Yours
in Spirit
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Feedback Email from Sarah Jayne (the Horse
whisperer):
Dear Sitting Owl.
I learnt a lot about myself during the gathering and am grateful to have
attended.
So the learning goes on for me and my family every day.
Communication with the horses came more swiftly and clearly than before,
since the gathering. A coincidence, perhaps.
Stay well.
Kind regards Sarah Jayne and children.
If you attended the gathering why not write a little something.
Keep
watching as there are lots more to come. In the meantime have a look at
some articles
or understand the Earth
People Philosophy and Meaning of Mitakuye
Oyasin.
Or even check in, join and make some posts or comments on my new Sitting Owl's
Spiritual Forum at: http://sittingowl.com.au/forum/
Click
here for the
BANK DETAILS FOR DONATIONS
Click
here to go to
CONTACT page.
Click here to read
The
Trail of Dreams
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Some
Universal Teachings
about the Gatherings
The Centre of the World
Then I was
standing on the highest mountain of them all, and round
about beneath me was the whole hoop of the world. And while I
stood there I saw more than I can tell and understood more than I
saw; for I was seeing in a sacred manner the shapes of all things in
the spirit, and the shape of all shapes as they must live together
like one being . . . And I say the sacred hoop of my people was one
of the many hoops that made one circle, wide as daylight and as
starlight, and in the center grew one mighty flowering tree to shelter
all the children of one mother and one father. And I saw that it was holy . . .
But anywhere is the center of the world.
-BLACK ELK,
OGLALA SIOUX, 1863-1950
The Gathering is a traditional gathering of tribes to bring the vision of Black
Elk into fruition. (see the article 'Circles,
Cycles, Spirals and Spheres' on my web site.)
As the above extract from the account of Black Elk's vision indicates,
when we are centred and in balance with our spirit, emotions, body, and
mind we are at the centre of the world and we are seeing in a sacred
manner. This is when we see the connectedness, oneness, and interdependent
(not independent) nature of life. As Eckhart Tolle' says there is only
one life and everything we see that appears separate are just the myriad
of forms that life can manifest, of which there is no limit. All forms
are impermanent and so come and go, but the eternal life that animates
all forms is never changing.
So if we are going to live a good life in harmony with 'All Our
Relations' (see 'Mitakuye Oyasin') and in a sacred manner we must keep these things in
mind; be aware of the eternal Spirit, and follow it's guidance. The
material world of work, money and all manner of form are impermanent and
are of secondary importance. When we have a good relationship with
Spirit, both the personal God, Great Spirit or whatever you call it; and
the impersonal Great Mystery aspect of God, then all the other aspects
of our life will fall into harmony.
Three
Stages of Living
The first and most important aspect of living with the physical body is
for the whole community or tribe to put equal effort into the 'Hunting
and Gathering'. This is preparing, getting, building all manner
of food, fire wood and shelter; that is, everything that is needed
physically. Here we find ourselves tested by Great Spirit to see if we
are truly committed to this act of life, if we are dedicated to Spirit
or if we think it all too much of a hassle and interference with job,
school, money and the impermanent little things of form.
Only when everything is prepared and ready can we begin the second stage
of performing the 'Ceremony'. This is
usually guided or performed by the Shaman or person who has the
strongest connection to Spirit. When this is done properly everyone will
feel the awesomeness and sacredness of life as it is lived through every
aspect, all the things that have been hunted and gathered will be as if
they were glowing with the sacred blessings of Great Spirit, God or
whatever. The Shelter and fire at the centre will be the sacred place,
the church for all to commune with Spirit.
When the ceremony is fully completed only then does every one join in
the grand finale of the 'Song and Dance'.
If all the previous stages have been done by all to the best of each
one's ability, the song and dance will be in perfect harmony with 'All
Our Relations' and the experience for all will be unspeakable and
indescribably blissful, but if anything is left out or done half heartedly,
the song and dance can turn to disaster; and that can be individually or
as a whole group. For example one person sits back and lets everyone
else do all the hunting and gathering and is in their own little mind
during the ceremony. When the time comes for the song and dance everyone
would have a marvellous time except the one who knows not why, but just
doesn't enjoy any part of the experience of life; all manner of things
seem to go wrong for them.
Yours
in Spirit
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Raising
money for ceremony
Welcome,
Sitting Owl!
Raising money for ceremony is always a challenge, eh?
One way many groups do it here is by charging "tuition" from
people who want to participate as a learning experience. The charge is
not for the ceremony, which is always free, but to pay for camping space
& the inevitable expenses. If there is any left over after paying
for food, port-a-potties & elder transport, it goes to various
indigenous charities. No profit is ever involved.
The other way, normally used for Lakota ceremony, is by "wopila"
or "gratitude" donations. Everybody at a sundance gives "wopila"
to the elders, and because, here in Pennsylvania, we have to fly them
out from South Dakota, we have to give some of this up front. Of course,
if someone wants to dance, or participate in some other way, and has no
money, that's OK, but those who have some are expected to be
generous...Lack of generosity is considered a serious character flaw in
native circles. People save up all year to have enough to give away at
sundance time, something for the elders, for the drum, for the kitchen,
for security, etc.
In my
experience, we are usually repaid well by the universe, receiving back
many times over any money we give away.
That's a useful teaching from our teacher, Joseph, who once handed a
financially-challenged woman a hundred dollar bill & told her to
give it away to a stranger, just to prove his point.
Four days later, he got it back, more than doubled, I think, and so did
she.
Best of luck to you in your efforts!
Love All,
Lex
Namaste’
Lex
Regarding
the funds, I’m not really worried because I know everything will be as
it needs to be and whoever needs to be there will be there in spirit if
not in flesh. And we are planning a silent auction and a raffle to raise
funds at the gathering. My concern was with everyone putting so much
money and energy into the bush fire relief and forgetting the causes of
such cleansings. That cause is society’s lack of connection with
Spirit in a grounded way, something these gatherings can offer.
Yours
in Spirit
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Things you need to know
for the gathering
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There are no spectators at a gathering; we are all participants sharing who we are and what we can offer, so join in. Be present in the moment; the past is dust and
the future is being written with our awareness of everything and our actions in the now.
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There will be no cars in the camping area; a separate area for campers and vans will be available.
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There will be no personal fires; however there will be one communal fire in the camping area and a communal fire near the river in addition to the Sacred Fire.
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There will be one communal meal each day, either lunch or an evening meal. You need to bring all your own food for other meals and snacks.
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Bring all of your own drinking and cooking water.
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Bring food to donate to the kitchen for the communal meals, and some extra sundries (such as bread, milk coffee, tea, sugar and water) if you would like to donate to the Elders kitchen.
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Bring all your own crockery and cutlery, camping and sleeping gear, toilet paper is always handy too.
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There will hopefully be a compost bin for food scraps only.
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All rubbish that you bring with you we ask that you take back with you. The land is sacred land and we don’t want to see any rubbish or cigarette butts around; if you see any pick it up and dispose of it properly.
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There will be a roster for firekeeper to attend the Sacred Fire; don’t forget to put your name down and make sure you honour your commitment.
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There will be a roster for helping in the kitchen and cleaning up. This is just as much a sacred job as any, so please put your name down and honour the commitment. Sharing everything - jobs (Hunting and gathering), stories (Ceremony), and joy (Song and Dance) - is what community is all about.
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We ask that you keep noise to minimum to respect Elders, children and whatever is going on in a sacred manner.
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All Ceremonial areas and the kitchens are smoke free zones. Please take all your butts home (birds use butts to line their nests, and the nicotine kills their babies).
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In addition to the auction there will be a raffle with some pretty awesome prizes. Don’t forget to bring that something special for the auction.
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Sitting Owl will be running at least two Inipis (Sweat Lodge ceremonies); you will need a towel and loose thin wrap, clothes or shorts. Sorry, but no pregnant or menstruating women can participate. If you have a heart condition or any other questions talk to Sitting Owl.
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Cameras and other recording devices are not to be used at the Sacred Fire or Inipi except after the fire has been extinguished. In respect people should be asked if it is OK to take their picture.
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There should be signs up with arrows directing people to the gathering site, so along with the map on the flyer nobody should get lost; Ha Ha!
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Remember to bring Bindi proof shoes as it is impossible to get rid of them all no matter how much help we have at the working bee.
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Nudity is inappropriate at gatherings. Talk to Sitting Owl if you want to know why.
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Please, no pets at the
gathering, however if this is a problem talk to Sitting Owl or
Auntie Rochelle.
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Gatherings around a sacred fire are drug and alcohol free events, in addition the Yorta Yorta property Yilema has been designated by the Yorta Yorta as a drug and alcohol free property.
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It would much appreciated if possible for people to bring any extra
food, blankets eating utensils, or what ever for Elders and communal
meals. Also any shade cloth hessian or any shade material for the
arbour.
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Compostable toilets are organised
to put everyone's mind at rest.
I look forward to seeing you all at the gathering and sharing some sacred time together I will make an attachment of these things so you can print it up. If you have any questions; about the gathering; what spiritual gatherings are about; or any other concerns feel free to ask, Auntie Rochelle, Uncle Colin, Denise, Sitting Owl, Curt, Tony, Star,
Japparula, Ken, Julianne, Judy or any Elders or other regular gatherers.
Yours
in Spirit
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Map to the gathering
(not to scale)
.gif "Sitting Owl's rough drawn map to Gathering Site")
Google Picture of the Area
Personal
Bushfire Survival Kit
and Plan Message
Compiled by:
Jinari
Dear people,
This information is very important for
you to read and consider before coming to the gathering at Yielima this
year.
As requested by the Yorta Yorta committee
people will be asked to sign an agreement at the gate before entering
the property, stating that they understand the fire dangers of the area,
and that they accept total personal responsibility for themselves and
those in their care in all ways.
The gathering location is on a clear farm
property which is right in the middle of a very dry forest (a high fire
danger area). The time of the gathering is still within the high fire
danger season.
We don’t want to alarm people about
this, but want to make sure everyone is aware, takes personal
responsibility, prepares well and makes the best decisions for
themselves.
If there are any days of total fireban or
blow up days (high winds, low humidity, high temps) during the course of
the gathering, the fire will temporarily be moved inside. In line with
current CFA guidelines, we will also be advising that people who want to
take the most safe action leave the property on these days and go to
town for the day. We strongly recommend that any body who is caring for
elders, people with disabilities or children do this. People who choose
to stay beyond that point will be asked to cooperate with the fire plan
for the property and to follow the guidance of those who are familiar
with this plan.
In the event of a sudden fire where there
is no time for anybody to leave the property, everyone will be asked to
enact their personal fire safety plan and follow the fire plan for the
property. At the gate we have maps and show people where the safe areas
will be, and where fire fighting equipment is located.
Following is a list of things which we
recommend all of you bring to the gathering for yourselves and for those
in your care. This information comes from recommendations by Joan
Webster (The Complete Bushfire Safety Book 2000, and Essential Bushfire
Safety Tips 2008), and has been compiled by Deborah Loupelis:
Personal Bushfire Survival Kit
Personal Bushfire Survival Kit
Clothes
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A
boiler-suit of heavy-duty drill cotton, long heavy cotton or pure
wool trousers, or jeans; long-sleeved pure wool pullover which does
up at the neck.
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Underwear
should be cotton, not nylon or polyester.
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A
strong brimmed hat that can be tied on;
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Strong
cotton scarf or a woollen cap that will cover your hair
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A
pure wool or cotton balaclava (those obtainable at disposal stores
are usually synthetic).
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Leather
boots or strong shoes. (Most suitable is nitrone rubber, normal
soles, even those made of rubber, conduct heat, melt and burn. Soles
should not have hobnails in them, as they can heat up and can burn
the soles of the feet.
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Woollen
socks.
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Strong
canvas gardening gloves (used only to move smouldering material,
your hands are a guide to radiant heat levels and your need to take
shelter).
Accessories
A thick pure wool blanket or textured fibreglass
blanket which should be big enough to cover you completely when crouched
or lying down.
• A nose cover, such as a non
synthetic scarf, large handkerchief or nappy, or a smoke filtering mask.
• Goggles and a demisting stick.
A "better then nothing substitute - Wrap-around sunglasses with a
secure cotton strap. A bottle of artificial tears or gel
• Water bottle for damping nose
cover and for drinking
• Ultra-violet cream, zinc cream
or reflective skin cream, to protect the forehead and nose.
• A first aid kit.
• Aluminium pots with plastic
handles for water dippers
• Rake-hoes, rakes
• Shaggy cotton mop – best defence
against ember attack
While the plan is for people to shelter
in and around the house, as this is by far the most safe thing to do, in
the chance that your car is the only option you should know these
things:
• Protective clothing on (see
Personal Bushfire Survival Kit below)
• Park on bare ground which has
been cleared at least 10 meters around and above
• Engine off
• Lights on
• Windows up.
• Vents closed
• Air conditioner off or in
reticulate.
• Erect Aluminium shades.
• Put wet towels against the
windows
• Fire extinguisher handy
• Drink water, eat juicy fruit
• Protective cream on face and
hands
• Fire retardant cover over
trailer and /or car
• Lie, covered with blankets.
• Nose mask and goggles on.
• Spray water on occupants if
possible.
• Activate windscreen wipers to
dislodge hot ash
Remain in car until fire front has passed
and you can emerge onto burnt ground or shelter in public toilets,
quarry, dam or river, by a cliff, sports ground, beach. If forced out of
car, lie flat under the car covered with a pure wool blanket.
We recommend that you read the following
attachments for more detailed information about fire safety and that you
also follow these links to the local maps and have a good plan for your
exit if you plan to leave. We will have some maps at the gate, but
recommend that you do your own research about how and where you will go.
Thanks Jinari.
You have done some great work here to compile this information and I'm
sure we won't need to put these plans or preparations into action as
Great Spirit is working closely with us, but it never hurts to be
prepared.
Yours
in Spirit
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Artwork
by: Rochelle Patten;
coloured by: Sitting Owl
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Yours in Spirit
Auntie
Rochelle Patten
Yorta Yorta Gathering
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Artwork
by: Rochelle Patten;
coloured by: Sitting Owl
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