Our April Ceremonial Weekend Retreat

We hope you enjoyed the previous poetic posts of compassion and healing penned by the mighty Joy Harjo, incumbent United States Poet Laureate and the first Native American to hold that honor. A member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Harjo’s two memoirs are titled Crazy Brave and Poet Warrior, her latest musical album is I Pray For My Enemies, and she is the Exec­u­tive Edi­tor of the anthol­o­gy When the Light of the World was Sub­dued, Our Songs Came Through. As stated, her works have the ability to unearth the truth and demand justice. And if all that isn’t enough, she rocks the Saxophone.

Regarding words and unearthing the truth, we enjoyed a surprisingly summery April Ceremonial Overnight Weekend with the super connected crew pictured above. Per Joy Harjo, we were accompanied by ancient songs and we celebrated together. Having so much to say on this blog, I always enjoy turning it over to the people, and so a note of great thanks to April’s mini tribe — Brett, Clayton, Leslie, Audrey, Liz, Lisa, Corinne, Anne and especially dear Autumn for the kind, clear words. We’re just about full for next month’s May gathering, so we’ll be looking forward to seeing you in June or July. And watch for a few additional summer classes along with a special August event added to the schedule in the next few weeks. Toksha

“I have had many other spiritual experiences and community gatherings, but Paul's Ceremony for the sweat lodge is different in that it is so physical, so applied, and so intimate compared to the larger conferences where the connections you make often remain separate from your daily life when you return home. The small group of 12 or less creates an atmosphere of tribe, where you quickly develop a family relation to the people you meet in just a short time. My intention was to release the sense of victimization, anger, and powerlessness that mars my ancestral line of its spiritual power and ability to realize potentials. Still in a daze on the drive home, the nap I took once I returned revealed I had received a healing. I would highly recommend this experience to all who are open and would like to thank Paul and the participants who sweated with me for creating a sacred container for Spirit to perform miracles. This was unlike anything I had ever experienced before and I will be returning for many more Ceremonies with Paul.” — A.M.

Prepare

That first earth gift of breathing. Opened your body, these lungs, this heart. Gave birth to the ability to interact. With dreaming. You are a story fed by generations. You carry songs of grief, triumph. Thankfulness and joy. Feel their power and they ascend. Within you. As you walk, run swiftly, even fly. Into infinite possibility.

Let go that which burdens you. Let go any acts of unkindness or brutality. From or against you. Let go that which has burdened your family. Your community or nation. Or disturbed your soul. Let go one breath into another.

Pray thankfulness for this Earth we are. For this becoming we are. For this sunlight touching the skin we are. For the cooling of the dark we are.

Listen now as the Earth sheds her skin. Listen as the generations move. One against the other to make power. We are bringing in a new story. We will be accompanied by ancient songs. And will celebrate together.

Breathe this new dawn. Assist as it opens its mouth. To breathe. ~ Joy Harjo from Poet Warrior

For Calling The Spirit Back From Wandering The Earth In Its Human Feet

Put down that bag of potato chips, that white bread, that 
bottle of pop.

Turn off that cellphone, computer, and remote control. 

Open the door, then close it behind you.

Take a breath offered by friendly winds. They travel
the earth gathering essences of plants to clean.

Give back with gratitude.

If you sing it will give your spirit lift to fly to the stars’ ears and 
back.

Acknowledge this earth who has cared for you since you were 
a dream planting itself precisely within your parents’ desire.

Let your moccasin feet take you to the encampment of the
guardians who have known you before time, 
who will be there after time.
They sit before the fire that has been there without time.

Let the earth stabilize your postcolonial insecure jitters.

Be respectful of the small insects, birds and animal people 
who accompany you.
Ask their forgiveness for the harm we humans have brought
down upon them.

Don’t worry.
The heart knows the way though there may be high-rises, 
interstates, checkpoints, armed soldiers, massacres, wars, and
those who will despise you because they despise themselves.

The journey might take you a few hours, a day, a year, a few
years, a hundred, a thousand or even more.

Watch your mind. Without training it might run away and
leave your heart for the immense human feast set by the 
thieves of time.

Do not hold regrets.

When you find your way to the circle, to the fire kept burning 
by the keepers of your soul, you will be welcomed.

You must clean yourself with cedar, sage, or other healing plant.

Cut the ties you have to failure and shame.

Let go the pain you are holding in your mind, your shoulders, your heart, all the way to your feet. Let go the pain of your ancestors to make way for those who are heading in our direction.

Ask for forgiveness.

Call upon the help of those who love you. These helpers take many forms: animal, element, bird, angel, saint, stone, or ancestor.

Call yourself back. You will find yourself caught in corners and creases of shame, judgment, and human abuse.

You must call in a way that your spirit will want to return. 
Speak to it as you would to a beloved child.

Welcome your spirit back from its wandering. It will return 
in pieces, in tatters. Gather them together. They will be 
happy to be found after being lost for so long.

Your spirit will need to sleep awhile after it is bathed and
given clean clothes.

Now you can have a party. Invite everyone you know who 
loves and supports you. Keep room for those who have no 
place else to go.

Make a giveaway, and remember, keep the speeches short.

Then, you must do this: help the next person find their way through the dark.

~ By Joy Harjo from Conflict Resolution For Holy Beings.