My statistic page informs me that as of today I have 777 unique views. 777 is considered a number of completion.   I think perhaps the most I’ve created so far is a foundation for that celestial Temple not made with hands. It’s height eludes my understanding, but it’s depths I know well.

Still it’s gratifying to speak and be heard.

Thank you all.

FURNACE

as I was recently reminded (thanks Rayna) the WORK flows through the circumstances of our lives, and varies like the tide. Sometimes I’ve found myself quietly WORKing alone, sometimes crafting our journey together with a partner, or small collaborative group, occasionally even surfing the wave of a larger movement without having to do much more than attend.

Rather than rail against the current, I’m looking around to observe what the WORK is like when it’s quiet, personal. There is always a new form waiting to be filled by the energy of the WORK, it’s a matter of recognizing it.

Last night I was working in my Mother Lodge putting on a banquet for the Past Masters of Central CT. We had 70 guests or so crowding the hall more than usual, all dignitaries of some sort, and I recruited 5 Brothers, mostly fellow Officers, to help serve.

It was a cheerful pandemonium, the roar of conversation led to the use of hand signs as we directed each other as to which meals went to whom, empty water pitchers or bread baskets, we were all in full motion, fully engaged in our task, and FULLY PRESENT.

The camaraderie infused me with more physical energy, and the harder we worked, the feeling we were a team, one organism focused on deftly , invisibly sometimes, slipping in between conversations without disturbing them as one course was replaced by the next, grew.

By the time I headed home, a quiet satisfaction sank in, and once home I was able to relax more completely for having worked so hard.

Call it Isometric work, stretch yourself, relax, stretch yourself, relax, repeat.

This Thursday I’ll be helping out on a panel for a UMass class on Religion, representing the QBLH / Ceremonial Magick perspective. I don’t have to work up any materials, just answer questions, of which I hope there are many.

in a political discussion, a friend recently used the phrase “we have God on our side”. I had to interrupt, and said “Lets remember who the big DOG is, here. GOD is on God’s side, and we as mortals have to struggle daily to be on God’s side, not the other way around.

Maybe it’s the Will Power in play, but when people respond courageously to adversity, there is a certain glow that develops. It’s the strength and use of personal power that, years ago, made for a good mate, hunter, defender. In creating the best response to chaos the same Creative Will that created the Universe and human children is evident. Perhaps that is why Survival is Sexy.

I don’t usually link to other blogs or articles on the web, but a series I was following just got exceptionally clear, and so while I’d recommend the whole series, Part 4 here:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jay-michaelson/an-introduction-to-kabbal_b_346934.html

distinguishing Theosophical Kabbalah, Prophetic Kabbalah and Practical Kabbalah was wonderful, though different from my own classifications in certain ways.

The entire series starts at:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jay-michaelson/an-introduction-to-kabbal_b_319980.html

for context.

Change is in the air, the trees, the leaves,

the Sun commands the Air to prance,

and leaves revel in an invisible  dance,

Nature waltzes as SHE pleases.

The Present stands on the shoulders of the past, reaching towards the Future.

Only the Present exists, and THE Present that exists has been formed by the Past and is shaped by our expectations, aspirations and fears. While the Past is forever beyond change, we can change our perception of those memories. The Future is ours to build, measuring, adjusting, trimming and growing our expectations, aspirations and fears through Will.

pain is no laughing matter, and mortal life gives you plenty of opportunities to develop various strategies for dealing with it. I’ve had my share of…learning opportunities, and here are a few tips (especially for Chesh).

Every moment in pain is temporary moment. That moment passes, to be replaced by another moment which might be more or less painful, then that moment moves on ad infinitum. Sometimes I think of myself as an experimenter, measuring this pain against others, and looking for the moments the pain diminishes to study them more closely.  Use intense pain to set your bench mark, and most other pain you feel will seem less. Our subjective experience of time means that those moments we focus on seem longer, and those we try to move through quickly less so. Use your time wisely.

Breathe into your pain. Take a specific breath, and imagine it traveling down through your body to the affected area, soothing it. Repeat as often as your concentration allows, but don’t forget to breath.

Laughter heals, so watch old cartoons, listen to comedy records, tell jokes even if they’re morbid. Laughter changes your focus and relieves pain, so fight the Gravity of your situation with a little Levity.

Accept sympathy, cherish your family, friends and pets. It’s okay to feel bad when you are hurting, just don’t get too attached to it. Drink it in, and promise yourself you will be generous in giving it to others when they need it.

Ask empowering questions. The best is What Was The Best Thing That Happened Today? By going through all of the days events LOOKING for the good, and comparing one good thing to another, you shift your focus to the Good. It might be small, a hug, someone’s laugh, a sweet food, doesn’t matter. It was good, and good things can still happen, even through the pain.

Overall, recognize this event as part of the saga of your life. Disassociate for a moment, and find yourself reading (or listening to, or watching) this epic tale, where the hero is undergoing some great trial, accomplishing this difficult objective. Imbue yourself with all the heroic traits you want in your saga. Tribulations do make us stronger, and survival is a great benchmark for future troubles.

And when they sing your saga in the Mead Halls, mortal pain and even Death are just part of our story. You are more, and live on as long as memory shall last.

FURNACE