 10th, melody 15th
New Year
The old year shakes his hoary head for his time is nearly through.
We’ll see him swiftly on his way, sing a welcome to the new.
Now the glass is turning; set the boats a-burning,
New songs to be learning, new roads to be treading.
The January wind is come to sweep old lines away.
The new year comes with pen in hand to write another play.
Time’s at a beginning; set the wheels a-spinning,
New kites to be flying. New links to be tying.
.
Now take your loved ones by the hand for this I tell you true:
The gladness of the passing year sheds a glow upon the new;
Down the road together, sun or bitter weather,
New feats to be daring, new ale to be sharing.
Away with all the doubts and fears, for there’s no turning back.
Now set your face towards the sun and your feet upon the track.
Now the glass is turning, set the boats a-burning,
New songs to be learning, new roads to be treading.
© Jehanne Mehta
Last verse added 2nd January 2011
The next Celebration of Life will be on 13th February.
Neesa began with two readings:
“2011 is an opportunity for us to stabilise what we wish to grow. It is a year to consolidate, to put down strong roots and lay firm foundations. There is a need to clear away our old baggage, old thinking patterns and any areas of our lives that are unsustainable, so that we don’t become stuck there. It is time to plant our feet firmly on the Earth and with clear intentions, begin to plant the seeds of our future.”
Glennie Kindred
“Look to this day for it is life;
The very life of life.
In its brief course lie all the realities and truths of existence –
The joy of growth,
The splendour of action,
The glory of power.
For yesterday is but a memory,
And tomorrow is only a vision,
But today well lived makes every yesterday
A memory of happiness,
And every tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well, therefore, to this day.”
SANSKRIT HYMN
Peter read one of his poems:
New Years Irresolution
I don’t know what I’m building
But the bricks keep falling into place.
I don’t know where I’m going
But road seems to be leading somewhere.
After getting lost and found so many times
I’m starting to trust the geography.
Life is bigger than I thought,
And keeps unfolding in mysterious ways.
I think it’s a hole I’m falling into
And I discover a deeper ground.
I shrink and find myself growing larger.
I step off the edge, and I’m walking on air.
Somehow my mistakes are the right ones,
And my sickness is healing me.
I’m going round in circles.
I don’t remember falling asleep, but I keep discovering myself waking up.
Every time I escape I’m still here.
The world I come back to is always better at first.
With what’s happened and what could happen so huge, the present seems thin.
One year ends and another begins immediately!
Today I stand at the edge of a new year -
I always stand at the edge of a new self.
I’m getting confused:
The known and the unknown take turns deceiving me.
Am I moving in circles or spirals?
Am I laughing or crying?
Is this a new episode in my life or a repeat?
Where will it all end?
And how will I know?
Eve’s activity was based on this reading from T.S. Eliot’s Quartet – Little Gidding:
“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language
And next year’s words await another voice.”
Jehanne sang two songs, "This place" and a song for New Year.
This Place
This place is ancient, a place where the roads meet,
Showing lines in the landscape that were laid down by stars.
The wisdom the earth has been holding in secret
Begins to be known again as the years pass,
Begins to be known again as the years pass.
This place is ancient, a place where the trees grew;
The groves of great yew trees and later of oak,
Where creation was honoured by the old ones, the wise ones
And this place still remembers the words that they spoke,
And this place still remembers the words that they spoke.
This place is ancient : great stones mark the sunrise,
The moonrise and star-rise, the cycles of time,
Where the land holds the key to the wide cosmic dance
And we learn where we came from and how to return,
And we learn where we came from and how to return.
This place is ancient, a place of high power,
With roots that lie deeper than ever were seen;
On the one hand stands love, on the other stands wisdom,
And the gateway to Albion lies in between,
And the gateway to Albion lies in between.
But this place here is new, it is under construction-
Far stronger than stone is the love that we share.
This place is inward. It points to the future.
This place is a temple because we meet here,
This place is a temple because we meet here.
Song lyric © 5th-15th September 2009
Lyrics finished 10th, melody 15th
New Year
The old year shakes his hoary head for his time is nearly through.
We’ll see him swiftly on his way, sing a welcome to the new.
Now the glass is turning; set the boats a-burning,
New songs to be learning, new roads to be treading.
The January wind is come to sweep old lines away.
The new year comes with pen in hand to write another play.
Time’s at a beginning; set the wheels a-spinning,
New kites to be flying. New links to be tying.
.
Now take your loved ones by the hand for this I tell you true:
The gladness of the passing year sheds a glow upon the new;
Down the road together, sun or bitter weather,
New feats to be daring, new ale to be sharing.
Away with all the doubts and fears, for there’s no turning back.
Now set your face towards the sun and your feet upon the track.
Now the glass is turning, set the boats a-burning,
New songs to be learning, new roads to be treading.
© Jehanne Mehta
Last verse added 2nd January 2011
The next Celebration of Life will be on 13th February.
Sunday, 12 December 2010
Meeting 12th December
Today's theme was winter festivals of the Christian, Jewish and Islamic traditions - Advent, Hanukkah and the Islamic New Year.
Eve spoke about the miracle of Hanukkah, where the oil in the Temple was desecrated and there was only enough for one night. Through a miracle the oil lasted for eight days until more could be obtained. This is signified by the eight branched candelabrum called a menorah which is lit from a ninth candle at the centre. Eve lit one of these for us and sang a song in Hebrew. She had also hidden chocolate "Hannukah gelt" (money) around the room
Jehanne talked about Advent, how her family lit four candles, one for each week of Advent, which also represented Earth, Air, Water and Fire; and how it was an opportunity to go inward and look to the light within.
The speaker for Islam was unfortunately not able to attend, but Neesa spoke a little about the Islamic New Year and the sacred month of Muharram, and how one was to show great generosity at this time.
Then we sang the Islamic, Christian and Jewish parts of the Peace Prayer Mandala:
La illaha il allah hu - there is no god but God
Gloria in excelsis Deo - glory to God in the highest
Shalom - peace
Peter read a poem by Leonard Cohen, "God is Alive, Magic is Afoot" (scroll down on this page to read it).
Then Eve's activity was an honouring of the four directions, north (Earth), east (Air), south (Fire), west (Water) and then the centre (Spirit). We all spoke our associations with each of the elements and meditated on them. Then we lit candles for what we wished to reclaim from inside ourselves.
Neesa led us in a dance to the song:
"Between darkness and light I will always walk,
And in every place that I walk
I will open a window of light
And will plant a seed of love"
Rob and Jehanne led us in a round and then sang a song of midwinter. We also sang Happy Birthday to Matilda who was seven today!
We gathered around the centre to blow out the candles, and sang another birthday song,
"To you we sing,
And happiness we bring,
To celebrate your birth -
An angel here on earth"
Announcements
9th January 2011 - Practical Workshop on Religious Diversity and Musical Connections
Landsdown Hall and Gallery, Stroud 1.30-4.30pm
£10 or £5 low income
Singing sacred music from different traditions.
EXPLORING SACRED TRADITIONS
Eve spoke about the miracle of Hanukkah, where the oil in the Temple was desecrated and there was only enough for one night. Through a miracle the oil lasted for eight days until more could be obtained. This is signified by the eight branched candelabrum called a menorah which is lit from a ninth candle at the centre. Eve lit one of these for us and sang a song in Hebrew. She had also hidden chocolate "Hannukah gelt" (money) around the room
Jehanne talked about Advent, how her family lit four candles, one for each week of Advent, which also represented Earth, Air, Water and Fire; and how it was an opportunity to go inward and look to the light within.
The speaker for Islam was unfortunately not able to attend, but Neesa spoke a little about the Islamic New Year and the sacred month of Muharram, and how one was to show great generosity at this time.
Then we sang the Islamic, Christian and Jewish parts of the Peace Prayer Mandala:
La illaha il allah hu - there is no god but God
Gloria in excelsis Deo - glory to God in the highest
Shalom - peace
Peter read a poem by Leonard Cohen, "God is Alive, Magic is Afoot" (scroll down on this page to read it).
Then Eve's activity was an honouring of the four directions, north (Earth), east (Air), south (Fire), west (Water) and then the centre (Spirit). We all spoke our associations with each of the elements and meditated on them. Then we lit candles for what we wished to reclaim from inside ourselves.
Neesa led us in a dance to the song:
"Between darkness and light I will always walk,
And in every place that I walk
I will open a window of light
And will plant a seed of love"
Rob and Jehanne led us in a round and then sang a song of midwinter. We also sang Happy Birthday to Matilda who was seven today!
We gathered around the centre to blow out the candles, and sang another birthday song,
"To you we sing,
And happiness we bring,
To celebrate your birth -
An angel here on earth"
Announcements
9th January 2011 - Practical Workshop on Religious Diversity and Musical Connections
Landsdown Hall and Gallery, Stroud 1.30-4.30pm
£10 or £5 low income
Singing sacred music from different traditions.
EXPLORING SACRED TRADITIONS
A few places are available on this ongoing course from 13th January, fortnightly, for 6 weeks at a Stroud venue. 7-9.30pm Thursday evenings. Cost: £65 (£45 conc)
Each week we explore a religion or spiritual path, under the guidance of someone from that faith. They explain some of its principles and beliefs, speak of its meaning for them and lead us in practices such as prayer, meditation, song, dance & ritual. There is plenty of opportunity for discussion and personal sharing, and there will be space to integrate, bridge traditions and deepen.
Contact Neesa Copple on 01453 759689, 07837 403854, neesacopple@gmail.com for further info or to reserve a place.
Sunday, 14 November 2010
Meeting 14th November
First, I must apologise for not having sent a reminder this week about today's Celebration of Life. I will attempt to remember next time, but if you want the date for your diaries it is 12th December, back in the usual room.
Today's theme was the Dark Night of The Soul. Moving into the depths of winter is a difficult time, associated with death and darkness, marked in various traditions as Samhain, All Souls Day, Day of the Dead, and today is also Remembrance Day. But we were called on to remember that these dark times can be rich in experience and growth, and that the dark is needed in order to emerge into the light.
Neesa began with an invocation to Kali, Hindu goddess of Death, and led us in a body prayer to Kali.
Then we sang "Be still and know that day and night, be still and know that dark and light are one holy circle".
Peter read one of his poems:
Waiting for Winter
There is a channel in time opening before me
And my life flows into it like a river.
Beyond any journey that my thoughts make
There is a territory waiting,
Like a parent, for me to become myself.
The future is a channel in time opening before me
And my life flows into it like a river.
There are gifts there not ready for the taking,
Fruits not grown.
The future is still in the roots,
In the earth waiting for winter,
Waiting for the hard, cold winds to drive me down
Waiting for life to take me down,
For trouble to pull me down
Into my underground self,
To meet the solid darkness
So there can be a spring.
My life is always one season or another
One kind of growth, or preparation for growth, after another;
Each one is a new world;
And each one involves dying:
The dying of a heart too tight,
The dying of a mind gone blind,
The dying of a purpose outgrown,
The dying of a self too small,
The dying of a summer whose life is over.
And every time I'm still afraid of dying.
Then I led an activity on doubts, fears and affirmations. We curled up with our doubts and fears while I read a poem by Edwin Muir, "Ballad of the Soul". Then everyone found affirmations for themselves to help overcome their doubts and fears; "I am confident", "I am becoming", "I have faith", "The only reality is Love", thinking these to themself as they uncurled from around their doubts and fears, stood and took hands in a circle. People spoke out their affirmations, and then we sang Amazing Grace.
Then we lit candles in a circle, and Neesa led us in a dance while we sang "Hecate, Ceridwyn, Dark Mother take us in; Hecate, Ceridwyn, let us be reborn".
Rob and Jehanne sang "Stop the world, I want to get on" and "Autumn to Winter", then we finished by standing around the centre and singing "This little light of mine".
Today's theme was the Dark Night of The Soul. Moving into the depths of winter is a difficult time, associated with death and darkness, marked in various traditions as Samhain, All Souls Day, Day of the Dead, and today is also Remembrance Day. But we were called on to remember that these dark times can be rich in experience and growth, and that the dark is needed in order to emerge into the light.
Neesa began with an invocation to Kali, Hindu goddess of Death, and led us in a body prayer to Kali.
Then we sang "Be still and know that day and night, be still and know that dark and light are one holy circle".
Peter read one of his poems:
Waiting for Winter
There is a channel in time opening before me
And my life flows into it like a river.
Beyond any journey that my thoughts make
There is a territory waiting,
Like a parent, for me to become myself.
The future is a channel in time opening before me
And my life flows into it like a river.
There are gifts there not ready for the taking,
Fruits not grown.
The future is still in the roots,
In the earth waiting for winter,
Waiting for the hard, cold winds to drive me down
Waiting for life to take me down,
For trouble to pull me down
Into my underground self,
To meet the solid darkness
So there can be a spring.
My life is always one season or another
One kind of growth, or preparation for growth, after another;
Each one is a new world;
And each one involves dying:
The dying of a heart too tight,
The dying of a mind gone blind,
The dying of a purpose outgrown,
The dying of a self too small,
The dying of a summer whose life is over.
And every time I'm still afraid of dying.
Then I led an activity on doubts, fears and affirmations. We curled up with our doubts and fears while I read a poem by Edwin Muir, "Ballad of the Soul". Then everyone found affirmations for themselves to help overcome their doubts and fears; "I am confident", "I am becoming", "I have faith", "The only reality is Love", thinking these to themself as they uncurled from around their doubts and fears, stood and took hands in a circle. People spoke out their affirmations, and then we sang Amazing Grace.
Then we lit candles in a circle, and Neesa led us in a dance while we sang "Hecate, Ceridwyn, Dark Mother take us in; Hecate, Ceridwyn, let us be reborn".
Rob and Jehanne sang "Stop the world, I want to get on" and "Autumn to Winter", then we finished by standing around the centre and singing "This little light of mine".
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