Ah… the scents of Home Sweet Home
Posted by msterilinn on May 10, 2008
Truly, one of the most important features of my home are the scents. To fully enjoy our place of sanctuary to it’s greatest potential, we must fully embrace the beauty which touches our senses… all of our senses. In order to accomplish such a sweet and wonderful balance we must consider not only that which brings pleasure to our visual senses, yet we should be aware of how important our sense of smell is when it comes to feeling at peace with our surroundings. Aromatherapy has been one of the greatest healers of our spirits as well as our bodies since ancient times.
Having mentioned how essential it is to our well-being to surround ourselves with the harmony of beautiful objects and accomodations, in balance with the scents which tantalize our senses, I would like to bring a totally cool contest which is going on with Renuzit. It is called Renuzit TriScents Transform Your Home with Tanya Memme. You can visit the site and check out the semi-finalist gallery and vote for your favourite submission. You may enter one vote per day up until June 7th. The winner with the most votes will receive a $20,000 home makeover with Tayna Memme! Now that is quite an exciting prize for a very lucky winner.
I have already looked through all of the submissions. They all look pretty good, and a few really stand out in my mind. Some of them are truly in need of this wonderful prize, so I do wish them all luck in realizing their dream. Yet I was quite impressed with one submission in particular. The little girl narrarating this video really touched a sweet spot in me, and having three new additions to the family all at once impressed me with just how busy this family will be for many years to come. Being a mother, and a grandmother as well, gives me an inside perspective of just what it takes to raise these little ones. And doing so in a home that is beautiful, safe, and full of wonderful scents to help cover all those other lovely scents babies love to create, will serve to help this family enjoy the experience in a more fulfilling way. I am certain they will have a lot to keep them busy, and will not need the added worry of remodelling their home all on their own. What a great gift this prize would be for them! And I truly must say, I give that little girl super kudos for doing such a wonderful job in telling her family’s story.
Please take a few moments to vote!
Where the Buffalo may roam…
Posted by msterilinn on May 6, 2008
When I think of the American plains, I imagine the sweet grasses blowing in the wind, and the wild Buffalo roaming with their herds. The Buffalo are most Sacred to my people. They were placed here for some very good reasons, as they spread the seeds and fertilized the land. Once they provided food and materials for shelter and clothing for the peoples of this land. It is amazing to imagine how brilliantly the Creator of this world set things in motion so very long ago. From the tiniest microbe to the mightiest predator. Each living creature having a purpose, and given the chance to evolve in a natural way. To think that the beings who believe themselves most intelligent cannot see the widsom behind this, and are the ones destroying the balance so painstakingly created to maintain Life on this Earth. Such folly can be credited to a foolish, yet supposed intelligent race, when we should be providing good stewardship in caring for the environment. Nature knows how to do her job… why is it so hard to do ours?
Alas, it tears at my heart when I try to find good news to pass along to my readers. I mean, shouldn’t there be a Balance of as much good as bad? I know the saying goes ‘it is always darkest before the dawn’, yet must so much be destroyed before the Balance can be restored? Our songs and traditions speak of such a Beautiful and Bountiful land, yet when we look around, where has the bounty gone? And what are we doing to all the Beautiful places? What legacy are we truly leaving our children and future generations? Wow… I am feeling depressed about this walk, and that is not good. I am usually so optimistic in feeling I can make a difference, and days like this cause me to feel so helpless and small in the scheme of things. How can one small being such as myself even hope to make a dent in this daunting task?
Well then, I suppose I must pass along the news which prompted my sadness in this moment…
For years, BioGems Defenders have fought to halt the U.S. government’s systematic capture and killing of Yellowstone’s bison — better known as American buffalo — as they roam beyond the boundaries of the park in search of food during the harsh winter months. But this year the rate of slaughter has reached unprecedented proportions with more than 1,400 buffalo dead — fully 30 percent of the buffalo population. In response, the NRDC Action Fund, our partner organization, is mobilizing a massive outcry to stop the killing.
» Tell the National Park Service to stop the slaughter of Yellowstone’s wild buffalo.
I would like to think we can make a difference if we put our minds to it and work together. I truly would like to spread some good news in letting people know there is a safe, bountiful and beautiful place in which the remaining Buffalo may roam and grow plentiful once again.
Today is Earth Day… Celebrate Life!
Posted by msterilinn on Apr 22, 2008
Although I am mindful of this wonderful and beautiful Earth each and every day, today is as fine as any to create awareness. As folks celebrate world-wide, I send out my heartfelt prayers for the healing and preservation of this Sacred planet.
We lost a Great and Ancient tree to the machinations of modernization, just recently. My daughter and I have loved to walk a path through the trees near a river by our home. Along this path lived a beautiful Cottonwood tree, the largest I have ever seen, standing watch over all the smaller plants and trees nearby. Each time we passed this Ancient Spirit we would stop and touch it, giving a prayer of thanks for the air we breathe and the wonderful shade provided during hot days. Although we love all that is green and natural, this Ancient One held a special place in our hearts. It had been here for much longer than the ugliness of some places nearby, and brought a timeless beauty to this place.
Last week we were walking across the river from this favourite tree, and I stumbled when I looked to see this tree. I could not seem to catch my breath and tears came to my eyes. My daughter grew concerned and asked me what was wrong. When I could speak I pointed across the river with a heavy heart. Our dear and beautiful tree still stood, yet all of it’s branches had been cut off. This still-living tree was about to be cut down, for no reason that I could see. It was still healthy and strong! I felt the pain of this quite deeply, and was so sad!
We crossed the river the next day. I truly dreaded approaching the part of the path where this Great tree had lived for so long. It still stood, and I swear I could feel the pain of this poor tree as it stood, with all of its branches full of new life, lying in piles around it. My daughter was very sad as well and asked me why. Why had they done this to a tree in a place where nothing was to be built and the tree represented Life, and was no danger to folks walking? I do not know why… so I approached the tree and offered tobacco to the spirit of this Ancient One. I cried and prayed and asked forgiveness for man’s folly. We said goodbye to this wonderful tree that had given us such pleasure and comfort on our many walks. This place no longer brought me pleasure, and I am not certain we shall return. I prefer to stroll in the wild places that man has not touched.
Each day it is good to take time to honor Life, and all living things. We do not own this planet… we are just here for a little while. The Earth is Ancient, and generous in her gifts. It is only right to be thankful for what we have been blessed with, and to teach our children to be caring and thankful as well. This is part of the great Balance. So each day, let us promote Life by planting seeds, and nurturing our gardens and forests. Let us care for each other as well.
Here are a few helpful tips to get started…
Reduce - Reuse – Recycle; bring your reusable grocery totes. If you must buy disposables, buy paper products rather than plastic or Styrofoam. The manufacture of Styrofoam depletes the ozone layer.
Conserve water, waste not and fix leaks.
Use fewer harmful chemicals and pollutants, and dispose of them properly.
Try to use phosphate-free laundry and dish soaps.
Don’t use electrical appliances for things you can easily do by hand.
Save your kitchen scraps for the compost pile.
Boycott tuna or buy only “dolphin-safe”
Use Seafood Watch to choose seafood that’s good for you, and good for the oceans.
Volunteer your time to conservation projects.
Participate in stream and beach cleaning programs.
Become more involved in marine environmental issues.
Vote for candidates that share your sentiments.
Write your legislators when you have an opinion about pending legislation on environmental, land use and other issues.
Plant native, insect resistant, trees and shrubs in your backyard to provide food and shelter for birds and other creatures.
Pull weeds instead of using herbicides.. Learn about natural insect controls as alternatives to pesticides.
Use public transit.. Ride your bike or walk instead.. Drive a more gas efficient car.
Please help block dirty fuels in Western Wildlands
Posted by msterilinn on Mar 14, 2008
Please take a few moments to read this very important message…
The Bush administration wants to sacrifice some of the wildest regions of Colorado, Utah and Wyoming to produce fuel from two of the most polluting sources: oil shale and tar sands.
This proposed development — spanning an area of more than two million acres of wildlife habitat and outstanding recreation areas across three states — could pollute air and water, jeopardize human health and dramatically worsen global warming.
Please go to http://www.savebiogems.org/yellowstone/takeaction and tell the Bush administration to protect these sensitive wildlands for future generations and promote cleaner sources of energy instead.
Oil shale is rock that produces oil when heated to extreme temperatures. Tar sands contain extremely heavy oil mixed with sand and clay. Tar sands development in Canada has displaced wildlife, created toxic waste sites that go on for miles and generated three times the amount of global warming pollution per barrel produced as conventional fuel.
We must act now to shield our own western wildlands from thisnightmare scenario. Oil shale and tar sands development could release dangerous toxic elements such as arsenic, selenium, and boron into the Colorado River watershed — a vital source of drinking water for local communities.
This area is also home to mule deer, elk, mountain lions, black bears, bald eagles and great horned owls and offers exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities.
Go to http://www.savebiogems.org/yellowstone/takeaction and tell the Bush administration to put the brakes on dirty oil shale and tar sands development in America’s West.
Thank you for helping to save our last western wildlife habitats from destructive development.
~ Celebrating Women all over the World ~
Posted by msterilinn on Mar 12, 2008
As a woman, I am proud and honored to do what I may to present what it is to be a female in the World we live in today. We must remember to embrace that which makes up the essence of a woman, and bring about our full potential. As stewards of this planet we play many roles.
Every day, all over the world, women make countless choices that affect the environment. In their hands lie many decisions about the use of community resources - water for the household, land for agriculture, wood for heating and cooking, plants and animals for food and sale.
Yet women often lack the education to make responsible conservation decisions and are denied the resources and opportunities to control their own economic destinies. Without intervention, the cycle of poverty and inequality is repeated from mother to daughter.
Recognizing the different roles of women and men in natural resource management, WWF works with both groups to enhance their stewardship of the environment and improve livelihoods. Successful women’s programs include small business development, access to health services like family planning and maternal and child health, efficient and sustainable agriculture techniques and literacy programs.
WWF empowers women and girls - building a future where human needs are met in harmony with nature. Here are their stories…
~Today’s Girls - Tomorrow’s Leaders
~Biogas is Better - Jari Leads the Way
Enjoy!
May I have a spot of Organic Tea please?
Posted by msterilinn on Mar 12, 2008
There is nothing like a delicious and highly nutritious cup of tea. Amongst my favourite herbal delights, drinking tea has got to be my top form of consuming natures finest. Not only for the wonderful aroma, which brings it’s own pleasure, yet the feeling tea gives me when I truly need a few moments of relaxation. Of course I have my own personal preferences, which include the lovely flavors of peppermint, ginger, cinnamon, chamomile, lemon grass, tila flowers, catnip, and hops, just to name a few. My daughter also has her own favourite… Madagascar Vanilla Red, which is made with rooibos and vanilla bean.
My family knows that I am quite enthusiastic when I recieve tea gift baskets. This is a form of giving that shows how much one cares, as it is a gift meant to pamper the person recieving the gift.
So, whether tea is offered and consumed in the form of ceremony or for the simple pleasure, remember that special person with a wonderful and lovely selection of tea gift baskets available for our own choosing.
Healing our Bodies with Self-Love
Posted by msterilinn on Feb 27, 2008
With much Love and Light, I would like to offer the following to all my fellow human beings…
Our physical bodies are only an aspect of what we truly are. In reality, we are beings of light and energy. The concept of “the Force” described in the Stars Wars movies is surprisingly accurate. Our minds and bodies are shaped by our consciousness, thoughts, and intentions. Our bodies are the conduits of life energy that flows through the Universe. When we run low on life energy we become “dis-eased” and eventually diseased. Just as matter and energy are interchangeable, thought and energy are interchangeable. Just like energy can be thought of as having a specific frequency (like tuning into a radio station at a certain frequency), thoughts have different frequencies as well. Not unlike radio waves or microwaves or light waves, they are broadcast beyond our specific brains.
“Reality is the mirror of your thoughts. Choose well what you put in front of the mirror.” ~ Remez Sasson
Light waves are electromagnetic radiation that comes to us from the sun. Their frequencies are such that they have a positive impact on our bodies. Gamma radiation is also a type of electromagnetic energy at a different frequency that has a very destructive effect on our bodies. Thoughts and intentions also generate energetic fields that have either positive or negative effects upon our lives. The thoughts and intentions that have negative energetic effects on our spirit and our body include shame, guilt, anger, fear and false pride. These include activities such as criticizing, blaming, judging, withdrawing, hiding, punishing, attacking and so on. The thoughts and intentions that have positive energetic effects on our souls and bodies include acceptance, openness, love, joy, peacefulness curiosity, compassion, and reverence. They include activities such as acceptance, forgiveness, kindness, love, understand ing connection, and empathy.
“Love is the great miracle cure. Loving ourselves works miracles in our lives.” ~ Louise L. Hay
There are certain people whom everyone likes to be around. We often say, “I like their energy”. We are absolutely correct about this. These people do broadcast good energy. There are other people we do not want to be around for just the opposite reason. We are all aware of this. But it goes much deeper than this. When we walk around criticizing, judging and blaming others or ourselves we weaken our life energy. When we go though our life being angry and negative towards others or ourselves we generate negative energy that makes us feel bad and makes us suffer immediately. The impact of this energy continues to affect us over time. Eventually these negative thought patterns create negative energy fields that disrupt the body’s physical functioning and can in some cases create dis-ease.
“Eventually you will come to understand that love heals everything, and love is all there is.” ~ Gary Zukav
On the flip side, we gain create positive energy in our mind-body by giving love and accepting energies to ourselves and others. In fact, the vibration of love will literally create physical healing in the body. The more loving energy you send towards yourself, the healthier you will be and the more energy you will have. The vibration of love has been scientifically proven to alter the shape and structure of physical molecules such as water. According to current scientific studies, water molecules are directly effected by the words, sounds and thoughts they are exposed to. Since your physical body is made up of more than 70% water, it is continuously impacted by the vibrations of negative or positive words you send into it.
“The greatest healing therapy is friendship and love.” ~ Hubert Horatio Humphrey
Consciously sending loving energy to your own being will create amazing shifts in your physical body on a molecular level. As you start daily send loving thoughts and feeling into every cell of your body, you will start to heal your mind-body, and experience a dramatic shift in your energy field. You will naturally feel more energized, alive, and healthier as you continue to bathe your cells to the healing energy of self-love.
Sending you loving and healing blessings,
Margot Zaher and Jafree Ozwald
Yellowstone’s Buffalo need our help now!
Posted by msterilinn on Feb 26, 2008
The Buffalo Field Campaign–a campaign to protect Yellowstone’s buffalo–is currently in 1st place but is losing ground fast! If they win they will get a pledge drive done. Voting ends in less than two days. Please vote - you can vote every two minutes here : Vote for The Buffalo Field Campaign.
The Buffalo Field Campaign (BFC) is the only group working in the field, every day, to stop the slaughter and harassment of Yellowstone’s wild buffalo. Volunteers from around the world defend buffalo on their traditional winter habitat and advocate for their protection. Our daily patrols stand with the buffalo on the ground they choose to be on, and document every move made against them. Volunteers spend all day, from sunrise until sunset, watching and documenting actions taken against the buffalo. We run patrols from cars, skis and snowshoes to protect buffalo outside the park. Tactics range from video documentation to nonviolent civil disobedience. BFC enjoys incredible support and participation from the local community. Residents allow us to post signs on their property designating them as ‘Buffalo Safe Zones.’ We offer a fence repair service to mitigate damage caused by wildlife. Locals join us on our daily rounds, and many support our patrols with hot drinks and food. All of our work happens because people are willing to take a break from their usual schedules and come help. Over 3000 people from all over the country and around the world have joined us in our log cabin on Hebgen Lake to help stop the buffalo slaughter. We feed and house all our volunteers in our cabin and Gardner satellite camp. Volunteers patrol for buffalo by skis, snowshoes, or cars. Everyone communicates by a network of hand-held radios, and also carries a video camera. Our office runs outreach programs, including slide and video presentations, summer tabling in Yellowstone Park, website and e-mail updates, and national media coverage through press releases and video.
Come defend the buffalo by joining us on the front lines! We have had over 2400 volunteers from across the country and around the world join us on the front lines to help save the Yellowstone buffalo. The Buffalo Field Campaign is the only group living and working in the Yellowstone Ecosystem full time. We are on patrol all day, everyday, when buffalo are out of the park and in danger. Buffalo Field Campaign patrols defend the buffalo on their critical, native Montana habitat and document every move made against them.
Please consider becoming a The Buffalo Field Campaign Volunteer. The future of America’s last free-roaming herd depends on you!
Voices from the Longest Walk 2008
Posted by msterilinn on Feb 25, 2008
It is absolutely incredible to see and hear such an outpouring of Love and dedication to help bring about awareness in helping our beautiful Earth. The Longest Walk 2008 is about hope and a message to the world about how important it is to save our Sacred Sites, and the people of Mother Earth. So many are suffering along with the Land, and Spirit moves us to do more to manifest the healing necessary for all Life to thrive on this planet we inhabit whilst in human form. I would like to take this time to share with you the stories and voices from the Longest Walk, and ask that you look into your hearts and give your thoughts and prayers for this important cause.
Visit The Longest Walk 1978 - 2008 and listen to the voices of the People. I will share a small sample of words spoken from the heart.
In the words of Shunsho Yamada = Japanese Coordinator and Translator…
“Many Japanese are interested in Indian culture and Indian ceremonies and philosophies. Japanese people are also interested in this Walk because Japan is facing tragedy. The Japanese suicide rate is 35,000 people per year – many due to economic hardship faced by suddenly losing their jobs. Also, Japanese summer temperatures are very high due to global warming and the typhoons are attacking very hard these days.
Japanese people have lost our religion and our spirituality in the last 60 years so we cannot find the way to undo the tragedy from our hearts. So many Japanese came here for the Walk that is happening. But also in speaking to the Japanese people, I would like to say that this Walk is one of the ways we can make a statement for healing and we need to do something from our hearts. Here there is much happiness for the future and we can see the hope for the future.
Many people have made huge sacrifices to be here – many have given up their jobs to be here. They are thinking very seriously about the future and they come here to seek the hope of the future. We will also be thinking about having a Walk or movement in Japan.
We live to be happy. Money is not a way to happiness. You can use money for a good way. Money spent in this way is Spirit. No money has value if you keep it. But if you give it, it then has value and that is the meaning of the good way.
It is a great honor to be here.”
I wrote another post recently on the The Longest Walk 2008, in case you are interested in reading about it here on my Blog. Or you may just visit their site to see what this is all about and get involved!
Simple pleasures.. cruisin’ along the beach
Posted by msterilinn on Feb 23, 2008
This simply has to be one of my most favourite past times… lots of sunshine, a fresh breeze, good company and a beach cruiser bike! Just imagine how wonderful and comfortable it would be to take a leisurely ride along the beach on one of these sweet bikes.
Well, if you are looking to add a cruiser to your bike collection, you may wish to consider a place I found recently. CruiserStyle.com seems fairly new, yet I am seeing that they are adding some quality cruisers as they grow. Although I haven’t bought a bike from them myself, as of yet, I thought the 26″ Shimano 7-Speed Deluxe Beach Cruiser for Ladies looks like a mellow ride. I could definately see myself comfortably cruising along the beach to my hearts content on one of these babies!
Now, these cruisers are not for the speed demons looking for a thrill whilst out biking. Although some days I am out for speed and distance, sometimes my sense of adventure calls for a beach cruiser bike so I can just kick back and enjoy the scenery and daydream, while perhaps looking forward to a romantic picnic on the beach, or possibly exploring new places. It just depends upon my mood. As each day unfolds, I feel like a new person as I live and grow. So… some days I just feel like cruisin’.
Enjoy!
A vital final message from a Hopi Elder…
Posted by msterilinn on Feb 23, 2008
My people are of the Lakota Nation, yet it is very important to pay attention and show respect for the Wisdom of our Elders from all Nations. I wish to share a very important and vital message, which carries much wisdom regarding the original instructions to the people, a sharing of past, present and future…
His Final Message to Mankind
From Hotevilla, Arizona, USA
Dan Evehema, Eldest Elder
I am very glad to have this time to send a message to you. We are celebrating a time in our history which is both filled with joy and sadness.
I am very glad that our Hindu brothers have given us this opportunity to share these feelings with you because we know many of you are having the same troubles.
We Hopi believe that the human race has passed through three different worlds and life ways since the beginning. At the end of each prior world, human life has been purified or punished by the Great Spirit “Massauu” due mainly to corruption, greed, and turning away from the Great Spirit’s teachings.
The last great destruction was the flood which destroyed all but a few faithful ones who asked and received a permission from the Great Spirit to live with Him in this new land.
The Great Spirit said, “It is up to you, if you are willing to live my poor, humble, and simple life way. It is hard but if you agree to live according to my teachings and instructions, if you never lose faith in the life I shall give you, you may come and live with me.”
The Hopi and all who were saved from the great flood made a sacred covenant with the Great Spirit at that time. We Hopi made an oath that we will never turn away from Him. For us the Creator’s laws never change or break down. To the Hopi the Great Spirit is all powerful.
He appeared to the first people as a man and talked with them in the beginning of this creation world. He taught us how to live, to worship, where to go and what food to carry, gave us seeds to plant and harvest. He gave us a set of sacred stone tablets into which He breathed all teachings in order to safeguard his land and life.
In these stone tablets were made, instructions and prophecies and warnings. This was done with the help of a Spider woman and Her two grandsons. They were wise and powerful helpers of the Great Spirit.
Before the Great Spirit went into hiding, He and Spider woman put before the leaders of the different groups of people many colors and sizes of corn for them to choose their food in this world. The Hopi was the last to pick and then choose their food in this world. The Hopi then chose the smallest ear of corn.
Then Massauu said, “You have shown me you are wise and humble. For this reason you will be called Hopi (people of peace) and I will place in your authority all land and life to guard, protect, and hold trust for Me until I return to you in later days for I am the First and the Last.”
This why when a Hopi is ordained into the higher religious order, the earth and all living things are placed upon his hands. He becomes a parent to all life on earth. He is entitled to advise and correct his children in whatever peaceful way he can. So we can never give up knowing that our message of peace will reach our children. Then it is together with the other spiritual leaders the destiny of our future children is placed.
We are instructed to hold this world in balance within the land and the many universes with special prayers and ritual which continue to this day.
It was to the Spider woman’s two grandsons the sacred stone tablets were given. These two brothers were then instructed to carry them to a place the Great Spirit had instructed them. The older brother was to go immediately to the east, to the rising sun and upon reaching his destination was instructed to immediately start to look for his younger brother who shall remain in the land of the Great Spirit.
The Older brothers mission when he returned was to help his younger brother (Hopi) bring obout peace, brotherhood and everlasting life on his return. Hopi, the younger brother, was instructed to cover all land and mark it well with footprints and sacred markings to claim this land for the Creator and peace on earth.
We established our ceremonials and sacred shrines to hold this world in balance in accordance with our first promise to the Creator. This is how our migration story goes, until we met the Creator at Old Oribe (place that solidifies) over 1000 years ago.
It was at that meeting when he gave to us these prophecies to give to you now at this closing of the Fourth World of destruction and the beginning of the Fifth World of peace. He gave us many prophecies to pass on to you and all have come to pass. This is how we know the timing is now to reveal the last warnings and instructions to mankind.
We were told to settle permanently here in Hopi land where we met the Great Spirit and wait for Older Brother who went east to return to us. When he returns to this land he will place his stone tablets side by side to show all the world that they are our true brothers.
When the road in the sky has been fulfilled and when the inventing of something, in Hopi means, gourd of ashes, a gourd that when drops upon the earth will boil everything within a large space and nothing will grow for a very long time.
When the leaders turned to evil ways instead of the Great Spirit we were told there would be many ways this life may be destroyed. If human kind does not heed our prophecy and return to one’s original spiritual instructions.
We were told of three helpers who were commissioned by the Great Spirit to help Hopi bring about the peaceful life on earth would appear to help us and we should not change our homes, our ceremonials, our hair, because the true helpers might not recognize us as the true Hopi.
So we have been waiting all these years.
It is known that our True White Brother, when he comes, will be all powerful and will wear a red cap or red cloak. He will be large in population, belong to no religion but his very own. He will bring with him the sacred stone tablets. With him there will be two great ones both very wise and powerful.
One will have a symbol or sign of swastika which represents purity and is Female, a producer of life. The third one or the second one of the two helpers to our True White Brother will have a sign of a symbol of the sun. He, too, will be many people and very wise and powerful. We have in our sacred Kachina ceremonies a gourd rattle which is still in use today with these symbols of these powerful helpers of our True Brother.
It is also prophesied that if these three fail to fulfill their mission then the one from the west will come like a big storm. He will be many, in numbers and unmerciful. When he comes he will cover the land like the red ants and over take this land in one day.
If the three helpers chosen by the Creator fulfill their sacred mission and even if there are only one, two, or three of the true Hopi remaining holding fast to the last ancient teaching and instructions the Great Spirit, Massauu will appear before all and our would will be saved.
The three will lay our a new life plan which leads to everlasting life and peace. The earth will become new as it was from the beginning. Flowers will bloom again, wild game will return to barren lands and there will be abundance of food for all. Those who are saved will share everything equally and they all will recognize Great Spirit and speak one language.
We are now faced with great problems, not only here but throughout the land. Ancient cultures are being annihilated. Our people’s lands are being taken from them, leaving them no place to call their own.
Why is this happening?
It is happening because many have given up or manipulated their original spiritual teachings. The way of life which the Great Spirit has given to all its people of the world, whatever your original instructions are not being honored. It is because of this great sickness called greed, which infects every land and country that simple people are losing what they have kept for thousands of years.
Now we are at the very end of our trail.
Many people no longer recognize the true path of the Great Spirit. They have, in fact, no respect for the Great Spirit or for our precious Mother Earth, who gives us all life. We are instructed in our ancient prophecy that this would occur.
We were told that someone would try to go up to the moon: that they would bring something back from the moon; and that after that, nature would show signs of losing its balance. Now we see that coming about.
All over the world there are now many signs that nature is no longer in balance. Floods, drought, earthquakes, and great storms are occurring and causing much suffering. We do not want this to occur in our country and we pray to the Great Spirit to save us from such things. But there are now signs that this very same thing might happen very soon on our own land.
Now we must look upon each other as brothers and sisters. There is no more time for divisions between people. Today I call upon all of us, from right here at home, Hotevilla, where we to are guilty of gossiping and causing divisions even among our own families; out to the entire world where thievery, war, and lying goes on every day. These divisions will not be our salvation. Wars only bring more wars never peace.
Only by joining together in a Spiritual Peace with love in our hearts for one another, love in our hearts for the Great Spirit and Mother Earth, shall we be saved from the terrible Purification Day which is just ahead.
There are many of you in this world who are honest people. We know you spiritually for we are the “Men’s Society Grandfathers” who have been charged to pray for you and all life on earth never forgetting anything or any one in our ceremonials.
Our prayer is to have a good happy life, plenty of soft gentle rain for abundant crops. We pray for balance on earth to live in peace and leave a beautiful world to the children yet to come.
We know you have good hearts but good hearts are not enough to help us out with these great problems. In the past some of you have tried to help us Hopis, and we will always be thankful for you efforts. But now we need your help in the worst way.
We want the people of the world to know the truth of our situation. This land which people call the Land of the Freedom celebrates many days reminding people of the world of these things. Yet in well over 200 years the original Americans have not seen a free day.
We are suffering the final insult.
Our people are now losing the one thing which give life and meaning of life — our ceremonial land, which is being taken away from us. Hotevilla is the last holy consecrated, undisturbed traditional Native American sacred shrine to the Creator. As the prophecy says, this sacred shrine must keep its spiritual pathways open.
This village is the spiritual vortex for the Hopi to guide the many awakening Native Americans and other true hearts home to their own unique culture. Hotevilla was established by the last remaining spiritual elders to maintain peace and balance on this continent from the tip of South America up to Alaska. Many of our friends say Hotevilla is a sacred shrine, a national and world treasure and must be preserved. We need your help.
Where is the freedom which you all fight for and sacrifice your children for?
Is it only the Indian people who have lost or are all Americans losing the very thing which you original came here to find?
We don’t share the freedom of the press because what gets into the papers is what the government wants people to believe, not what is really happening. We have no freedom of speech, because we are persecuted by our own people for speaking our beliefs. We are at the final stages now and there is a last force that is about to take away our remaining homeland.
We are still being denied many things including the rite to be Hopis and to make our living in accordance with our religious teachings. The Hopi leaders have warned leaders in the White House and the leaders in the Glass House but they do not listen. So as our prophecy says then it must be up to the people with good pure hearts that will not be afraid to help us to fulfill our destiny in peace for this world.
We now stand at a cross road whether to lead ourselves in everlasting life or total destruction. We believe that human beings spiritual power through prayer is so strong it decides life on earth.
So many people have come to Hopiland to meet with us. Some of you we have met on your lands. Many times people have asked how they can help us. Now I hope and pray that your help will come.
If you have a way to spread the truth, through the newspapers, radio, books, thought meeting with powerful people, tell the truth! Tell them what you know to be true. Tell them what you have seen here; what you have heard us say; what you have seen with your own eyes. In this way, if we do fall, let it be said that we tried, right up to the end, to hold fast to the path of peace as we were originally instructed to do by the Great Spirit.
Should you really succeed, we will all realize our mistakes of the past and return to the true path-living in harmony as brothers and sisters, sharing our mother, the earth with all other living creatures. In this way we could bring about a new world. A world which would be led by the great Spirit and our mother will provide plenty and happiness for all.
God bless you, each one of you and know our prayers for peace meet yours as the sun rises and sets. May the Great Spirit guide you safely into the path of love, peace freedom and God on this Earth Mother. May the holy ancestors of love and light keep you safe in your land and homes. Pray for God to give you something important to do in this great work which lies ahead of us all to bring peace on earth.
We the Hopi still hold the sacred stone tablets and now await the coming of our True White Brother and others seriously ready to work for the Creator’s peace on earth.
Be well, my children, and think good thoughts of peace and togetherness. Peace for all life on earth and peace with one another in our homes, families and countries. We are not so different in the Creator’s eyes. The same great Father Sun shines his love on each of us daily just as Mother Earth prepares the sustenance for our table, do they not?
We are one after all.
Bringing about Balance in our Lives..
Posted by msterilinn on Feb 21, 2008
The Chinese word for ‘busy’ consists of two symbols: one is the human heart - the other, death. I take this to mean that when one is excessively busy, the heart is insensible, frozen. In a world where busyness is held up almost as a virtue, especially in business, I’d like to take a look at coming back into balance. It’s a big topic, and one I’ll return to over time.
We hear a lot nowadays about work/lifestyle balance; today I’m asking, what does a balanced life look like to you?
Balance… there are various definitions in dictionaries, but one that I particularly like describes it as “harmony and proportion”. Perhaps these words resonate particularly with me, but with their overtones of unity and spaciousness I feel that these are virtues that most of us could do with more of in our lives.
Balance is about feeling connected to ourselves and others, and a sense of rhythm and flow between mind, body and spirit. It’s about being flexible - having awareness about what’s going on for you at any given time, and equally important, having the ability to respond to the messages that you’re receiving, bringing you back into harmony.
If you think about it, when we balance on something, we’re always moving as we seek to remain in equilibrium: think of the tightrope walker, and how he adjusts his position on the rope continuously in order to remain upright. Likewise in nature; the universe is always seeking equilibrium: think of our bodies and homeostasis, the means by which the internal systems of the body (e.g. blood pressure, body temperature) are maintained, despite possibly extreme variations in external conditions; also the way in which as cells die in a healthy person they are replaced by exactly the same number. We don’t have to think about these bodily processes, but constant awareness of our thoughts is required to create mental and physical balance.
I would like to give you two very different time-frames in which to consider what balance means to you: one may feel more appropriate to you right now than the other.
There’s moment to moment mindfulness, where you might choose to observe your thought processes at various points during the day (perhaps using an external trigger such as when you put down the telephone after a call, or you hear the next door neighbor’s dog barking; whatever it is, make the trigger something that occurs regularly during your day). As you observe your thoughts, see if you can let them go and become aware of what is happening within your own body; you might like to incorporate this with breathing in and out slowly a few times, and saying a statement to yourself that you find calming and centering… an example might be: “I am in control of my life” or “life flows easily for me”.
Another suggestion for “in the moment” mindfulness is to choose an activity that you do on a regular basis and that you consider a chore, and see if you can, by coming into the present moment, alter your experience of it, as an active meditation. If you do not like washing up, for example, see if you can become highly aware of the heat of the water, the sound that the dishes make as you clean them, how the plates shine after they’ve been buffed… Breathe, and feel the calm and balance that comes with mindful activity.
The other method is to take the ‘big picture’ view. Balance doesn’t have to be about compartmentalizing the different areas of your life: indeed, trying to see these areas in terms of symmetry and allocation of percentage points (e.g. work life 22%, social time 15% etc) can cause more stress than it cures! There will always be times when we’re out of balance, if we’re dealing with a sick parent or child, or a deadline at work for example, but in general, some questions to ask yourself are these…
Am I feeling more contented with my life overall than I was one/two/ five years ago?
Am I heading in the right direction?
Are my talents being utilized?
Do I have things in my life that I’m passionate about, and.. Do I have more flexibility of time for these things/people/activities than I used to?
Asking yourself these questions on a regular basis is a good way to check whether you’re moving towards balance or away from it.
Can one truly measure Time?
Posted by msterilinn on Feb 18, 2008
You would measure time, the measureless and the immeasurable. You would adjust your conduct and even direct the course of your spirit according to hours and seasons. Yet the timeless in you is aware of life’s timelessness and knows that yesterday is but today’s memory and tomorrow is today’s dream.
That which sings and contemplates in you is still dwelling within the bounds of that first moment which scattered the stars into space.
Who among you does not feel that his power to love is boundless? And yet who does not feel that very love, though boundless, encompassed within the centre of his being and moving not from love thought to love thought, nor from love deeds to other love deeds.
Is not time even as love is? Undivided and paceless? But if in your thought you must measure time into seasons, let each season encircle all the other seasons and let today embrace the past with remembrance and the future with longing.
Enjoy that in time which has been given to you.
Martial the Arts of Mind, Body and Spirit
Posted by msterilinn on Feb 15, 2008
My passion for the Martial Arts has led me down a particular Path. Although this fascination has been with me for as long as I can remember, certain events led me to learn the arts of self-defense as a yound adult. Living in a dangerous neighborhood, and surviving several volitile situations, caused me to seek out the teachings needed to protect myself and my family. Only my nearest and dearest friends are aware of my martial abilities, as I am quite humble in honoring my chosen art called Kajukenbo, which incorporates a balance of Karate, Jujitsu, Judo and Chinese Boxing. Kajukenbo was founded in 1947 at Palamas Settlement on Oahu, Hawaii. While I am proud, in my own way, of my ablilities, I still have much to learn.
As a parent, I am responsible for setting forth the teachings I deem necessary for my children to survive in this world, whether they be of the Mind, Body or Spirit. As these things are all connected, it is necessary to instruct our young ones accordingly. Most recently I have been teaching my young daughter the basics of Kajukenbo, as well as a bit of Tai Chi. She is about ready to put on her Sparring Gear!
Needless to say, although I deem her ready for this next step in her lessons, I am reluctant to settle for her brothers cast off gear. Although they shall suffice to begin with, she will soon need her own Sparring Gear to assure maximum protection during her lessons. We are setting up a space and will be needing more martial arts equipment very soon as well. After searching around for quality gear and equipment, at a decent price, I ran across AWMA, a leader in martial arts equipment since 1972. It appears they carry premium quality sparring gear used by top martial artists worldwide, as well as all the other equipment necessary to train our aspiring artists and maintain our chosen levels of fitness. It is very important to be equipped with the proper Sparring Gear, as well as all other equipment to provide as much safety and protection as possible.
I feel truly blessed to have this opportunity to pass along my humble knowledge, until such a time as I will pass my student along to her next teacher in the Arts. I also look forward to improving upon my own skills, as one must travel far along the path of enlightenment to gaining near perfect balance in Mind, Body and Spirit. This is truly still just a beginning, so I pray to the Universe for guidance along this Path.
Namaste~
