Hey everyone!
I've been enjoying my time in Flushing, my old hometown. I haven't been doing a whole lot other than resting up and preparing for my job in Grand Rapids, which I start Monday.
It will take me awhile to get settled in, so I won't be blogging much for the time being. Once I do get settled in, I plan to begin:
- Begin making my next mask.
- Booking Ceremonies for the Summer, beginning in June.
- Research and establish my Vision.
- Re-organize and re-structure my website/s.
If you want to keep up on the happenings of this work and my life, add this blog to your favorites and check up on it every now and then. You are also welcome to find me on the social media network Facebook to keep tabs. Please send me a message to let me know that you are friending me because of this site.
https://www.facebook.com/justin.arndt.7
If you have any trouble with the link please leave me a comment.
Ciao!
Justin
Friday, September 27, 2013
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
It Feels Nice...
To sleep in a bed again!
Seriously though...I'm loving it.
Before the bed and I re-acquainted ourselves I had a bit of a last haul. Let me tell you a little bit about it.
Last time we talked I mentioned that I was invited to a stone-tool craft show in New York. That was pretty cool. It was nice staying in a tent after being fed food and...initiated into the Ooga Booga society!
I am officially a wily ol' coyote howling in glee with the other members of the Ooga Booga. Unfortunately....I was sworn into secrecy by the Chief not to share what the society is all about. I should've bought a t-shirt with their logo...
I was able to walk around in the morning and look at all the exciting tools, both new and old, that people were making and selling. Eagle Dan, whose teepee I stayed in, took the time to share a lot with me about some of the tools he had. One of them was a long, smooth, slender stone that was given to him along with a box of other stones. It turns out that this particular piece is worth $1,800. Well...it was. He managed to drop it before he found out what it was. What was it used for? Executions. Indigenous people would lie down the person to be executed and line the stone up with their temple and...
Well you get the gruesome idea. Now it is glued back together and worth about $800.
I left there and pedaled my way on to Pennsylvania. This visit was to visit family. I arrived later at night and spent the first night with my cousin Steph. We stayed up for awhile (both super sleepy) and chatted about this and that. She is quite involved with turning her dreams into reality. I find it both unique and inspiring. I am happy for her.
The next day my Aunt and Uncle came over with pizza that was made with a special pie crust...very yummy. We cracked jokes and ate around the table for awhile. It seems like we usually crack jokes upon meeting. My uncle Kyle is especially good at making me look like a blonde... ; )
I was planning on staying the night at their house too. Instead, my cousin Josh asked me if I wanted to stay with him and go on a little adventure. We weren't able to talk very much because he had things to do. So I took up the opportunity to go with him. Besides...it isn't every day that you get to practice Hapkido and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with your family member!
Josh has always been interested in physical activities like bodybuilding, hockey, and martial arts. This works well for me because I really like bodybuilding and have always been fascinated by martial arts (I used to play hockey too.) We manage to talk a lot about them since he is becoming quite heavily involved in martial arts. I am blown away by how much knowledge he has gained about the field since the last time we talked. He eventually would like to open up his own place to teach. I must admit it was a strange sight at first to see my cousin Josh show respect in the way he did to his teachers. The Josh I am used to like to pick on me and embarrass me in front of girls. ; )
Needless to say, I was very impressed by his mannerisms and could see him being a very dedicated and compassionate teacher some day.
Both of my cousins, it seems, are really starting to show their own unique contributions to life. I am glad to have them in my life to learn from them.
I left in the morning after saying good-bye to him one last time and made my way to Indiana.
I don't really have too much to say about being in Indiana. I originally planned on visiting my aunt and helping her out. She passed away about five days or so before I arrived. Instead, I helped out my other two aunts in any way that they wanted until my ceremony in Muncie took place (which my aunt helped me set up.)
Her memorial is coming up on Thursday and I am heading down there with family tomorrow. She wants her memorial to be a celebration. So we are handing out ear-rings she made herself, among other festive things. I will be very interested to see the people that show up. She has always spent her life helping people/animals and mentored a lot of young kids making their way through college.
After I packed up and said my good-byes, I headed back home. I was ready! I guess the spirits had one more stop they wanted me to make before I actually arrived back in my hometown.
I stopped in Ann Arbor in order to pick up some research material that my friend Charo decided to give to me for the non-profit work. Thanks Charo! We had some Cuban coffee and chatted for awhile on the couch. I also had the wonderful opportunity to meet her sweet mother.
I remembered that a friend of mine moved to the city awhile back. We met at the chiropractic office that I worked at in Grand Rapids (she being the receptionist.)
Eden agreed to hang out and I picked her up from work. We hung out at her apartment and sat by the pond/river and talked and joked for what seemed like a few hours. I actually have no idea how long we were down there. I enjoyed it though! I always enjoyed talking to her and it seemed as though we forgot how much we enjoy each others company. She may be visiting me here in flushing if she has time. Since it was late she offered me a place to rest my head for the night. So I gladly took the opportunity.
In the morning we drank coffee, talked maple syrup, and parted ways.
So here I am. Back in my hometown. Even though there is hardly anything here in Flushing I find that I love coming back. I get to visit my friends and reminisce about all the trouble I used to cause here...which was way more than I care to mention on here. ; )
Not to mention Fall is my favorite season.
I have two possibilities in which the next steps can take me, both working toward the same end. I won't mention much about them yet. However, I am largely hoping for the SECOND option. I am putting my intentions out there very stongly. If you have the time and would like to throw a prayer or two my way in order to turn it into a reality, I would greatly appreciate it.
Mmm Bed...(drools)
Ciao for now!
Justin
Friday, August 23, 2013
On the Road Again
Howdy!
Last time we connected I mentioned that I was about to head into the ceremony. Well...now I am finished!
The day of the ceremony I had some time to kill before I made my way to the grounds. so I figured I would go for another hike up Mt. Blue. On the way to the mountain, I happened upon a trail that led to a different mountain, Mount Tumbledown.
I didn't quite know what I was getting myself into...but I enjoyed the challenge and I especially enjoyed the scenery.
I actually started out my hike by going up the trail that people walk down (the easy trail) and down the trail people go up (the difficult trail.) Yea yea...always have to walk against the norm (story of my life.)
The top of the mountain had a beautiful lake where people could swim, fish, etc. and plenty of ground where people could camp out for a night or so. On the way down there was even something called the chute. A small little hole where people had to throw their backpacks up before climbing it themselves. It was a tight squeeze...and I had to go down it! A young backpacker told me stories about climbing up through the chute as massive amounts of water made way down through the chute. Scary!
Eventually I met Dee, Charo, and Najeh at the local market in order to drive up together. This place was waaaayyyy up in the mountains. I am surprised my little baby hatchback made it up there (a few loud clunks along the way won't hurt too much...).
I couldn't tell you how many people were there total. My guess is around 50-60. They had a huge outdoor kitchen where we prepared food for the community. Tents were strewn about the woods in order to sleep in the shade. Most of the time people would sleep during the day and stay up during the night for the dance. Kids ran around playing with all the other little ones (myself included) while the adults would tend to their chores or hang out in the shade. All in all, it was a great time. We carried with us the power that the women moondancers provided through their sacrifice and commitment to honoring themselves and the larger community. They would dance at night with the moon. Three of the nights I sat just outside the circle with my sleeping bag wrapped around me, completely taken into the calm-abiding teachings that this ceremony threw my way.
I spent a lot of my time helping and learning out in the kitchen with one of the grandmothers. She was sweet as could be and said that she would want her son to be like me (if she had one) and to tell my mother to be proud of who I am.
Surprisingly, I did not sweat that much. If I wasn't helping in the kitchen you would find me playing with the kids, swimming in the nearby mountain stream, or talking to one of the many kind folk that attended.
All in all, it was a very beautiful ceremony. I did have one major event take place while I was there.
My Aunt Linda passed away. I was supposed to visit her in Indiana...five or so days from now. I knew that she didn't have long to live, but I didn't think she was going to pass so quickly (I was initially told a month or so.) Both my parents sent messages my way and told me she was close to going and to help her out if I could. I was torn between leaving the ceremony and driving straight to Indiana or finishing the ceremony. In the end, I stuck with the latter. I entered into the next sweat (the only one I did) and told the spirits to give her a message. I asked them to let her know how grateful I am for having her in my life. She was my first spiritual mentor. I looked up to her. She was intelligent, good-natured, hard-working, and a good storyteller. On top of that, I told her that she can give me any pain that she needs to and that I will bear it for her. I'm not sure if anything was sent my way...but she died a few hours later and the spirits confirmed that she is in a good place.
I'll still make my way to her house in order to help my family in any way possible. On top of that, she helped to set up a ceremony in the town where she lives.
I left the ceremony and began driving. There was an estimated 17 hours of driving through the back-roads between ME and PA. I would say that Vermont is by far one of my more favorite areas in the states to visit (the others are what I have seen of the four corner states and MI.)
It turns out that my brother feels the same way about Vermont, as he drove through it just a few weeks back.
New York has some beautiful country too. I thoroughly enjoy the lakes with a backdrop of small, steep mountains.
Along the way I stopped at a gas station/restaurant and ordered a burger. When I walked outside a native man struck up a conversation with me. He saw my drum/sign and became excited, since they make drums and other native spiritual items. He made the offer to come join him and his wife back at their cabin. They took me right in and gave me food, drink, stories, and good conversation. Actually, I am now heading to a stone-tool craft show where I will sleep in a teepee...my first time!! I am looking forward to what else our interactions bring. For those of you who don't know, I have been keeping an eye out for a new drum for several months now.
Out of curiosity, I texted my friend Dee and asked her for the name of the Seneca Medicine Man that she is going to visit on her way home. It turns out that Tweedy and the Medicine Man know each other! How crazy is that!
Such a small, small world.
There isn't much else to report at the moment...
Oh! Guess what?
I shaved my head! I have officially joined the ranks of my Buddhist friends and bald-headed family members. I took a couple of the locks up to the top of the mountain where the moondance was held and offered them. That felt nice to do.
Sooo soft.....and cold....but I like it. More than I thought I would. Why did I do it? Well, I had a growing question in my mind as to whether or not I should do it. When I can't decide something, I ask someone else to say yes or no based on what they feel they should say (they don't know the reason.) I did this and received a yes. So I did. In a Wal-mart parking lot...at 10pm...with people driving by looking at me. It was fun.
About one week and I will be back home!
Hope you all are well.
Cheers!
Justin
Last time we connected I mentioned that I was about to head into the ceremony. Well...now I am finished!
The day of the ceremony I had some time to kill before I made my way to the grounds. so I figured I would go for another hike up Mt. Blue. On the way to the mountain, I happened upon a trail that led to a different mountain, Mount Tumbledown.
I didn't quite know what I was getting myself into...but I enjoyed the challenge and I especially enjoyed the scenery.
I actually started out my hike by going up the trail that people walk down (the easy trail) and down the trail people go up (the difficult trail.) Yea yea...always have to walk against the norm (story of my life.)
The top of the mountain had a beautiful lake where people could swim, fish, etc. and plenty of ground where people could camp out for a night or so. On the way down there was even something called the chute. A small little hole where people had to throw their backpacks up before climbing it themselves. It was a tight squeeze...and I had to go down it! A young backpacker told me stories about climbing up through the chute as massive amounts of water made way down through the chute. Scary!
Eventually I met Dee, Charo, and Najeh at the local market in order to drive up together. This place was waaaayyyy up in the mountains. I am surprised my little baby hatchback made it up there (a few loud clunks along the way won't hurt too much...).
I couldn't tell you how many people were there total. My guess is around 50-60. They had a huge outdoor kitchen where we prepared food for the community. Tents were strewn about the woods in order to sleep in the shade. Most of the time people would sleep during the day and stay up during the night for the dance. Kids ran around playing with all the other little ones (myself included) while the adults would tend to their chores or hang out in the shade. All in all, it was a great time. We carried with us the power that the women moondancers provided through their sacrifice and commitment to honoring themselves and the larger community. They would dance at night with the moon. Three of the nights I sat just outside the circle with my sleeping bag wrapped around me, completely taken into the calm-abiding teachings that this ceremony threw my way.
I spent a lot of my time helping and learning out in the kitchen with one of the grandmothers. She was sweet as could be and said that she would want her son to be like me (if she had one) and to tell my mother to be proud of who I am.
Surprisingly, I did not sweat that much. If I wasn't helping in the kitchen you would find me playing with the kids, swimming in the nearby mountain stream, or talking to one of the many kind folk that attended.
All in all, it was a very beautiful ceremony. I did have one major event take place while I was there.
My Aunt Linda passed away. I was supposed to visit her in Indiana...five or so days from now. I knew that she didn't have long to live, but I didn't think she was going to pass so quickly (I was initially told a month or so.) Both my parents sent messages my way and told me she was close to going and to help her out if I could. I was torn between leaving the ceremony and driving straight to Indiana or finishing the ceremony. In the end, I stuck with the latter. I entered into the next sweat (the only one I did) and told the spirits to give her a message. I asked them to let her know how grateful I am for having her in my life. She was my first spiritual mentor. I looked up to her. She was intelligent, good-natured, hard-working, and a good storyteller. On top of that, I told her that she can give me any pain that she needs to and that I will bear it for her. I'm not sure if anything was sent my way...but she died a few hours later and the spirits confirmed that she is in a good place.
I'll still make my way to her house in order to help my family in any way possible. On top of that, she helped to set up a ceremony in the town where she lives.
I left the ceremony and began driving. There was an estimated 17 hours of driving through the back-roads between ME and PA. I would say that Vermont is by far one of my more favorite areas in the states to visit (the others are what I have seen of the four corner states and MI.)
It turns out that my brother feels the same way about Vermont, as he drove through it just a few weeks back.
New York has some beautiful country too. I thoroughly enjoy the lakes with a backdrop of small, steep mountains.
Along the way I stopped at a gas station/restaurant and ordered a burger. When I walked outside a native man struck up a conversation with me. He saw my drum/sign and became excited, since they make drums and other native spiritual items. He made the offer to come join him and his wife back at their cabin. They took me right in and gave me food, drink, stories, and good conversation. Actually, I am now heading to a stone-tool craft show where I will sleep in a teepee...my first time!! I am looking forward to what else our interactions bring. For those of you who don't know, I have been keeping an eye out for a new drum for several months now.
Out of curiosity, I texted my friend Dee and asked her for the name of the Seneca Medicine Man that she is going to visit on her way home. It turns out that Tweedy and the Medicine Man know each other! How crazy is that!
Such a small, small world.
There isn't much else to report at the moment...
Oh! Guess what?
I shaved my head! I have officially joined the ranks of my Buddhist friends and bald-headed family members. I took a couple of the locks up to the top of the mountain where the moondance was held and offered them. That felt nice to do.
Sooo soft.....and cold....but I like it. More than I thought I would. Why did I do it? Well, I had a growing question in my mind as to whether or not I should do it. When I can't decide something, I ask someone else to say yes or no based on what they feel they should say (they don't know the reason.) I did this and received a yes. So I did. In a Wal-mart parking lot...at 10pm...with people driving by looking at me. It was fun.
About one week and I will be back home!
Hope you all are well.
Cheers!
Justin
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Entering the Sacred
Tomorrow, at about 3pm, I will make my way into the sacred grounds for the Danza De La Luna ceremony.
I don't know what to expect. All I know is that this is a dance for the women, for the feminine. The men are there to support their journey and handle all the mundane tasks.
In looking back I can remember more than a few times where the coming lessons were intuitied and, as a response, feared. This one seems to be similar. I find myself questioning whether I should go or move on, despite my commitments to help. The first time this feeling happened to me, almost four years ago, I opted to back out from being the recipient of the healing and letting someone else take my place. Thankfully, I had a teacher who saw beyond my immediate needs and knew what was going on. I remained as the recipient and ended up receiving one of the more important healing sessions of the last several years. One that is directly related to the practice and vision that I have today. You could even say it was the first that is directly related to the present connection that I have with my ancestors.
Now that I know what that feels like, I can recognize when similar situations arise and respond appropriately.
I think back to the many sweat lodges I have been to over the years and the way in which each elder presented different experiences and ways of working with the spirits. My mentor Toby, for example, would pour really brief, but physically demanding, sweats. They would be very hot and hard on the body. Much like the sun beating down on you while you are working outside. This was my first sweat and was what initially attracted me towards the sweat lodge traditions. Our other elder, Celia, would pour sweats of a very different nature. They would be very mild when it came to physical exertion. The emotional exertion however, would be much more demanding. In the end I always found it more difficult to work through her sweats.
This, I feel, is what is going to be arising for me as a helper. An analogy that explains the way I feel when I am in her sweats is this: Love until it hurts...and it usually really hurts.
After the Moon-dance my trip is pretty much over! As much as I love traveling I am ready to be home for awhile. I'll be making two stops on my way home. One in Pennsylvania to visit family, and one in Indiana for both a ceremony and a visit to another family member. My Aunt in Indiana is going through a really rough period in her life. She was my first spiritual mentor when I was seeking help and she gave me a proper foundation for spiritual development. Visiting and being with her in her time of need is but one of the small ways in which I can show her my gratitude.
I've spent the bulk of my time just hanging out in the small towns that I've randomly come across. I spent some time in Belfast and then made my way down to Rockland. While I was there I met a lovely family that took me in and offered me dinner and a place to stay in both their camper and in their cabin. So I took to both and thoroughly enjoyed my time at the cabin. I was also a guest to a black and white movie performance in the old theatre in Rockland and was shown some of the old Schooners in the town harbor.
For the past four days or so I have been in Farmington, ME. This city is just a few miles away from the ceremony and is a college town. So there are some neat places here. I've been spending most of my time at the public library unproductively watching episodes of Dexter, wallowing in the strange funk that I had been in for almost two weeks (It is over finally!)
Yesterday I happened to make it out to the Mount Blue State park for a beautiful hike to the top of the mountain. The hike was physically demanding - A straight hike 1.6 miles up to the top, with small rocks and boulders scattered about on the pathway. Along the way I found an old abandoned house and streams of fresh drinking water (delightful!) I met plenty of nice families and even offered to take many of their pictures for them. The view at the top was magnificent! I have some pictures to post through facebook (again, they will posted once I get home.)
After the hike I drove back to Farmington and walked around the downtown area, eventually walking into a restaurant and grabbing a drink to watch some live music. Afterwards I had a short conversation with Uel, a worker at one of the nearby shops.
Today I have been sitting in a coffee shop waiting for 4pm to roll around. There is a small group of musicians playing somewhere around here for a couple of hours and I would like to catch them. Other than that I will probably do a lot of reading.
My current reads are the Tibetan Book of the Dead, Emotional Intelligence, People-Centered Organizations, and Non-profit for Dummies. The former is a pretty well known text that provides instruction material for spiritual practitioners to engage in practices that simulate the experiences of death in order to prepare one for actual death and dissipation of the gross material body. The next book is a pretty simple read and is based on Howard Gardner and his development of multiple intelligences. Coleman, the writer of the book, displays research data that suggests emotional intelligence helps to offer a better view of what constitutes intelligence, which is basically the development or two or more intelligences in a healthy manner, compared to the older perspective of intelligence resting solely within the logico-mathematical developmental line. Some of his other books include research into other lines, such as the social/interpersonal lines.
This research will end up being an important aspect to my future writings, showing how mask work helps with the development of some lines and not others.
When I say that I will be researching the UL quadrant of the AQAL from a zone #2 perspective involving states, stages, types, lines, this would fit under the lines category. Other lines can be ego-identity, aesthetic, moral, interpersonal, etc.
Even though I mention the book, don't expect it to come out next year or anything. Important enough as the book will be, I have other obligations set before me. Working and setting up the non-profit are my next two obligations, followed by building/converting the van and continuing to connect with communities. Once I have those set in motion I will begin to dive into research/writing.
That is all for now!
Cheers,
Justin
I don't know what to expect. All I know is that this is a dance for the women, for the feminine. The men are there to support their journey and handle all the mundane tasks.
In looking back I can remember more than a few times where the coming lessons were intuitied and, as a response, feared. This one seems to be similar. I find myself questioning whether I should go or move on, despite my commitments to help. The first time this feeling happened to me, almost four years ago, I opted to back out from being the recipient of the healing and letting someone else take my place. Thankfully, I had a teacher who saw beyond my immediate needs and knew what was going on. I remained as the recipient and ended up receiving one of the more important healing sessions of the last several years. One that is directly related to the practice and vision that I have today. You could even say it was the first that is directly related to the present connection that I have with my ancestors.
Now that I know what that feels like, I can recognize when similar situations arise and respond appropriately.
I think back to the many sweat lodges I have been to over the years and the way in which each elder presented different experiences and ways of working with the spirits. My mentor Toby, for example, would pour really brief, but physically demanding, sweats. They would be very hot and hard on the body. Much like the sun beating down on you while you are working outside. This was my first sweat and was what initially attracted me towards the sweat lodge traditions. Our other elder, Celia, would pour sweats of a very different nature. They would be very mild when it came to physical exertion. The emotional exertion however, would be much more demanding. In the end I always found it more difficult to work through her sweats.
This, I feel, is what is going to be arising for me as a helper. An analogy that explains the way I feel when I am in her sweats is this: Love until it hurts...and it usually really hurts.
After the Moon-dance my trip is pretty much over! As much as I love traveling I am ready to be home for awhile. I'll be making two stops on my way home. One in Pennsylvania to visit family, and one in Indiana for both a ceremony and a visit to another family member. My Aunt in Indiana is going through a really rough period in her life. She was my first spiritual mentor when I was seeking help and she gave me a proper foundation for spiritual development. Visiting and being with her in her time of need is but one of the small ways in which I can show her my gratitude.
I've spent the bulk of my time just hanging out in the small towns that I've randomly come across. I spent some time in Belfast and then made my way down to Rockland. While I was there I met a lovely family that took me in and offered me dinner and a place to stay in both their camper and in their cabin. So I took to both and thoroughly enjoyed my time at the cabin. I was also a guest to a black and white movie performance in the old theatre in Rockland and was shown some of the old Schooners in the town harbor.
For the past four days or so I have been in Farmington, ME. This city is just a few miles away from the ceremony and is a college town. So there are some neat places here. I've been spending most of my time at the public library unproductively watching episodes of Dexter, wallowing in the strange funk that I had been in for almost two weeks (It is over finally!)
Yesterday I happened to make it out to the Mount Blue State park for a beautiful hike to the top of the mountain. The hike was physically demanding - A straight hike 1.6 miles up to the top, with small rocks and boulders scattered about on the pathway. Along the way I found an old abandoned house and streams of fresh drinking water (delightful!) I met plenty of nice families and even offered to take many of their pictures for them. The view at the top was magnificent! I have some pictures to post through facebook (again, they will posted once I get home.)
After the hike I drove back to Farmington and walked around the downtown area, eventually walking into a restaurant and grabbing a drink to watch some live music. Afterwards I had a short conversation with Uel, a worker at one of the nearby shops.
Today I have been sitting in a coffee shop waiting for 4pm to roll around. There is a small group of musicians playing somewhere around here for a couple of hours and I would like to catch them. Other than that I will probably do a lot of reading.
My current reads are the Tibetan Book of the Dead, Emotional Intelligence, People-Centered Organizations, and Non-profit for Dummies. The former is a pretty well known text that provides instruction material for spiritual practitioners to engage in practices that simulate the experiences of death in order to prepare one for actual death and dissipation of the gross material body. The next book is a pretty simple read and is based on Howard Gardner and his development of multiple intelligences. Coleman, the writer of the book, displays research data that suggests emotional intelligence helps to offer a better view of what constitutes intelligence, which is basically the development or two or more intelligences in a healthy manner, compared to the older perspective of intelligence resting solely within the logico-mathematical developmental line. Some of his other books include research into other lines, such as the social/interpersonal lines.
This research will end up being an important aspect to my future writings, showing how mask work helps with the development of some lines and not others.
When I say that I will be researching the UL quadrant of the AQAL from a zone #2 perspective involving states, stages, types, lines, this would fit under the lines category. Other lines can be ego-identity, aesthetic, moral, interpersonal, etc.
Even though I mention the book, don't expect it to come out next year or anything. Important enough as the book will be, I have other obligations set before me. Working and setting up the non-profit are my next two obligations, followed by building/converting the van and continuing to connect with communities. Once I have those set in motion I will begin to dive into research/writing.
That is all for now!
Cheers,
Justin
Monday, August 5, 2013
Back in the Maineland
Howdy!
Amber and I parted ways in Halifax. Our adventures were great, and we got to know each other very well. Our time together was pretty much as expected with two people vagabonding together. You have the good times and the bad times all wrapped up in the lifestyle of being around each other for nearly 24/7. Our situation was unique. For two years she was looking to meet a shaman. She was lined up to meet one the week after I left Barrie too. However, we came together before that happened. I gave her the opportunity to travel with me for two weeks or so. We didn't know a lick about each other. My advice, which is how my Buddhist teacher often presents an option to you, was this: Don't do it unless you have to. So she packed her suitcase and came on the road with me.
By the time we arrived in Halifax I was ready to part ways. I spend most of my time by myself, so this was a big lesson for me. It is always easier to think that you have a strong character and a good sense of communication if you only have to deal with people and the world in certain ways. I always give myself the credit of being a person that can communicate well, or at least try to with the best of intentions. That only works well enough for me if I have a reprieve...which I hardly had. So I enjoyed the growth experience.
We had a little difficulty in parting ways. We ended with an Indian dinner (Amber's treat) and a glass of wine. We both know we were brought together, but neither of us are entirely sure why. So it will be interesting to see what comes of it in the future.
I felt the need to drive though, so drive I did. I spent no time in Halifax. This made me somewhat sad, since there are many thriving Buddhist communities there. It will have to wait until next time though.
On I went up to New Brunswick. I was heading towards Maine and decided to sleep an hour or so away from the border. So I found some nice country and pulled off for the night. I woke up to deer grazing off in the distance. It was really nice.
In the morning I had the idea pop into my head to work. I wanted to get my hands dirty. To use my body for something. This is how the hostel came into being...I woke up with a thought. When I pulled over to a gas station, I asked the lady inside if she knew of any work. She did not. So on I drove. A little ways away, in Edmunds, I was driving along the Coastal one and felt inclined to turn my head and look back. As I did, I saw a sign for a farm and it lit up for me. So I turned around and drove into the farm.
The first people I came across were Aaron and Molly. Molly works on the farm with her partner James. James in a Soto Zen practitioner and has received Jukai. It was nice to run into a fellow Soto practitioner on my travels. Aaron ended up being the guy who ran the farm. He is young, intelligent, and full of farm-working vigor. He went to school for philosophy. Not being a scholar, he emphasized the ability to ask the questions as the main thing he walked away with. He quickly took me in and showed me some things I could do around the farm. I intended for a one night stay, but stayed for the weekend.
This farm is a bicentennial farm that has remained within the same family lineage right from the get-go. I believe they have been around for a lot longer than 200 years though. His family was originally given 10,000 acres of land. Nowadays they own 1,600. This farm is an Organic farm and they produce meat, dairy, and vegetables...I think I covered it all.
There is a rich history that I could not even begin to re-count for fear of inaccuracy. Needless to say it was a very beautiful part of my trip. I milked cows, caught chicken, fed cattle, scythed milk thistle, among other things. I even became a part of there history by doing some shamanic work on the farm. I don't think I have touched upon the shamanic sessions I have come across during the past few weeks...but they have happened. In places that I did not suspect either. They have all been very interesting.
One night Aaron and I skipped stones out on the bay while both his son and his daughter played around us with their dog. We were also in the company of three young travelers. I believe all of them were from Spain? Only two lived there though? I don't quite remember. We weren't able to say good-bye before they left. If you are reading this I hope you are well!
I feel as though I made some friends on that farm. Next time I am in Maine I will be heading back there for a visit. I hope the years between our next joining brings them health and prosperity.
I also drank a TON of raw milk. I love that stuff. It feels really good to drink too. Most lactose intolerance actually comes from the homogenization process. I can tell the difference.
If anyone is interested in checking them out they are: Tide Mill Farm, Edmunds, ME. They don't do any WWOOFing opportunities anymore. But they are a lovely bunch and have great produce.
Last night as I was driving I came across a Wal-Mart. This was good because I desperately needed an oil change. They were closed and I had to wait until morning. I did meet three young travelers that were traveling in a way beyond what I have done. Two have lived on the road continuously for three years, while the other has been for two. They had a dog and a cat with them too. Nothing but some packs and each other. Intense!
So I slept for the night in a parking lot with more camper vans than I had ever seen before (due to Bar Harbor.) While there I also met a lovely older man whom I ran into again way down the road at Fort Knox. Yes, Fort Knox. There is also one in Maine. The original one. They are both named after the same guy too. I took a ton of pictures. I also met a couple who gave me some useful information that I will write down here so I don't forget. I can take a cargo van to any camper retail shop and they can help me do conversions. That will be helpful for me.
I am currently in some beautiful little library in some small town on the coast of Maine. I am not doing too much since I am strapped down pretty tight on my funds because of the lengthy detour through New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. So far, my feeling is that I like Nova Scotia more so than Maine. But I will wait until I give the place a fair chance...which may be on my next trip out here.
I'm not sure what adventures await me. Time and time again I am thrown a left hook when it comes to expectations. The stories that I have read about with travelers and unique situations is happening to me. Each different section being another adventure in and of itself. I cannot deny how much the experience of traveling has, and will continue to, change my life.
Ciao!
Justin
Amber and I parted ways in Halifax. Our adventures were great, and we got to know each other very well. Our time together was pretty much as expected with two people vagabonding together. You have the good times and the bad times all wrapped up in the lifestyle of being around each other for nearly 24/7. Our situation was unique. For two years she was looking to meet a shaman. She was lined up to meet one the week after I left Barrie too. However, we came together before that happened. I gave her the opportunity to travel with me for two weeks or so. We didn't know a lick about each other. My advice, which is how my Buddhist teacher often presents an option to you, was this: Don't do it unless you have to. So she packed her suitcase and came on the road with me.
By the time we arrived in Halifax I was ready to part ways. I spend most of my time by myself, so this was a big lesson for me. It is always easier to think that you have a strong character and a good sense of communication if you only have to deal with people and the world in certain ways. I always give myself the credit of being a person that can communicate well, or at least try to with the best of intentions. That only works well enough for me if I have a reprieve...which I hardly had. So I enjoyed the growth experience.
We had a little difficulty in parting ways. We ended with an Indian dinner (Amber's treat) and a glass of wine. We both know we were brought together, but neither of us are entirely sure why. So it will be interesting to see what comes of it in the future.
I felt the need to drive though, so drive I did. I spent no time in Halifax. This made me somewhat sad, since there are many thriving Buddhist communities there. It will have to wait until next time though.
On I went up to New Brunswick. I was heading towards Maine and decided to sleep an hour or so away from the border. So I found some nice country and pulled off for the night. I woke up to deer grazing off in the distance. It was really nice.
In the morning I had the idea pop into my head to work. I wanted to get my hands dirty. To use my body for something. This is how the hostel came into being...I woke up with a thought. When I pulled over to a gas station, I asked the lady inside if she knew of any work. She did not. So on I drove. A little ways away, in Edmunds, I was driving along the Coastal one and felt inclined to turn my head and look back. As I did, I saw a sign for a farm and it lit up for me. So I turned around and drove into the farm.
The first people I came across were Aaron and Molly. Molly works on the farm with her partner James. James in a Soto Zen practitioner and has received Jukai. It was nice to run into a fellow Soto practitioner on my travels. Aaron ended up being the guy who ran the farm. He is young, intelligent, and full of farm-working vigor. He went to school for philosophy. Not being a scholar, he emphasized the ability to ask the questions as the main thing he walked away with. He quickly took me in and showed me some things I could do around the farm. I intended for a one night stay, but stayed for the weekend.
This farm is a bicentennial farm that has remained within the same family lineage right from the get-go. I believe they have been around for a lot longer than 200 years though. His family was originally given 10,000 acres of land. Nowadays they own 1,600. This farm is an Organic farm and they produce meat, dairy, and vegetables...I think I covered it all.
There is a rich history that I could not even begin to re-count for fear of inaccuracy. Needless to say it was a very beautiful part of my trip. I milked cows, caught chicken, fed cattle, scythed milk thistle, among other things. I even became a part of there history by doing some shamanic work on the farm. I don't think I have touched upon the shamanic sessions I have come across during the past few weeks...but they have happened. In places that I did not suspect either. They have all been very interesting.
One night Aaron and I skipped stones out on the bay while both his son and his daughter played around us with their dog. We were also in the company of three young travelers. I believe all of them were from Spain? Only two lived there though? I don't quite remember. We weren't able to say good-bye before they left. If you are reading this I hope you are well!
I feel as though I made some friends on that farm. Next time I am in Maine I will be heading back there for a visit. I hope the years between our next joining brings them health and prosperity.
I also drank a TON of raw milk. I love that stuff. It feels really good to drink too. Most lactose intolerance actually comes from the homogenization process. I can tell the difference.
If anyone is interested in checking them out they are: Tide Mill Farm, Edmunds, ME. They don't do any WWOOFing opportunities anymore. But they are a lovely bunch and have great produce.
Last night as I was driving I came across a Wal-Mart. This was good because I desperately needed an oil change. They were closed and I had to wait until morning. I did meet three young travelers that were traveling in a way beyond what I have done. Two have lived on the road continuously for three years, while the other has been for two. They had a dog and a cat with them too. Nothing but some packs and each other. Intense!
So I slept for the night in a parking lot with more camper vans than I had ever seen before (due to Bar Harbor.) While there I also met a lovely older man whom I ran into again way down the road at Fort Knox. Yes, Fort Knox. There is also one in Maine. The original one. They are both named after the same guy too. I took a ton of pictures. I also met a couple who gave me some useful information that I will write down here so I don't forget. I can take a cargo van to any camper retail shop and they can help me do conversions. That will be helpful for me.
I am currently in some beautiful little library in some small town on the coast of Maine. I am not doing too much since I am strapped down pretty tight on my funds because of the lengthy detour through New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. So far, my feeling is that I like Nova Scotia more so than Maine. But I will wait until I give the place a fair chance...which may be on my next trip out here.
I'm not sure what adventures await me. Time and time again I am thrown a left hook when it comes to expectations. The stories that I have read about with travelers and unique situations is happening to me. Each different section being another adventure in and of itself. I cannot deny how much the experience of traveling has, and will continue to, change my life.
Ciao!
Justin
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
From Montreal to Cape Breton
Good morning folks! I am currently in Pleasant Bay, Cape Breton, NS. It is 8:45 here and we are soon to be heading into Gampo Abbey for a tour. It's been quite the adventure getting here.
After Montreal Amber and I headed to Old Montreal. We walked around for a brief period, but the main body of time was spent in the Notre Dame. This place was absolutely beautiful! For $5 we were able to get in and walk around for the entire day. We only stayed for a short while. We managed to walk around and look at everything, get a guided tour, and get a view of the chapel. I'll be posting a few pictures of the chapel. It was probably the most breathtaking chapel I have ever seen in my entire life. It looked as though it were showered in a brilliant gold light. Though it was carved mostly out of wood. Someone purposely set fire to this chapel awhile back, so there was a unique blend between modern and older themes.
From there we drove through to St.-Jean-Port-Jali. I was told of this place many times. At first, I figured I wouldn't have to remember it and could just find it on the map. When I did look at a map I noticed that there are a TON of places beginning with the name Saint...so I figured I was out of luck. It just so happens that the small city was on our route to Quebec City. The city is the city of infamous woodcarvers. We spent a night there along the port after walking through the museum.
The French-Canadian country is quite a rare treat. At many points along the road there are rock formations that remind me of the small, tall mountains in the seas of China...except these were still on the land. We stopped along the way to pick up a map and instead found a beautiful little apple tree. We are in Nova Scotia and still have not managed to gobble them all up.
This part of the trip has been mostly scenery and little stopping. We blasted through Quebec and New Brunswick. We found out later that New Brunswick is known as the pass through province. People always skip over New Brunswick in order to get to PEI and Nova Scotia. In our defense....it was raining a lot. ; )
NB wasn't one of the more beautiful scenic drives. But it did have a charm that lies elsewhere. All the small towns. These were much more homey feeling than any other provinces I have been in. The first night we stayed in a small town called Woodstock. Our intent was to pitch a tent up in the woods somewhere. I had the feeling that this was going to be a very restful night. It didn't happen quite like we planned...
We went on a quest to the Salvation Army to pick up another blanket or two. This led us on a quest to a Presbyterian church that ended up putting us up in a motel for the night. The preacher was an Asian man by the name of Justin. He didn't ask us much about who we were or what we were doing. He just knew we needed a place to stay and found us one.
Our next stop was the Village of Gagetown. Earlier in the day I had the random thought of stopping and picking up some local eggs from a farm. I wrote it off as a good idea, but more of a passing thought. After driving for a little while I decided to get off the highway and stop at a gas station to use the restroom. Right in front me, in plain view, was a flyer for a hostel/farm called the Lazy Farmer Hostel. This was perfect for me, since I also wanted to come across a hostel.
We walked down to the only pub in town and went on a hunt to find them. The funny thing is that I actually knew exactly who they were when I walked in. Just in case, I walked to the bartender and asked where I could find them. The pub had a Jeopardy game going on and we caught them at the very last round. We made arrangements and came to a decision, then talked for some time before going to bed. If you are in the area and need a place to stay I recommend checking them out. The next morning they took us down to the river for a nice swim and recommended a nice route for us to drive on to see the back-roads of the province. We stopped at a 100 year old well and gathered up some water on the way to New Glasglow.
A really good friend of Ambers is currently living in New Glasglow. So we had no trouble finding a place to stay. I would say this was pretty chill. It was good to rest up after driving for so many hours. We drank wine out on their patio, cooked gluten free spaghetti, and just hung out. I was introduced to something that the county is absolutely famous for. Pictou County Pizza! They use a different sauce for making pizzas that make them a hot commodity elsewhere. It is a mix between BBQ sauce and regular pizza sauce. Quite delicious if you ask me.
After we said our good-byes we headed onwards. For some reason the city of Antigonish was calling my name. So I stopped there and we intended to walk about the town. Instead, we met a nice man who was grieving over the loss of his best friend. He showed us the way to a beautiful scenic drive. So we took to the drive and ended up in a small lighthouse park that was dedicated by a small family (whom we met. The were spreading their sisters ashes on the land.) After picking up some food to make a delicious salad, we decided to set up a tent up there. The area was sparsely populated, so I didn't foresee any problems as we probably wouldn't encounter any park ranger. Instead, we found ourselves a lovely older couple to share the space with for the night. These two live in Quebec and own a Maple Farm. They were traveling around in a Westphalia Euro-van. As we were making breakfast they gave us a can of their very own maple syrup. I thought it was a wonderful gift. Next time I drive through Quebec I would like to visit them and their farm. We also met a awkwardly cute German family.
Cape Breton, it seems, is a very popular place to travel for tourists. It doesn't surprise me either. We have been taking the scenic coastal drives the whole way to Gampo Abbey and have been amazed by the beautiful simplicity of these small villages. I think we spent the night in Cheticamp. We managed to find a small little coffee/art shop that had some gluten-free cookies (Amber is gluten-free) and found out about two local musicians that play Cape Breton traditional folk-fiddle music. We couldn't pass this opportunity up. So last night we drank wine and watched live music.
This morning we awoke having to pee...so we broke camp quickly and headed into town. These towns all have a backdrop of lush green mountains. I basically want to live in Canada. I find the place to be, on the whole, way more beautiful than the states. In order to get to the Gampo Abbey we had to drive through the Highland National Park. Along the way we came across three Moose. One male, one female, and one young'un. All three were along the roadside and had very dark coats that were quite different from the ones I encountered in the Algonquin.
Our tour through Gampo is at 1:30 pm. So we have some time to kill. Right now we are sitting at a small café drinking coffee. Our host is a charming older lady that has a soft motherly tenderness to her as she takes care of the customers. Amber is reading one of the books I brought (The Truth of Suffering and the Path of Liberation) while I am sitting here writing to you. We will probably head to the monastery early and hang out in the grounds surrounding the building.
Cheers!
Justin
After Montreal Amber and I headed to Old Montreal. We walked around for a brief period, but the main body of time was spent in the Notre Dame. This place was absolutely beautiful! For $5 we were able to get in and walk around for the entire day. We only stayed for a short while. We managed to walk around and look at everything, get a guided tour, and get a view of the chapel. I'll be posting a few pictures of the chapel. It was probably the most breathtaking chapel I have ever seen in my entire life. It looked as though it were showered in a brilliant gold light. Though it was carved mostly out of wood. Someone purposely set fire to this chapel awhile back, so there was a unique blend between modern and older themes.
From there we drove through to St.-Jean-Port-Jali. I was told of this place many times. At first, I figured I wouldn't have to remember it and could just find it on the map. When I did look at a map I noticed that there are a TON of places beginning with the name Saint...so I figured I was out of luck. It just so happens that the small city was on our route to Quebec City. The city is the city of infamous woodcarvers. We spent a night there along the port after walking through the museum.
The French-Canadian country is quite a rare treat. At many points along the road there are rock formations that remind me of the small, tall mountains in the seas of China...except these were still on the land. We stopped along the way to pick up a map and instead found a beautiful little apple tree. We are in Nova Scotia and still have not managed to gobble them all up.
This part of the trip has been mostly scenery and little stopping. We blasted through Quebec and New Brunswick. We found out later that New Brunswick is known as the pass through province. People always skip over New Brunswick in order to get to PEI and Nova Scotia. In our defense....it was raining a lot. ; )
NB wasn't one of the more beautiful scenic drives. But it did have a charm that lies elsewhere. All the small towns. These were much more homey feeling than any other provinces I have been in. The first night we stayed in a small town called Woodstock. Our intent was to pitch a tent up in the woods somewhere. I had the feeling that this was going to be a very restful night. It didn't happen quite like we planned...
We went on a quest to the Salvation Army to pick up another blanket or two. This led us on a quest to a Presbyterian church that ended up putting us up in a motel for the night. The preacher was an Asian man by the name of Justin. He didn't ask us much about who we were or what we were doing. He just knew we needed a place to stay and found us one.
Our next stop was the Village of Gagetown. Earlier in the day I had the random thought of stopping and picking up some local eggs from a farm. I wrote it off as a good idea, but more of a passing thought. After driving for a little while I decided to get off the highway and stop at a gas station to use the restroom. Right in front me, in plain view, was a flyer for a hostel/farm called the Lazy Farmer Hostel. This was perfect for me, since I also wanted to come across a hostel.
We walked down to the only pub in town and went on a hunt to find them. The funny thing is that I actually knew exactly who they were when I walked in. Just in case, I walked to the bartender and asked where I could find them. The pub had a Jeopardy game going on and we caught them at the very last round. We made arrangements and came to a decision, then talked for some time before going to bed. If you are in the area and need a place to stay I recommend checking them out. The next morning they took us down to the river for a nice swim and recommended a nice route for us to drive on to see the back-roads of the province. We stopped at a 100 year old well and gathered up some water on the way to New Glasglow.
A really good friend of Ambers is currently living in New Glasglow. So we had no trouble finding a place to stay. I would say this was pretty chill. It was good to rest up after driving for so many hours. We drank wine out on their patio, cooked gluten free spaghetti, and just hung out. I was introduced to something that the county is absolutely famous for. Pictou County Pizza! They use a different sauce for making pizzas that make them a hot commodity elsewhere. It is a mix between BBQ sauce and regular pizza sauce. Quite delicious if you ask me.
After we said our good-byes we headed onwards. For some reason the city of Antigonish was calling my name. So I stopped there and we intended to walk about the town. Instead, we met a nice man who was grieving over the loss of his best friend. He showed us the way to a beautiful scenic drive. So we took to the drive and ended up in a small lighthouse park that was dedicated by a small family (whom we met. The were spreading their sisters ashes on the land.) After picking up some food to make a delicious salad, we decided to set up a tent up there. The area was sparsely populated, so I didn't foresee any problems as we probably wouldn't encounter any park ranger. Instead, we found ourselves a lovely older couple to share the space with for the night. These two live in Quebec and own a Maple Farm. They were traveling around in a Westphalia Euro-van. As we were making breakfast they gave us a can of their very own maple syrup. I thought it was a wonderful gift. Next time I drive through Quebec I would like to visit them and their farm. We also met a awkwardly cute German family.
Cape Breton, it seems, is a very popular place to travel for tourists. It doesn't surprise me either. We have been taking the scenic coastal drives the whole way to Gampo Abbey and have been amazed by the beautiful simplicity of these small villages. I think we spent the night in Cheticamp. We managed to find a small little coffee/art shop that had some gluten-free cookies (Amber is gluten-free) and found out about two local musicians that play Cape Breton traditional folk-fiddle music. We couldn't pass this opportunity up. So last night we drank wine and watched live music.
This morning we awoke having to pee...so we broke camp quickly and headed into town. These towns all have a backdrop of lush green mountains. I basically want to live in Canada. I find the place to be, on the whole, way more beautiful than the states. In order to get to the Gampo Abbey we had to drive through the Highland National Park. Along the way we came across three Moose. One male, one female, and one young'un. All three were along the roadside and had very dark coats that were quite different from the ones I encountered in the Algonquin.
Our tour through Gampo is at 1:30 pm. So we have some time to kill. Right now we are sitting at a small café drinking coffee. Our host is a charming older lady that has a soft motherly tenderness to her as she takes care of the customers. Amber is reading one of the books I brought (The Truth of Suffering and the Path of Liberation) while I am sitting here writing to you. We will probably head to the monastery early and hang out in the grounds surrounding the building.
Cheers!
Justin
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Onwards we go!
Howdy!
I left Barrie a few days ago and began to make my way to Montreal. Instead of taking the highways, I acted as any good traveler would and I took the back-roads. With the music turned up high and the windows rolled down, my thoughts flowed as naturally as the landscape around me. If I haven't told you already I will tell you again: I live for those moments.
Inspiration, awe, and splendor exist all around us. A traveler with a fresh eye to old land can invoke such things with little ease.
As I was driving I came across a small city on the seven called Perch. I was immediately captivated by the place. So I parked my car and went for a stroll. It didn't take long before I hit the main park. This park was magnificent! It was one of those places where people automatically think "This is heaven on earth!" I walked about and took a few pictures, then walked around the town to see the historical buildings. The park was donated by a family who used to run the local distillery.
I walked into a fancy looking bar and sat down, ordered a glass of wine, and began sipping. They had some very gorgeous wine. The bartender took a liking to me enough to share a story about Chilean Carmenere wine.
Not long after I sat down two gentleman strode in. I had the feeling that they were going to ask me to hang out with them. This was ok because I actually wanted it to happen. Sure enough, they did. I took my wine glass out on the back patio and joined four people drinking pitchers of beer. They talked mostly politics. Everyone is amazed when they find out that I am from Flint and have never seen a Michael Moore film. One of the guys offered me his couch to sleep on for the night so I didn't have to think about where I was going to sleep for the night.
I woke up early in the morning, showered, said my good-byes, and headed for Montreal.
I arrived around 6 or 7 pm and found the apartment I am currently staying in. It is in the Southwest portion in a small district called St.-Henri and inhabited by two very friendly people that I met randomly in Ottawa. They are traveling all throughout the states right now. Last I read they were in Wyoming.
The first night of sleep had an interesting occurrence. As soon as I laid my head down to sleep a spirit came to the door. I had earlier noticed that the feeling quality of the apartment was out of sorts...so this just confirmed what I was feeling. I asked for permission to do some shamanic work in exchange for letting me stay. They agreed and, with curiosity, asked what a malevolent spirit can do. I listed off some of the things that I thought was relevant. I believe I could see their jaws drop through email! The things that I wrote down were indeed happening to them and had been since day one.
Whether you think spirits exist or not, they exist. This is important to understand because they can influence your life in very, very negative ways and you will have absolutely no idea why you are doing what you are doing nor is it likely that you will be able to stop. Keep in mind that we are only talking about one type of spirit: Malevolent ones. I will be excited to see the changes that come about in their lives as a result of this work.
These lovely folk were also kind enough to introduce me to a friend of theirs. She invited me over for a nice vegetarian cooked meal, conversation, and a walk through one of Montreal's most beautiful parks. I could tell right away that she was a humanitarian. She also told me that she works in the realms of politics. So I was able to ask her a few questions. Not being versed at all in the world of economy or politics...I couldn't ask much.
Within walking distance is the train station to get around the city, a nice canal to walk along, and one of the most beautiful markets I have come across in my days on this earth. Not so much with the aesthetics...but the food! I believe it is the closest thing I have come to that is French. I droolingly looked at all the delicious breads, meats, and deserts for awhile before deciding what I wanted. Finally, I settled on some delicious olive bread and a blueberry almond tart and spent some time watching people. I went there the following day and bought a couple fresh sausages to cook.
So I have talked a little bit here and there (mostly on facebook) about whether I will be moving on to Maine afterwards or if I will head North and visit New Brunswick, Prince Edward Islands, and Nova Scotia before I head to ME. I made my decision.
I am staying in Canada for a little while longer! Partly because I want to make my way to Nova Scotia. I wanted to travel out that way from the get go but decided not to. I should've listened a little better eh? One of the things I want to do is visit Gampo Abbey in Pleasant Bay. It is a Buddhist monastic community in the Shambhala tradition. Should they allow me to visit, I am going to try and get in on living the monastic life for a day or two in their tradition. The contrast between that and the Soto tradition will probably prove to be quite valuable.
I have been waiting for quite awhile to introduce one of the bigger changes on my trip...but here it goes:
I have a travel partner! For at least a few weeks. Her name is Amber. I won't write too much about Amber yet. She has an aptitude for this work and she hasn't had much of an opportunity to work with someone.
Yesterday I had my last Canadian ceremony. The ceremony took place at Equilibrium yoga. This is a very beautiful space with three separate rooms, a kitchen, a long hallway, private rooms for practice, among other things.
Today, amber and I ran across the Chihuly exhibit at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. We had a splendid time looking at all of the beautiful blown glass. If you have never heard of him, I recommend looking up his artwork online. If you get the chance to see his art, do it.
Tomorrow we will wake up early and make our way to Old Montreal for a few hours. I'm not sure what we will do, but we have to at least try and visit Notre Dame. This is a city where I will be taking pictures. : )
After that we will be heading through Quebec city and onto New Brunswick. There is a small city outside of Quebec city that I would like to visit if I am able to. This city is known for woodcarving. Generations upon generations of woodcarvers and their beautiful craftsmanship.
So I am going to rest for the night and get ready for our big adventure that awaits us.
Cheers,
Justin
I left Barrie a few days ago and began to make my way to Montreal. Instead of taking the highways, I acted as any good traveler would and I took the back-roads. With the music turned up high and the windows rolled down, my thoughts flowed as naturally as the landscape around me. If I haven't told you already I will tell you again: I live for those moments.
Inspiration, awe, and splendor exist all around us. A traveler with a fresh eye to old land can invoke such things with little ease.
As I was driving I came across a small city on the seven called Perch. I was immediately captivated by the place. So I parked my car and went for a stroll. It didn't take long before I hit the main park. This park was magnificent! It was one of those places where people automatically think "This is heaven on earth!" I walked about and took a few pictures, then walked around the town to see the historical buildings. The park was donated by a family who used to run the local distillery.
I walked into a fancy looking bar and sat down, ordered a glass of wine, and began sipping. They had some very gorgeous wine. The bartender took a liking to me enough to share a story about Chilean Carmenere wine.
Not long after I sat down two gentleman strode in. I had the feeling that they were going to ask me to hang out with them. This was ok because I actually wanted it to happen. Sure enough, they did. I took my wine glass out on the back patio and joined four people drinking pitchers of beer. They talked mostly politics. Everyone is amazed when they find out that I am from Flint and have never seen a Michael Moore film. One of the guys offered me his couch to sleep on for the night so I didn't have to think about where I was going to sleep for the night.
I woke up early in the morning, showered, said my good-byes, and headed for Montreal.
I arrived around 6 or 7 pm and found the apartment I am currently staying in. It is in the Southwest portion in a small district called St.-Henri and inhabited by two very friendly people that I met randomly in Ottawa. They are traveling all throughout the states right now. Last I read they were in Wyoming.
The first night of sleep had an interesting occurrence. As soon as I laid my head down to sleep a spirit came to the door. I had earlier noticed that the feeling quality of the apartment was out of sorts...so this just confirmed what I was feeling. I asked for permission to do some shamanic work in exchange for letting me stay. They agreed and, with curiosity, asked what a malevolent spirit can do. I listed off some of the things that I thought was relevant. I believe I could see their jaws drop through email! The things that I wrote down were indeed happening to them and had been since day one.
Whether you think spirits exist or not, they exist. This is important to understand because they can influence your life in very, very negative ways and you will have absolutely no idea why you are doing what you are doing nor is it likely that you will be able to stop. Keep in mind that we are only talking about one type of spirit: Malevolent ones. I will be excited to see the changes that come about in their lives as a result of this work.
These lovely folk were also kind enough to introduce me to a friend of theirs. She invited me over for a nice vegetarian cooked meal, conversation, and a walk through one of Montreal's most beautiful parks. I could tell right away that she was a humanitarian. She also told me that she works in the realms of politics. So I was able to ask her a few questions. Not being versed at all in the world of economy or politics...I couldn't ask much.
Within walking distance is the train station to get around the city, a nice canal to walk along, and one of the most beautiful markets I have come across in my days on this earth. Not so much with the aesthetics...but the food! I believe it is the closest thing I have come to that is French. I droolingly looked at all the delicious breads, meats, and deserts for awhile before deciding what I wanted. Finally, I settled on some delicious olive bread and a blueberry almond tart and spent some time watching people. I went there the following day and bought a couple fresh sausages to cook.
So I have talked a little bit here and there (mostly on facebook) about whether I will be moving on to Maine afterwards or if I will head North and visit New Brunswick, Prince Edward Islands, and Nova Scotia before I head to ME. I made my decision.
I am staying in Canada for a little while longer! Partly because I want to make my way to Nova Scotia. I wanted to travel out that way from the get go but decided not to. I should've listened a little better eh? One of the things I want to do is visit Gampo Abbey in Pleasant Bay. It is a Buddhist monastic community in the Shambhala tradition. Should they allow me to visit, I am going to try and get in on living the monastic life for a day or two in their tradition. The contrast between that and the Soto tradition will probably prove to be quite valuable.
I have been waiting for quite awhile to introduce one of the bigger changes on my trip...but here it goes:
I have a travel partner! For at least a few weeks. Her name is Amber. I won't write too much about Amber yet. She has an aptitude for this work and she hasn't had much of an opportunity to work with someone.
Yesterday I had my last Canadian ceremony. The ceremony took place at Equilibrium yoga. This is a very beautiful space with three separate rooms, a kitchen, a long hallway, private rooms for practice, among other things.
Today, amber and I ran across the Chihuly exhibit at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. We had a splendid time looking at all of the beautiful blown glass. If you have never heard of him, I recommend looking up his artwork online. If you get the chance to see his art, do it.
Tomorrow we will wake up early and make our way to Old Montreal for a few hours. I'm not sure what we will do, but we have to at least try and visit Notre Dame. This is a city where I will be taking pictures. : )
After that we will be heading through Quebec city and onto New Brunswick. There is a small city outside of Quebec city that I would like to visit if I am able to. This city is known for woodcarving. Generations upon generations of woodcarvers and their beautiful craftsmanship.
So I am going to rest for the night and get ready for our big adventure that awaits us.
Cheers,
Justin
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Always something new
Every week has some new adventure that I never really thought would transpire. Ahh, the magic of traveling... : )
It hasn't even been a full week here in Barrie and I feel like I know half the towns young'un population.
Not even twenty minutes into my first exploration of the downtown area I struck up a conversation with a guy who goes by the name "Kidd." Kidd is about 36 years old and has a kid or two that he really loves. He doesn't seem them often. He is currently homeless and may have been that way for awhile. Many years ago he fell off the side of a mountain and was put into a coma. When he awoke, he wasn't able to walk and it took him two years to be able to walk again. He also has some type of cancer (lymphoma I believe) under his left arm in the armpit region. Aside from all of that, he was probably the most giving homeless guy I met. He didn't seem to be the panhandler type...I think this is because he is on disability. However, he shared anything he had with another, including his time. He walked me all around the downtown area and showed me everywhere I should go to meet people that are like me. One of these places is the DIY art collective.
The DIY has a "food not bombs" event every now and then where they support the distribution of food over items that are used to harm another being. Food is a right, not a privilege. This event wasn't for a few days, so I walked about the town. They have two beaches located within a short walk from the main downtown area, a path that parallels the major lake, and a beautiful park/landscape garden. The parking is cheap too, so I bought some tickets and camped out downtown.
My first run-in with people aside from my friendly tour guide happened while I was at a coffee shop sipping on espresso and using the internet. They pulled up outside in a van similar to the one I want. On the dash was a cool blanket-like item and they looked like they were traveling. So I struck up a conversation with them. The guy shoots music videos for hip-hop artists. His latest work was an Aesop Rock video. I checked it out and he does a fantastic job! Later on I laid down on the grass next to the lake with the other traveler, Aniko, and soaked up some sun.
At first I was nervous to go to the DIY event, since there were probably going to be a lot of people. It wasn't all so bad. I struck up a conversation with an extremely intelligent kid who loved to talk about economics. We had many similar correlations about...things...through studying different knowledge realms. It was pretty fascinating. We talked for awhile until I slowly made my way around introducing myself to others. In a strange way I feel a little like family with some of the people at the collective (as a guy is playing a reminiscing tune on the piano in the coffee shop.) I think this is because they remind me of many of the kids I grew up with. So I have been walking a beautiful line between a new adventure and a familiar memory that puts a smile in my heart.
Oh! Last night, while at one of the LCBO's in Barrie, I ran into the woman who hosted my ceremony in Toronto. In Barrie! That literally blew my mind and I think I had to take a few to recover. Out of all the crazy things I have been experiencing while on the road, that one probably struck me as one of the more curious. Think of the chances of that happening!
So I have my next ceremony in a few hours. This is at the Yoga room just down the street. I met a girl at the DIY that is extremely interested in going to the ceremony, so we agreed to a seat in exchange for a lunch and some wine. I haven't run in to her yet today, so I am not sure if it will happen. She also invited me to a small social gathering that she is going to where the people speaking have some sort of affiliation with shamanism. So I am interested to see what, if anything, transpires.
After that I will be on my merry way to Montreal. The couple I met in Ottawa put me in contact with a good friend of theirs whom I will be meeting once I arrive. : )
It seems as though leaving Barrie will be somewhat difficult emotionally. I don't exactly know why, but this place has captured my heart...as if it stirred something deep in me that I can't really touch upon with my mind yet.
Stay tuned for more! : )
Cheers!
Justin
It hasn't even been a full week here in Barrie and I feel like I know half the towns young'un population.
Not even twenty minutes into my first exploration of the downtown area I struck up a conversation with a guy who goes by the name "Kidd." Kidd is about 36 years old and has a kid or two that he really loves. He doesn't seem them often. He is currently homeless and may have been that way for awhile. Many years ago he fell off the side of a mountain and was put into a coma. When he awoke, he wasn't able to walk and it took him two years to be able to walk again. He also has some type of cancer (lymphoma I believe) under his left arm in the armpit region. Aside from all of that, he was probably the most giving homeless guy I met. He didn't seem to be the panhandler type...I think this is because he is on disability. However, he shared anything he had with another, including his time. He walked me all around the downtown area and showed me everywhere I should go to meet people that are like me. One of these places is the DIY art collective.
The DIY has a "food not bombs" event every now and then where they support the distribution of food over items that are used to harm another being. Food is a right, not a privilege. This event wasn't for a few days, so I walked about the town. They have two beaches located within a short walk from the main downtown area, a path that parallels the major lake, and a beautiful park/landscape garden. The parking is cheap too, so I bought some tickets and camped out downtown.
My first run-in with people aside from my friendly tour guide happened while I was at a coffee shop sipping on espresso and using the internet. They pulled up outside in a van similar to the one I want. On the dash was a cool blanket-like item and they looked like they were traveling. So I struck up a conversation with them. The guy shoots music videos for hip-hop artists. His latest work was an Aesop Rock video. I checked it out and he does a fantastic job! Later on I laid down on the grass next to the lake with the other traveler, Aniko, and soaked up some sun.
At first I was nervous to go to the DIY event, since there were probably going to be a lot of people. It wasn't all so bad. I struck up a conversation with an extremely intelligent kid who loved to talk about economics. We had many similar correlations about...things...through studying different knowledge realms. It was pretty fascinating. We talked for awhile until I slowly made my way around introducing myself to others. In a strange way I feel a little like family with some of the people at the collective (as a guy is playing a reminiscing tune on the piano in the coffee shop.) I think this is because they remind me of many of the kids I grew up with. So I have been walking a beautiful line between a new adventure and a familiar memory that puts a smile in my heart.
Oh! Last night, while at one of the LCBO's in Barrie, I ran into the woman who hosted my ceremony in Toronto. In Barrie! That literally blew my mind and I think I had to take a few to recover. Out of all the crazy things I have been experiencing while on the road, that one probably struck me as one of the more curious. Think of the chances of that happening!
So I have my next ceremony in a few hours. This is at the Yoga room just down the street. I met a girl at the DIY that is extremely interested in going to the ceremony, so we agreed to a seat in exchange for a lunch and some wine. I haven't run in to her yet today, so I am not sure if it will happen. She also invited me to a small social gathering that she is going to where the people speaking have some sort of affiliation with shamanism. So I am interested to see what, if anything, transpires.
After that I will be on my merry way to Montreal. The couple I met in Ottawa put me in contact with a good friend of theirs whom I will be meeting once I arrive. : )
It seems as though leaving Barrie will be somewhat difficult emotionally. I don't exactly know why, but this place has captured my heart...as if it stirred something deep in me that I can't really touch upon with my mind yet.
Stay tuned for more! : )
Cheers!
Justin
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Connections
Good morning!
It's been awhile hasn't it? Well...that is because I have been in good company. ; )
I don't quite remember where I last wrote from, but I just spent the last week in the Hamilton/Toronto region with Mile and his new roommate Edward. We spent the majority of the week together and I was able to see and do many exciting things!
A little bit of background for all of you. Mile is a fellow graduate of the Foundation for Shamanic Studies three-year program. Early on in the program we connected and even talked about meeting up to practice together since he is not so far away from my hometown, Flint, MI.
He is currently working on his Master's in Globalization studies and works at the Hamilton University for conflict resolution. Although his ever-inquisitive mind brings him interest with many traditions, it would be safe to say his strongest pull is to the Central/South American cultural shamanic practices.
Edward is a young gentleman from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. He arrived shortly before I did, giving Mile a full house (which he enjoys.) Edward is interested in pursuing something within the Horror film industry. He has the distinct feel of someone who would be perfect for being on film. Like an actor or something. It will be nice to see where he ends up, as he shows an untapped intelligence.
We spent a lot of time together throughout the week doing many things. I was invited to a Buddhist lecture given by Dzogchen teachers on getting unstuck. They taught various awareness practices that one engages in to help see and understand how we prevent ourselves from moving forward in our practice. We also ate at several delicious restaurants and even drank fine wine and sake. I particularly fell in love with sake. Mile used to work in the wine industry here in Canada. So as we drank delicious wine, including the bottles I brought from Leelanau County, he shared some funny stories about his younger years and the vast underground wine collection...caves?...that the extremely wealthy people would use to store their wine casks.
This week has brought me plenty of surprises when it comes to connections with spirit.
First off, Mile surprised me by showing me his personal mask collection. He didn't want to tell me about it over email or phone. Rather, he thought it pleasant to surprise me. Surprise me he did! He also has a growing interest in masks and their use through shamanic ritual/ceremony. Most of his collection stemmed from South America, while others came from places like Africa.
Since the very beginning of our relationship I have been intrigued by his connection to S.American practice and, more specifically, his experiences with a plant medicine that shamans often use for spiritual purposes in that region.
By the end of our time together I decided to travel with him to Peru next April to visit remote tribes and learn from the shamans who use this medicine. This will take place just before my next tour begins! There are a lot of correlations that go along with this decision that I will talk about when the time comes.
On the last night I was there he pulled out some items to give to me as gifts. The first was a medicine bag with medicine, while the second was a beautiful rattle. I'll edit more specifics about these gifts as soon as he sends me the information on them (I want to make sure it is right.)
Over the course of our time together we spoke about many things. In particular I am interested in his interest in shamanic research into the lower left quadrant of the AQAL (of course, he doesn't categorize it like this since he doesn't know much about AQAL.) The lower left quadrant is the quadrant of culture, or WE. All subjective I experiences have, as their context, shared cultural values and interpretations.
During my stay I felt compelled to give him my copy of Integral Spirituality. It has fast become one of the "must haves" in my collection. I'm looking forward to what he has to say about it.
As far as ceremony goes...
We ended up going back to having just one ceremony. Instead of the University in Toronto, it was moved to Miles friends house. All-together there were...5 participants (dog included) and each one came out of the ceremony with a valuable experience.
Just outside of the ceremony on Saturday night I found a single book inside a box that was being given away. The book was written by the American Psychological Association, so I quickly scooped it up. When I looked at it later, it was a book teaching people all about writing non-fiction research material. Which happens to be exactly what I am planning to do!
Yesterday I spent my time driving through the backcountry in between Hamilton and Barrie. I stopped in Guelph at the siting of a magnificent church structure lying atop a hill as you drive in. It was a Catholic church that was being renovated. I tried snooping around the place, but everywhere besides the Chapel was locked up. So I sat down and just looked at the history that the church revealed and the people sitting inside in prayer and contemplation. I've stopped in a few beautiful churches but have refrained from taking pictures of them.
I also stopped in a beautiful little city and walked about the streets, even entering a few shops. I don't remember the name of the city...but the lady in the bookstore I went in was telling me about her plot to rule the world with compassion! Then we discovered that floods follow me, since Toronto had a major flood while I was there (the other being Grand Rapids.) Apparently the town had their 150 year celebration and had a gigantic party in the streets of downtown. At some point an interesting guy stopped me and beckoned me to come hang out with him. He was very friendly and had some sort of mental instability. He invited me to his bible study, told me about some of his travels with the town hockey team, talked to me about his friends and the town, and even randomly slug-bugged me while I wasn't looking (though that happened before we talked a lot.) Eventually I left both him and the town behind and headed to Barrie.
I have a few days until my next ceremony, so I don't quite know what I will do with my time yet. I am looking into taking a detour in my pre-planned route after Montreal and heading up to New Brunswick, Prince Edward Islands, and Nova Scotia. In particular I want to visit Halifax, as they have a Buddhist Monastic community that I am interested in. I'd also like to do a bit of hiking/backpacking around that region. This even enables me to enter into Maine in the region that I really wanted to while I was planning my trip earlier in the year. We will see what transpires closer to the Montreal ceremony.
Cheers!
Justin
It's been awhile hasn't it? Well...that is because I have been in good company. ; )
I don't quite remember where I last wrote from, but I just spent the last week in the Hamilton/Toronto region with Mile and his new roommate Edward. We spent the majority of the week together and I was able to see and do many exciting things!
A little bit of background for all of you. Mile is a fellow graduate of the Foundation for Shamanic Studies three-year program. Early on in the program we connected and even talked about meeting up to practice together since he is not so far away from my hometown, Flint, MI.
He is currently working on his Master's in Globalization studies and works at the Hamilton University for conflict resolution. Although his ever-inquisitive mind brings him interest with many traditions, it would be safe to say his strongest pull is to the Central/South American cultural shamanic practices.
Edward is a young gentleman from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. He arrived shortly before I did, giving Mile a full house (which he enjoys.) Edward is interested in pursuing something within the Horror film industry. He has the distinct feel of someone who would be perfect for being on film. Like an actor or something. It will be nice to see where he ends up, as he shows an untapped intelligence.
We spent a lot of time together throughout the week doing many things. I was invited to a Buddhist lecture given by Dzogchen teachers on getting unstuck. They taught various awareness practices that one engages in to help see and understand how we prevent ourselves from moving forward in our practice. We also ate at several delicious restaurants and even drank fine wine and sake. I particularly fell in love with sake. Mile used to work in the wine industry here in Canada. So as we drank delicious wine, including the bottles I brought from Leelanau County, he shared some funny stories about his younger years and the vast underground wine collection...caves?...that the extremely wealthy people would use to store their wine casks.
This week has brought me plenty of surprises when it comes to connections with spirit.
First off, Mile surprised me by showing me his personal mask collection. He didn't want to tell me about it over email or phone. Rather, he thought it pleasant to surprise me. Surprise me he did! He also has a growing interest in masks and their use through shamanic ritual/ceremony. Most of his collection stemmed from South America, while others came from places like Africa.
Since the very beginning of our relationship I have been intrigued by his connection to S.American practice and, more specifically, his experiences with a plant medicine that shamans often use for spiritual purposes in that region.
By the end of our time together I decided to travel with him to Peru next April to visit remote tribes and learn from the shamans who use this medicine. This will take place just before my next tour begins! There are a lot of correlations that go along with this decision that I will talk about when the time comes.
On the last night I was there he pulled out some items to give to me as gifts. The first was a medicine bag with medicine, while the second was a beautiful rattle. I'll edit more specifics about these gifts as soon as he sends me the information on them (I want to make sure it is right.)
Over the course of our time together we spoke about many things. In particular I am interested in his interest in shamanic research into the lower left quadrant of the AQAL (of course, he doesn't categorize it like this since he doesn't know much about AQAL.) The lower left quadrant is the quadrant of culture, or WE. All subjective I experiences have, as their context, shared cultural values and interpretations.
During my stay I felt compelled to give him my copy of Integral Spirituality. It has fast become one of the "must haves" in my collection. I'm looking forward to what he has to say about it.
As far as ceremony goes...
We ended up going back to having just one ceremony. Instead of the University in Toronto, it was moved to Miles friends house. All-together there were...5 participants (dog included) and each one came out of the ceremony with a valuable experience.
Just outside of the ceremony on Saturday night I found a single book inside a box that was being given away. The book was written by the American Psychological Association, so I quickly scooped it up. When I looked at it later, it was a book teaching people all about writing non-fiction research material. Which happens to be exactly what I am planning to do!
Yesterday I spent my time driving through the backcountry in between Hamilton and Barrie. I stopped in Guelph at the siting of a magnificent church structure lying atop a hill as you drive in. It was a Catholic church that was being renovated. I tried snooping around the place, but everywhere besides the Chapel was locked up. So I sat down and just looked at the history that the church revealed and the people sitting inside in prayer and contemplation. I've stopped in a few beautiful churches but have refrained from taking pictures of them.
I also stopped in a beautiful little city and walked about the streets, even entering a few shops. I don't remember the name of the city...but the lady in the bookstore I went in was telling me about her plot to rule the world with compassion! Then we discovered that floods follow me, since Toronto had a major flood while I was there (the other being Grand Rapids.) Apparently the town had their 150 year celebration and had a gigantic party in the streets of downtown. At some point an interesting guy stopped me and beckoned me to come hang out with him. He was very friendly and had some sort of mental instability. He invited me to his bible study, told me about some of his travels with the town hockey team, talked to me about his friends and the town, and even randomly slug-bugged me while I wasn't looking (though that happened before we talked a lot.) Eventually I left both him and the town behind and headed to Barrie.
I have a few days until my next ceremony, so I don't quite know what I will do with my time yet. I am looking into taking a detour in my pre-planned route after Montreal and heading up to New Brunswick, Prince Edward Islands, and Nova Scotia. In particular I want to visit Halifax, as they have a Buddhist Monastic community that I am interested in. I'd also like to do a bit of hiking/backpacking around that region. This even enables me to enter into Maine in the region that I really wanted to while I was planning my trip earlier in the year. We will see what transpires closer to the Montreal ceremony.
Cheers!
Justin
Sunday, June 30, 2013
A Vision for the Future/Coming Home
* + a number suggests endnote for further reading
I think it is about time I go into an explanation about the work that I am beginning to put together. It is quite a multi-faceted vision with many different angles/approaches all coming together under one main theme: To continue entering into deeper understanding of reality and the contemplative practices that help us to do that.
In my personal life I have found two main traditions that have helped me to come to a deeper understanding of who I am: Shamanism and Buddhism. These are both traditions that are lesser known in modern American culture and, quite naturally, I want to help make them more accessible. So this is how I will do my part in the world and within the next major cultural revolution.
I am wanting to return to Grand Rapids sooner than I planned for a few reasons. Here is what they are:
1. Turn my vision into a non-profit organization:
This is not something that I know a lot about, but will need to know if I am going to take my spiritual path "out into the world." Rooting myself in one area will enable me to do the necessary research and focus on doing the work that is necessary to get this up in running.
The non-profit will essentially have two different sections:
- The establishment of Soto Zen Temples and Monasteries
- The establishment of Mask Shamanism
Most money that is raised over these next several years will go to the first section. This will help to fund building projects, land purchases, school organization, research libraries etc. On top of this there will be funding sources established to help pay tuition for people who wish to immerse themselves in monastic or temple settings, as well providing stipends for residential monks, priests, etc.
Mask shamanism will not need as big of a section because it is a fairly non-centralized religion. In fact, it probably won't even grow to be very big. Funds will be going towards research projects, publication of written materials, materials for mask making, and eventually to provide free opportunity for anyone who wishes to engage in the deeper practices of this shamanic path.
This will be morphogenic, or an evolving process from Vision to Reality.
ALL of the money raised from these ceremonies will be going to the non-profit once it is established. I will NOT be loading any of this money into a retirement plan or for a house near the equator. Along with the non-profit information I will have sections describing, in detail, what the money is used for.
2. Pay off any remaining debt that holds me back from engaging more fully in this work:
I am fortunate in that I do not have a lot of debt. However, what little debt I do have holds me back from making this next cycle of my life more conducive to the work I will be doing. I have been complaining about this for years. Since my endeavors have led to more practice/study than monetary work, I have not been able to properly engage in this.
Now that I have a vision I feel as though I can move into short term work to help build the foundation for the long term vision.
3. Trade in my car for a cargo van and fully pay it off:
Buying a cargo van allows me to do a couple of things that will be of immense help to the project.
First off, I will be able to convert a diesel engine to run off a combination of waste veggie oil and diesel. I may even be able to rig up some sort of photovoltaic system to continue aiding the vehicle to run cheaply off of alternative energies. The latter is more expensive and may not be as conducive as it sounds.
Secondly, I will be able to convert the back of the van to living quarters. A small bed, small kitchen, study desk and bookshelves enable me to do all of the things that are extremely difficult in my current situation.
I can also have the car painted with certain designs/logos to help people come into contact with this work.
These are also things that I know little about and will be able to dive into while I am not traveling. Working at a machine shop will give me access to the tools to be able to do this.
4. To plan a much better route for my ceremonies that include a much wider region/territory.
Ideally, I would like to make a country wide circuit set up with locations that I can come back to each trip around. I'd like to make it around each circuit in about 1-1.5 years. Intermittent internet access and limited phone availability have made this nearly impossible.
I originally planned to continue with setting up ceremonies while on the road. Not being able to do this is one of the biggest reasons for me to come home early. An enclosed van with a study desk will also make this easier in years to come.
5. To set up my work/study situation that allows me to begin preparation for the book that I will be writing.
Basically, this means researching most of the Zone #2 UL quadrant researchers that I need in order to have a legitimate ground paved for explaining the stage development behind the practice of Mask Shamanism.
Although I remind people now and then that this practice of mask shamanism is different from most shamanic practices, it will help the larger movement in general. Creating a more structured and precise conceptual map will be necessary for the evolvement of shamanic practice and its legitimacy.
6. To find an assistant...if possible
I have absolutely no idea if anyone out there will be as crazy as I am and go live in a van for several years traveling around the country doing the things I will be doing...but I will try. Having an assistant will prove quite invaluable to the flow of the actual ceremonies. So this will involve sitting down and writing up a few papers involving what the position entails. Aside from the ceremony and a few other things, the requirements will be mostly guidelines.
An assistant wouldn't have to go with me for multiple tours either. Rather, that person would have to sign up for a one-tour commitment and stick to it.
*1
This is a real hot issue with me, as it is akin to people trying to suppress gay rights.
Culturally speaking, I have been reprimanded and looked upon as lazy for not seeking to make a lot of money or getting a job in the "real" world. This is a limited cultural viewpoint based upon mis-understanding. It is work...just of a different type (An extremely important type if we are going to progress as a culture/world and begin to create any real, lasting change that looks at long term solutions to many of the problems we face instead of our typical quick fix solutions.)
I have a right to spend my entire life working and living within spiritual/religious dimensions for the betterment of myself and the world. It is not a running away from the real world. It is a part of the real world. People have different make-ups that enable them to walk along different paths and these paths need to be made accessible to people.
Without the contemplative dimensions of life, you would lose access to the only real knowledge fields that can tell you what this reality really is on the most fundamental level.
Cheers,
Justin
I think it is about time I go into an explanation about the work that I am beginning to put together. It is quite a multi-faceted vision with many different angles/approaches all coming together under one main theme: To continue entering into deeper understanding of reality and the contemplative practices that help us to do that.
In my personal life I have found two main traditions that have helped me to come to a deeper understanding of who I am: Shamanism and Buddhism. These are both traditions that are lesser known in modern American culture and, quite naturally, I want to help make them more accessible. So this is how I will do my part in the world and within the next major cultural revolution.
I am wanting to return to Grand Rapids sooner than I planned for a few reasons. Here is what they are:
1. Turn my vision into a non-profit organization:
This is not something that I know a lot about, but will need to know if I am going to take my spiritual path "out into the world." Rooting myself in one area will enable me to do the necessary research and focus on doing the work that is necessary to get this up in running.
The non-profit will essentially have two different sections:
- The establishment of Soto Zen Temples and Monasteries
- The establishment of Mask Shamanism
Most money that is raised over these next several years will go to the first section. This will help to fund building projects, land purchases, school organization, research libraries etc. On top of this there will be funding sources established to help pay tuition for people who wish to immerse themselves in monastic or temple settings, as well providing stipends for residential monks, priests, etc.
Mask shamanism will not need as big of a section because it is a fairly non-centralized religion. In fact, it probably won't even grow to be very big. Funds will be going towards research projects, publication of written materials, materials for mask making, and eventually to provide free opportunity for anyone who wishes to engage in the deeper practices of this shamanic path.
This will be morphogenic, or an evolving process from Vision to Reality.
ALL of the money raised from these ceremonies will be going to the non-profit once it is established. I will NOT be loading any of this money into a retirement plan or for a house near the equator. Along with the non-profit information I will have sections describing, in detail, what the money is used for.
2. Pay off any remaining debt that holds me back from engaging more fully in this work:
I am fortunate in that I do not have a lot of debt. However, what little debt I do have holds me back from making this next cycle of my life more conducive to the work I will be doing. I have been complaining about this for years. Since my endeavors have led to more practice/study than monetary work, I have not been able to properly engage in this.
Now that I have a vision I feel as though I can move into short term work to help build the foundation for the long term vision.
3. Trade in my car for a cargo van and fully pay it off:
Buying a cargo van allows me to do a couple of things that will be of immense help to the project.
First off, I will be able to convert a diesel engine to run off a combination of waste veggie oil and diesel. I may even be able to rig up some sort of photovoltaic system to continue aiding the vehicle to run cheaply off of alternative energies. The latter is more expensive and may not be as conducive as it sounds.
Secondly, I will be able to convert the back of the van to living quarters. A small bed, small kitchen, study desk and bookshelves enable me to do all of the things that are extremely difficult in my current situation.
I can also have the car painted with certain designs/logos to help people come into contact with this work.
These are also things that I know little about and will be able to dive into while I am not traveling. Working at a machine shop will give me access to the tools to be able to do this.
4. To plan a much better route for my ceremonies that include a much wider region/territory.
Ideally, I would like to make a country wide circuit set up with locations that I can come back to each trip around. I'd like to make it around each circuit in about 1-1.5 years. Intermittent internet access and limited phone availability have made this nearly impossible.
I originally planned to continue with setting up ceremonies while on the road. Not being able to do this is one of the biggest reasons for me to come home early. An enclosed van with a study desk will also make this easier in years to come.
5. To set up my work/study situation that allows me to begin preparation for the book that I will be writing.
Basically, this means researching most of the Zone #2 UL quadrant researchers that I need in order to have a legitimate ground paved for explaining the stage development behind the practice of Mask Shamanism.
Although I remind people now and then that this practice of mask shamanism is different from most shamanic practices, it will help the larger movement in general. Creating a more structured and precise conceptual map will be necessary for the evolvement of shamanic practice and its legitimacy.
6. To find an assistant...if possible
I have absolutely no idea if anyone out there will be as crazy as I am and go live in a van for several years traveling around the country doing the things I will be doing...but I will try. Having an assistant will prove quite invaluable to the flow of the actual ceremonies. So this will involve sitting down and writing up a few papers involving what the position entails. Aside from the ceremony and a few other things, the requirements will be mostly guidelines.
An assistant wouldn't have to go with me for multiple tours either. Rather, that person would have to sign up for a one-tour commitment and stick to it.
*1
This is a real hot issue with me, as it is akin to people trying to suppress gay rights.
Culturally speaking, I have been reprimanded and looked upon as lazy for not seeking to make a lot of money or getting a job in the "real" world. This is a limited cultural viewpoint based upon mis-understanding. It is work...just of a different type (An extremely important type if we are going to progress as a culture/world and begin to create any real, lasting change that looks at long term solutions to many of the problems we face instead of our typical quick fix solutions.)
I have a right to spend my entire life working and living within spiritual/religious dimensions for the betterment of myself and the world. It is not a running away from the real world. It is a part of the real world. People have different make-ups that enable them to walk along different paths and these paths need to be made accessible to people.
Without the contemplative dimensions of life, you would lose access to the only real knowledge fields that can tell you what this reality really is on the most fundamental level.
Cheers,
Justin
Friday, June 28, 2013
It's a bloody good thing I took a piss beforehand!
Yes, as the title says...
I entered into the Algonquin Highlands shortly after my last blog. I chose this path because it seemed to be appropriate to my physical condition. I haven't had much backpacking experience before...none aside from North Manitou...so I didn't want to go out too far into the wilderness by myself without experience.
All in all, the route was about 35-36 kilometers and consisted of many steep climbs up high into the mountain ranges. Beforehand I had to drive to the Mew Lake Campus to pick up a permit. I planned for four days and packed up food consisting of dried fruit and high quality nuts. No cooking + fat and protein = easy, sustainable nutrition. I packed lightly too, bringing just a tent, sleeping bag, clothes, knife, as well as other common backpacking items.
Right at the beginning I met two gents that were finishing up their hike. One was in between jobs while the other was going to school to be a civil engineer. Both men looked like they were tired (and happened to be caked with sweat.) I talked to them for a bit and then headed on my way.
Excitement, trepidation, and the change of pace from busyness to a woodsy stillness all arose within me. I took a lot of pictures in the beginning and, as time went on, began taking less as much of the scenery through the trails became thick woods. You will see in my pictures the gorgeous waterfall I came across in the beginning. My first "experience" happened shortly after.
I came upon a part of the trail that walks alongside of a small lake. Not too far ahead of me I saw a curious bird that had long legs, a slender body, and a curving neck leading up into a face with an extremely penetrating gaze. This bird let me get fairly close in order to take pictures. So I snapped a few and then tried snapping some more as it flew off.
I continued walking up until the trail split off. One trail led off to the right and, as I looked down the path, could tell that this was the direction I needed to go. Compared to the other path, this one had an unobstructed view for quite the ways. So, I spun around towards the lake to have a nice view while I was taking a piss. When I was finished I zipped up and swung myself about....right into the face of the biggest bloody wild animal I have ever seen in my life! It was a bloody good thing I took a piss beforehand! My body immediately went into fight or flight mode and, having never encountered such a creature, panicked into four beings. One wanted to run and scream, another wanted to reach for my camera, and a third thought about fight tactics. This was real funny because all the while my instinctive self slowly made its way behind a tree. The moose then began walking down towards the lake on the other side of the tree. It was around this time I snapped a few pictures and then scrambled away in case it decided to come out of the water.
This moose was not more than 15 feet away from me! It was exhilarating. I have been half joking with people saying, "I will come across a moose and a bear on my trip." Well....one down. ; )
I passed by my designated first camp and hiked on. It was too soon and I didn't want to stop there anyways. By the time I made camp there was still a few hours of daylight...with nothing to do. No reading, no meditation cushion, nothing. Just me with my thoughts and feelings. It was quite lonely. I wasn't alone...I was lonely. I have always considered the two different.
In the morning I woke up, packed camp, and headed on! I came across many beautiful places and took a lot of pictures. I am figuring out fast that my favorite part of backpacking is the hike, not the camp. So I did just that. Walk. I turned a 4 day trip into one full day and two partial days.
The second day also had a really funny incident.
In the middle of the woods I came across a very strange bird call. Immediately there was the recognition that the bird was injured. My sights confirmed this as you could see the bushes moving where it would run about, occasionally fluttering. It, of course, knew I was there and was warning me off. The bird ran in front of me and slightly towards where I was standing, letting me know that it would attack. I backed up behind a tree and it ran off into the bushes on the other side of the path. Curiosity got the best of me, so I looked to see if I could see it. I could not tell what kind of bird it was. White with brow-ish stripes perhaps? It was definitely big as far as birds go. Smaller than a turkey. I got bored and started walking on the path away from the bird. It screeches and, as I turn back around, see a fluffy, PISSED bullet flying STRAIGHT towards me. This thing, whatever the HELL it was, scared me more than the moose and I took off in a sprint that I didn't even know existed...especially with weary bones and a backpack on. I ran up a steep hill and jumped over some rocks...pretty awesome run if it was being filmed. I think we'd have to edit out the TINY bird and put in a bunch of drug cartel with guns or something. That way I could look macho...
So on I walked. Nothing exciting enough to talk about...But I did happen to run into another moose before I broke camp. This one ran away from me before I even noticed it was there.
You will see the place where I camped when you look at the videos (posting later.) Watching the sunset with birds on the little islands off in the distance was absolutely magnificent. I was able to think a lot during these few hours.
Backpacking it seems, is going to become a hobby of mine.
I woke up in the morning, packed my gear, and set out on an intense hike that took me back to my car. I showered, ate food, read, and made my way out of the Algonquin towards Ottawa. Along the way I took a detour by following a sign that talked about caves.
Ooooooohh......interesting.
Well...I didn't see the caves, but I did find an overflowing body of water with two guys and a dog sitting on the edge. I walked my way down and made my way towards them to say hi. They were nice enough to invite me to stay with them for the night. We talked, listened to American metal bands, ate some dogs, and watched a little bit of an Eastwood film. I left with a souvenir! A squirrels tail.
So we come to my current position. Ottawa. I spent the night in the Wal-Mart parking lot and headed off in the morning towards the downtown area. I was quite nervous about driving. So I drove around for an hour purposely getting lost and adjusting to city driving. I spent the morning walking through an Indigenous art exhibit.
Unfortunately, since this weekend is the celebration of Canada day, we could not set anything up ceremonially. Two in a row! I didn't have too many to begin with either. I also canceled my Connecticut ceremony and will soon be canceling the Rhode Island ceremony.
I am not expecting this road to be an easy one. Religion/spirituality tends to be the MOST confused area of human exploration. Better to learn this on the trial run...
So I'll be in Ottawa for the weekend. It is going to be pretty exciting. A major city packed full of people for a celebration, staying in a house (located downtown) by myself, and possibly hanging out with people I have met here.
Later tonight I will finish up my second blog. This blog will begin to talk about my vision with a little bit more detail, as well as why I am coming home earlier than expected.
Cheers!
Justin
I entered into the Algonquin Highlands shortly after my last blog. I chose this path because it seemed to be appropriate to my physical condition. I haven't had much backpacking experience before...none aside from North Manitou...so I didn't want to go out too far into the wilderness by myself without experience.
All in all, the route was about 35-36 kilometers and consisted of many steep climbs up high into the mountain ranges. Beforehand I had to drive to the Mew Lake Campus to pick up a permit. I planned for four days and packed up food consisting of dried fruit and high quality nuts. No cooking + fat and protein = easy, sustainable nutrition. I packed lightly too, bringing just a tent, sleeping bag, clothes, knife, as well as other common backpacking items.
Right at the beginning I met two gents that were finishing up their hike. One was in between jobs while the other was going to school to be a civil engineer. Both men looked like they were tired (and happened to be caked with sweat.) I talked to them for a bit and then headed on my way.
Excitement, trepidation, and the change of pace from busyness to a woodsy stillness all arose within me. I took a lot of pictures in the beginning and, as time went on, began taking less as much of the scenery through the trails became thick woods. You will see in my pictures the gorgeous waterfall I came across in the beginning. My first "experience" happened shortly after.
I came upon a part of the trail that walks alongside of a small lake. Not too far ahead of me I saw a curious bird that had long legs, a slender body, and a curving neck leading up into a face with an extremely penetrating gaze. This bird let me get fairly close in order to take pictures. So I snapped a few and then tried snapping some more as it flew off.
I continued walking up until the trail split off. One trail led off to the right and, as I looked down the path, could tell that this was the direction I needed to go. Compared to the other path, this one had an unobstructed view for quite the ways. So, I spun around towards the lake to have a nice view while I was taking a piss. When I was finished I zipped up and swung myself about....right into the face of the biggest bloody wild animal I have ever seen in my life! It was a bloody good thing I took a piss beforehand! My body immediately went into fight or flight mode and, having never encountered such a creature, panicked into four beings. One wanted to run and scream, another wanted to reach for my camera, and a third thought about fight tactics. This was real funny because all the while my instinctive self slowly made its way behind a tree. The moose then began walking down towards the lake on the other side of the tree. It was around this time I snapped a few pictures and then scrambled away in case it decided to come out of the water.
This moose was not more than 15 feet away from me! It was exhilarating. I have been half joking with people saying, "I will come across a moose and a bear on my trip." Well....one down. ; )
I passed by my designated first camp and hiked on. It was too soon and I didn't want to stop there anyways. By the time I made camp there was still a few hours of daylight...with nothing to do. No reading, no meditation cushion, nothing. Just me with my thoughts and feelings. It was quite lonely. I wasn't alone...I was lonely. I have always considered the two different.
In the morning I woke up, packed camp, and headed on! I came across many beautiful places and took a lot of pictures. I am figuring out fast that my favorite part of backpacking is the hike, not the camp. So I did just that. Walk. I turned a 4 day trip into one full day and two partial days.
The second day also had a really funny incident.
In the middle of the woods I came across a very strange bird call. Immediately there was the recognition that the bird was injured. My sights confirmed this as you could see the bushes moving where it would run about, occasionally fluttering. It, of course, knew I was there and was warning me off. The bird ran in front of me and slightly towards where I was standing, letting me know that it would attack. I backed up behind a tree and it ran off into the bushes on the other side of the path. Curiosity got the best of me, so I looked to see if I could see it. I could not tell what kind of bird it was. White with brow-ish stripes perhaps? It was definitely big as far as birds go. Smaller than a turkey. I got bored and started walking on the path away from the bird. It screeches and, as I turn back around, see a fluffy, PISSED bullet flying STRAIGHT towards me. This thing, whatever the HELL it was, scared me more than the moose and I took off in a sprint that I didn't even know existed...especially with weary bones and a backpack on. I ran up a steep hill and jumped over some rocks...pretty awesome run if it was being filmed. I think we'd have to edit out the TINY bird and put in a bunch of drug cartel with guns or something. That way I could look macho...
So on I walked. Nothing exciting enough to talk about...But I did happen to run into another moose before I broke camp. This one ran away from me before I even noticed it was there.
You will see the place where I camped when you look at the videos (posting later.) Watching the sunset with birds on the little islands off in the distance was absolutely magnificent. I was able to think a lot during these few hours.
Backpacking it seems, is going to become a hobby of mine.
I woke up in the morning, packed my gear, and set out on an intense hike that took me back to my car. I showered, ate food, read, and made my way out of the Algonquin towards Ottawa. Along the way I took a detour by following a sign that talked about caves.
Ooooooohh......interesting.
Well...I didn't see the caves, but I did find an overflowing body of water with two guys and a dog sitting on the edge. I walked my way down and made my way towards them to say hi. They were nice enough to invite me to stay with them for the night. We talked, listened to American metal bands, ate some dogs, and watched a little bit of an Eastwood film. I left with a souvenir! A squirrels tail.
So we come to my current position. Ottawa. I spent the night in the Wal-Mart parking lot and headed off in the morning towards the downtown area. I was quite nervous about driving. So I drove around for an hour purposely getting lost and adjusting to city driving. I spent the morning walking through an Indigenous art exhibit.
Unfortunately, since this weekend is the celebration of Canada day, we could not set anything up ceremonially. Two in a row! I didn't have too many to begin with either. I also canceled my Connecticut ceremony and will soon be canceling the Rhode Island ceremony.
I am not expecting this road to be an easy one. Religion/spirituality tends to be the MOST confused area of human exploration. Better to learn this on the trial run...
So I'll be in Ottawa for the weekend. It is going to be pretty exciting. A major city packed full of people for a celebration, staying in a house (located downtown) by myself, and possibly hanging out with people I have met here.
Later tonight I will finish up my second blog. This blog will begin to talk about my vision with a little bit more detail, as well as why I am coming home earlier than expected.
Cheers!
Justin
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