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The Still, Small Voice Summer 2009
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A CALL OF THE HEART
An opportunity for people to
stand up for what matters in life
Dear Friend:
I've been writing and publishing "The Still, Small Voice" since 2002 and until now, have asked nothing of my 1,300 subscribers: This newsletter has always been a labor of love. But today, I am asking you, from the bottom of my heart, to help me with another of my labors of love: a 13,000-acre wetlands basin just south of Baton Rouge, my home town.
What has happened to the ancient and historic Alligator Bayou and Spanish Lake Basin is a travesty: illegal, immoral, and criminal in its disregard for people, wildlife, and the environment. Yet there is also Light in this. It is a pivotal opportunity for people to stand up for what matters in life: the face of God, reflected in the rich, symbolic laws of nature.
The emptying of Alligator Bayou in April put out of business an award-winning boat tour operated by my two brothers, Frank Bonifay and Jim Ragland. For the past 15 years, they have devoted their lives to restoring the swamp and teaching tens of thousands of school children about its beauty and majesty. Sadly, the basin's magnificent ecosystem has just been devastated and its animals killed or displaced by people who know not what they do.
What I ask is that you visit www.alligatorbayou.com to meet Jim and Frank in wonderful photographs, video footage, and audio clips, read about what has happened, and if you are so moved, to sign the petition and forward it to everyone on your email list. If your children love nature, too, I hope they will visit the website created by my 11-year-old grandson, Blake, and sign the Kids Petition he wrote. If you are able to make a tax-deductible donation of any size to help with legal fees, flyers, posters and bumper stickers, I hope you will do so.
I also ask every Lightworker to say a prayer. Simply let the love in your heart shine on Alligator Bayou, with the intention that the Highest Good be done.
And the metaphysics of this?
To me, Alligator Bayou is "swamped" in the zeitgeist of the present day: the desperate struggle of the old to keep its grip on money and power as the world evolves into a bold, new vision of science-based spirituality, more humane values, shared resources, and collective leadership based on peaceful consensus.
The central question is this: Will we continue to pollute, corrupt and destroy, or will we preserve and care for the earth? We might also apply this question to family dynamics, social networks, political systems, and economic structures. What are our values? What do we really stand for?
The energies of transformation call us to look in every mirror and be truthful about who we are and what we believe. This is not easy. Fear runs rampant, yet we are on the brink of something extraordinary. Never before have we seen so many paradigm shifts underway at the same time.
(See "Transforming Consciousness" in the last issue of The Still, Small Voice for more on this.)
Despite the chaos and confusion that arise with rapid evolutionary change, there is always a higher purpose, and it always brings a gift. In my brothers' swamp is a life lesson for each and every one of us:
"See how the sediment builds up in the flow of the stream and what needs to be let go cannot be released for the obstruction? No cleansing may take place, no flow of purification, no movement of what is stagnant and diseased," my still, small voice pointed out last weekend in a meditative writing. "Self's work must be done, or the result is self-obstruction and decay. "
"Here in the mind of the doer is known what must be done, if the heart is listened to and heeded. Let the waters settle, that the bottom may be seen and the clearing may begin. When the work is accomplished, pure water of the highest quality will be given. What seems now to be a disaster of immense magnitude becomes a blessing. The blessing is for eternity."
What is incumbent on us, no matter what the challenge or how hopeless a situation may seem, is to burn gently as a light in darkness: bright, strong and inextinguishable. To be this, we pray, trust, purify, transform, and embrace a new and better way of being in the world.
This same meditative writing, recorded last weekend, gave me a technique that may serve you too. "Surrounding the heart is a thin veil of ether that comes from the soul and may be used to arouse feelings of hope and joy. Linger here and allow the soul to soothe thee."
I may spiral at times into worry or despair, but deep within I am calm and reassured. Thus comforted, I work for the greater good in greater peace. May it be the same for you.
Namaste,
Judith
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Louisianians: Take Action!
If you wish to take part in peaceful protests designed
to shift this energy to regeneration, please write info@alligatorbayou.com and ask Jamie to add you
to the activist e-group. As soon as a rally, concert, vigil, or other function is planned, she will send you an informative email.
If you live in or near Baton Rouge and want to help pass out flyers at the Friday afternoon "Live After 5" concert, held outdoors at the Centroplex Plaza (or any other event, held anywhere in the state), please write my daughter Rachel (Blake's mom) at rkeblitis@yahoo.com and let her know. Rachel wrote a beautiful piece, "On a Personal Note," featured on the Save Alligator Bayou Facebook page, which her father created and maintains.
We can Save Alligator Bayou, by working together
in a network of nature lovers and changemakers!
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The Eagle Soars!
I am happy to announce that the renovations to my primary website, www.eaglelife.com, will be completed within the next week! Besides a new homepage with music, and additional downloadable meditations on the Marketplace page, you will find in The Sanctuary some beautiful piano music by my friend Karen Toole. The Sanctuary page opens with a free guided meditation, "The Heart of Meditation," offered for your enjoyment.
On the homepage you will find the clear, direct language that I've been using in this newsletter for the past couple of years. We are indeed in a time of intense change. You know it, and you can feel it. A new world is being born, and we are fortunate to be here to deliver it!
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Travel Notes
I'm off to see the wizard for the next two weeks, but will check my email for messages. First, I'm heading to Virginia Beach for the annual A.R.E. Congress, a fun event for members, complete with superb workshops. I will present a mini-workshop, "Biofeedback Meditation: A New Gateway to An Ancient Past," on Monday, Jan. 22, at 2:30 p.m.
The following week, I will assist Anna Wise, world authority on the Awakened Mind, at the Esalen Institute in Big Sur, Calif. Both the Cayce campus in Virginia Beach and Esalen, where wooded mountains meet the sea, are beautiful places of immense spiritual power. Join me if you can!
If you need more notice, please see my Calendar of Events page for a wonderful conference near the Smoky Mountains at Little Switzerland (and Black Mountain), North Carolina from Aug. 27-30. This stunning retreat center will lift your spirit and soothe your soul!
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Note to New Subscribers
Due to the time and cost involved in uploading a full newsletter to thestillsmallvoice.org each season, I have been emailing interim newsletters that may be of interest to you.
If you have just subscribed to The Still, Small Voice and would like to receive the last one or two interim newsletters, please email judy@eaglelife.com, and I will be happy to send them to you.
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Endquotes
"Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair." ~ Kahlil Gibran
"Everything we call a trial, a sorrow, or a duty, believe me...the gift is there and the wonder of an overshadowing presence." ~ Fra Giovanni
"The only tyrant that I will submit to is the still, small voice within me." ~ Gandhi
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