"I soon realized that no journey carries one far unless, as it extends into the world around us, it goes an equal distance into the world within."
-- Lillian Smith |
In the Celebration Circle we honor and nurture the Sacred in ourselves, each other, and all Creation.
Thank you, Gary O Smith, for always sharing the gifts of your photos.
Awesome
Amethyst
If you'd to receive a bit of the Circle every day, you can be part of the Inspiration Circle. A Daily quote will be e-mailed to you with love.
* To sign up, e-mail circle4peace@yahoo.com
with "subscribe" in the subject line and you'll receive our Daily Inspiration Circle e-mails.
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Zet, Mateo and I are going to Holland for a couple of weeks to celebrate my daughter's 30th birthday and granddaughter's 5th. I'm very excited about the trip - but a little sad because I'll miss hearing the GREAT guest speakers and musicians who'll be in the Circle on the two Sundays we're gone. Next week (12th) Native American teacher and therapist Hal Robinson will be back, along with the superb singer/songwriter Chris Pfeiffer. And the following week (19th) the very popular HeatherAsh Amara returns to share her wisdom of the Toltec teachings, along with the lyrical music of Janet Drew (formerly O'Connor) and Hamp Brockman, drawn from their brand new CD. Plus I'm going to have to miss the "Family Constellation" weekend workshop with Barry Krost, which is really unfortunate, because I've experienced some amazing personal breakthroughs in the few one-on-one sessions I've had with him recently, and am looking forward to working with him further.
And as enthusiastic as I am about visiting my Dutch homeland and family again, it's possible that I'm even more excited about the fact that for the very first time in 17 years, the Circle office will NOT be closed just because Zet and I are out of town. Instead it will be open and running smoothly with my new assistant, Jai Medina, in charge. That may or may not seem like a big deal to you - but it represents a HUGE shift in energy for me personally, and for the Circle as an organization. When I come back I'll write some more about why and how I believe this is such an important turning point for all of us involved. I would do so now, except that I'm still digesting the many energetic shifts and "coincidences" that have occurred to make this shift possible. I guess I'm hoping that being 7,000 miles away from home will help me get it all in perspective to the extent that I could begin to articulate it without sounding like a gushing bliss-ninny. Anyway, I'll tell you more when I'm back in the Circle on the 26th, and I'll do my best to write about it as soon as possible.
In the meantime, I'll give you a hint: Barry, Hal and HeatherAsh have all played a major part in helping me shift my energy. I really hope you'll take advantage of the chance to be with each of them in the coming weeks. That you'll "plug in" to the powerful current of transformation swirling through the Circle right now, perhaps even catch a "piggyback ride" as you move toward living into the fullness of your vision, too. Why not?
With blessings,  
PS: If you haven't done so yet, I hope you'll get a chance to know Jai, too. Rather than telling you about her, I've asked Jai to write something to follow my words here. Hope you enjoy it!
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When I was eight, I found god for the first time, and it wasn't in a church, mosque, or temple. No, it was in an Arak comic book, in the form of the Greek goddess Artemis, who captivated me along with the warrior-priestess that served her (and who kicked butt over the course of several issues). Her untamed spirit, fiercely independent nature, and ancient power resonated something deep within me. I had stumbled across the power of archetypes, which was undisguised even by a skimpy costume entirely inappropriate for war-that of the warrior-priest, whatever the gender. That this particular warrior-priest was female was of earth-shattering importance to me, because I saw for the first time that the world contained an idea of others like me, and it was revolutionary.
I grew up to study real warrior-goddesses in ancient and indigenous religions, and to become a martial artist. I also came to realize that the archetype that drove me was practically extinct in our modern society.
With my eclectic beliefs, I had really written off ever finding a spiritual community that I could accept-and that could fully accept me. I have literally traveled the globe in this spiritual quest that is my life, from Kali temples and Buddhist stupas in Kathmandu, Nepal, to Sufi masjids and Santeria houses in NYC, Baptist churches, Blackfeet Sundances, a year as a curandero's apprentice in Oaxaca, MX, among other adventures in the 14 countries and 48 states I've sojourned in thus far. All to discover that there are many beautiful spiritual traditions and priesthoods, but few that accept a call to service if it comes from someone born into the wrong body-one female.
A little over a year ago, I somehow ended up in San Antonio and I was shocked and pleasantly surprised to discover the Circle. Here, in my conservative hometown, in the last place I ever would have expected, I walked into a spiritual community unlike any I have seen or heard about anywhere in my travels or research. I walked into a room full of shining, heart-wide-open people and knew I was home.
You probably know this story already, because it's like your own. I may have traveled farther than most, but in the end, like you perhaps and like the protagonist in Paulo Coehlo's book, The Alchemist, I realized that the treasure I sought was here right under my nose all along. "Remember that wherever your heart is, there you will find your treasure."
Thus I am completely delighted not only to be part of the Circle, but to be part of making it happen, as well. And I think of you-yes you, whoever you are, wherever you are-every time I step into the office, with a deep gratitude to be accepted and able to serve in the way my heart and soul most desire. Sure, it's mostly office work, but when I sit with my bare feet on the cool tile of Rudolf's beautiful home, a cup of steaming jasmine tea in my hand, with love and serenity all around me, it feels like the slow surrender of ritual-even if I'm just typing up Sunday announcements.
So I want to thank you for being part of creating and sustaining this amazing community that helps sustain me, that lets me bring my whole warrior-priest self to the table-though generally in a much more sensible costume than my comic book heroine. If I haven't had the chance to meet you, please come and introduce yourself one Sunday!
Blessings,
Jai | |
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Sundays
THIS SUNDAY
July 12th
"Traveling the Good Red Road" Our good friend and beloved spiritual teacher, Hal Robinson, returns to share more of his unique insights. A respected Mohawk elder and Gestalt therapist who teaches from the Native American wisdom path, Hal is also the founder of the Dancing Bear Teaching Lodge, an organization to pass on the wisdom of holistic healing in a Native context (www.dancingbearteachinglodge.com) And we'll also be treated to a the delightful music and open-hearted presence of Chris Pfeiffer www.myspace.com/chrispfeiffermusic
NEXT SUNDAY
July 19th
"Living a Life of Sacred Union"
Our guest speaker, HeatherAsh Amara, is dedicated to balancing inspiration and action, ecstatic union with the Divine, and one-pointed physical focus on a goal. A long time Toltec Mentor in the Eagle Knight Lineage of don Miguel Ruiz (author of The Four Agreements), she is a Master Firewalker through Sundoor International and founder of the Toltec Center of Creative Intent in Wimberley. With special music by our good friends, Janet Drew (formerly O'Connor) and Hamp Brockman, the Hopeful Zenners www.myspace.com/hopefulzenners
singing songs from their brand new CD.
AND THE NEXT SUNDAY
July 26th
"Happily Ever After"
Rudolf shares some new songs, stories and insights into the process of seeing past our illusions.
Sunday Circle meets at 11:00 am
at the Jump Start Theater
located at the Blue Star Arts Complex
Building B
In the heart of King William
(near the corner of Alamo and Probandt) |
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Wednesday Meditation Circle gathers at 7:30 pm at the Quaker Meeting House, 7052 N. Vandiver, San Antonio (at the corner of Eisenhauer Rd. approximately 1/2 mile west of Austin Hwy.) Rudolf typically these weekly sessions with a combination of guided and silent meditations, well-suited to experienced meditators and beginners alike. This week's meditation will be led by Bunny Rush, a dear friend of the Circle for many years. Consider giving yourself the gift of this time, you'll be glad you did! Donations/love offerings are accepted and support the meditation circle's weekly use of the beautiful sacred space.
Sunday Sundown Circle August 2nd at 6:30 pm
Come join us for our first-ever Sunday Sundown Circle at the Quaker Meeting House, 7052 N. Vandiver, San Antonio (at the corner of Eisenhauer Rd. approximately 1/2 mile west of Austin Hwy)! In response to numerous requests, we will be holding a Sunday evening gatherings on the First Sunday of each month (except September, when it will be on the 9th, due to Labor Day). The Sundown Circle is an ideal way to end the weekend and prepare for Monday morning, as Rudolf combines the upbeat tone of our Sunday mornings with gentle, acoustic music and periods of extended meditation - all wrapped up in the beautiful, contemplative atmosphere of the Quaker Meeting House.
August 14-16th
Slumber Falls Camp, New Braunfels
Mark your calendar - we hope you can join us for our Annual Childrens Retreat, this year called, "Come Out and Play, Kids". Watch this e-newsletter for more details soon.
One People, Many Paths: The Sacred Art of Altars
6th Annual Exhibit & Silent Auction
September 1 - September 30, 2009
Bijou Theatre at Crossroads Mall
The 6th annual art exhibit and month-long silent auction features a fascinating variety of unique, small-scale wooden alters designed and fancifully decorated by 55 South Texas artists, working across a wide range of media. The silent auction viewing and bidding is open to the public all month long during the theater's normal business hours, from 11:30am - 9:30pm.
RECEPTION: The silent auction concludes with a closing reception on Wednesday, September 30 from 6:00-7:30PM, featuring light hors d'oeuvres buffet, live music and a special screening of an uplifting film TBA. Tickets for the closing reception are $15 in advance; $20 at the door. |
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