'Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining'

This is really just a postscript to my earlier posting about the inspiration of the Paralympics…

I don’t know what the coverage has been in countries outside the UK, but here media interest seems to grow day by day, as we were all more and more inspired by the extraordinary courage, dedication and ability of these amazing people who, far from sitting down and complaining about their disability, have turned it into something truly positive in their lives. Such an inspiration for us all, and so in accord with White Eagle’s teaching of karmic opportunity.  David Cameron, our Prime Minister, seems to speak for many of us in saying: ‘We will never think of sport the same way; we will never think of disability the same way.’ In this year 2012, which so many people have feared, it is a wonderful example that seemingly difficult situations, and a difficult prognosis for the future, can in fact be turned around. As the proverb goes: ‘Every cloud has a silver lining!’ White Eagle says:

‘You are dismayed with the suffering and the cruelty in the world; but could you look from the mountain top of spiritual understanding you would be overawed with the beauty of God’s creation.

Always keep this as your star then, and allow it to guide your life, because today is eternity. Those vibrations which you set in motion today are your future. Take fast hold of this ideal of truth and beauty and loveliness throughout life, and you are creating tomorrow.’

At the same time as writing this, I had an email from a brother who said:

‘All the wonderful things that have occurred and the spirit generated and rediscovered with regard to the Olympics and Paralympics I, like many others, have felt so strongly over these past few weeks, and the vision of those involved in organising the games has been so inspirational and enlightening, for both Britain and the world.

‘I believe that something very, very special has been happening, and could be regarded as an example of how the Light in Britain can shine so strongly within this country and out across the globe, and help to raise levels of awareness in many ways. A truly Aquarian experience.’

The Harmonies of the Universe

‘The temples and structures of old were built upon the formation of the trees. Trunk and branch taught the builders the secrets of pillar and arch and groin. The harmonies of the universe find expression in the trees, as in your own body; and in the architecture of the temples of old you can

find expressed in miniature the Grand Temple of the Universe.’  White Eagle

Here in the UK, September has brought the golden sunshine that we longed for on many days during our wet summer. I think New Lands and the Temple gardens look very beautiful (and they will soon to be even lovelier when our volunteer Garden Gang arrive)—radiant in both physical and spiritual light as we prepare for our Autumn re-opening with our PEACE DAY on Sunday 16^th September, and Harvest Festival the following Sunday.

Already it seems there is a subtle change in the air as the days move onward towards the equinox. It is the beauty of the trees which catches my attention as their leaves start to turn gold. It is significant, I feel, that the new moon on 16^th, when the Sun is still in the Earth sign of Virgo of service and practical endeavour, falls so near this year to the equinoxal energy of Libra - of beauty, harmony, peace and balance. It makes me feel I want to embrace the energy of the new moon, and breathe in new harmony, peace and wellbeing with every breath…

I found this teaching from White Eagle particularly right for this time: ‘As did the great Lord Buddha, let us too at this moment assemble under the canopy of heaven, shaded by the branches of the universal Tree of Life——and absorb the heavenly blessing of peace. We stand in worship at the foot of our brothers the trees; we raise our hearts to the heavens, and hear the sounds, the music, the harmonies of the universe.’

Good Coming from Adversity

Just recently I heard a wonderful story about one of our brothers. She had suffered an inexplicable illness for many years. Then, she discovered a miracle cure using the humble teasel plant. A teasel could be thought of as unattractive. Yes, a rose has thorns and prickles, but who would compare a teasel with such a beautiful flower as the rose? Who would think of it as a symbol?

‘By chance’ Anna had this picture of a teasel open on her computer screen when I was talking with her the other day. Seeing this image struck such a deep chord in my heart. It felt to me like a symbol of our spiritual journey. At times our lives can seem full of adversity and yet, through these very challenges, we have the opportunity to bring forth hidden strength and talent, and unfold far deeper compassion and understanding for others. As I looked at the photo of the teasel—really looked at it—it became so very beautiful, quite as lovely as any rose.

The truth of ultimate good, greater inner strength and spiritual growth coming out of difficulty is inherent in White Eagle’s wise teaching and I am sure will be in all our thoughts as we witness the heroic efforts of athletes in the forthcoming Paralympic Games. What adversity indeed these brave souls overcome! What strength they find! What an example for us all.

I thought you would like this paragraph taken from Seeking Serenity: ‘Live in the unwavering consciousness that with God—good, love—all things are possible. God holds the power for you, and every experience is to bring you right into the heart of God’s love. This is your goal, and the happenings on earth are all stepping stones leading you to your goal.’

Families and Fun

For me, this week of our family camp is truly one of the highlights of our Temple year, bringing families together, children of all ages—including, this year, more teenagers than ever before—in the beautiful environment of White Eagle’s home.

The theme this year drew inspiration from the recent Olympics, ‘The Ancient Greeks’. There were such innovative and inspiring ways this was developed during the week by our wonderful group of helpers and volunteer mums and dads. In ‘our’ opening ceremony the five interlocking circles of the Olympic symbol were created by five ‘getting to know you’ groups—‘after just a little chaos’! Then ‘our Olympic torch’ was carried out of the Temple to light the fire in the middle of the circle of tents on the hilltop.

I know White Eagle is very happy at this annual event, so reminiscent of his tribal family gatherings in days gone by when he lived in physical incarnation as the Iroquois chief White Eagle.

On this first year that Ylana has not been able to join us physically, she was certainly with us in her younger and vibrant ‘body of light’. Tribute was paid to her in the final camp event—the gloriously creative and talented ‘end of camp show’. I know she was very amused at the happy rendition of one of her favourite songs! In fact, I am writing this the day after what would have been her 96^th birthday, 20^th August. She is so clearly with me now and in her own dynamic way urging us on in all our endeavours to ‘live brotherhood’ in our family lives, in our community service and in every way we can.

Walking in the Sunlight!

I am sending you greetings from a very warm and sunny New Lands.  At last summer has come to England and we are bathing in the glory of the physical sunshine, as well as the spiritual light.

Recently I have been walking round our beautiful cross-within-the-circle path, mown in the grass on the large field adjacent to the Temple, where Jeremy led our walking attunement on our Earth Healing Day on Sunday 24^th June.  Since then the wild flowers and grass surrounding the walk have grown even more,  and I love the magical experience of being part of this wild flower meadow, with the blue sunlit sky above and the birds singing.  Truly heaven!  Many here in the UK may be preparing for or returning from summer holidays, and some of you may have had poor weather.  But what a happy thought it is, that at the inner level it is always sunny (if we wish that).  So, whatever our physical restrictions, heavenly freedom is always there, and we can walk inwardly in ‘sacred places’.  You can even come in your body of light and walk on this ancient hill top!

RE-VISITING AVEBURY

Just recently I have had the happy opportunity to re-visit Avebury (that magical site of standing stones not too far from Stonehenge in Southern England) as part of my research for a new White Eagle book we are planning. Although including some of the material in Grace and Ivan Cooke’s book The Light in Britain which was first published in 1967, it will include many new things and I hope be useful for ‘pilgrims’ to sacred places in any part of the world.

It was in June 1966 (as part of their preparation for The Light in Britain) that I first went with my grandparents to Avebury. Now, thirty-six years later, I again felt the strong ‘mother energy’ when I was there, and that this is a place where ‘the veil is thin’. It wasn't difficult to feel the presence of the great Earth angels with whom we seek to work in our White Eagle Earth Healing endeavours.

If you visit the Newspage of our website http://www.whiteagle.org/newspage.htm

you will see some extracts from many of White Eagle’s friends and followers around the world who visited local sacred sites for their attunement on our Earth Healing day. I must say that the creative variety of ways in which this time was celebrated made me really happy to read! In the days to come (especially at powerful new and full moon times) let’s continue to go to our special sacred places (outwardly and inwardly) and feel the power of the great Earth Angels there—ready and waiting to use our energy, our light, our ‘Star magic’, for the greatly needed healing of our planet. 

Earth Healing at New Lands - linking with the elements and eachother

In this uncertain summer weather, we were so blessed that by 3.00pm on Summer Solstice Day 24^th June, which White Eagle had guided us to designate as our Global Earth Healing Day for all White Eagle Centres all over the world, the sun was shining and Jeremy was able to lead us out onto the beautiful field near the Temple where we have our great cross-within-the-circle, mown amongst the wild flower meadow. It was a magical experience to be amongst the wild flowers, with the larks singing above, the gentle breeze, the warm sunshine, the beauty of the clouds; everyone in the circle looking so free and happy. Jeremy led us in a healing chant as we walked around the circle and met in the middle to bless the earth.

Before we went out into the open space of the cross-within-the-circle meadow, Jeremy had shared with us emails from some of our UK Regional Star Centres about their gathering plans for this same day and time. (Earlier in the day, during our Brotherhood attunement, we had linked with our sister Temples and all overseas groups, working in different time zones of course, but all together at the inner level on this special day.)

My heart is thrilled with joy that so many people all over the world realise that there is SOMETHING THEY CAN DO to help our beautiful planet. This day of prayer and earth healing attunement is ‘just one drop in the ocean’ but White Eagle encourages us that every single effort really does count, that individual drops do indeed make an ocean. People all over the world are realising how much they love our beautiful planet, and how much we want to heal and nurture it.

‘In time you will be able, by your thought power and your attuning yourselves to the Great White Spirit, to direct the light of the Sun (Son) into life; and in time this will produce on earth a great brotherhood of life. More than this, it will gradually purify and illumine this planet so that it will become one of the eternal stars in the firmament.’