A Personal Creed

 

A quiet place for reflection in Fish Creek Park - by Judy Hirst

 

When one thinks of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, one thinks of valour, and of a creed of goodness or honour.  It will not surprise you to find that "Creed" means a "set of beliefs or guiding principles" (from the merriam-webster.com online dictionary).  

History admires knights or anyone who seems to hold fast to principles of integrity and truth.  Why?  Because today, we no longer work with truth and integrity as part of our every day lives in business.  A popular sales tool is called "bait and switch".  The goal is to get the buyer interested in a mythological set of goods, and then actually sell the buyer something quite different.  Where is the integrity in that?  Corporations sell based on making money and producing revenue for shareholders. Shoddy workmanship, falsified lists of ingredients or list of parts, and mislabelled packages are all part of the "game" to improve the bottom line.  

With such examples in our every day lives, it almost seems impossible for an individual to avoid replicating the examples from the workplace.  Buddhists have the five precepts that they live by: 

• Abstain from destroying life 
• Abstain from stealing 
• Abstain from sexual misconduct 
• Abstain from lies 
• Abstain from intoxicating drinks 

These five precepts are actually their creed for their way of life - a way of life that has been around since the first day of Buddha.  Many people find these precepts difficult to understand.  

Shaman suggest that each of us create our own creed or way of life.  Therefore, when we violate our creed, we immediately "feel" the breach of trust with our self, and we react to repair the damage. 

Here are some ideas for a personal creed.  

I will be good to my body. 

I will be truthful to myself and others.

I will treat all living things with respect.

I will honour the rights of all human beings to be the individuals they are with their own Sacred Points of View.

I will embrace my faith, and I will trust the Creator's divine guidance.

I will see all experiences in my life as ways to grow with lessons to learn.

I will strive to be my personal best without comparing my path to others.   (Suggestions from DANCING THE DREAM by Jamie Sams)

Being good to your body means the right foods should be consumed!  Picture from Microsoft Clip Art....

 

 

When each of these ideas is examined, one says, "Why wouldn't I follow these beliefs?"  The interesting answer is that often, in order to work at a job each day, one cannot have many of these beliefs because the beliefs at work conflict with the beliefs of the person.  

When one sits in Meditation and asks how to resolve the incongruity of the work place and the person, Angels may answer and simply tell the person to leave their job.  To work at something that does not treat humans with respect is not healing or loving.  When we have a creed of honour, we crave the feeling of Oneness with all things -much like the Shaman of old were seen to be filled with peace and a spirit that directly linked to the Heavens.

The creed that our ancestors lived with was about being in balance, recognizing Nature/Mother Earth as the provider of all food and water and air - simply, the provider of everything.  Corporations with all of their material goods, do not provide everything that we need. Perhaps it is time for all of us to develop a creed.

What will your creed be?

Blessings,

Judy

Refinement as a Guide to The Future

When walking a path of Shamanism, it is prudent to work with the Ancestors, and check in daily for their guidance.  There are times when their guidance is not clear, so, to help you, they will direct you to a tool that they can use to communicate with you.  

In my case, today I was wondering about what I should be working on with the teachings that I am doing, and particularly, what I should be doing with the StarTalker Program.  I was guided to "The Ancestors' Path" and told to shake the dice.

 

Two dice images from "The Ancestors' Path" - the Wind and the Eagle

 

The path that these two figures represent is called "REFINEMENT".  Any refining process removes impurities.  The impurities may be in one's self, or in what one is doing, ie. teaching, in my case.

In the physical world, refining may mean constantly improving the process.  The Elder's guide that one must be careful and know when to stop refining because at some point, the refining breaks, and the process also breaks.  

If one is teaching, the Ancestors' guidance is to choose students carefully and to teach from experience and to urge students to learn from experience.  It may also be about using new methods to teach some of the lessons.  My guidance said to continue on my path and to honour the teachings that have been handed down to me.

I hear the guidance and I am grateful!

Blessings,

Judy

Giraffe Gives a “Heads Up”

Several nights ago, I had a dream where Giraffe came in to speak to me.

First, the image that I had was of me standing on a path outside a very tall fence.  I was not sure where I was.  Then as I looked around, I realized that I must be in a type of zoo or animal compound. Where in the world it was, I am not sure.  Then I heard, “Heads up!”

I knew that I needed to look up.  Standing so that their legs were almost like part of the fence, were three giraffes.  Two were quite tall, and one was shorter by several feet.  They grinned down at me.  Then one leaned over the fence and putting his face right against mine, sniffed me.  He popped his head back up, and said, “She smells okay.”  

  Giraffe picture from i.telegraph.co.uk 

I was a bit taken aback.  I think I always smell good except when I have finished a hard work-out.  His mate popped her head over, and kissed the top of my head.  I felt tingles.  I looked up and asked what I was doing here.  Madame Giraffe said, “We called you because you don’t write about us very often, and yet you love us, and send us great thoughts and blessings.  You worry about how we are making out in the wild, and what we will do when the big changes come.”

She was right – I do worry about Giraffes and Elephants, and all kinds of animals.  I did not realize that they were picking up on that energy.

Madame Giraffe went on to say that people need to pay more attention to the giraffe.  They make great guides.  They see things from quite high up, and see patterns in the way people move and the way energies move.  If Giraffe is invited in as a Spirit Animal, it will tell you when there are good energies around you and where to walk/drive to avoid negative energy patterns.  Giraffe moves without getting caught up in the drama of petty things.  Giraffe would like to see each of us avoid drama, and move more in an isolated fashion as does Giraffe.  

Giraffe’s energy is constantly cleansed by the trees where Giraffe spends much time grazing at the tree tops.  Her advice is to find a tree and sit in it, and enjoy the cleansing effect of the tree’s leaves vacuuming all the unhealthy energy from around you.  

According to Giraffe, most people have a short sightedness when it comes to seeing around them.  Giraffe asks you to try to see higher and farther, to see beyond the limits of your mortal eyes.  If you have trouble doing this, ask Giraffe for assistance. 

Giraffes says to stop trying to minimize life.  She says, “Stick your neck out once in a while.”  Life is not about being completely safe – it is about experiencing life and taking chances and growing.  

May you have great giraffe experiences!

Many blessings,

Judy

What is it About Mouse?

 

Picture of Woodmouse from The Mammal Society

"Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse!" - line from the poem, " 'Twas The Night Before Christmas"

Humans have long had a love-hate relationship with tiny Mouse.  On the love side, we have Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Stuart Little, Algernon, Mighty Mouse, and Jerry from the cartoon, "Tom and Jerry".  On the hate side, we have traps, science experiments, carrying disease, and eating holes in walls and bags of food.  One of the most famous views of Mouse's place in the world comes from the series, "Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy" by Douglas Adams.  In this series, it is actually Mice that use humans for experiments in the human condition.

Why does mouse affect us so?  Why do we see pictures of people standing on chairs trying to get away from Mouse?  More than anything, people that are scared of Mouse are really scared of Mouse's power.  This tiny animal is a great example of "small package contain big power".

Mouse is fearless, very quick, and can climb pretty much anything.  Mouse also has very sharp teeth that are self sharpening, allowing her to gnaw through pretty much anything.  With her speed, ability to climb and her ability to gnaw, Mouse will challenge any obstacle and conquer.  And, don' t forget that Mouse is very intelligent. In different experiments, Mouse has proven her ability to look over the situation and to reason out a solution.

When Mouse shows up, do not be frightened!  Mouse has messages for you and will show you different ways of being.   

One - always be persistent in attaining your goals.  If you give up, you will go hungry!  

Two - walk through life in an unassuming way.  You do not threaten others and this allows you to go where you will, much like I do.   

Three - be wary of all people and all new things presented to you.  Someone is always trying to create a new Mouse trap.  Let people earn your trust.  Let them show you and others that they are "in service to others" and not selfish.  

Four - pay attention to the messages around you.  I see the the shadow of Hawk, and know that I will not be safe on my journey, so I rest.  I feel the energy of Coyote in the grass, and I know to hide and contemplate life.  I smell the rain, and I know that the Great One is providing water for me, and I must drink. 

May you find your way with Mouse's guidance.

Many blessings,

Judy

Autumnal Equinox 2023

 Fall is not only the time of the celebration of harvest, it is a time of preparation for the winter – packing away food to be used through the fall until Winter Solstice, and deciding on what it is we want to keep (harvest) in ourselves, and what we want to discard (pulling out the weeds).

This is also the time that we prepare Mother Earth for her winter sleep.  Traditionally, farmers harvest their fields, and then bale the straw for animal use, or, plough it under.  At the same time, they are preparing for the next crop.

Here are two meditations to use for doing some self work at autumnal equinox.

Releasing a Habit

What are you doing to prepare for the winter?  For the next crop?  When you are sitting in meditation, why not release one bad habit that plagues you? These are the “weeds” of our lives.  Create sacred space by calling in the Angels to be with you and keep you safe while you do sacred work.  Simply sit quietly, and breath in and out on a three count cycle. When your breathing is regular and comfortable, say out loud:  “I freely give up my habit of ________ and I ask the Angels and Great Spirit (substitute the name that you are most comfortable using – God, Jehovah, etc.) take this habit, and take it to the Sun to be cleansed. I offer this request, without any qualifications or strings attached.”

Now, breath deeply and clearly, drawing in sunlight on the in breath, and releasing the habit on the out breath.  This process may take fifteen minutes, or longer. Do not rush it.  When you think you are clear, stop, and check in to see if you can feel the habit.  If you can, continue.  If not, then stop and give thanks.  Release sacred space.

Healing Mother Earth

When the Universe/Great Spirit does something good for us, then we need to reciprocate. This is called “The Law of Reciprocity”, and means that we balance the energy by doing something good ourselves.  In this meditation, you will need a candle, and a comfortable spot to meditate. Light the candle.  Then, create sacred space by calling in the Angels to be with you and keep you safe while you do sacred work.  Now sit in front of the candle, with the candle a comfortable distance from your eyes, and express to the Universe that you will be working on healing a part of Mother Earth.  Close your eyes, and think of the one place that you know of that bothers you because it may need so much healing.  It may be a park, a play ground, someone’s yard, a beach, a forest, or anything that you know of.  Now open your eyes, Stare at the flame, and hold the image of the place that needs healing.  Next, in your mind’s eye, start the process of cleaning up the site, and replacing it with grass or trees, or what ever it needs to make it healthy.  Stay with this process until the site is completely healthy looking.  Now, feel the energy that arises in you from working with the Universe to co-create this beautiful place.  Give thanks for this opportunity to work with Mother Earth.  Release sacred space.

Blessings,

Judy

Llama’s Thoughts (Spirit Animal)

Llama in Peru – picture from animals.nationalgeographic.com 

Over the past several days, Llama has popped up in pictures, in conversations, and even as shapes in the clouds and trees.  The place where Llama originated is Peru, and with the Incan culture, according to Wikipedia.  The wiki goes on to say that Llama originated forty million years ago on the plains of North America. Llama then migrated south – one thinks probably because of the cold and the ice – and prospered in South America.

Llama is a herd animal, and when others of its kind are not around, it will gravitate to people or other animals.  A common sound one hears around Llama is a hum, and it will become a loud type of braying noise if the Llama or the herd (or offspring) are threatened. 

Llama does have a message.  

We have survived for millions of years beyond humans because we go with the flow of the movement of the Earth.  We do not try to conquer or change the surroundings we are in.  Our family is important to us, so we take care of them.  We easily bond with sheep and goats and can become their protectors.  We ask why humans, who seem stronger than others, do not try to protect those that are weaker?  Surely this is what the alpha must do?  We have learned, too, that there is safety in the higher regions.  We left the plains and the lowlands and opted for a mountain existence.  Our instincts tell us that another big change or big water (flood) is coming again for the plains (of North America).  We say that you too must find higher ground to be able to survive millions of years.  You need to lead the herd to a safe place.

Since before the days of the Incas, Llama has served mankind.  This message seems to be one more service that Llama is doing.  We are grateful!

Many blessings,

Judy

Alligator’s Advice

We tend to talk about alligators in comparison to other things such as “alligator skin” in reference to rough, dry skin on one’s hands or legs.  Or, we might talk about “alligator teeth” in reference to large teeth or an “alligator smile” if we talk about someone’s rather predatory smile.  We actually think about alligators and their cousins, crocodile, fairly often in every day life.

I was rather surprised, however, when a large alligator entered my meditation.  Alligator talked about its weaknesses.  I am using a summary of the weakness rather than repeating the whole conversation with Alligator.

“Most of the muscle in an alligator's jaw evolved to bite and grip prey. The muscles that close the jaws are exceptionally powerful, but the muscles for opening their jaws are comparatively weak. As a result, an adult human can hold an alligator's jaws shut barehanded. It is common today to use several wraps of duct tape to prevent an adult alligator from opening its jaws when handled or transported” – from Wikipedia

Alligator was making a point and giving me some good advice.

1. If you don’t know what your weakness is, find out, even by asking others.  Then, correct the weakness if this is possible.  If not, be careful about putting yourself in situations that exploit your weakness.
2. Those larger and stronger or more powerful than you will always be looking for your weakness.  Do not show that side of yourself. 
3. Keep your distance from predators (or strong, bullying people).  And, find out what their weakness is.  You may need to use it.
4. Do not stay in a swamp (job or home) that is becoming dangerous to you.  Get out.  There are other swamps and rivers.  
5. Take what you have learned from one swamp to the next swamp.  Better still, scout out the swamp before you relocate.

Many blessings,

Judy