Yet more poetic inspirations in the Spiritual Sanctuary

Have patience with everything unresolved in your heart
and try to love the questions themselves...
Don't search for the answers,
which could not be given to you now,
because you would not be able to live them.
And the point is, to live everything.
Live the question now.
Perhaps, then, someday far in the future,
you will gradually without even noticing it,
live your way into the answer.

---- Rainer Maria Rilke

LA MYSTÈRE Toujours sweet femme, Your dusky skirts swirling Breathlessly skimming the horizons of consciousness Enticement in your come-hither glances Yet, you elude with a soft smile Like the sweep of twilight across the road ahead An unseen breath on the nape of my neck I shiver in delighted anticipation Peering around corners Thinking you unaware But, you always know… Ah, sweet mystery of life I can hold you in my hands with the promise that you bring Yet, you are not held Who can hold the laughter of Soul? I chuckle at your coyness Always the fool am I You draw me in each time Always, always do I enjoy my failed attempts to know you The last fingers of sunlight slip away Leaving me once again in your dusky world And I smile. Darlene Stott, March 21, 2001

Oh, how we judge! The comparisions...we are always falling short or someone else is, dependent on the state of our consciousness at any given time. And, yet this is a two-sided coin. The weight of judgement can be something heavy and burdensome or something that we tuck in our pockets with gratitude, glad to carry for a time as it shows us the road we have travelled and the journey still to go. In some ways, judgement can be rations for the journey. This is when the judgement gives us hope, when we can see progress, see the flowers along the path and so we carry it for a while, like a talisman, as it gives us courage, shows us Love, the oft subtle support from people when you least expect it. Or, it can be used like a hammer to smash and destroy. In any case, it is all the stuff of duality, of the lower planes, and at some level will fall away completely. Yet, the weights and measures, the comparisons, are important to our stay here. They are just one of the tools that we use to grow. Both sides of that tool are useful as we use them here. And, today I am grateful for judgement. Thanks, Love, Darlene

Dear Child:

Life is not about a set plan. You must go with the waves of life like an
ocean. Sometimes the breeze is strong. Sometimes it is not there at all and
you wait it out. Sometimes the seas are rough. Sometimes you feel like you
are going to be swallowed up in the waves of a raging sea but if you trust
that the sun will come out, you can get through the rough days and waves.

Trust is the opposite of control. You need to work on your need to control
and begin to trust that everything is in Divine order -- not the order that
you try to maintain which only turns into chaos. Your chaos shows you that
you can not control order. You need to rest your weary mind. Let it relax
and you will move into a higher connection.

You need to do less in a day and you will get more done. Meditate. Breathe
deeply. Take walks and let life flow for you. You will be in sync instead of
fighting the current and becoming weary and discouraged. Take the time to be
with yourself and Divine and doors will open for your and the sun will shine
down upon you.

All is well, Child of God.

-- Shari Rathman

The first peace, which is the most important, is that which comes
from within the souls of men when they realize their relationship,
their oneness, with the universe and all its powers, and when they
realize that at the center of the universe dwells Wakan-Tanka, and
that this center is really everywhere, it is within each of us. This
is the real peace, and the others are but reflections of this. The
second peace is that which is made between two individuals, and the
third is that which is made between two nations. But above all you
should understand that there can never be peace between nations until
there is first known that true peace which is within the souls of men.

-- Black Elk
19th Century American Native Religious Leader

And so all we really can do is breathe in and breathe
out and let the Divine essence move forward to us.

It's called grace.

Listen long enough for this breath of Divine
guidance to breathe through you.

- John-Roger
From: The Tao of Spirit

Mother Earth is Breathing

If I could only show you,
   the visions in my dreams....

If I could only share with you,
   a perception of what can be.....

Mother Earth is breathing,
  working in creation,
Unfolding all Her blessings,
Her " Love ",
we can see.

If I could only show you,
the songs of my heart,
We'd manifest the healing,
not be Nations apart.

Can you feel the energy around us ?
  no burdens must we bare,
That's when we'll remember,
  the focas that, "We Care".

Mother Earth is breathing.
We are working in creation,
In the lives, that we lead.

With the rythm of our heartbeat,
  with the Universe above,
Such a mixture of different sounds,
A music that say's, " We know how to Love".

If I could only share with you,
ALL I'd like to give,
We could join together,
  and remember,
Why we live.

The beauty that surrounds us

The Mother earth is breathing,
giving ALL she has to give.

If I could only show you,
The visions in my dreams,

If I could only share with you,
Spirit Dancing, so it seems,

Mother Earth is breathing,
working in creation,
unfolding all her blessings,
Her Love can be seen.

Woniya Wacisa

To believe is to know that every
day is a new beginning.
It is to trust that miracles happen,
and dreams really do come true.

To believe is to see angels
dancing among the clouds
To know the wonder of a stardust
sky and the wisdom of the
man in the moon.

To believe is to know the value
of a nurturing heart,
The innocence of a child's eyes and
the beauty of an aging hand, for it
is through their teachings
we learn to love.

To believe is to find the strength
and courage that lies within us.
When it is time to pick up
the pieces and begin again.

To believe is to know we are not alone,
That life is a gift and this is our
time to cherish it.

To believe is to know that wonderful
surprises are just waiting to happen,
And all our hopes and dreams
are within reach.
"If only we believe"

~Author Unknown~

NEW HORIZONS -NOW!

A threshold has been crossed and All in our world
Is forever transformed.

For those who have the eye to see and ear to hear, they
Will indeed see and hear.

New horizons now exist.Where before there were only
Sunsets, now there are only Sunrises...bright, promising
And full of Hope.

Let us now place this new Hope on the threshold
Of broken dreams and watch them grow and flourish
Where once they faded and dissolved in the fog of
A confused and fearful world.

The playing field has been leveled and what once
Took years to manifest ...if at all...now takes hours.

All that is required is our unquestioned belief. Begin with
What is easy and prove this new, more subtle and pliable
Substance of creation and see if it does not respond to
Your instant command.

Then, allow the highest within you, the free giving spirit
That fears no loss knowing all can be re-created in an
Instant to flow through you as you detach from these
Temporary `toys' and just play in the field of infinite
Potentiality as the co-creative partner with the
"All that Is", your loving Father/Mother God within.

Heaven on earth is here now, just a thought away, through
The thinnest veil since our Mother Earth came into being,
And we are the gods of creation that will rent this final
Ephemeral block to Love...to All we are.

John and Jo Ann "Ananda" McIntosh
Copywrite 1998-2001 Teach only Love

A Time For Release

The time has come to release the past and allow space
For the renewal of our spirit.

Old grudges, heartaches and judgments held in our
Hearts have frozen our joy in a suspended state
Long enough.

Now let us release these worn out beliefs that have
Convinced us that we are victims.

Nothing could be further from the truth.
There are no victims for we create every moment of
Our world.

Have we not endured enough darkness to recognize
It is not our true inheritance.

It is high time we opened to a higher understanding
Of our purpose here and stepped forth as
Creators and off the knees of victim thinking,

Let us release the pain by simply changing our minds
About how we want to live, then with a steadfast resolve,
Keep focused on this bright reality until it
Manifests, as surely it must!

John and Rev. Ananda McIntosh
1998 - 2001© Copyright Teach Only Love

Prayer for Beltane

This is the season when, in ancient times, great fires were lit upon
hilltops to signify the coming of spring and to pray for an abundant summer.
At that time too our ancestors drove their herds near the Beltane fires,
praying for the health and protection of the cattle.
Now, in this time of desperate pain for animals and farmers, we light again
the fires of spring in our hearts and in our homes, in our windows and our
spirit.
As we do, we remember:
The health of the herds is the health of the people.
The health of the herds is the health of the earth.
The life of the herds is the life of the people.
The life of the herds is the life of the earth.
Lighting the flmes of Beltane, we pray for healing:
Healing for the animals.
Healing for those who care for the animals.
Healing for the land.
Healing for us all.

Keep your passion alive -
it will warm you when the
world around you grows cold.
It will not allow comfortable
familiarity to rob you of that
special glow that comes with
loving deply. It can lift
you over stone walls of anger
and carry you across vast
deserts of alienation. but its
greatest gift is that of touch-
for passio cannot dwell in
solitude- it thrives best in
loving embrace. So keep your
passion alive - hold one
another as a tree holds the
Earth and your love will
bear the fruit of many,
many seasons.

-- Shamaan Ochaum Climbing Eagle.

There are no limits
to what you can do.
Your talents and abilities,
your uniqueness and warmth,
your strength and dedication
in everything you do...
all of these will help you
reach your dreams.

There are no limits
to what life has to offer you.
The world is full of possibilities,
just as you are filled with promise.
Seek, discover, and embrace
with openness
the richness of experience.
Believe in yourself
and you will always
know success.

-- Michelle Richards

We Each Have the Power to Choose

The wind changes directions a hundred times or more a day.
It has no goal or focus to be anything more than itself.
The wind is free to come and go as it pleases...But people,
on the other hand have an inner desire to accomplish, to
achieve to be productive.. It is a human quality that enables
people to select which way they want to go and to determine
how fast or how slow their journey will be... People have the
power to choose the roads they will travel... They must never
forget that they are in control of their lives..

So let the wind blow in your face and circle around you
as you live day to day, but know in your heart
that you are the one, the only one,
who really knows which way
the wind blows for you....

-- Author Unknown

Acceptance

                       Acceptance means that you
                          can find the serenity within
                       to let go of the past
                          with its mistakes and regrets,
                       and move into the future
                          with a new perspective,
                       appreciating the opportunity
                          to take a second chance.

                       Acceptance means you'll find
                          security again
                       when difficult times come
                          into your life,
                       and comfort to relieve any pain.
                         You'll find new dreams, fresh hopes,
                       and forgiveness of the heart.

                       Acceptance does not mean
                          that you will always be perfect.
                       It simply means that
                          you'll always overcome imperfection.

                      Acceptance is the road to peace -
                          letting go of the worst,
                       holding on to the best,
                          and finding the hope inside
                       that continues throughout life.

                       Acceptance
                          is the heart's best defense,
                       love's greatest asset,
                          and the easiest way
                       to keep on believing
                          in yourself and others.

                        - Poem by Regina Hill

I am perfect paradox.

"I am the silence that hollers. I am the stillness
that dances. I am the beginning that is the end. I am
the newness that is ancient. I am the here that is
everywhere. I am eloquence without words. I am human
that is divine. I am the divine that is garbage. I am
the trees that walk. I am the impossible
possibilities. I am something so great that it is
nothing. I am so fully that I scarcely care whether I
am at all. I know without knowing. I weep with neither
sadness not apparent joy. I am I AM, yet ever i."

A. Anderson & D. Whitehouse

submitted by our member Cactus Flower

My soul yearns for those who
still believe in life's truths
of honesty
of sincerity
of compassion
and of true friendship..
But most of all,
I long to know those few people who
really know what love is
and how to be a loving person.
I long for a place where people can
get together and talk to one another
about the things that matter,
like being friends and caring about
the dreams that we all believe in..
I long for a time when
friendship and love are important
and the best parts of our lives..

-- Unknown Author

And Then...

I awoke and rubbed my eyes, knowing I was surely dreaming.
The last thing I remembered the sound of car tyres screaming.
That was gone, birds sang in trees, while lions comforted lambs.
Where was I? I did not know, except it was a wondrous land.
A gentle voice intruded, startling, without awakening fear.
'You have died, there is no pain, be at peace while you are here.
Tell me friend, what did you do while you walked the earth?'
I replied, 'I was a builder, and earned my worth.'

I knew he slowly shook his head, before the answer came.
The words were spoken honestly, without any hidden blame.
'Man cannot build without first destroying what was already there.
Each tree that falls, every stone taken, is another reddening scar.
The land you bought and sold was never yours to trade.
You stole from me, for by my hand it was made.
There is no debt though, for now you understand.
Be one with me, dwell here within my land.'

I felt a touch upon my head, and a warmth coursed through my veins.
I knew forgiveness then, and an ending to struggle and pains.
I felt comfort, love, happiness spread through me and a never ending rage
Against man's wanton greed, now, I had learned, and desired to end this
plague.
'Help me take what you have given me back to them, let me breath again.
I will return to you when I have tried to make them sane.'
The words emptied my heart, and tears filled my eyes.
'Why will they listen to you? Few men heard my sighs.'

'I can return breath to you, then you will have only your words.
Are those a weapon to fight with? Are pens mightier than swords?
You seek to change hearts and minds that are already contented.
What can you do to make them see the damage man has created?
'Word by word, brick by brick I will build upon what I know.
The children are the future, through them my success will show.'
My spine arched, I gasped for air, numbing pain, and all turned black.
A dimly distant voice said, 'I think we've got him back.'

Allan
(Who should have been doing something else...As usual)

Never, ever, annoy a dragon, for you are crunchy and taste great with a
smidgin of ketchup.

If the Atlanteans were so clever, how come they never got round to flood
defences?

I'm not weird, I'm not special, I'm me.

By looking in a mirror, one perceives his own identity;
But that identity was already there.

In the same way, relative knowledge gives the understanding
Of the identity of the world and the Self --
But it is like using a knife
To cut another knife.

Fire, in the process of annihilating camphor,
Annihilates itself as well;
This is exactly what happens to knowledge
In the process of destroying ignorance.

The cresting of a wave is but its fall;
The flash of a bolt of lightning
Is but its fading.

Likewise, knowledge,
Drinking up the water of ignorance,
Grows so large
That it completely annihilates itself.

This absolute Knowledge is like
The intrinsic fullness of the moon,
Which is unaffected
By its apparent waxing and waning.

Likewise, that which is Consciousness Itself
Does not possess the quality of being conscious,
And is, therefore, not conscious of Itself.

If absolute Knowledge required the aid
Of some other kind of knowledge to know Itself,
It would be nothing but ignorance.

Of course, light is not darkness;
But, to itself, is it even light?

If there is a pot, a pot is perceived,
And if the pot is broken, its brokenness is perceived;
If there is no pot at all,
Is not its absence perceived as well?

It can be seen, therefore,
That he who perceives that there is nothing
Does not himself become nothing.
The Self has this same unique kind of existence,
Beyond both existence and non-existence.

The ultimate Reality
Is neither an object to Itself
Nor is It an object to anyone else.
Should it then be regarded as non-existent?

In a tank the water may be so clear
That it appears non-existent;
Though one who looks into the tank may not see it,
Still it is there.

Similarly,
The ultimate Reality exists in Itself,
And is beyond the conceptions
Of existence or non-existence.

When a jar is placed on the ground,
We have the ground with a jar;
When the jar is taken away,
We have the ground without a jar;

But when neither of these conditions exists,
The ground exists in its unqualified state.
It is in this same way
That the ultimate Reality exists.

~~ submitted by our member Sandeep :)