Garland placed in Anandamayi Ma’s Samadhi Temple: Kankhal, India

On this beautiful Sunday morning I had the inner prompting to post a sampling of the beautiful messages sent to Carla and me in the past weeks. Please feel the same upliftment and spiritual power that I do when reading these heartfelt messages. In addition to these writings that reflect such wonderful souls in God, I have been reading from a book Mother used to read from by Eva Bell Werber; Quiet Talks with the Master (It is available on Kindle). I also add these links to this beautiful chant to Anandamayi Ma on YouTube I thought you would enjoy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkVFNyHv60o. I found this link when I was viewing another YouTube video of Yoganandaji and Ma sent to me by Christopher Pegler: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q046Etdc9Ak.

 

Health Update: We continue to wait for the biopsy results from Valley Hospital in Las Vegas. The last word we received was their initial tests were negative, but they continue to do additional “stain” tests. I have an appointment on Monday with a surgeon who specializes in the field of medicine that connects with my condition. If we have not heard before, the surgeon should be able to get an update on the long overdue biopsy results. I have felt and been sustained by your love and prayers. Pronams, David

 

Messages

Dear David, we are just at Sri Ma’s ashram at Kankhal for the samyan saptah, and got the news of the latest health situation. In the meantime I offered a garland (mainly marigolds) on your behalf, to be placed on Sri Ma’s [Anandamayi Ma] Samadhi.

*********

…have been a bit keyed up, since I got home. I went into the room in which I meditate to put some things away. I felt a strong pull toward my altar.  I stood there, at God’s direction, looked at the Masters and closed my eyes.  I asked for guidance and a calm presence. What presented was you, in big form. I saw you surrounded by the Masters, then your tumor explode into many pieces of light, which spread out. Then the vision changed to you sitting there in the center of the Masters, with light shooting from the crown chakra, much like fireworks. I could not break the gaze and remained as long as was requested. As I opened my eyes, the altar was somewhat different than I envisioned. I had envisioned you in the center, which you were, but in fact your picture is a bit off to the side, leaning against Lahiri Mahasya’s picture. The Masters around the both of you. I have attached the picture of you, that I have on the altar. What struck me was how clear and pure you looked. What a vision to carry!

********

I am praying for God’s best outcome for all that is occurring with your health.  Surely I have had much thought and caring and am hoping for a speedy and full recovery for you, my Beloved Guru.

***********

I want you to know that I see the Light of the Divine Mother flowing all around you and through you permeating every atom, every molecule of your entire being…vibrating, shinning radiating like a thousand suns. You shine like a beacon blinding any darkness that could possibly come near you. In my mind’s eye I can only see you right now, in this moment, as perfect, healthy, whole and complete.

*********

Last week I woke up early in the morning very much concerned about you. I wake up in bed early every morning with my mind fixed on God and as I relayed these concerns to God a simple and soothing answer came back very clearly, “David is full of light and full of peace.” And then I didn’t worry so much anymore. Although I am still concerned I know you are always being taken care of in the best possible way.

***********

You are always in our prayers. More so now. As you know very well Ram is busy doing miracles for His people like you. Your narration is a testimony to that. You are in good hands there.

************

A few days ago I was feeling a resentment cropping up toward an imagined slight and then, without effort, a thought of you filled me with love and upliftment and erased that thought with love. Every day such thoughts of You and Mother bring love to my heart and mind. Though in body you may for now be weak, but in Spirit you are strong. May your body be filled with healing light. Pronams in gratitude to you.

*************

The other day I was chatting with Shree Ma [Anandamayi Ma] about David. She was right in front of me and smiled so lovingly. She then stood in front of David who was in a sitting position. She raised both her hands and placed them on the top of his head immediately there was such a feeling of Pure Love, Softness and Light poured all over him: no idea how long it lasted. But, what a Blessing and Joy.

Carla I can feel your Spiritual Strength and your willing answer to the call of this great Spiritual Challenge. You are truly answering that call. Well done!! Courage, bravery and so much love are present. God bless you girl. We hold you both tenderly in our hearts and prayers.

**************

We will be having a kirtan in your honor tomorrow. Please be available to receive our ardent transmission of love and prayer at the time. We trust that the healing process is already coming along nicely. The duodenum is vibrating with light. Old cells are sloughing off and new cells are being born. Victory to God.

Paramhansa Yogananda: “Father Thou art in me. I am well. The healing power of spirit is flowing through all the cells of my body. I am made of the one universal God substance.”

P.Y.: “Heavenly Father, my body cells are made of light, my fleshly cells are made of Thee. They are perfect for Thou art perfect. They art health for Thou art health. They art spirit for Thou art spirit, they art immortal for Thou art life.”

–“May the long time sun shine on you, all love surround you, may the pure light within you guide you all the way home.”

May God and the Masters ever hold and keep you.

***********

We can very well understand how Carla feels. We also pray for Beloved Papa’s blessings on Carla for strength to handle everything. Once again all of us intensely pray for Beloved Papa’s choicest blessings on you for speedy recovery and restoration to normal health.

Deepest love and best wishes for you, Carla, Judy, Ric and all there.

************

A lovely letter to all devotees and I am sure it will be very appreciated. Having also been the recipient of Healing Oms and prayers (as have many in our group) I too know their amazing power. One is so humbled by such love. I am grateful for the times sickness has enabled me to feel myself connected to all suffering souls in the world. The load you carry is universal, may the prayers and love you receive be sufficient to alleviate the burden and pain you bear. But as I write these words I feel the Divine Mother so present with you; it is She in all these souls who prays for you and heals you; She holds you in Her arms. Om Om Om

**********

Though the Almighty Lord of the Universe has blessed Rev. Davidji with a mindset to accept all situations stoically, still it disturbs us. Today on the occasion of our Beloved Swamiji’s [Satchidanandaji] Jayanti, we fervently pray for HIS blessings on Rev. Davidji for speedy recovery and restoration to normal health so that he may continue to guide the aspirants on the spiritual path.

***********

My love calls out to you from every particle of my being and it is God too who prays so deeply for you through me—for His perfect son. You are all radiance and blessedness to me, ever in my heart and soul.

**********

There is no end to Ram’s adventures for us! The ways in which you are working with this one are excellent instruction for all. Blessings and love.

**********

Hari Om! Hari Om! Hari Om!

Our hearts are with you in earnest prayer. What a painful mail it is.

May Papa, Mataji and Swamiji help David, Carla and all of you at this hour, restore normalcy to our dear Davidji.

We are simply shocked again.

Vimala has rushed to Homa Mandir to offer her prayers at the round. Shruti almost broke down. God alone is our refuge. David has taken so much of our karmas. Let us all do a chain RamNam – 10 minutes each person.

Lots of our prayers

Chandra & all others join in the prayer

*************

My dear guru, I pray to God to heal you completely. Knowing all that has happened to you during your pilgrimage health wise has checked me in feeling so sorry and sad about myself, and here you are having so much pain. My wishes and prayers are for you to gain all your health as you are so much needed in these times of life. Giving all my love to you and not to forget our loving Carla. Thank you my beloved guru. Om sri ram jai ram.

***********

All our prayers are with you for David to recover completely and to live a normal life with all of us, without any pain or disease. As we all need that pure soul with us for our spiritual upliftment, I am sure that Papa will ensure a speedy recovery to complete normalcy.

Our prayers also for lots of strength to all of you there who are physically serving David.

***********

We are thinking of you, surrounding you in light and meditating with all our might and main.

*************

How extraordinary your cosmic journey, surveying heights and depths, inside and out! How my heart has wept, as you are taken through flames of unbearable suffering, witnessing His drama as a spectator beholds fields leveled and seeds ripening in the dark!

*********

My heart beams you many rays of healing light during this time. May the outcome be the one that God is pleased with the most (and us too). May God answer our prayers to have you with us for a long time yet. Love to you both.

Picture: Prayers from our dear little ones

 

Picture: Olympic Mountains Upon Return

From our wonderful time on Skype with the Victoria Group onward my energy and health took a downturn. Mornings had lately been the lowest energy ebb, but now I was not picking up at all through the day. Also the burning pain in my stomach persisted and after two weeks it seemed a good idea to at least get the blood level checked again.

Sure enough my hemoglobin count had dropped again to a six. Boulder City hospital transferred me to Valley Hospital in Las Vegas; Carla followed the ambulance in a rented car. Entering into the emergency entrance strapped to a gurney was like entering a movie set. Lined up with another six new patients also on gurneys, there was noise and controlled chaos as I lay just inside the sliding doors.

Ram was present in the alcoholic-dementia man who was talking to no one in particular about events in the 1970s, an elderly woman calling out, “Help, help me,” about every ten seconds, and nurses and doctors all busy going to and fro. Finally I was taken to an adjoining room that felt to be kept at 60 degrees. I was attended by a nurse who was a double for my nephew Chad. An East Indian doctor came in and said he would be my primary doctor, taking very fast and laughing repeatedly, he came in and went out in about a minute. After many hours during which there was a loud fire alarm and strobe lights flashing for over five minutes and shifting in an uncomfortable gurney without knowing what would be done with me next, I was eventually taken to Medical ICU room at about midnight. There I was hooked up to five or six electrical monitors, I was poked repeatedly for blood and places to begin the infusion of fluids.

Many have commented on how spectacular the lights are at night in Las Vegas, however my only experience of lights while in Las Vegas were the many bouncing lights on monitors! That, and three walls and a ceiling of an ICU room. One nurse came in, an event that occurred about every half-hour throughout the night, and told me with a laugh that I had not checked into the Comfort Inn; I heartily agreed. That was also apparent from the lack of room service, as I was given nothing to eat or drink for 28 hours due to the anticipated endoscopy. With all seriousness though, I received excellent and friendly care while there.

God also had gave me an opportunity to talk to the night nurse about the challenges of parenting, offering some thoughts she found helpful, and giving sympathy to another nurse who was dealing with a son who had diabetes that softened her mood extremely. Truly, caregivers are often in need of care themselves.

With further treatment needed for a mass found in the duodenum it seemed the prudent thing was to return to home ground; so we have now arrived at Camano Island. These are some of the many twists and turns that have occurred in this pilgrimage.

God being the all-powerful controller has continued to plan for everything perfectly; however it may look on a human level. The prayer that comes back to me again and again is Mother’s saying, “Lord, let this be fulfilled for the highest good of everyone concerned.” Be it so.

Picture: Camped @ Valley of Fire: Looked as if we were dropped into the set of a Flintstones Movie in the town of Bedrock

I don’t think there could ever be two polar opposites as extreme as my father and me when it comes to making travel plans. My mother and father travelled extensively all over the world, going on tours that were well planned in advance. I, on the other hand have only one plan, what does God have in mind for me today?

When I asked my father where he was going on his next trip I thought I might get a brief answer of what continent(s) they would be going to, what countries and possibly some highlights of special sites they planned to see. Instead I would get a ream of papers organized and stapled together with daily itineraries. Such details as what time they were to get up, when they would arrive for breakfast and the minute they were to leave on the tour bus would come my way. Each and every fifteen minutes of the day was planned, and you better take care if you are the tour guide and there is any transgression in the timetable, for my father’s famous temper could erupt at such inconvenient inconsistencies!

How his son travels is so far different that you would think we came from distant planets. God is the tour guide, and He must make all arrangements as things unfold. Mother once said that when organizing an event create a skeletal plan, and then let God fill in the details. And, if God wished to rearrange the skeleton, then let Him do so.

In leaving on this pilgrimage there have been only the barest of skeletal plans. I have had some notion that we would circumambulate the North American Continent; in a contrary counter-clockwise direction (traditional pilgrimage circumambulations are clockwise). I knew we would begin with a tour of the Utah Canyons that are justifiably known for their tremendous beauty and grandeur. God prompted this pilgrimage for purposes fully known only to His all-knowing omniscience. I have some hints from Him, and He has revealed other parts of His plan as we have continued this journey, but it always makes it interesting to find deeper reasons as I assiduously follow His will.

What I find truly awe-inspiring is how He takes care of us with unfailing love and attention to detail. Some may call it coincidence or lucky breaks, but when time after time His total inner direction and outer answers to our needs are miraculously fulfilled, one must finally come to the conclusion that luck or coincidence simply does not suffice to explain how He perfectly takes care of us.

Last night we knew we would have to travel some miles to find a phone connection that would enable us to make a Skype call to the Victoria Group. Earlier in the day we travelled to the only nearby town to scout out a strong signal and get a few things at the store. Even though the town sported a Community College we had zero connection for our phone service. While driving back there was one stretch of road that showed promise of 4G with 3 bars; it would be sufficient. Turns out in the entire area we scouted there was less than a quarter mile of road that had any phone connection, and there happened to be a reasonable gravel turnout where we could park by the side of Hi-way just where the signal was the strongest.

Later that night we drove to the same spot and found it now had only 1 bar strength, and that would definitely not be enough. However since that was the only spot we had found any connection we turned it over to God and continued to set up the tablet and tethered it to the extraordinary phone Chad provides for us. At the appointed time we made the call and for nearly an hour we had perfect connection with that most wonderful group of souls in Victoria. When we finished I looked at the phone connection and we had 4G at 4 bars; thank you Ram!

Today we decided to leave Valley of Fire Campground due to cold winds picking up; we headed for places unknown. Carla saw there was a well-rated campground on Lake Mead at Boulder Beach for only 10 dollars a night. When we arrived we found a lovely corner campground spot with an unobstructed view of the deep blue waters of Lake Mead and a red mountainous backdrop; much warmer weather and no winds, thank you Ram!

So you see, we don’t do too badly with God as our tour guide. And although this trip can have all the appearances of a vacation or holiday it varies significantly in that from stem to stern it has been dedicated to His service. I can tell you the last twenty four hours He has inwardly worked me relentlessly, giving me a load to carry that is almost more than I think that I can bear. Of course that is true, of myself I cannot carry the load He has given me, He must make that possible as He also makes such perfect arrangements for our travel and sees to every other detail in our lives. Living in perfect trust of following His will and depending only on His abundant supply, I would have it no other way.

These are further pictures from Pilgrimage North America. I continue to learn about posting these pictures and I hope you are able to access them properly. The link is: https://plus.google.com/u/2/photos/104170741072595580408/albums/6209989194023900545?sort=1

Picture: David Meditating Next to Creek

It is very interesting to notice not only the physical surroundings you are in, but also the subtle vibrational reality that accompanies all creation. Spiritual beauty and physical attractiveness can be at complete variance with one another, and then on some occasions they express themselves equally through some charming form as in the case of Mother Hamilton.

Without doubt Bryce Canyon is breathtakingly magnificent in its vistas with colors that seem from another world. When we arrived at Zion Canyon we found it visually stunning as well, but not on the same order as Bryce. However we have found Zion to have a spiritual power that was often not felt at Bryce; the exception at Bryce was the Fairyland Canyon which had a wonderful spiritually uplifting feeling to it.

Before arriving at Zion we had just passed through the most vibrationally painful area where the Mountain Meadow Massacre occurred (see previous posting). That un-grieved for tragedy that happened so long ago continued to envelope us as we entered Zion Park.

After finding a campsite near the south entrance we took the motorhome back up the road near where the tunnel exits. We hiked up the canyon along a sweet creek, climbing around boulders and following a faint trail that led us into the canyon’s wilderness. At last we came to a spot where the trail crossed the creek and decided to sit for a while, feeling drawn to meditate there. Turning our attention inward also made us more aware of the powerful spiritual current flowing in that spot. Divine Mother had drawn us here in order to baptize us in her holy vibrations.

We felt washed clean of the pain we carried from the massacre as we allowed those invisible healing “waters” to flow around us and through us. It was unspoken by either of us until afterward, but we both reported identical experiences while there. Such is the wonderful healing potency that comes with pure nature. It seems that the earth has natural places of healing, and then there are places surcharged by saints and souls of great realization, and then there are places that have both of these blessings combined. Being next to that creek was simply one of Mother Nature’s natural healing gifts.

Today we found another such place. In this case the location is much more public. A set of immense cliffs are the backdrop to the museum here at Zion. Obviously these towering edifices made by water’s power and sculpting methods also inspired early settlers, for they named this place Temples and Towers. Here you will find peaks called the West Temple and the Altar of Sacrifice. After touring the visitor center we happened upon the rear entrance and happily discovered this most imposing scene.

We were both instantly enthralled by the dramatic cliffs and peaks we saw. It was not just the visual delight of the view, but a definite feeling of spiritual power emanating from these craggy heights. We both sat and entered stillness at the behest of this Temple of Nature. How long we sat is hard to gauge, perhaps not long, perhaps it stretched out into eternity. Different visitors came and went as we remained, emphasizing the vastness in time of this mountainous creation making it seem that humans were just tiny fly-like visitors flitting in and out, barely noticed by these geologic patriarchs.

Both of these healing, uplifting gifts of nature came to us unbidden and without any pre-knowledge by us of their coming. Perhaps Divine Mother delights in surprising her children with these blessings of Spirit that uplift and heal Her very own.

As we greet All-Saints Eve today, honoring all saints known and unknown, we can readily identify so many saints that were inspired by nature’s spiritually charged environments. Babaji, Jesus and St. Francis come to mind in thinking of their love and reverence for the spiritual nature of creation; its beauty and wonder. It is in the spirit of Divine Mother’s recent gifts to us, that have been so freely given, that I pass on to you all of their uplifting and purifying power even as we felt it, for you to feel Her blessings on this All-Saints Eve and coming Day.

The Physical dimension is only one aspect to a pilgrimage. For one who has attunement to the inner senses there are many more ways of perceiving this world we live in. As we were traveling in Southern Utah we heard many stories of how Brigham Young had “ordered” particular families to come to specific areas to make their homes.

Many of these places proved not to be conducive to successful communities for a variety of reasons; weather, poor land or a native population that was not in favor of having new neighbors. As I continued to hear these stories an oppressive feeling came over me about this dynamic and I felt a soul sickness within; something felt terribly wrong here.

I must say I have been around and known Mormons most of my life and I have a highly favorable opinion about most all the folks I know. But this oppressive, painful experience continued to grow as we travelled west. It came to a head when Carla was reading about an event known as the Mountain Meadow Massacre; we happened to be right in the area it occurred.

The Mountain Meadow Massacre took place September 11, 1857 at the time of Brigham Young and the church’s desire to settle Utah Territory for Mormons was at its height. Young had become more strident in his call for making this area a place for Mormons only. Meanwhile a comparatively wealthy group of pioneers from Arkansas with a large herd of cattle was travelling south in Utah going to California. When the group was in Salt Lake City they were refused re-supply because they were not Mormon, so they were struggling just to make it out of the territory.

A local militia group of Mormons dressed up as Indians and attacked these settlers, probably hoping to steal their cattle. They were recognized as being whites, not Indians, and so they made a terrible decision to cover up the truth. A group of Mormons under a white flag approached the travelers who had been under siege by the “Indians” for five days. The Mormons said they could help the Arkansas pioneers get through the dangerous Indian Territory. The pioneers agreed and allowed themselves to be led into an ambush by the rest of the group and every man, woman and child was killed; one hundred and twenty souls. The only exceptions were those younger than seven and they were adopted into Mormon Families by the very people who murdered their families and stole their belongings. They were just 40 miles from entering California.

There is a long story in all of this, however a Mormon investigator found blame in the murderer’s greed, and the increasingly fiery talk from Brigham Young about the area being only for Mormons. When Carla read this to me it fit exactly the overwhelming feeling I had been having and my discomfort with families ordered here and there by the church hierarchy for the purpose of establishing a territorial claim. Eventually the children incorporated into the Mormon families were found and an effort was made to reunite them with their families in Arkansas.

This is a strange story, something that happened so many years before should be felt so strongly by me now without my having any pre-knowledge of these events. It highlights the fact that whatever is done cannot be done in secret, and it shall be shouted from the rooftops. I have a strong feeling of grief for those innocent travelers and for the terror they went through. I have hesitated in writing this as part of this pilgrimage, but when I awoke this morning I found the story being written in my mind and a strong prompting to make this part of our record.

As we have continued our travels these intuitive feelings of grief have remained but with less intensity. We motored from the lovely Bryce to Zion Canyon. One thing that is very interesting is how different each of these National Parks has been. We entered Zion from the east entrance and marveled at the strange rock formations there, looking like upside-down beehives hundreds of feet tall. We then went through a couple of tunnels, one of them over a mile long with occasional ‘windows’ looking out over steep drop-offs. We then emerged into the south part of the park.

The weather is warmer here, not freezing at night, and we have found ourselves at a lovely campground near the south entrance. We hiked up the trail where the road stops at the canyon’s end called the Temple of Sinawava; we were in awe of the steep cliffs on both sides that eventually narrows to a few feet wide as you proceed up the Virgin River. On another day we drove to Kolob National Park and took a hike to its vistas. Superlatives simply have to give way to silence, for there seems to be one magnificent view after another on this pilgrimage; too many to describe. We continue to enjoy each and every day and look forward to what God will bring to us next.

Health Note: I continue to grow stronger, although each day varies in what I can do and how fast. My blood count has remained steady but below normal, and I have now finished the antibiotics for the stomach; there has been overall improvement. My health seems to be on the right track, just slower progress than I would like. I will now work to improve my stomach health with probiotics.

Pilgrimages have a way of condensing time. Each time I have gone to India on pilgrimage it seems that the intensity of experience makes it seem that it must have been far more time than what the calendar says. After a month on this pilgrimage Carla and I looked at each other and we both said it seems more like a year than a month!

This is not just because it has been difficult or painful, which can also condense time, for we have had so many extraordinary experiences in nature that have been wonderful. Even now we continue our stay at Bryce National Park. We live in a forest of Ponderosa Pine, just steps away we can walk to the canyons edge and be witnesses to one of nature’s great sculptural masterpieces, breathe remarkably pure air at over 8,000 feet, and as of the last couple of days we have deep blue skies above. No, it just seems a very long time ago since we left on this journey.

We have explored the series of “amphitheaters” that make up Bryce Canyon, each one with different characteristics and individuals charms. We can only imagine how crowded it must be in summer months, but now there is a steady trickle of fellow gawkers, many of them northern Europeans of various nationalities. There are hikers, mountain bikers and look, click and dash folks (they race to the view point, look, click some pictures and dash off to the next view as if some invisible timekeeper will award them a prize for being the fastest tourist of the day!).

We tend to move slow, some of that is dictated by this body, but it is also a desire not only to look, but to feel on a deeper, intuitional level. These canyons are not static but in a sense living. Through erosion they are constantly changing, only their life cycle occurs over tens and hundreds of thousands of years. One of the Indian legends says that there were people living here long ago and they became evil. The prankster coyote turned these evil people to stone, and if you look at the Hoodoo formations you can still make out their faces in the rock.

When you listen deeply there is a great quiet and purity. Although we have no schedule it seems we have spent extra time here; it has been good for the healing of this body as well. We will be moving on to other places soon, but other than the cold (there are over 200 days a year that have freezing temperatures and we have been here for a few of them), it has been a wonderful time.

It is always interesting to see the world through what others perceive. Ebenezer and Mary Bryce were homesteaders whose backyard was these magnificent canyons and for whom the park was named. When Ebenezer was asked what he thought about these canyons that eventually became a National Park and where millions of visitors would come to take in the views, he thought about it for some little while, and said, “Well, it’s a helluva place to lose a cow.” Well, Ebenezer, I am sure it was!

Health Note: I continue to be able to do more each day, although it is slower than I would like. I was having a constant burning pain in my stomach, so on the advice of the insurance nurse over the phone we drove a couple of hours to a walk-in clinic. The doctor there prescribed some anti-biotics for a stomach ulcer (it is only the third time I have had antibiotics). It has been a couple of days but I am noticing improvement. The doctor in Moab suspected I might have a stomach ulcer. It was only recently that an Australian researcher announced certain types of ulcers were caused by bacterial infections. He was ignored and scoffed at by the medical establishment until the evidence convinced a reluctant institution. Today I am getting treatment based on his tenacity to go forward in the face of ridicule by “the experts.”

Additional Note: October 24 is the second anniversary of Christine leaving the body. She continues to feel very close to me. We were in India on pilgrimage two years ago when we received word that she had left the body. We had a laminated picture of Christine and took it to every holy place we went and dipped it in the Ganges when at Ma’s ashram. Although the outcome was not her complete physical recovery as we had hoped deep in our hearts, she did have a most glorious leaving of the body and left as a freed soul. The day before her 2^nd anniversary I spontaneously bought some lime flavored Tostitos, a product I have never bought before. On the day of her anniversary I took the bag out and opened it and Carla said, “Christine always bought those when she came down, they were her favorite and she couldn’t get them in Canada!” So we ate some Lime Tostitos at Rainbow Point here at Bryce in memory of our sweet Christine.

With a gradual recovery of my health taking hold Carla and I setup an evening boat ride on the Colorado River with Rick and Judy as a thank you for all the support they provided while I was out of commission; Rick helping Carla with the R.V, Judy by making delicious meals for us, and the use of their pick-up to run the many errands required.

The boat ride started with dinner in a banquet hall next to the Colorado River at dusk. Tall older men in cowboy hats greeted us with friendly Western hospitality; then we had a lovely meal. Then on the jet boat that held 140 people in rows of seats. We had some earlier rain but not a drop all through the boat ride. As we gently made our way upriver we received a geology lesson by our entertaining guide; he also pointed out an immense stone crocodile, images of fish on the cliffside, he said it was a rockfish, and several visages, one looking like W.C. Fields. Making the turn to go back down river we were accompanied by a land vehicle that had enormous lights that lit up the canyon walls as the history of creation from the Bible was told, and for all appearances the face of God seemed to be looking out from the rock face as it was brilliantly lit, and the history of the native peoples in the area as well as early pioneers and desperadoes was told as we gently floated downstream. All in all it was an entertaining and unique view of the canyon.

In the morning we broke camp and made our way toward Fruita, now a state park and once the site of a small settlement of a few intrepid families. Located in a narrow valley of red rock, a small river made it possible for early native peoples and later pioneers to plant crops and supplement game for their living. The early native peoples preceded the Hopis, whom the Hopis called the ancient ones, and for some unknown reason they left the area. A Mormon settlement of few families planted orchards and supplemental crops and lived by bartering their goods for grain and other essentials. By WW II they too left the area.

This was a charming little valley, but after a night’s stay it was clear that the cottonwoods were causing allergic reactions for Carla and we left it. Having been separated from Rick and Judy in Moab Carla and I headed out to places unknown. One of the great things about a motorhome, if where you are does not suit you then you simply fire up the engine and off you go to better places.

We travelled on to Escalante and found a lovely state park in which to stay overnight. In the a.m. we were on to further places unknown. A thought we had earlier was to go the Bryce Canyon, but the weather was rainy and cool and the altitude there is very high. However as the highway brought us near to the National Park we felt a pull to enter in.

We climbed up to 8-9,000 feet in altitude and were immediately charmed by the locale. The long needle pine trees and rocky terrain reminded us of Dronagiri in India where Babaji initiated Lahiri Mahasaya. Carla’s allergies were clearing in the mountain air and we found a lovely spot in which to camp. We drove the two lane road to one magnificent vista after another. Not so much a canyon as a series of amphitheaters Bryce seemed to be created to delight and astound its viewers.

No artist has ever had a palette filled with such colors. Oranges, reds and golds are magnificently vibrant with varying shades and hues, but all the colors are intense and rich. Hoodoos rise up from the height of a man and on up to 150 feet tall with varying thickness layer after layer, like a totem pole. While there is nothing I sense specifically spiritual in these cliff formations, their eye catching beauty and chiseled looks inspires the mind to appreciate what Mother Nature can do. Quite often either Carla or I will automatically and quietly proclaim, “Oh God Beautiful!”

The combination of thinking of Babaji, the feeling of clean air, and the remarkable beauty that lies outside our door makes us think we will tolerate the periodic rain showers and the cold nights for a while longer. That and the days this weekend are predicted to be filled with sun if we are here long enough.

Being in Nature’s Cathedrals is a big part of what drew me to this part of the world. Here at Bryce I feel a wonderful fulfillment of the feeling of clean energy and abundant beauty that God meant for us to experience on this pilgrimage.

Picture: Bryce National Park

Click on any picture to enlarge it.

Picture: Communing with God in the hospital

Early morning reveries are a common way that God reveals His more subtle and profound Truths to me. In the darkness the world is quiet and His whispered thoughts come unbidden, but not unwelcomed.

This morning God was telling me about bending or re-shaping reality. He used the example of this last week’s events of going into the hospital. From Monday morning we were told by the E.R. doctor and the colon specialist in all likelihood I had cancer. Even after the colonoscopy the specialist was certain that I had cancer, even though he said he could be wrong. Even if I did not have cancer I would still need to have a portion of my colon removed through orthoscopic surgery.

Fast forward to getting the biopsy reports and the same doctor now said that not only would I not need surgery, but that he felt he destroyed the non-malignant tumor. Although quite large, over a centimeter, he removed some of it and cauterized the rest. He recommended a couple of follow-up tests, but they could wait.

From the certainty of an operation and the high probability of cancer to, “You will need no further treatment at this time,” was a very big change of reality.

God explained this morning. The number of prayers being issued by powerful souls had bent and reshaped reality. In the experience God showed me prayers being put forward by high-souled individuals, I saw with inward vision the effects of those prayers changing this medical situation.

This was not some vague idea or thought of, “That is how it should work,” rather it was a reality I was experiencing. It was fascinating to see the entire process from His perspective. The greater connection the individual has with God, the more focused the mind, the more powerful the prayer. So each individual’s prayer varied in strength, but every one of them counted and had its effect.

The doctors and nurses and hospital staff certainly played their essential roles, and overall I was very impressed with the treatment I received there. However, there was also a powerful hidden force at work; your prayers. It is with profound gratitude that I thank you for those prayers and the love that went behind them, and the fact that God has given us each other so that we might make this journey together back to Him.

I know from my own experience that deepened prayer brings me closer to God and thus acts as a blessing to the one praying. Whether it is an individual, or dozens, hundreds, thousands or millions, prayer has the capacity to bend and re-shape reality in positive ways. One person, close to God, may have a greater effect than millions, but no prayer is lost or insignificant in the eyes of the Lord. Let each one of us deepen our communion with the Infinite and therefore be a greater conduit for His blessings going out to this creation.

 

Picture: Mt. Vernon Dharmashala

A dharmashala is a shelter dedicated to right action or holiness. When Carla and I were able to purchase the Mt. Vernon house we definitely wanted to dedicate it as a place of right action, and to make it a place where through deepened meditation and activities for the spiritual Group it became a place of holiness as well.

When we first drove by and saw the For Sale sign and I stepped out of the car I loved the feeling of the land and very much liked the Cape Cod style of the house. “Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be able to buy this home,” was the wistful thought we both had. At that moment there was no associated thought that would be something we would ever be able to do.

Somehow through some fairly miraculous and timely circumstances, that unfolded a step at a time, we were allowed to eventually buy that very house we so circumstantially happened to drive by. However, buying the house was only the beginning of the adventure. The house had been built in 1950, and while it had been greatly loved by the Fishers, who had lived in the house for 50 years, it held much promise for many improvements.

From the beginning George and Christine gave so lovingly of their time, energy, expertise and financial support to make improvements on the house. I hesitate to mention the many helpers for fear of leaving anyone out, but Greg, Larry, Herlwyn, Bruce, Janice, Peter, Brad (and Sparky), Dianne, Andrew, Cate and Charmie all come to mind for giving of their time, labor and in many instances money as well for bringing the Mt. Vernon Dharmashala into a much higher expression of beauty and grace for all to enjoy.

Besides those who came for painting parties and working on the landscaping, there are those who came to meditate and pray. The number of Silent Saturdays with deepened meditation, the Services, Christmases and Easters, the baby and wedding showers, the guests who came to do their spiritual work all combined to create a spiritually charged environment. The house hummed and shinned with intense spiritual vibration that grew with each passing year.

Now, 10 years have amazingly passed by since we first stepped out onto the land and felt the wonderful vibration of the many cedar trees and the ground itself. I pray that each person who contributed to making this home a true dharmashala receive much in return for all that has been given. No words can express our feeling of gratitude and the deep mystery of what can happen when many willing, loving hands come together to create something beautiful for God.

It is time to pass this beautiful creation on to a family who will both benefit from, and add to the feeling and beauty this home has been created with. In thinking of putting this home up for sale my thought has been, “May the right family be drawn to this house and fill it with new happiness, holiness and find fulfillment here; be this for the highest good of all!”

After writing the above we received word that we had two offers in the works, and the first offer was upped to a full price offer after seven days on the market. I cannot help but think that the feeling/vibration of the house from all the spiritual work done there added to the appeal of the home.

Note: I went in for blood tests here at the Moab Family Clinic on Friday and will find out the results on Monday. I always offer a complicated medical picture as the internal experiences have “physical features”, so knowing what is physical and what is spiritual can be difficult to differentiate. I do feel this shortness of breath and at least some of the fatigue is a result of something physical which has prompted the further testing. We will keep you informed.