On Finding Your Way Both To And Around The Higher Haven

This is one of those (meditation) bells and (eagle bone) whistles we’ve had blipping away at the edge of our radar screen for oh, years now. And it’s one of many works in progress that eventually will make a visit to The Higher Haven more fun and even more fulfilling. The ‘quick and dirty’ in the parlance of my Teacher Shinzen is that for the last six summers, our twenty wooded acres have needed a solid representation on a plane surface of our little region of earth, otherwise known as a map. And I say 20 wooded acres but am always fond of pointing out that it’s technically five acres of wetland, five acres of grassland, and ten acres of pristine, Midwest American deciduous forest. It’s all there roughly in this first pass above — the Black River boardwalk, the Great Blue Heron Rookery overlook, the Massassauga Trail - our signature walk that now snakes through the backwoods for almost a kilometer and a half, and our walk around the bucolic block, or Country Mile, actually 2.3., if you feel like checking out the rural neighborhood. More playful pontification on the lay of the land to come.

As to Happenings, I’m happy to say Hokahey that we are full and overflowing for May’s Way of the Contrary Weekend, June is a boon with only a few grassy, Lodge seats remaining, and at last count there are just a few openings left to join our Spring Comprehensive Spiritual Development Retreat with John Ashbrook Friday, May 20th - Sunday May 22nd. John will deliver a Sunday afternoon talk on the Fundamentals of a True Spiritual Life, open for anyone to register and join us for Spiritual Development Class 1101. Word on 63rd street is that some of the topics will include 21st Century Principles, Five Stages of Love, Measuring Spiritual Growth, Three Critical Spiritual Laws, Self-Esteem and Peace, The Source of All Pain and The Triangle of Balance. John is the Real Deal, as I’m not a big fan of folks tossing around the word “Master”, unless the title is well deserved. You certainly don’t want to miss an opportunity to cross paths with one of Michigan’s and maybe the world’s more capable, high-caliber counselors. But if you do, don’t worry, because he’ll be back. And you’ll only find him here, at The Higher Haven.

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