Conspiracy Theories

I think I've mentioned the Illuminati and New World Order a number of times when we've been together, however, we're always talking about so many things, one can only take in what's pertinent to one in the moment.

You can look up the Illuminati and One World Order all over the internet. The "Da Vinci" code, about Mary Magdalene, was also about the Illuminati and the FreeMasons. The organization was originally founded by the Knights Templar (the Crusaders, in the middle ages), and transformed or conjoined with the Masons, who used a lot of symbology and numerology, astrology and sacred geometry in order to create alchemy and magic. Teh conjoining of the Masons and Knights eventually became the Illuminati.

I don't believe in 'pacts with the devil', but I do believe in people who are much more interested in wealth at whatever cost than in balance and beauty. Magic (Power) is there for any who know how to invoke and use it - Jesus, Mary Magdalene, shaman, priest/priestesses of many nations and ways have known how to access and use Power forever. However, if those invoking and using it are not in balance and seeking beauty, they will wreak havoc and chaos instead.

The Illuminati originally were the artisans (Leonardo Da Vinci and many, many of the top artist/scientists, etc. of their day), and also many of the philosophers and politicians, including the elite aristocracy.

They understood that Power runs in the 'ley lines' (the blood stream/water and underground magnetic/mineral courses) of Mother Earth, and could be accessed through things like lightening (electricity/fire), oxygen/air. They used the elements to kindle and use Power, sometimes for genuinely good purposes, sometimes for greed.

The U.S. White House is built with Masonic Sacred Geometry, and situated and oriented to specific directions (the Powers of the Seven Sacred Directions) in order to allow the occupants of the building access to the best and most enlightened forms of thought and action. And . . . . the person occupying the post of President is responsible for his/her own motivations, so those who have been greed and fear based have accessed the Power to do harm, while those who are motivated by Love and Light have accessed the Power to do great good.

Unfortunately, George W. and several of his predecessors have belonged to the "Skull and Bones" club at the ivy league universities, which is an underground club for kids of the Illuminati elitists. They are the world's most rich and powerful families, and they originally gained much of their wealth and power through their ancestors' knowledge from the Masons and Knights who became the Illuminati, and who passed on their knowledge (but not necessarily their wisdom) to their children and grandchildren.

As with most people who are born into wealth and power, instead of earning it, many in these last generations have become corrupted. They feel 'privileged' - that they have a 'right' to have all the wealth and power, and that the rest of humanity is here to serve their needs. They believe themselves to have more knowledge and understanding of the world and how it works than the rest of us do, and they are willing to set up scenarios (including whole economic/health catastrophies) which will support their right to be in control of the rest of us.

These are the people who have formed the New World Order. In 1992 I was watching CNN and an announcer came on, with a video photographer, filming and announcing a meeting of the New World Order in Geneva, Switzerland. He announced names like Kissinger, Bush, DeGaulle and many others. Suddenly the tv screen went black for several seconds, then switched to a commercial, and that reported was never heard from again. . . . and no one ever reported him missing, either.

The New World Order does exist, and it is out for power and control. Announcing it to the world at large can be dangerous, and I don't recommend it. Most who are spiritually-centered already know about it, but choose to live our lives on a totally different level.

I've mentioned our old Native prophecies, and that Beaver Chief (my teacher) said that the day would come when there would be two different dimensions on the Earth? That we who are spiritually-centered would create an environment of peace, beauty and harmony, and that those who lived in greed and fear would create a different dimension of war and chaos . . . and that, eventually, we would become invisible to their dimension and vice versa.

This is what I work toward. Spreading knowledge about the New World Order sometimes causes panic, which just plays into their desire to control. Instead, I just keep plugging away to co-create with others of like mind (like you, Nahi, my community and other students) the world we envision - with love. It is happening. More and more people are waking up and doing the things that need to be done, with or without the support of governments and the elite.

In one way, there is no difference between the New World Order and the rest of us. We, too, have our own pockets of fear and need/greed, only we are trying to see them and ferret them out to replace them with Love. We have access to the same knowledge and wisdom of the Elements, the Sacred Geometry, the use of Symbols and Mathematics, the Powers of the Seven Directions, the Powers of Prayer (invokation and intention), Chant (the Vibration of Sound), Dance (the Vibrations of Rhythm and Movement), Color 9the Spectrum of Light). There are those among the wealthy that believe as we do as well, and are working for the very same things we are.

There's a fine line between ignoring/denying something and being aware of it and refusing to allow it to affect one. I choose the latter course. Whenever something like this comes up, I do my research (on the Internet, in the library, with others like me who are 'in the know'), and, with knowledge, I ask for wisdom through guidance to teach me how to live my life in ways that are least affected by others' manipulations for control.

Most of the time, I'm pretty successful. Occasionally, I get caught up in 'their' traps, and then have to pull myself up short and recognize who I am and my connection to the Great Mystery and All My Relations in order to get myself back on course and Centered. This is a large part of what things like Vision Quest, SunDance, the Medicine Wheel, Dance and Sounding all do for me, and for those of us who practice these ways. And that's why practice is so darned important.

Recently, because I've gotten caught up in my manager's corporate panic (due to the economy, etc.) I've been working 6-7 days per week for a lot less than I used to make working half time. Because of that, I haven't had the time and energy to do my daily practices. Several days ago, I realized that I was feeling depleted and depressed, and somewhat victimized by the circumstances, which haven't been to my choice. In observing all that from the Witness, I decided I NEED to do my practices, whether I'm energized or not at the beginning.

I've started again, and already my energy level has increased, and I am seeing things in a different perspective. It's also giving me the impetus to complete both EarthWays and IIHH's business plans, so we can get the funding we need, and I can leave my job, which no longer satisfies me.

When we learn about things like the Illuminati and New World Order, and see reports of wars and rumors of wars, etc., and feel ourselves succumbing to the energetic vibration of those things, it is our opportunity to seek our own Power through Spirit.

I try to look to the East and use Eagle's eyes to see the larger picture. Then I look to the South and ask Rabbit to show me my fears, and Mouse to show me the details of my personal life so that I can see what I need to do. . . . then I look to the West and ask Bear to help me look inside and see what's coming up that is asking for healing (usually fear in some form), and heal that, so that I can see with Jaguar's eyes and find Balance and Beauty on the Red Road, and then I see the Ancestors and Spirit Guides in the North and ask them to give me the wisdom to change whatever I can within myself and my environment, in order to allow me to live in peace, harmony, abundance and beauty.

Works every time!

Swirling, Twirling Universe!!

Goodness, its been a long time since i've posted. Life just seems to move more quickly every day. Let's see. I've been to New Mexico twice and am about to go a third time, to look at land and do ceremony. Attended the Green Corn ceremony at Taos Pueblo this spring . . . so moving, and wonderful to watch the children dance. So solemn and working so hard to do it right! Thank the Great mystery some of our children are still being trained in the traditional ways.

Received a message from Carmen this morning - she sent along an appeal from David Swallow, Lakota elder, who tells of the Lakota children committing suicide because they are so lost and alienated from their traditional ways. . . while I always keep our Native people in prayer, and acknowledge the hugeness of this problem on the reservations . . . it's not just on the rez! Our children are dying and killing each other all over America!!

Why?? Because we all need our tribe. We need deep and intimate connection; ceremonies that help us balance our lives; elders who can tell us the stories that help us see how to be and become outstanding individuals who put concern for our People ahead of our individual desires; babies who teach us the innocence and wonder of new, growing life; mamas and daddies who love us with a gentle, quiet insistance that we be the best we can be in our own unique way, and encourage the special gifts we each evince.

Do we have those things in our lives today? Hardly ever. We are so scattered, running all over the globe; working way too hard for not enough reward; separated from loved ones, family, friends; living our lives in overpopulated cities that have no ceremonial base.

Some of us have learned how to create what we need - extended 'families' of chosen friends; new ceremonies based on ancient traditions; creating only as much monetary abundance as we actually need instead of chasing the almighty dollar.

And more and more of us are searching for awakening . . . . My prayer is that we all find each other, just like we do on tribes.net, and learn to co-create land-based communities rather than virtual communities. Whether it's co-housing or a rural environment, we truly need the connections and depth that community living gives.

My love to all

Mitakuye Oyasin ~

Retreat Center for Healers and EarthWays Eco-Academy

Dear Friends ~
One of my dearest teachers and elders once told me, “Everything is either Love or Fear. There is nothing else. . . Wherever there is great Love, Fear must show itself, in order for Love to shine Its Light and heal the Fear.”
Some of you know I’m a minister, currently living on Maui. Our non-profit organization is called Church of the Earth. We’re a multi-denominational community dedicated to stewarding Mother Earth in a way that will help us to reduce global warming; return to true family and community values; live in harmony with our fellow brothers, sisters and All Our Relations; raise healthy children; serve mankind and all beings that live on our planet.
My personal dream, and the dream of many in our community for the last several years, has been to create a Sanctuary ~ a Center, if you will, where we can share the teachings of the Masters, all the great teachers over the centuries. I envision a place where we can offer Retreats, Workshops, Conferences that will make a difference in the world as we know it. I can see a community where people can live, laugh, love, pray, play, work and share together in ways that create ever more balance, health and harmony on the earth.
We already have members who know how to create beautiful, life-sustaining organic community gardens that will feed many, many people. We have friends who teach Compassionate Communication skills that can change the way we negotiate the challenges in our lives; we have connections who know how to assist latch-key and under-privileged children to make life-affirming choices as they grow. We know how to show people green building techniques; ways to manage financial and ecological resources; alternative energy resources and how to use them; cost-effective ways to cut the carbon footprint of a family, a neighborhood, a municipality.
The people, the technology, the skills exist within the community we already have. What we don’t have – yet – is the land to support our vision and mission.
And, I’ve found it!! Last month, in Arkansas, I looked at a gorgeous, fully operational Retreat Center on 80 lovely acres – half in cedar forest, half in pasture and good growing land. There are two ponds (one stocked
with catfish and bass) and a creek. The Retreat Center is 8,000 square feet and will bunk 80 or more people at one time. And . . . it’s run on alternative energy! The Center is heated with a low-energy geothermal system (coils at the bottom of the pond absorb heat and pipe it into the Center – it’s the most even heating system I’ve ever experienced). While there are three wells on property, the retreats are served with a purified rain water catchment system, and the wells are hardly ever tapped. There’s a 2,000 square foot pool house with a fabulous heated swimming pool.
If I could find anything remotely similar in Maui, I’d be looking at ten million dollars or more. And there isn’t anything like it here. In Arkansas, it’s a little over $500,000.
This land would support our Dream of Love and Sharing: EarthWays Eco-Academy. The land is already being used as an active Retreat Center, and it’s nearly self-supporting. It would be easy to expand it to teach all the methods I’ve described above. And, we can build homes for our teachers, families and elders – those who are already a part of Church of the Earth, and some of those who may want to join us as we grow.
So what’s the catch? Money, of course. We simply don’t have what we need to purchase this terrific, one-of-a-kind property.
Now, I could go into Fear here, and say, “Ah, well. Guess it’s not meant to be. Our dream will have to wait.”
I don’t choose to do that. This is a Dream whose time is NOW. People need what we have to share – and many need it desperately. The only way to get out of Fear is to shine the Light of Love into the fear and heal it. If we can teach others how to become more self-sufficient; how to resolve family and community conflicts without stress and violence; how to reduce their dependence on oil (at $4 per gallon!), and feed themselves directly from the earth . . .well, wouldn’t people be less fearful and more open to loving their neighbors if they knew they could cooperate to create an easier, less stressful lifestyle?
So now we get to the part about how you can help create this reality. We’re looking for a team of healers/teachers who want to invest in community. People who want to live on the land all or some of the time; people who have teachings and healing modalities to offer, who would like to present workshops, etc. and share their gifts at the Center. When we give from the gratitude in our hearts for all that we already have, we know it opens the door for the Great Mysterious Universe to give us even more!
We at Church of the Earth want to give of ourselves, in the ways we know best, to help change the direction of the world. If you want to join us, you can sign up as a member at www.churchoftheearth.org Here are some simple ways you can help – perhaps you can think of others.
You can send a donation. . . or you can have some fun with this . . . have a party with friends who might be interested! As we all know, when ‘any two or three are gathered together’, the energy, excitement and response grow in leaps and bounds. (That’s why all our politicians are so busy having neighborhood parties right now!) If you choose to have a gathering, let me know, and I’ll be available for a conference call to share more about this Dream with you and your friends. I can also send you more photos, and a prospectus sharing our vision, mission and guidelines.
And, as our way of saying thanks, for donations of $10 or more from you and your friends, we’ll send you a Certificate of Life-time Membership in Church of the Earth and a subscription to our quarterly newsletter which will keep you updated on our progress.
If you’d like to invest, here are some of the ways we can work together:
We need 25-50 teachers, healers, presenters who would like to make an investment of $1,000 or more, in exchange for which we’d like to invite you to present at one of EarthWays Eco-Academy’s week-long workshops for free each year for up to five years (once we’ve purchased the land). You’ll also become a Life-time Member of Church of the Earth.
For an investment of $5,000 or more, you receive Life-time Membership and you can come and attend or present at any workshop of your choice free one week per year for the next ten years!
2) You can become a Member of the Council of Elders. With your investment of $25,000 or more, you become a Member of Church of the Earth, and a part of our decision-making Council, with the right to participate and vote on matters that determine the directions we will take as we co-create this vision together. This is an important and life-enhancing position; a place where you can truly watch the vision unfolding!
And, 3) there’s also a place for several Members who want to buy or (long-term) lease a lot on the community land, to build your own eco-friendly home, in order to grow and learn together as we continue to build EarthWays Eco-Academy and share these teachings with good-hearted people everywhere. If you’re interested in this option, please write or call and I’ll send you more information.


Please mail your check or money order to:


PO Box 468
Haiku, HI 96708

Or send your donation to Church of the Earth at www.paypal.com , by entering account whitewolfclanmother@yahoo.com (my personal email address).
Thank you in advance for your loving support. Whether you donate or not, please hold our vision in your prayers. And please feel free to pass this on to others you think might be interested in joining us or donating. The Guidance is strong. I believe that we can and must fulfill this dream.

Prayers for Retreat Center

Well, dear ones, I think I've finally found 'the place' - now we just need 'the money', LOL! Its a beautiful, full-fledged retreat center an hour north of LIttle Rock, Arkansas.
Arkansas?? That's what I said, too, until I went down to look at it. Traveled most of NW Arkansas, looked at a lot of places, and this is IT! The land is gorgeous (80 acres, half in cedar forest, half in pasture/growing land). The Ozarks are abundant with mountains, rivers, lakes . . . . truly one of the most beautiful areas I've been to . . . The retreat center is 8,000 square feet, built with precision and beauty. 2 24-person bunk houses w/ a total of 6 showers/toilets/sinks; a huge outdoor covered pavillion; an indoor grecian swimming pool in its own 2,000 sq. foot poolhouse. And the Center itself has a30'x35' great room that has a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace; hardwood floors, knotty pine walls/ceiling, a vaulted ceiling with skylights; a great kitchen, 4 small bedrooms, a master suite that's 16'x30' and 3 bathrooms. There are two ponds on property, one stocked with bass and catfish; the Center is heated by geothermal heat coils submerged in one of the ponds, and while they have three wells on property, the retreats are all supplied with water catchment and they only have to tap the wells at the end of summer.
This place will make an incredible Eco-Academy where we can teach permaculture/organic gardening; alternative energy resources; alternative houseng; and all based on indigenous eco-spiritual principles. The governor of Arkansas has just started a commission on global warming and wants Arkansas to become a model state for reducing the carbon footprint. Meanwhile, many of the Christian Chruches in Arkansas have jumped on the ecological bandwagon and want to learn all the above - so we may finally get to preach to someone other than the choir! And have community as well.
When we have purchased the property, I intend to create a long-tem leasehold with up to 21 lots where community members can have a long-term (20-50 year) lease; build their own alternative energy homes in an eco-village. The village will attract skilled community members who have the expertise to teach others how to live eco-friendly, sustainable lifestyles. I'm talking to the county now about putting in gravel roads, and a reed bed septic system and composting toilets. We want to create examples that will show mainstream people that they can live in an alternative way w/o giving up all their 'conveniences'.
At this moment, I have a potential partner, and I'm looking at other options as well. If y'all know of someone who might be interested in thsi project, or grants that might be available for building the eco-village, putting in alternative energies such as water catchment; solar; wind; and geothermal, please let me know. The photo is of the main building of the Retreat Center.

Native Prophecies being fulfilled and dolphin immersion school

Just spent 4 days on the Big Island, Hawaii, and flew over the new lava flow - what Bennie le Beau says in the message below about the Fire Awakening is so true! Another five miles and the lave will flow over Pahoa town. . . prayers are being said and the lava is building up on itself and stopping the flow toward town. The ceremonies must continue, and it is time for mosre and more of us to awaken. The fires in California are just another example of Mother Earth trying to speak to us in the only way she can get us to listen.

On another note, I spent an incredible day with the dolphin nation. While Jimie and I were on Hawaii ne, we swam with the spinner dolphins - oh, my! What an amazing and magical experience. At some point, as six dolphin swam below me about ten feet down, I watched as they changed directions as one being - not one deciding to 'turn right' and then the rest following, but all moving right at exactly the same moment. After a few minutes, I realized that I was in sync and turning with them, one mind. It wasn't a thought process, it just simply WAS. . . next thing I knew, they acknowledged that I had 'gotten it', and we started swimming in a spiral circle, from outer circle to inner. When we reached the center point, they disappeared as quickly as a kiss! Total magic. Jimie is a great free diver and was diving down to about 40' below with them. We were in about 200' depth, and the light rays looked as if they were emerging from below rather than descending from above. At one point, Jimie wanted to follow the dolphin and the light (a portal) to see what worlds they would lead him to . . .but realized that in order to do that, he would have to leave this life, so made the choice to ascend back into this realm. It was one of the most incredible experiences of my life, and I hope to go back and do it again and again.

You can look up Bennie's message at the links below:

www.teton-rainbows.com
www.viisionslifeforcefoundation.com

Studying with Indigenous Elders

I definitely agree that there are times when the only information available comes to us direct from Spirit, and of course, we should pass that on!

In your case, you are part of the lineage of your Meditation Master, and have been given the right to pass on those teachings, as have I, by the shaman/medicine people I've studied with. . . so, even though those who work with us may not be able to connect with our indigenous teachers/masters on the physical (all my teachers have passed to the other side camp at this point), we are the living embodiment of the lineage and have direct responsibility to pass this wisdom on.

The ones I have a problem with are those who learn from, and teach others, but have no lineage behind them. They've read a bunch of books, but have no actual hands-on apprenticeship experience. Maybe they've gone to a workshop or two - run by someone who claims to have been divinely inspired, or who has intellectually studied shamanism, but doesn't have the years of practice behind them that this pathway requires to keep people safe and healthy.

I'm sure you've met some of them - that's what Indian people call a "Plastic Shaman". . . . and hey, Indians are political, thanks to all the oppression, damage and dysfunction we've been subjected to . . . so Indian people even call other Indians plastic shaman sometimes, whether they know it to be true or not. Nonetheless, Inidan people have some reasons for even making up that label - so many people come to a ceremony, Sweat Lodge or SunDance, whatever, and after participating once or twice, suddenly think they're qualified to go out and pour a Lodge, or run a SunDance. . . NOT!!

Courses like Michael Harner's are wonderful, and people learn a lot from them. I have two delightful shaman friends that I work with a lot who came through Michael's school, and yet, even they admit that 'something's missing'. Its why they like to work with me.

That intimate connection that comes as a part of studying with someone who has lived, loved, played and prayed within their Native landscape, with the spirits of the place, and the holistic culture of their community is what's missing. There's nothing in the world that compares with that kind of simple, magical wisdom - and magical is the wrong word, because while it seems like magic to modern people, for those elder/teachers, it's just natural. (They're actually puzzled when one thinks what they're doing is incredible.) And until one experiences that connection and the sequence of movement throughout many dimensions that the shaman's influence can influence, there's just no way to describe it.

And, I know that it's not always possible to find a teacher like that. So many of mine are gone that now I work mostly with their Spirits and my other Guides. And I'm SO grateful for the years I was able to spend with them, and the fact that they blessed me and challenged me to continue to spread their teachings/wisdom with all those I teach.

My 89-year-old Swinomish Auntie, Vi Hilbert, was just here to visit. At one point, she asked me, "Well, Robin, did you choose this work or did it choose you?" I laughed and said, "Believe me, nobody in their right mind would choose this work!!" She laughed, too, and said, "Yes, I'm glad Johnny (cousin, shaman/storyteller Johnny Moses) got his work, you got your work, and I got mine!" Me, too, because over the years I've come to understand that EVERYTHING in my life has brought me to exactly this moment, with everything I need to do what I was sent here for. I couldn't do Johnny's job, or Aunti Vi's, or yours, or anyone else's.

Aunti is an amazing teller of the old, old stories, in her Native language and English. She translated the entire Lushootseed language into English and created a dictionary; taught language and NW Native culture at the University of Washington for many years. Just last year, after having two strokes, she worked with a composer at the Seattle Symphony to create a symphony that is a melding of over 300 of our old healing songs. The symphony was presented to the people of Seattle last spring, and it will be in CD form soon, traveling the world for the healing of 9/11, Mother Earth and All Our Relatives. She shared with a group of us here, and her love is so pure and sweet, it filled all our hearts to overflowing.

These are the elders we need to learn from -- and they're leaving one by one!! We need to find them and sit at their feet while we can, because once they're gone, a lot of those old ways will be gone as well. . . 'we are (becoming) the ones we've been waiting for' (Hopi prophecy) - and we're not quite there yet, so every opportunity we get we should take.

Love to all - those who practice these ways, and all who have other ways to sustain them ~ :D

Is it necessary to study with an Indigenous Shaman in order to be a practitioner?

:? I could vote either way on this, (because I've learned much from my Spirit Guides) but chose to vote for the necessity of studying with an indigenous shaman because, as a Native American, who has studied with indigenous shaman in many parts of the world, I see the difference in their level of power and understanding and the level of power and understanding of today's neo-shaman. And the difference is large.

How many neo-shaman can drum for 8 hours at a stretch and heal 8 people with SERIOUS dis-eases during that ceremony? I studied with Grandma Mingo of the Ulchi tribe of Siberia, and watched her do just that in the Kamlanya ceremonies. How many neo-shaman can take people into a Sweat Lodge and call the Spirits and have them enter the Lodge with blue, green, red, yellow balls of light dancing around? I've seen it when my old Medicine Man Martin High Bear poured Lodge - and because I studied with him, it's happened in my Lodge as well.

Neo-shamanism is a beautiful path, and some of its practitioners are powerful and wonderful, balanced healers. Many others are still children, playing at power. I'm still a child myself, learning as I go, and I've been studying with indigenous shaman for over thirty years. Many of the things I saw my elders do at will and upon command, only happen with me when the Spirits decide I need help. And yet, I wouldn't even have access to that if I hadn't had the incredible indigenous teachers I have had.

On top of that, there's a thing here about 'respect'. All the things neo-shaman practice came from indigenous cultures in the first place. To pretend they didn't, and yet to take their teachings without acknowledgment and a sincere desire to connect with and honor those from whom the teachings came, is disrespectful as far as I'm concerned. In our Native way, we always give credit to those whose teachings and lineage we follow. This keeps the boundaries clear, in this dimension and others. . . and not doing so continues to dishonor the Spirits who guide indigenous elders/shaman, the original peoples themselves, and to de-value their long, inter-generational wisdom, experience and connection to All Our Relations.

In a way, it makes them 'invisible' - which is something Native people have been fighting against all over the world. Part of the reason so many indigenous cultures are dying is because others usurp their knowledge, traditions and culture w/o permission in order to feed their own thirst and hunger, then claim that knowledge as their own from the position of ego. Meanwhile, the indigenous people fade away and disappear; their wisdom is discounted; they are stuck on reservations or meager land where they cannot practice their own subsistence living - and they die. We who live in comfort and use their teachings, have some responsibility to them, don't you think?

One can say they're practicing shamanism, and they learned their practices from the Spirits - but if you have any shamanic teacher at all on the physical plane, the things you are learning came from the original peoples, the ancient lineages. I can't agree with discounting that.

By using the very title of 'shamanism' one is claiming the wisdom of the ancient peoples, so how can one say there's 'no need' to study with and acknowledge them? To me, that's the heighth of arrogance and ego, and part of the reason that our planet is in so much trouble today. As long as we selfishly claim ourselves to be this or that without acknowledging and honoring our connection to All Beings, and that the knowledge we have received came from those who have practiced these ways for millenium, we're missing the point. We've forgotten that we are ALL part of the Web of Creation, and we are all connected and in need of each other.

Instead, if we want to take on titles like "shaman" and "shamanic practitioner", it seems to me that we need to be searching out those very cultures from which the wisdom came, acknowledging and honoring those who have passed down the wisdom and continue to share those teachings, and help them and their people to have everything they need to live in the ways that create balance and harmony upon our Mother Earth.

Otherwise, we're just pretenders, who are not fulfilling the true, Spirit-imposed job description that goes with the title. A 'shaman', in the ways I've been taught, is not here to glorify oneself. Rather a shaman's purpose is to help heal others; to do ceremonies to help balance Mother Earth and All Our Relations; to inspire peace and a joyful, loving heart in all with whom they come in contact; to journey with and for others to assist them in retrieving lost essence, so that those people can also contribute to the perfection of balance and beauty upon the planet.

So, while I do believe that people can learn shamanic practices without working with an indigenous teacher, I am saddened that many people would willingly miss an opportunity to do so because they don't think its 'necessary'. For me, its an absolute necessity. There's an old saying, "What goes out, comes around." If we don't honor the wisdom which created us, how will that same wisdom be able to honor us?

Yucatan: EarthWays Eco Peace Village

O'siyo, dear hearts! So sorry I haven't posted for so long. . . life has been incredibly busy!

A group of us have come together to begin the process of forming an eco-village community. As of now, it looks like its going to be located somewhere near Playa del Carmen and Coba, Quintana Roo, Mexico. To some, this won't seem like a huge thing - for me, the vision is complex and occasionally, a bit scary. . . .and each time I see my fears, I hand them to the Great Mystery, and choose to walk in faith, knowing the vision will come to fruition in exactly the right way, each step at a time. The first step, of course, is buying the land. We are making a journey to Quintana Roo in October to scout and purchase a large parcel of land, of which 20 smaller parcels will be sub-divided for sale to other like-minded individuals who want to live, work, pray and play in companionship. . . more about this will be revealed after Spirit has shown us the land.

Here's the Vision and Mission Statements:

EarthWays EcoPeace Village

Mission Statement:

We are a multi-denominational community of people dedicated to sharing the beliefs and principles of indigenous earth-based spirituality, in order to awaken the family of humanity to its responsibilities to steward Mother Earth; honor the connections between all beings, assist all creatures to live in balance and harmony, while leaving as few man made foot prints as possible. We are committed to listening, laughing, loving, working, praying and playing together to support and be supported by the projects we create to serve the family of humankind and All Our Relations.



Vision:

To buy approximately 100-300 acres of land with some infrastructure in a desirable location of great natural beauty that would ideally be situated 15-45 minutes from the ocean. This parcel will be in close proximity to towns, eco tourist attractions and Mayan ruins. Of particular interest would be the coastline of Quintana Roo and in particular the areas of Playa Del Carmen, Coba, Tulum, Bacalar. We will develop the site and assist to encourage 'geotourism' that sustains or enhances the geographical character of the place being visited, including its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage and the well-being of its residents.



Concept:

To purchase a large parcel of land which we will then sub-divide into a sectioned complex that will:

· house a small community of like minded people, each of whom own their individual lot and home
· retreat and healing centre (that will include a small spa)
· horse sanctuary for riding workshops
· tipi village for children’s camps, women’s retreats and a war veteran’s sanctuary
· home for abandoned and orphaned children
· land to be farmed organically for sustainable living
· sanctuary for injured wild life

Description:

Community/Village Living:

Approximately 50 acres will be set aside to build an eco-village, a community of people who wish to live and participate in the project in some way. Individual plots of approx 2.5-5 acres will be sold to 20 (more/less) individuals/families at reasonable prices. (Size of plots and prices may vary once we find the land).

All purchasers will share in and agree with the vision and by-laws of Spirit of the Earth Eco-Village, developing a totally environmentally conscious way of living, which includes deisgning and building eco-friendly homes with solar and wind power, black/gray water filtration systems, water catchment and filtration systems, land re-generation and farming practices.

Each village member will be able to offer his/her areas of expertise as we develop workshops teaching people how to build in an eco-conscious way; share philosophies and experiences about community living and eco-conscious farming practices; offer indigenous teachings from local Mayan curanderas and elders; Native American, Hawaiian, Maori, Aborigine and other Shamanic practitioners; yoga, art, sound, movement and dance retreats.

A further 20 acres will be set aside for communal agriculture, to include livestock (goats, chickens, pigs, deer, etc…)..employing local Mexican farm workers and “Woofers” (Workers on Organic Farms) to do work/trade.

Retreat and healing center:

In an area of 5-20 acres we will build a central Lodge, a haven of peace and tranquility with water features, gardens and areas for relaxing and meditation, and a salt water swimming pool. If there is a stream in this area, we may have a waterfall feature.
We will also build 12 individual and secluded guest cottages built in traditional Palapa style. This area will be home for the retreat and healing centre which will be the focus for holding workshops and activity holidays. There will be at least one multi-functional separate ‘studio’ for yoga/dance/meditation.

A further area here will house a tipi or palapa village for school camps and children’s summer camps; and month-long men’s, women’s and war veteran retreats with a workshop for teaching wood-working skills and other crafts.

The Woman’s Sanctuary retreats will be a month-long journey in which women who have suffered abuse and violence and/or are from war torn areas who have suffered atrocities may receive care and healing in order to live in the world again.

The Veteran’s Sanctuary will be a month-long retreat for war veterans to heal from the traumas of combat and the violence of war.


Horse sanctuary:

We will include an area of 50 acres to develop a horse sanctuary and accommodations for guests coming to riding workshops.
6 to 10 overused or neglected horses and/or wild mustangs from America will be rescued and provided a home in a sanctuary of peace and love to be nurtured back to health and then retrained in a caring way to trust in humans again.
Special workshops will be held to teach a form of riding without saddle, bit or rein to teach people to connect to the horse in a special way with confidence and trust and not control.
This reaches into the soul of every rider and creates a wonderful awareness and connection between horse and rider. A true awakening which leads to an awareness of letting go of control in other aspects of life too.


Children’s Home:

An area of 2.5 acres to build a children’s home for orphaned and abandoned children. We will teach the children community living practices and skills, and how to live sustainably from the land. We will bring in local curanderas (healers) to teach them about plant life and herbs for medicines, share the local plants’ properties, etc.
We will also deveolop a music and dance sala and bring in retired and indigenous volunteer teachers to develop children’s orchestra and cultural dance group that could eventually tour and give concerts.

Environmental projects:

An area of 50 acres set a side for environmental projects, such as growing Pongamia Pinata, a bio fuel tree. Pongamia Pinata produces a fuel the equivalent to diesel. We can use this fuel for our own use and also to teach in work shops. Growing and producing will create employment for many local workers, and because Pongamia Pinata returns vital nutrients to the earth, this project will put sustenance back into mother earth

Develop a co-operative among local Mexican weavers to produce garments etc from a yarn similar to wool that can be produced from discarded plastic bags. Revenues from this would go to support local weavers in using natural materials to spin, weave and produce their native clothing.


Additional ideas:

To establish a clinic with licensed American physician’s assistants and local curanderas to serve the local community on a sliding fee scale. We will attract naturopathic practitioners as well – acupuncture, chiropractic, homeopathic, and massage.

We will have a veterinary clinic on site to serve our project and also any local expat communities or higher income Mexican citizens, as well as a wild-life sanctuary to restore injured animals back to health and either release back into wild or remain on the property. We will attract local veterinarians and American students for volunteer and residency work.

In conclusion:

All acreage is just an estimate and can or will alter once we have decided on the plot of land and also received professional advice on necessary size and scale for each section of complex.
This is a guideline of aspects that could be included into this project to provide a very wholesome living and working eco-village environment, with so many areas of giving and caring that it would be a wonderful lesson and example for the outside world to see this as a true way to live in harmony and balance with all creation.

We will attract paying clientele through the retreat center, workshops and the spa. We will write grants for our non-profit enterprises. Each village participant has the option of buying their own parcel of land within the larger parcel, to create a sense of stewardship and responsibility for their own home/life.

Each village participant will determine the areas of their expertise and the Village Council will determine how participants and the village will receive fair recompense for work traded. The Village Council consists of the first seven investors, although we will also invite a spokesperson from the eco-village to act as representative. By-laws are being decide upon and written as we prepare to buy the land.

As success is a journey and not a destination the vision for this is that it will be a wonderful journey unfolding step-by-step over time and ever continuing and evolving as more and more minds join in and take up the mantle.

The playing field is wide open for ideas, opinions and constructive input. Please feel free to add, agree or disagree until we all align.


Obviously, this vision requires the skills and expertise of MANY people! It is truly a Village concept, not just a few people gathered round the fire. If this vision interests you, please feel free to email me and I'll send you a list of questions to ask yourself and share the answers with us if you choose to explore further.

Meanwhile, much love to all, and great thanks to the mysterious workings of Creator and all Her helpers!

LIVE EARTH

Anyone see the Live Earth concerts on 7/7? Well, 7/11 is coming right up and I think it would be fabulous if we could all hold a worldwide meditation for peace and balance on Mother Earth at 7:11am whatever time zone we're in. . . How about it? Want to join me??

Loads of love and thanks for keeping me 'in the loop' - I've been so busy lately, I can hardly find time to look at all the emails! We are actively looking for land to buy to begin creating healing/retreat center and community/eco-village. At the present moment, its looking like Mexico has some of the best options. Any of you who are looking to come together with others of like mind, in order to co-create and do the healing work for ourselves and others that we've come here to do, please let me know! I'll be glad to include you on this exploratory journey. We're discussing places and possibilities. . . .

Blessings

KiaOra! Incredible journey through New Zealand with the World Drum!!

The World Drum is an incredibly powerful messenger! It has been received by all in such depth . . . our drum ceremonies have been profound. This drum has changed me, and I'm sure it will change all who have the honor of caretaking it and facilitating ceremony. . .

In New Zealand, the World Drum first traveled to Auckland. You've seen the ceremonies there up until the time I received the drum. From that point, the drum traveled south. Aunti Nahi, Hawaiian Kupuna, and I arrived in Auckland on March 14th. Fraser Bruce, who had already facilitated three ceremonies with the World Drum, passed it to me, telling me that he had scheduled our first ceremony for an hour and a half after we arrived!!

The first ceremony I was privileged to facilitate was at a beautiful boat house in Auckland. Fraser's community found this dilapidated boat housen at a park on a small bay several years ago. Fraser petitioned the Resource folks for a deed for the property, then set about fund-raising so they could totally revitalize this place - new pilings, windows, floors, just about everything! I was quite impressed - the boat house has been transformed into a wonderful drum and dance studio.

We held a talking circle, passed the Drum, each person got to play it a little and share their prayer for peace and healing Mother Earth. Around thirty people came, and after the intentions were spoken, we called two to four people into the middle of the circle and "Spiral Drummed" them . . . an old traditional healing way taught to me by my elders. These folks had never experienced such a thing, and felt the immense power and energy of the World Drum and all the companion drums that were there that evening. . .

The next morning we set out for New Plymouth and the World Music and Dance Festival - 40,000 people!! On the way, we'd been invited to a Native American SunDance ceremony (in New Zealand!?!) . . .we stopped there for about 3 hours, and were invited into the center of this solemn and profound ceremony. We share the drum and songs there, then were invited to share a meal with the dance supporters. It warmed my heart deeply to be able to share the World Drum in this setting, because I have been a SunDancer, but haven't been to a dance in many years.

WOMAD! Oh, my!! Wet . . . Cold . . . .Crowded . . . .Amazing Music and dance!!! On Saturday, March 16th, we attended the festival, enjoying all the incredible musicians . . . Tuvan Throat singers, the Gyoto Monks . . . talent from all over the world . . .an appropriate place for the Drum. At 6pm, everyone stopped for dinner. I started drumming close to the food court, and people got curious. Eventually, we had a crowd of about 30-40 people, so I explained the purpose and mission of the World Drum, told some stories about how the original drum came to be, sang some songs, and invited everyone to share their intentions for healing the earth. Everyone did. It was spontaneous and quite beautiful.

From there, we went to Porangahau and the longest place name in the world! We stayed at Kuruwaka Retreat and on the Maori Marae. What a blessing! Our hosts, Chief Doc and Raina Ferris, welcomed us with a powhiri - the traditional Maori welcoming ceremony. Their son did the Warrior Welcoming Dance, while Raina chanted us in - very moving. During the week, we build a Medicine Wheel and shared the teachings with our Maori friends; danced the Wheel and shared a World Drum ceremony there as well. Our time was both relaxing and emotionally filling -- and the FOOD!! My goodness! Fresh lobster (they call it crayfish), abalone, fish, oysters, mussels, and full-on organic vegies, straight from the village gardens! The Maori people have a deep connection to Native Americans, as we do to them - many philosophies are the same, even though the rituals may be different.

After Porangahau, we moved to the South Island and Golden Bay - now there's a fabulous experience!! One wends one's way over the mountain pass (the only ingress/egress) and as you descend to Golden Bay, you see miles and miles of alluvial plain surrounded by mountains and ocean. I felt like I was in the Lord of the Rings movie! Our host, Steve de Feu of the Sandcastle (please look him up and stay in his wonderful cottages if you ever go to Golden Bay) - wow! What a host!!!!! Drove 2 hours over the mountain to collect us and bring us into Golden Bay; offered us a cottage free for our stay; guided us around to all the sites; called up the local schools so we could take the World Drum in to visit with the children. That was total magic - the kids 'got' the drum immediately, and wanted to breathe into it and play it to share their 'mana' (energy) with the Drum. They ran home and told all their parents to join us for the World Drum ceremony the following night . . .

Meanwhile, it poured. All the day of the ceremony, which was scheduled for 5pm. We all prayed for the rain to stop, at least for the ceremony, because Steve had built a HUGE bonfire (14' tall!), and we had collected stones and made a Medicine Wheel for the ceremony. . . Well, guess what? The rain stopped exactly at 5 pm as the guests were gathering. The local African Drum troup, of which Steve is a member, drummed a trance dance rhythm as the bonfire lit, and people danced until the fire burned to embers. Then we saged them and invited them through a flowered gateway to the Medicine Wheel. Once everyone had gathered in a circle around the Wheel, we opened with a beautiful Native American chant while I played the World Drum. My friend Bonnie shared a lovely Hebrew chant expressing how lovely it is for brothers and sisters to live together in harmony - Hina Matovuh. We'd taught the children a couple of Native American songs (Wendeyaho and Wishita Du i ya), so the kids helped us teach them to the adults. We had a small fire burning in the Center of the Wheel. I explained the Medicine Wheel and its purpose in this ceremony. Then we asked each person to come, one at a time, to the Center, and offer their prayer to the fire. The prayers were profound - each person expressed what they are willing to do to help create peace and heal Mother Earth. They also released that which no longer serves them. Over a hundred people attended this gathering, and after we were complete, we had a lovely potluck and a Pipe ceremony to close.

Bonnie and I also found a fabulous property that would be absolutely wonderful for community and a healing center . . . we're exploring ways to purchase it now, so if any of you are interested in living in Golden Bay, NZ, let me know!! This land is practically perfect - 14 acres, 600' riverfront, two homes build by true artisans (1700sq. ft. and 900sq. ft.), apple, peach, apricot, walnut, cashews, figs, year-round organic garden, two tidal creeks flowing into the river (kayaking, anyone?), ten minutes from the ocean - never snows, although there is snow on the mountains in winter. Views everywhere!

Anyhow, then I returned to Maui and facilitated the first Hawaiian World Drum ceremony three days after I got home. We did this one at what I consider to be the most exquisite heiau (outdoor temple) on the islands. Lei'ohu Ryder, wonderful singer/songwriter and kupuna, who caretakes that heiau, opened the ceremony with her chants. Aunti Nahi gave a pule (prayer), and I drummed the World Drum and offered several chants. Again, Bonnie shared her song and so did several others. We had a fire in the center of the heiau, and each participant offered their prayers as before. About 40 participants at this one - and each person told me they had been incredibly moved by the Drum and its mana, by the setting (which is a vortex - its name is Kukui Puka, which means Column of Light), and by the ceremony.

This week, we took the World Drum to the Big Island of Hawaii. . . and got a major surprise! Our hosts hadn't realized that we had scheduled the ceremony for the same night as the Merry Monarch Hula Festival - the biggest event on Big Island during the year! No one came to the ceremony, needless to say, so we decided to take the Drum to the Merry Monarch!! The World Drum absorbed magnificent energy from the hundreds of dancers and spectators, all of whom practice "Aloha", the art of love through our Breath and Light. . . .We left a sign and told folks we'd do the ceremony the next day. Only sixteen at this ceremony, and quality is far more important than quantity, yes? Every one took time with the Drum, shared their mana, songs, breath, light and every molecule of their energy with the drum through their prayers - intimate and profoundly touching. . .

Tomorrow, we are joining with National Climate Action Day (www.StepItUp.org) to share a World Drum ceremony here on Maui - once more with feeling! I think this will be a pretty big ceremony, as people have been emailing me from all over the island, so I'll let you know more after . . .

As you can see, I've been way too busy to post, so please forgive me. I'll add pictures soon.

Love and blessings to all my tribal friends!!!