We like to think that we have total control over our lives. But when a hurricane like Sandy comes through, we have to think again. Her tropical-storm-force winds spread 485 miles from the center. Sandy even produced 20 foot waves in Lake Michigan. Millions are without power - subway, rail and air traffic are suspended up and down the east coast. Sandy consumed lives and caused billions of dollars worth of damage. We forget how powerful Nature is and how she can be destructive as well as healing. Hawaiians are more familiar with such aspects, living close to the great Volcano, and its Goddess Pele, who has destroyed many acres of land. Yet at the same time, she has created over 500 acres of new land. Pele has a prominent side that is very wrathful - angry, jealous, competitive, vengeful. But at the same time, she is incredibly beautiful and creative. The word pele means lava flow, volcano, eruption as well as the goddess herself.
 | Pele and Hi'iaka by
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We also know however, that she deeply loves her baby sister Hi'iaka also known as Hi'iakaikapoliopele (Hi'iaka in the heart of Pele). So there is a loving aspect to Pele as well. She is deeply respected by residents of the Big Island of Hawaii and by all who come to visit her. Especially these last 29 years of volcanic activity, with billowing white smoke rising and powerful red lava flowing, she is quite a wonder of the world. Hi'iaka on the other hand is more approachable. She is the patron goddess of the hula and of healing. She makes the green things grow on the new lava. And although we dance many Hula Pele (hulas about Pele), we dedicate most of them to Hi'iakaikapoliopele. In the final analysis, is there really a separation? They are sisters of fire after all. Their's is the energy of life - the fiery and healing emotions together and how we work with both. Mindfulness or paying attention helps a lot. Recently a friend sent me the following beautiful prayer, written by the Tibetan Buddhist teacher Reggie Ray, for Pele. He has started a meditation group on the Big Island of Hawaii. Asking Pele for Protection Pele please protect the life force in us and all beings in the world; Burn away all that denies, undermines, and seeks to diminish Life's upwelling profusion, chaos and love. Teach us how to be close to you and love you. Help us to be open to the heat of the journey that is your world. Let your intensity bathe us and burn us as need be So that we become warriors in your service. Make our individual journey deep and true; Guide and nourish the love between beings, Lovers, families, communities and friends And make that love selfless and pure. More and more, lead us to discover you In all your beauty, power, and sacredness As the essence of life in ourselves and others. Help us to serve the fire, Wherever and however it may appear, And more and more let us be fuel for your fire. So that we are no longer separate from you. As hula people we are in tune with and respect the environment, the 'aina (land) and our physical bodies. Also as spiritual people, we are in tune with and respect our internal life - our mental and emotional systems. It's easy to become unbalanced. When unbalanced, we let the wild, habitual thoughts of self-criticism and judgment blow us and others down. This isn't helpful. Meditation or prayer gives a little space with our thoughts so that we aren't so identified with them. We can pause, focus on our breath, notice the thoughts and feelings in the body, pause, focus deeply on the breath, and repeat the process. This helps calm the winds and storms within. It will be a year on Thanksgiving Day since my mother, Margaret Tanoue, passed away. I love this slide show of her life that my niece Melanie Mililani Tanoue put together. To live with gratitude is a tribute to her and to my father. I still miss my parents very much. I can see that I have traits that I used to think belonged only to them - their DNA is very much a part of me. The sacred path of our lives winds on and on, sometimes through windstorms and hurricanes and other times through calm. May all of you take heart and be safe during these uncertain times of great change. And of course, dance! Malama pono (take care of body, mind and heart), June Kaililani Tanoue Kumu Hula P.S. If you'd like to support the Hurricane Sandy relief effort, contact Feeding America. Food Banks do great work getting food, water and other supplies to people in disasters! | 
