Buzzard

Today was a beautiful day, a gift from the Creator, in which a group of friends gathered together and blessed me with a Lakota Healing Ceremony and prayer circle. Some people were from my meditation group, A Circle of Friends, one was from The Nashville Zen Center, and some were good friends from the Indian community.

My good friend Joe (left) and my good friend Lisa (right) facilitated the healing circle, and they both did a beautiful job. Joe made prayer ties for me before the ceremony, along with others who need healing right now. Lisa offered her own special brand of healing, and it is always beautiful to experience. Joe and Lisa both are always there for me, no matter what.

My dear friend Carole (right) also made prayer ties before the ceremony that were the color yellow, representing the East and new beginnings. Carole has lots of medical challenges right now in her own family and I so appreciate her doing this for me. She is my sister, and has been for some time. Carole and I met at the Lakota Sweat Lodge (Inipi) formerly held at Bottom View Farm. We've known each other for several years, and I have learned a lot from her about Indian ways, teachings, and spirituality. She has been a wonderful friend to me, and very supportive when I need anything, no matter what she may have going on.

The circle began with Joe teaching everyone how to make prayer ties, and everyone made their own, placing their prayers within them. I've explained how prayer ties are made in an earlier post. You can read about it here: http://thegiftofcancer.blogspot.com/2008/06/very-special-day-lakota-prayer-healing.html

After we finished placing our prayers in the prayer ties, they were attached one by one to a string, and then we sat in circle where all the prayer ties were placed around and on me. Joe began with a prayer to Creator, giving thanks for healing that has already taken place and for healing before surgery. He included all others who need healing right now, too. He then presented me with a beautiful buzzard feather, explaining that buzzard is the recycler, letting nothing go to waste, using everything. Joe went on to say that it is perfectly okay to ask Creator for a perfect and complete healing so that we can continue God's work at our highest energy level. While we were praying, and each time Joe asked for specific kinds of healing, we all noticed that a dog barked in the background at the exact appropriate time. Joe explained that this was representative of undying loyalty, my loyalty to the group of friends gathered, their loyalty to me, and God's unwavering loyalty. A few chill bumps were raised. The Indian people teach us to listen to animals and nature, especially during prayers, for answers and acknowledgments come from everywhere.

After we offered prayers and sat in silence together for a while, I thanked everyone for their prayers, and explained that no matter what happens that I would do what I could to help others. It is a pledge.

We then gathered up the prayer ties and went outside. Joe made a fire, Elizabeth helped, and we stood in circle as I dropped all the prayer ties into the fire. In Indian teaching, this represents the prayers rising to heaven, and is a beautiful part of the ceremony. We all stood together quietly and watched the smoke rise.

I want to thank Maribeth and David for offering their home for this gathering, Joe and Lisa for facilitating, Carole for the prayer ties, and Eric, Bob, Maribeth, Elizabeth, Linda, Virginia, and Kate for their attendance and support, but most of all, for their prayers. I know Dani, Larry, Peggy, and Susan were sending good thoughts from afar. I felt much more peaceful this afternoon when I left. Oh, yes - we also shared a wonderful pot luck together, Indian style, after the circle.

When I got home, I placed the feather in a very special place in my office so I could look at it every day, but something tells me it will be moved until it finds its home. Just about one week to go until surgery.

I am hoisted by the prayers of my friends. I am grateful. I am ready.