And there’s reason to believe maybe this year will be better than the last (sung to the tune). How was your Thanksgiving? On our end, my Hungarian sidekick and I took the long way to the freeway, found our True North, and ended up experiencing a healthy dose of Winter’s brutal majesty. Significant shifts in our family of origin and major, looming, life transitions had us establishing our own, new Holiday traditions, opening up to a second life that’s wide and timeless in the poetic words of Rilke. Part of our tour took us up into Michigan’s frozen white pinky and right by the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. That’s the dune climb yawning above, looking particularly sleepy and readying for Winter’s hibernation.
Before our Winter Break, we have some remaining December Ceremonies and meditation classes along with our annual Aho Ho Ho Down December 19th, originally a casual Holiday soirée that will now include a terrific little talk by our local mycologist Anthony Michael Blowers linking the Christmas mythology of Santa Claus, Flying Reindeer and adorning Pine trees to the fabled Aminta Muscaria Mushroom. We are also happy to gather and get low in Ceremony once more before our own brief dormancy — like Wolverines, crits that actually don’t hibernate and are well-winter adapted, like whittling farmers during the cold season, like Heyokas of old renewing their power under the wintertide. But we have miles as well as weeks to go before we don’t really sleep, so we’ll conclude for now with Keith’s lovely, poetic take on his recent November stay ~
Arriving at the site of the lodge was inspirational
in itself, as it is very much in woodsy, natural lands.
Driving onto the property, I found the written instructions
provided all I needed to find my place.
Paul came down to the guest house as soon as he saw
people pulling up, and instantly I knew I had a great host!
Lunch was provided, and then the guests were encouraged
to explore the grounds for a bit while the preparation for the
Sweat began. What a glorious piece of land this haven sits on!
Acres and acres of forest, clearings, hills, and water. My cleansing
actually began with a long walk through the peaceful surroundings.
We got together in a group in the studio prior to the Sweat, and
meditated and shared and learned from Paul and each other.
Very communal feeling.
Having never done a Native sweat, I knew little
about what to expect. The temperature was a bit on the cold side,
And I was needlessly concerned with having little on in
the crisp air. The traditions surrounding the Sweat were easy to
understand, and added to the experience. Drumming, singing...
blissfully centering.
In the Sweat itself, it was dark and we were seated on the bare
ground. As the steam (and temperature) rose and filled the Lodge,
It was so easy for me to be FULLY present. Honoring my ancestors
and asking for guidance and release in my life. I was never
uncomfortable, as it all felt so natural and of the earth. The drumming
and singing and story in the Lodge was so uplifting! The actual sweating
part was a huge part of the big release I felt... letting the toxic thoughts
and toxins in my body just roll out of me. After the ceremony we gathered
in the studio again and passed the Chanupa in a circle. I felt so close
to all things...
A delightful pot luck meal afterwards gave us the opportunity to laugh,
share, release, and live in the connectedness we had found. A tremendously
peaceful sleep in a house in the woods was the perfect nightcap.
Next morning was a communal breakfast and then a great session in the
studio-- meditation, lesson, songs and review. A perfect way to say
goodbye to new friends, and a wise teacher. Another walk in the forest
and I was on my way. Lighter, freer, less encumbered, and ready with a fresh
heart to step back in to the "regular life" back home.
It has been almost two weeks since my retreat there, and I must mention
that the effects on my heart and soul are still with me. Going to do this again....
Thank you Higher Haven!