My Sanctuary

RAMBLINGS ON MY SANCTUARY

By Sue Ellen Lucia


A cause for celebration! This morning, on a sunny 52 degree day, up on my beloved Drummer Hill, within the protected confines of the tall fir trees surrounding My Pond, I enjoyed my first al fresco brunch of 2009. The snow that had covered my sitting rock since December had finally evaporated and the seat was mine again. Just me and the birds, the sound of water going over the little dam at the end of the Pond, and an intermittent soft breeze - a cool spring breeze that is unlike any other breeze. It even smells different.
Drummer Hill seems to me to be Keene’s most undiscovered jewel. Only on occasion do other hikers cross my path. For ten years now I’ve called it my mountain. People scoff at that because, after all, it is Drummer Hill. To me, though, some of the trails there are steep enough and rise high enough to term it a mountain. Logistics of title aside, it is my place to escape city sounds and pavement and everyday frets and fumes, and to unite with the Source of All. It is one place where it’s easy to be in the Now, the precious Present, to unburden one’s mind of the ego battering that seems a life constant.
Every time I enter the woods, my first thought (which I say out loud) is “Lord, you’ve done it again. You‘ve created this spectacular day“. No matter the season or the weather - rain, hail, sleet, snow, cold, sunny, beautiful - here’s another day I have to be grateful for the legs that carry me to where my soul longs to be. And grateful for my senses that I can take in the sights, sounds, smells, and touches of my forested earth. And, in fact, grateful for everything that is.
In spite of not being a particularly adventurous person, I have followed a calling to explore a myriad of trails, with only the presumption as to where they might lead. These trails are mostly single-track, carved out of the woods by creative and intrepid mountain bikers who I almost never see. It’s difficult enough to scale and descend a few of these trails by foot, so steep are they; I can’t imagine them being navigated on a mountain bike.
Little by little over the years I’ve delved deeper and deeper into the inner sanctuary of this blessed forest, repeating each trail walk until it becomes a best friend, my favorite trail, until I hike the next one which then becomes my favorite! Sometimes before I fall asleep at night, I visualize the details of a trail I may have enjoyed that day and think of one I might trek tomorrow.
The quiet solitude I feel on my mountain is balm like no other. Especially sitting on the bank of My Pond, I feel safer than anywhere I can think of. The canopy of trees overhead creates a feeling of protected-ness akin to being cuddled in a mother’s embrace. I feel no loneliness there, as the Divine Presence is in everything I see, and I know nothing can hurt me on Drummer Hill. Some would argue that, but I have a Knowing that makes it my truth and reality. So to them I say, “ Quit calling me naïve or foolhardy.”
How many times have I spent how many tears there over how many trauma dramas of my life? How many times have I prayed for all kinds of things and bled gratitude for many more? And how often have I just looked around me and tears come simply because it’s so beautiful, such a nice day, so quiet, so perfect.
Many times; many, many times.

News from A.D. Winans

New CD by A. D. Winans What Readers Have Said About The Reagan Psalms The Reagan Psalms audio CD is from Winan’s book, The Reagan Psalms (now out of print), which was published in 1984 by Integrity Times Press. The book was a scathing indictment against Reaganomics and the Ronald Reagan Administration. The book (A small piece of history) received considerable media attention, including comments from U.S. Senators, Journalists, and other well-known personalities. Below is a small sample of comments: “Thank you so much for sending me The Reagan Psalms. I found it most interesting, not only because of the unique format, but because of your insights on President Reagan.” —The late Arthur Hoppe, Pulitzer Prize winning syndicated columnist. “I like your stuff (The Reagan Psalms)) very much. It’s a fine tribute to the pronunciations of the White House Toby.” —Studs Terkel “Thank you for sharing with me, The Reagan Psalms. I’m impressed with how thoroughly you’ve gone about indicting Reaganomics—and you have some wonderfully juxtaposed quotes.” —The late U.S. Senator, Alan Cranston. “I appreciate your bringing this valuable book to my attention. —Edward M. Kennedy, U. S. Senator “Thanks for sending me your book, The Reagan Psalms, and it’s all so true. We have a writer friend staying with us and I will show him your book. I know he will thoroughly agree with your philosophy and enjoy your poetic talent.” —Joan Baez, Sr. Gold Package: This special collector edition is limited to a hundred numbered CD’s, which includes a handsome booklet with several poems by Mr. Winans and comes in a black Presentation Case. $29.90 It makes for a great gift too.
Silver Package:CD’s available in shrink-wrapped jewel cases. No booklet. $19.99Foreign orders payable by International Money Order, or by PayPal.Sound Streettracks2115 Granberry Rd.DeRidder, La. 70634Contact info:Karina3884@aol.com SoundSt_Tracks@poetrywriting.org

Terry's Memoir

September 28, 2008
Today is referred to as Black Moon Day here in south India where I am living. It's considered a very inauspicious day. But I'm not locked in by national or universal beliefs. Nothing is permanent; cosmos and consciousness are always changing. I am free! On this the so-called most inauspicious day of the year I'm setting my wish off into the air on an invisible prayer flag. I am envisioning a very happy circumstance that brings me money to complete my memoir, Flood Tide. I believe in miracles. And I, like you, am one of them.

New Ways to Heal Old Wounds by Patricia Theisen

Dear Terry,

I understand what you are saying (about the need to remember past crimes against humanity) and I agree with it partially. I say partially because there were so many atrocities during WW II. The Americans were almost as bad citing the capture and placement in concentration camps of Japanese Americans, confiscating their possessions and humiliating them as well as allowing the Pearl Harbor massacre when it was known by the top governmental people in the United States, sending atomic bombs to Japan. Does anyone talk about that memory so we can heal it? U.S. administrators are still holding people in atrocious conditions in Quantanimo Bay, Cuba. Horrible things were done by "us" in Vietnam and Korea and few of these things are being brought to light and they need to be healed as well.

These things are being denied also by our own governmental people. Denial is only a diversionary tactic to cover some current activity that someone doesn't want viewed. That is what has to be discovered. Why were the Twin Towers blown up, and I am not referring to the Muslim-piolted plane crashing into them? Our government is using the so-called terrorists as a cover for their own terrorist behavior.

Thanks for being a peace keeper. Yes, we need more healers and using fear tactics isn't the answer.

Now, having said that much, I think that what needs to be thought out is the reason behind the Iranian denial of the Holocaust in the first place. The Iranian people, in my opinion, are not interested in WW II historical activities. Their government using this tactic (insisting that no Holocaust ever took place) to cover their own activities. They know that the Holocaust subject stirs up angers and fears which diverts suspicion about their business.

To heal any situation, all signs of anger and fear must be dissolved. That information is not needed in our personal life anymore, as it brings up unwanted angers and fears. Past is past; but resentments only carry on negative feelings in people. Scientists know that when memories are rekindled they bring in new aspects and remain to fester unless the acts that aroused the original pain are forgiven and let go. The Iranian political rulers know that and try to stir up angers with a subject that is bound to have that effect, with the Jewish people especially.

We can only heal with love whether it be the perpetrators of terrorist attacks or our own governmental personnel. Living life as we want it to be makes it happen. To be in the NOW, living a life of loving, nurturing whomever comes into our environmental space is healing and making our planet balanced.

That is my belief and the way I live my life bringing out the respect and divine aspect of every person and even inanimate things. All is play. Those perpetrators of negative energies played their role very well. I play my role the best that I am able.

Love Patricia


Patricia Theisen is the founder of the Perceptual Enrichment Program (PEP) helping people, especially children, world wide to bring out self-esteem and respect in themselves so that they have the freedom to express whatever creative abilities they desire and therefore respect others.