Shekinah

Did not post this back when it happened. So posting now.


February 28th 2009 I attended a spirituality retreat out side of Las Vegas at the Methodist Potosi Pines camp.  First thing in the morning I got up and took a short walk and did a little meditation. Breakfast was at 8:30 and I met the others in the main building and had a nice relaxing breakfast.

At 9am the program started. Soft guitar music and a slide show presentation where given to help set everyone in a restful mood. The slides were of flowers and really did help. After a bit I closed my eyes to sit and listen to the music. Some people sang and others sat quiet. 

While sitting there and moving into a meditative state I began to think about G_d and how I had problems with him. For quite a while now I have been angry with G_d and his absent father motif. As I sat I had an ecstatic experience. I saw a woman approach and knew immediately it was the Shekinah. I could see myself below and she was in the air above me as I looked on from the side. She did not speak a word but held out her hand to me. She was wearing a white or off-white flowing gown that looked almost like a medieval cotehardie. She looked like a northern European and I noticed she had medium blue eyes and a slender face with a small nose. As far as I could tell she also had blonde hair. I wondered at the time why she would not have looked like she came from the Middle East.

She wanted me to go with Her. To take Her hand. I wasn't ready at that point. But I had the distinct impression that Her hand was there for me to take when I was ready. 

As I looked at her while she held out her hand I could see her face clearly and wished I was a good enough artist to draw it. The whole scene was very peaceful. I know in real time it took very little time at all but while in the state it seemed to go on for quite a while until the vision faded.

What it all meant I'm not sure but will be meditating on this experience to find what meaning it has to offer.


At times now I wonder if when I take Her hand if I will pass to the next existence. I get this impression at times. But I know that I am totally accepted by Her. Unconditionally.

Homosexuality and Paul?

Just found out about a new study of Greek and the writings of Paul on the subject of homosexuality. I have always maintained that his denouncing of homosexuality was for homosexual rituals or the exploitation of slaves. Some new study on this helps to confirm my belief. Check out the following:

Internationally Acclaimed Cryptographer Cracks 2000-Year-Old Biblical Paradox, Finding the Apostle Paul Accepted Christian Homosexuals

First realwinter snows

The past few days we've been getting our first real winter snows. Not sure I am ready yet. Sigh. LOL

Except for the cold I do like snow. It is so clean and fresh after the ground is covered with the white.

I am continuing along with the Paleo Diet. I fall off the wagon every now and then but trying to get down below 200 lbs. I'm at 214 and want to lose another 4 lbs before I go in for a stress test in a couple of weeks. My son T is impressed with some of the info we have from the book the Paleo Diet for Athletes. I think I may be able to get him to eat a little better. If we do it together it will be easier. Athletes can augment their diet with carbs because of their high energy expenditure.

Ran across this quote...

‎"It happens all the time in heaven,
And some day
It will begin to happen
Again on earth -
That men and women who are married,
And men and men who are
Lovers,
And women and women
Who give each other
Light,
Often will get down on their knees
And while so tenderly
Holding their lover's hand,
With tears in their eyes,
Will sincerely speak, saying,
"My dear,
How can I be more loving to you;
How can I be more
Kind?"
--Hafiz (died ~1388 A.D.) 

Letting go

Letting go is a very important concept. When we hold things in for too long they can start to fester and then explode out in unproductive ways.

Dreams

So last night I killed a man in my dreams. Something bubbling nicely to the surface.

Dawn.

I see the other standing there. White shirt. Sword in hand. Our seconds are somewhere. We approach each other. Watching each other. Looking for the tell tale sign of attack.

He moves quickly at me and tries to cut the left side of my neck I parry and push my point past his head and draw it back sharply cutting his cheek to the bone. I think to myself. Now how will the ladies like you?

He steps back as my blade fillets his face and then I methodically start my advance. I strike left and right. Blade wheeling and cascading towards him. He just barely defends each stroke. On one cut to his left cheek I slide my blade off his and then thrust to his right eyes. He raises his hand too far as I knew he would and I step quickly to the right and turning my hand I avoid his defense and cut deeply into his right thigh.

He turns as best as he can and throws a blow to my left neck again. I cut into his attack driving his sword down and away from me. I stand there. Looking at him. Grinning. He swings his sword in a wild arc desperately trying to kill me or at least drive me off for a moment. I raise my sword and catch his blade near my guard and I drive the point forward over his arm to his chest. I can feel the steel start to sink in and his eyes go wide. I press further and he tries to back up as he staggers. I step forward and grasp his should and give one last push. I can see his eyes. He looks at me almost as if he would say something and then the light goes out in his eyes. He is gone. Finally gone.

The Tapestry of life

It is amazing how things weave themselves into ones life. A chance encounter that sparks something. Sets one on another track. Or brings out something that causes introspection and then change. Life should be experienced and reveled in. Not feared. Not wasted.

When people come into our lives, do we give back? Do we share fully with them or do we hold something back?

Do we allow ourselves to be touched? To share? Do we allow people in?

Spirituality to me is the ability to open ourselves and commune with others. To do that we need to let them in.