The Guru

It's hard to believe that it's been nearly 2 months since I posted!   Things have been moving here, my mind, my emotions, my spirit.   However, the biggest news hit me in the last few weeks, and now it's time to pass it on.

Most of you know that I've been intrigued and a followed of the guru Ram Dass, for many years.   In fact, since his l960's book "Be Here Now" was published.   I've read his books, still have most of them, though have given away many copies of "Be Here Now" when people wanted them.   Then I just go buy another, smiling because I know the word is spreading.   The word is, of course, Love.   Ram Dass teaches love, heart awareness, loving kindness, as did his own guru, Maraj-ji.

About 10 years ago, not long after his stroke, Ram Dass was in Portland, and of course I went.   It was a scorching hot evening, no a/c in the building, and those of us there coped with the heat but it was worth it.   Ram Dass talked to us, Krishna Das was there doing chanting, it was a spectacularly wonderful evening.

A couple of years ago, I became aware of a website for Ram Dass' library, and a group that is working to keep his work alive, both in books and taped lectures.   I joined the website immediately, ordered some tapes to listen to in my car, and was thrilled in several cases to even hear his beautiful voice.

About a year ago, I had a new awareness, i.e., that he was doing monthly telecasts!   I signed up, and for a modest donation was included.   At that time, I decided to become very, very brave.   I wrote Ram Dass an email, and asked if he would consider being my guru.   I also asked if this was possible, since we've never met, and what he might want in the way of compensation.   He responded quickly, YES.   YES!  Wow.  He told me his recompense would be what I give to others in my Reiki and grief counseling practice.  

In this last year, I've had occasion to talk to Ram Dass, one on one, via Skype.  Again, WOW.   Okay, I know that's not the best or most descriptive word, but there it is.  WOW.   I'm not remembering exactly what we talked about, but I do know that a short meditation at the end of these sessions, is amazing.  

So.... that brings us up to the present, and my joy.   I've been invited to go to Ram Dass' home in Hawaii, and to spend a few days in his home, seeing him a few times one on one, and doing a self-directed meditation retreat.   I can't believe it.   I've talked with his secretary several times since that first phone call, and have now made airline reservations from November 3rd to November 9th, to be with my guru.   In person,   One on One.  To be in his presence.  

I'm elated, joyful, and filled with loving awareness.  

I'm still studying writings and lectures of Michio Kaku and Amit Goswami, finding the scientific connect with God/Spirit, but the trip to meet and be in the presence of Ram Dass simply overshadows just about everything.

Genetic traits?

I'm wondering if many people are aware of talents that get passed down through their families?   I must say that I don't do well at hitting a baseball, or singing an aria, or balancing a corporate budget, but from my grandmother I seem to have inherited an interest in the healing arts, and in mysticism, perhaps even the ability to walk in different worlds.  Some in my family have had visions, have teletransported, have been naturally drawn to the mystic arts.   All people have talents to share, so I don't think this is unusual or "weird" at all.  
I know that my grandmother had the gift, and I believe my mother did too, although she suppressed it.   I know my daughter has the gift, but at this time in her life is too busy to fully develop it.
This last weekend, my family threw a beautiful birthday party for me, with more blessings than I can count.   I had a chance to talk a bit with several of my grandchildren, and one for sure seems to have the gift, and maybe 2 or even 3 others do too. 
One of my goals for this next year is to get to know my grandchildren better.   As I age, I find myself drawn to being a mentor to young people who are seeking the same path I'm on.   What a wonder it would be, if I could mentor my own grandchild!
Anyone out there having thoughts like this, in their own families?

How many Universes are there?

I suppose that if we're to decide there are several Universes, we must first determine that "matter" is real.   Not to be too silly about this point, but I feel sure that matter is real, because I have yet to be able to walk through walls.  
In listening to physicists who are now studying the Quantum universe, they appear now to believe there are many Universes.   "Uni" meaning "One", perhaps now we should refer to them as "Multiverses".   Some physicists are now using this new term.   It's hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that science is now postulating that there are many Universes, that there are parallel Universes, and that time/space can be bent and shifted.   For those of us who walk in two worlds (or more), this postulation feels more than a little delayed.   The ancient ones, the Shamans of tribes throughout the world, walked in many worlds, all of which felt real to them.   Even shape-shifting may just be transferrence from one world to the next, and back again.

I'd love to hear from others who have contemplated the existence of other worlds.   Can we perhaps set up a forum here, and chat about it?   Perhaps we can share our own experiences and beliefs.  

Heart Gifts

This being the month of my birth, and the completion of 70 trips around the sun, I felt I should do something in gratitude.   My friend Jayna suggested that we all take our birth month, and give a Heart-Gift each day.   I started on June 1st, and am consciously doing a heart-gift, then writing it down in a little journal I keep.   The idea isn't to keep tabs on what I do, but rather to keep a reminder of what I want to give.   My idea of a heart-gift is that it isn't material, and each gift remains a secret known only to me.   It can be as simple as a kindness to someone who needs it, or leaving an extra big tip at a restaurant, or silently sending a prayer when aware of someone who is suffering.   I think it needs to be a conscious and specific gift, not just trying to be "good" for part of the day.   So far (it's now just 6 days into June) it's been wonderful, and I can imagine that by the end of June I may want to make it a constant practice.

A beautiful Sunday experience

This afternoon I had the joy of witnessing a truly beautiful happening.   There's a church service in the Park Blocks in Portland, every Sunday, where communion is offered to all who attend.   It's their hope that the homeless will attend, and will feel free to attend this outdoor, free, open, spiritual connection.  
This morning the Minister who led the short service, was engaged by a homeless woman, who was apparently suffering from mental illness.   She wanted very much to be a part of the service, but was the kind of person we see now and then, who doesn't connect very well, though they certainly try.    She tried, by constant talking and by trying to be a part of the service.   We've all seen this before, but I was simply blown away by the way this Minister handled it.   The woman was treated with utmost respect, was allowed and even encouraged to tell her story even when it made no sense to us.   He asked her to come up to help him break bread for the communion.   He blessed her with a gift of a cross, and I know he was connecting with her on a level very much higher than most of us experience.
I wish I had better words to describe this, but I don't.   It was so very obvious to all of us, that this Minister acted directly from his heart, with love, with respect, with dignity.   It made quite an impact on me.
I'm not a member of this church, I'm not a Christian, I'm Jewish/Buddhist & a little Hindu, but I hope I can go to this service in the park another time.   No matter the type of religion, it's all about God, and this is a Minister who absolutely believes that.

Can we live in two worlds?

For the last few days I feel that I've been living with 1 foot in each world.   One foot is solidly here, yet another part of me feels like I'm on the border of a parallel world.   It isn't linear (life, death, rebirth), but rather circular, i.e., happening all at the same time.    Is it possible that other lives are being led in another Universe, at the same time, rather than reincarnation?   Possibly even on other planets?   Who else has had these experiences?

Amit Goswami

Prof/Dr Goswami was a professor at U of Oregon for 20+ years, and I've been a fan since becoming aware of his books.   I just got the new DVD "Quantum Activist", watched it once, decided I need to watch it....  oh..... say.....  20 times.    It isn't possible to completely grasp it all in one viewing.   His thesis is that science is just now learning that we don't live in a completely material world, but rather one of consciousness that brings the material into being.   His challenge to us is to allow the paradigm shift.  
Depending on time/schedules, I'd invite you to come watch it with me, if you don't want to order the DVD yourself.