San Francisco, United States
I walk through a park with my American editor, John Loudon, and his wife, Sharon. We can see the city of San Francisco in the distance, illuminated by the setting sun. Sharon wrote a book about a Benedictine monastery, and tells us that the afternoon prayers, called vespers, are songs of faith in the certainty that the night will pass.
- The vespers indicate the necessity we have to be near others at nightfall - she says. - But our society has forgotten the importance of this nearness, and pretends to greatly prize each person’s ability to deal with his own difficulties. We no longer pray together; we hide our solitude as if we were afraid to admit it exists.
Sharon pauses, before adding:
- I was like that once. Until one day I lost my fear of depending on my neighbor, because I discovered that he too needed me.
Limoges, France
A apprentice in occultism I know, hoping to impress his master, read some handbooks about magic and decided to buy the material indicated in its pages.
With great difficulty, he managed to find a certain type of incense, a few talismans, a wooden structure with sacred letters written in a certain order. Upon seeing this, the master said:
- Do you think that by rolling some computer wires around your neck, you will acquire all the machine’s knowledge? Do you believe that, by purchasing sophisticated hats and clothes, you will also acquire the good taste and sophistication of those who made them? Learn to use objects as allies, not as guides.
Kawaguchiko, Japan
I met the painter Miie Tamaki during a seminar about Feminine Energy. I asked about her religion.
- I no longer have a religion - she replied.
Noting my surprise, she explained:
- I was educated as a Buddhist. The monks taught me that the spiritual path is a constant renunciation: we must overcome our envy, our hatred, all anxieties of faith, our desires.
“I managed to free myself of all of that, until one day my heart became empty: the sins had left, and taken my human nature along with them.
“To begin with I was pleased, but I noticed that I no longer shared the joys and passions of those around me. That was when I abandoned religion: today I have my conflicts, my moments of anger and despair, but I know that I am once again close to mankind - and consequently close to God”.
Lourdes, France
When I was on the road to Rome, one of the four sacred ways of my magic tradition, I realized - after nearly twenty days of being practically alone - that I was far worse than when I set out. With the solitude, I began to have niggardly, bitter, ignoble feelings.
I sought out my guide, and told her. I said that, at the outset of the pilgrimage, I thought I would come closer to God: however, after three weeks, I was feeling much worse.
- You are better, do not worry - she said. - In fact, when we light up our inner light, the first things we see are the cobwebs and dust, our weak points. They were there all the time, only you saw nothing in the darkness. Now it will be easier to cleanse your soul.
Brida For Free!
Experimental Witch
ENGLISH PORTUGUÊS DEUTSCH
FRANÇAIS ESPAÑOL POLSKI
Warrior of the Light
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Yes….some things take time to understand, to accept, to embrace. We, human beings try to base our life on this visible reality, not the reality that lives within us, or around us, the invisible one. We want to explain everything, touch it, in order to believe, even our own transition, evolution.
It takes away the mystery, the beauty, and it doesn’t clear up anything, anyway.
But we’re not used to trust our senses, or our intuition, and we’re impatient.
Also, it is so hard for us to accept that the sins are part of life. We want to be better, we don’t want to feel bad inside for doing something we’re not supposed to. It’s hard to change it, because our conscious works all the time and whenever we do something wrong, shameful, something out of the ordinary, we get spooky, and we try to hide from it when it comes our way again. This is actually the most difficult part, because although it is human to sin, we don’t really feel well, when we do that. Question is, how to live and not to be crushed with everything that we do wrong, or think that we did; how to ease up a bit?
How to accept the destiny, the evolution, and do not rush things? I guess, we can only say that we don’t have a power over it, and that…unexpected is always upon us, and nothing can change that.
And we can always wish, hope, and pray, and who knows maybe if we smile at life, the life will smile back at us.
Maybe it’ll send us an invinsible friend…and he’ll take the darkness away.
love
Agnieszka
Dearest Paulo and friends,
i’d like to talk about the first story a bit, specifically about praying. I always felt that praying is very personal as it is your communication with God. I guess i’ve been praying so long by myself, that i forgot how incredible and uplifting it is to pray with someone. Especially someone who is in need. Allow me to share a recent story with you all- during easter, a group of Christian students at my university decided to have an easter egg drive. They originally aimed at giving easter eggs to children in two different hospitals in our area, but we ended up with so many eggs we could afford to give eggs to everyone in both hospitals to our delight. The day started off, with a morning prayer, and praise and worship. I found it rather inspiring, and it did motivate me, but then too, i felt like i prayed alone.. In a sense. After that we split ourselves up into groups and took different wards in the hospital. I ended up in internal medicine, with patients who were very sick- most of which didn’t have a proper diagnosis and a very grim prognosis. At first a friend and i randomly went to a room.. Greeted the patients, talked a bit, and gave them eggs. Happily thinking i’d done great, i went to see what too the others so long. I found the Christian students, holding patients hands and praying with them deeply, and i watch as when the patient open their eyes, there was a drastic. More hopeful, and far more happier than they were. Suddenly these down sickly patients, had the energy to smile, and laugh, and tell us stories. I started to see the power of praying with others, the power of believing, and helping people to remember that they are loved, and no alone. We came together and sang amazing grace to them, just as we left. We started to move to each room, and suddenly, i started to pray with people, i started to do things that i’d never done before, talking to people and making them smile as they cried that they were going to die. I’d never prayed with anyone out loud before, and i’d never consoled anyone who was dying.. But even though i felt a bit uncertain, once i started, words seem to flow. I started to see, the essence of that trip was not just about eggs, but also about the love of God, and i began to see the power of prayer. Even people of different races, muslims, hindu’s, everyone closed their eyes and we prayed for them, and everyone in each room sang amazing grace with us.. Was rather incredible. And i must admit, i loved every second of it.
Thank you for being
Yajna
Oh wait, i forgot to add.. The point of my story is, that although you may feel vulnerable, unsure of yourself, and maybe even scared at first, it is alright, but don’t let it prevent you from taking someone’s hand, and praying for them, talking to them and making them see that they are loved, and beyond all logic, hope exists. Although, it remains prayer is personal, it does not have to be all the time. Prayer as a union, is extremely powerful and uplifting.
lots of love
Yajna
VESPERS
I/we need to return to our nest at night, to recoup energy to be able to fight during the day. The world (human race) needs to get back in touch with the reality of our instinctive needs and feelings. We need time to “share” experiences, to pass on ours, without comment, to the next generation, so that they may learn and do the same. The world is revolving without rest, 24 hours a day, but GLOBALISATION is a KILLER….of humans, animals & nature!
One have not the power to appreciate the importance of a thing, till one do not lose it.You may not find so bright the light, till you do not come out from a hell.It is humane nature.The experiences you are writing about shows exactly this idea.I am glad to agree with, but I also respect relligions,even if are made by men and may not amswer to all the questions on the world.I think is more pleasant to live among people, than ritered,and to try to help and also to have the power to ask for help when you need it. Good theme.
Beautiful Yajna!, what you did was beautiful, I am out of words.
<3
lots of love to you
Agnieszka
I really like the reminder that tools we acquire along our journey aren’t meant to be crutches. We are each our own guides. Wisdom grows alongside faith and courage, which themselves help extinguish self-doubt.
The insight from your experience in San Francisco was a powerful reminder of the importance of connection. Yes we travel our own paths but being a ‘Lone Ranger’ doesn’t work (even he had Tonto with him!!!). Family,Nature,Community,Civic and ‘Business’ (whatever that means for each of us) networks are all part of our journey and we need to be clear about our connection with each. Each will flex, flow and change over the years but we are never far away from them.
Thank you for the connection Paulo.
San Francisco, United States
I usually sleep during the vespers. And I never really understand that kind of life. I mean, we see the Word as we like…
But I thank them all, as they surely help me so.
Limoges, France
I always thought that we are all able to find magic in our own behaviour and own ideas. One of my friend conduced me a to a site, where I could bannish evil things and souls around me. But it frightened me. Although I’m yellow-bellied, the reading don’t mean a thing for me. :) And was so much complicated.
At last, I prefer to go on praying and making my little “grigri”, the answers Prayer offered me naturally in return, just by intuition.
Since I pray, I don’t have bad things around me, just inside me, that could be changed. :)
Magic can be really dangerous.
I didn’t know you wrote about vampirism and black magic.
Kawaguchiko, Japan
Yes, I can understand her quite well. I had a time without God. Not really true. As I was in anger with Him, that was still admitting His existence.
But after this, I interessed myself in many religions. As I’m not a good pupil, I did it in a compulsive manner. Yet, that brings me to Wakan Tanka that gives me a feeling I never had, just like I was pronouncing Her name.
Whatever we can say, the best way to be close to God, is indeed to give in sharing with each other. Like transmuting the Energy He gave to us in offering it around, without awaiting for return.
Lourdes, France
“You are better, do not worry - she said. - In fact, when we light up our inner light, the first things we see are the cobwebs and dust, our weak points. They were there all the time, only you saw nothing in the darkness. Now it will be easier to cleanse your soul”.
This is where I am! That’s all true, and I thank you, for those yesterday’s words blew by the guilt I had, from expressing anger for two days.
I will go on Lourdes on June, but that time, not towards merchant’s roads.
God bless you.
Have a pretty evening.
Love to all of you.