Our Great Barrier Reef and the ancient Tasmanian forests are being destroyed by global warming.Īs we chanted "Ako yuta, kalayo, tubig, hangin, Espiritu!" (I am earth, fire, water, wind and Spirit!") we remembered that we are all interconnected in this great and wondrous tapestry of life here on earth and beyond the vastness of the universe. We have experienced the hottest year on record in 2015, and an alarming global temperature spike of more than 1.5☌ of warming in February 2016. The future of human civilization, and the survival of the precious ecosystems on which we depend, now hang in the balance. Time has almost run out to get emissions down." As the Climate Emergency Declaration states online: There is an urgent need to respond to this climate emergency. Professor Stefan Rahmstorf of Potsdam University says, "We are in a kind of climate emergency now. "Yet He knows the way I have taken when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold ( Job 23:10)." In the darkness, their hushed voices were like echoes resonating with the whole of the Mother Earth crying out for healing and protection, for care and attention in the face of the environmental degradation our world is now facing. Their stories - of brokenness to wholeness, of betrayal to trust - must pass through the crucible of fire. John of the Cross' Dark Night of The Soul that describes the journey of the soul to union with God. It also refers to the Materia Prima, which is the idea in occult sciences that all matter in the universe emerged from an original, primitive base." As Ellison writes, this stage has been likened to St. It is used to achieve contentment, harmony, and awareness by liberating one’s essence from one’s acquired personality."Īnd so, as they shared their pains and losses, it was as if they were going through the first stage of spiritual alchemy, that is, the black phase of "calcination." According to Ellison, "the color black represents chaos, that which is hidden and buried, and the material of the unconscious. Thomas Ellison describes spiritual alchemy at as "an ancient philosophy that uses the metaphor of transforming metals into gold for attaining spiritual enlightenment. I reflected that fire has the power to gently heal and restore. The glowing fire seemed to burn away all the fears and negativities they were keeping inside their wounded hearts. I rejoiced as they shared their triumphs, hopes and dreams. I felt their struggles and difficulties of growing up in the far-flung barrios - walking miles and crossing rivers just to get to school. I was moved by how these young people could seem so vibrant and joyful despite experiences of loss, deprivation, abandonment and even abuse. Then we began to listen to each other's stories, the joys and pains, the struggles and triumphs along life's journey. We marveled at the sight of its sparks dancing like fireflies in the darkness.Īs we silently watched the fire burning brightly, the dark clouds simply vanished into thin air, clearing the night skies wide open for the stars to glisten brightly from the heavens. Nevertheless, we went ahead and after a quick dinner, huddled together in a semi-circle and began calling on the Spirit from the north, south, east and west to light our fire, while chanting: "Come, come, light up the fire, come, come, join in the ring." As we lit the fire, the logs burst into golden tongues of flaming fire while the evening breeze gently blew in all directions.
My excitement was somewhat diminished, for the overcast skies could ruin our outdoor activity if it rained.
It was a cloudy late afternoon when I decided to pitch our new tents together with my young retreatants.
So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going.
0 kommentar(er)
