"MEN CARE"

Wow, its been 4 and 1/2 months since my last post a few minutes before new years, 2010. Well, a lot has happened since then… I've moved back home to Lawrence, KS in with my brother Troy on family land that my dad owns, where our grandparents used to live. We've got 10 acres here that we are stewarding for the time being, and from my perspective, doing a damn fine job at that. After a last minute ski trip to colorado and road trip to Oregon with my good friend Colin Tisdale at the beginning of January, I took the train to BC to see my girlfriend Andrea. It was an amazing wild week in Vancouver, Salt Spring Island, Victoria and the Washington Coast, but I was abel to wring out that last little desire to travel before settling down for the growing season here in Kansas. So back in Lawrence in mid January I hit the ground running, planning for spring, buying materials, starting seeds, inviting friends to come help and intern, building our team for Karlin Family Farms! Luckily we struck gold recruiting my good buddy Ashton Martin, who came on board at the beginning of February while Troy was in Europe. Our first big projects, after ordering $1000 in open pollinated vegetable, herb and flower seeds from Baker Creek (rareseeds.com) , was to "break ground" on our 10,000 sq. ft. Market garden addition and to design and build a greenhouse off our south facing garage. We had our first work party March 6th with shining success, we were able to sheet mulch 5,000 sq. ft. and create 10 new 40" x 50' beds in a flash; with the help of a dozen friends, a few pizzas and a cold keg of PBR of course. Our greenhouse started construction in mid-march and was operational by the 1st of April, although it already seemed warm enough by then to do without, i'm sure it will come in handy for future years. Next we had another 5,000 sq. ft section tilled by our friend Darren and his tractor, he and Mike also helped us develop 1000 ft of swale for our 3-tiered "food forest" and wildlife corridor.

Latest happenings have included going to the Earth Day fair in south park, transplanting over 500 baby seedlings into the ground and direct seeding another 1000, with 4,000 still yet to transplant! We've planted over 200 fruit/nut trees and shrubs along our swales. We are finishing construction of an 8' tall deer, rabbit, gopher fence around the south gardens. We are planing a work party this sunday to install our mandala garden on the north side of the house and also build a gigantic biodynamic compost pile. We are still hoping to get a bee hive going, build a cob oven, outdoor shower and composting toilet. Eventually we want to have chickens, ducks, goats, sheep, pigs and cows as well, not too mention solar thermal/ electric, greywater catchment and the list goes on and on and on and on and on and on>.>>>>>>.>>>.>>>.>>>.

If you want to visit the farm or hear more, check us at on our Facebook group "Karlin Family Farms" or email me at bradykarlin@gmail.com Thank you for your continued support!

In other news, I recently staffed a New Warrior Training Adventure (my 2nd staffing, with 1 MOS, and 1 Boys to Men) with my brother Troy and our oldest brother Brent went through the weekend for his initiation. It was an inspiring, intense, heart opening weekend for myself, I learned, I struggled, I grew. On Sunday morning I had to write down my thoughts, feelings and reactions. This is what came through>>..

"MEN CARE"

As Men we Fuck Up A Lot, most of our lives we spend controlled by our anger, fear and shame. Asleep, unconscious, dominated by our shadows. It is time to "WAKE THE FUCK UP!"

Grab your brother's arm and help him stand, in this circle of men where we express our feelings, own our judgements, openly supported in this container of sweat, flesh, strong supple muscles of youth, scarred brittle bones of age. ALL IS WELCOME HERE, we do not care about appearance, WE CARE ABOUT YOU; your little boy's deepest needs, long lost dreams, mature wisdom, fiery passion, speak your truth, show your heart, LIGHT US UP! We will be here when you return from your hero's journey to nurture, embrace you in our masculine love. There is nothing funny or crazy about what we do, though we do have fun and plenty of loose screws. I come because I want to, this time we share is SACRED, having you men in my life means A LOT. It makes the difference between joy and despair, isolation and community. This tribe of Kings, Warriors, Magicians and Lovers are my new brothers. My choice, my word, my intention, creates my world. A beautiful future is beckoning us like the sunrise, let us wear our courage as a cape, claim our noble crown, and ride as knights in shining armor on the winds of change….We are the GROWN ASS MEN we've been waiting for! are you awake?……..Are You Awake??………. . ARE YOU AWAKE???

A Baby in an Igloo...

Sometimes I feel like a baby in an igloo, wondering where I am, in such a foreign territory, cold, drunk, speachless. But my hopes are grand for this new year of two thousand ten. My dreams are even bigger, I don't know where to start, overwhelmed by the pressure to succeed in supporting my lifestyle doing exactly what i want to do and what i think the earth would want me too. I keep telling myself if money and circumstance weren't an issue, i'd be doing exactly what i am.

Preparing a magical concoction of love to pour into the practical mold manifest in lawrence, kansas of all places, The Karlin Family Farm, a shining example local, beyond organic, of learning and demonstration permaculture farm beyond farm, a place to live, to work, to become fulfilled with duty, to provide for ones family, to invest in natural capital, to live self sufficiently, to grow one's food, to share the surplus with one's community. To prove there is another way to do things that there is a beautiful future ahead of us.

This is what I yearn to do and i need your help, support, love, kindness. My new year's resolution is to do one kind thing for someone else during my day, everyday. To check one thing of my list of "to do's" and to do one good thing that feeds my soul, that makes me smile! I hope you do the same, I love you as I love myself, help me find the courage to face all fears and blaze a new trail...

Permies and Burners oh MY!

Onward through the fog I arrived at Quail Springs as one of six mentors for the first ever Sustainable Vocations program: 3 weeks, 15 participants (14-23 y/o), one 72 hour Permaculture Design Certification, 10 guest speakers, 4 Field Trips, 56 awesome home cooked meals! Wow, what an experience, it was a true treat indeed to be a part of this wonderful and exciting learning parade... Warren Brush and all of the residents of Quail Springs are warm, welcoming and full of knowledge, story and rich experiences. I give thanks to all that made this training happen, and I am happy to say I now have my very own PDC! I would like to share some words of praise to all of my mentors past and present, that fell into my journal during those awesome days!


"Permaculture Praise" 8/18/09

My heart cries in gratitude at the beauty of your soul's expression
my dry lips thirst for your stories of the good ole days
our ancestors smile when you sing soft melodies of folk, birds stop to listen,
my inner child dances at the chance to fit in and be a kid again.
In your company I am help in the palm on an angel, safe, secure, seen.
Though mistakes are made, lessons let learn, encouragement rides on the winds of your praise and acknowledgment of me.
Just one quarky bee drunk on the honey of life, stumbling and fumbling from tree to tree always finding my way back home with pockets full of pollen, inspiration to feed and nurture my family. A heart saturated in grief, I embrace their familiar warmth yearning to connect in a different way.

I am tired, lost, broken, let the wholeness of my essence be felt not shooken.
I am afraid of disappearing without ever fully living or remembering why I came here and what gifts I am meant to give.
So I walk barefoot, beat up and bloodied picking up pieces in patterns not yet understood,
knowing that miracles are brewing, fairies working overtime, the spirit of the earth is calling.
I strain my ears to hear her words of wisdom.
Hopeful and certain of nothing I trudge forward through the fog in mind letting go of beliefs that don't serve.
Looking down at footsteps of past noticing scattered grains of golden sand that lie shimmering in my wake. Pebbles of knowledge, experience, perfect, unique.
Admiring the path that I chose, trail of rainbows, circles blessed to sit in amongst masters and mentors, in between goddesses and kings.

I notice you, the way you move with ease and speak with grace, we laugh a lot, have loads of fun, but most important always get the job done.
Work doesn't feel so hard when you are near, distracted by the humility of your gentle nature.
It's in your blood , dirt in your clothes, crease of your hat, your care for all and always share fair.
Sometimes I get it, at times forget it, daze off into dreams deferred, what am I waiting for?
The time is here, message clear, "go....fly.....buzz you bizzy bee, leave the hive for sweeter honey cross horizons, boundaries, limits.

Keep searching for paradise till your in it. Don't give up and regret, destiny will always be calling, opportunity knocking to let you in on another secret.
Everything's alright enjoy the ride, relax your grip, if you hold on too tight you'll never feel true ecstasy or bliss.
It only takes you kiss to turn a toad to a prince, charming and confident I survey this kingdom, with unconditional compassion. Fierce, brave, surfing the wave of passion, excited to hit the shore and see what happens. As the tide ebbs and flows I perch on the mountain top like sage, shaman, prophet, making offerings, prayin, smilin, breathin...

"Wear your vision on your sleeve, reveal yourself like an open book, engage the world with moments of creativity and spontaneous joy. Slow down, watch the sun rise and set, moon wax and wain, notice the abundance of a desert, see the masterpiece within a pile of junk. Waste equals food and there's no price to pay for resourceful solutions, one million blocks of clay can build a village, our thoughts eliminate pollution. As the universe revolves lets stop trippin on where it started, realize we are the center, decide where we're headin! Lets make magic daily, earn a fortune while regenerating this ecosystem. Wealth and surplus are nutrients for dreams to blossom. In this communal world garden the future is upon us like a blanket on a cold night, let us learn to die to be reborn in light, as we spread and sink our light in the earth, watch springs of bounty come bursting forth out of every crack and crevice, a contagious respect for all life, stepping with our best foot first, bringing the best versions of ourselves out to play and shine. We have all the time to make things right, stop, rewind, pause the tape, a permanent culture is an idea ideal, it's possible if we pursue it. Lets jump right through this hoop together, one heart, one mind, one helluva party! Long life, honey in the Heart, thirteen thank yous....

After the course I headed north hitching to the Bay area then east to Yosemite for a friends wedding. I got excepted for a volunteer position to help clean up burning man in exchange for a FREE ticket, I jumped at the opportunity and headed straight for Black Rock City, round 2!
The road from Yosemite to HWY 395 was closed due to fire so I had to hike the 12 miles up and out of the valley up to Toulumne, with the 4500 ft elevation gain and a 40+ lb pack, it wasn't easy but I made it and got great rides all the way to Tahoe on Tuesday night. Got to visit some good friends and kept on truckin the next day arriving in BRC wednesday afternoon! This burn was a much better experience than my first. I got to stay with a great crew including my friend "Darko" at the Burning Roadshow Camp. The Cool Bus was in true burning fashion, I tried my best constructing a "Captain Funby" cape first thing!,

Ahh, the ups, downs, surprises and smiles were abound, pushing all boundaries physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. I had no plans, no schedule, no expectations and that is the way I prefer it a b-man. The theme was Evolution, very cool... I ran into some Colorado friends amongst others, spent the mornings at camp, afternoons out and about, decadent diners at camp and nights out on la playa! Full of dancing in geodesic domes, drunken bike rides to Buddha bunnies and beyond, art car hoppin, and of course many giant fires! Saturday was hell, dust storms all day, until "5 minutes till Burn" came over the radio.... we hurried onward through the dust and made it in perfect time to see the fire dancer parade and the crown of thorns and man ignite in a great ball of fire. Sunday's Temple burn was truly amazing, nearly silent, a huge wave of grief and release washed over the crowd as our loved ones remembered and our prayers were sent to the heavens!

Rainbow Abound; Sedona warms my Heart :)

My time at the Tree of Life was complete at the end of April, my mom arrived to escort me home with my brand new bike- cycle. Leaving a lifestyle extreme, serene, beautiful light and challenging, I yearned to explore more, this time East of St. Louis and Kentucky to Appalachia and the District of our Nations capital. Back home in time to staff a warrior's initiation weekend with my brother Troy, then a brief visit with family and friends and off to ATX (austin) on an old school bus to Nashville for Cosmic Clearance via Little Rock. The medicine moves me and Shpongle grooves me, I'm off to Knoxville, then Asheville with Rusty Elaine Stevie, skateboards, rock gyms and "Chesber" our pet frisbee. The ride starts at Earthave as I reunite like lost lovers with Ryan and Mandy, we meditate, connect, and share our joy over diner with friends. Tours and tantrums, the wheels turn beneath our feet as our legs burn and storms roll in. North on the Blue Ridge Parkway, we visit Turtle Island with Eustace Conway and friends, Boone for a warmshowers stay, then to Shanon Farms, Woodfolk House, Twin Oaks and Chrysalis. DC for the Weekend and after many celebrations, and goodbyes our paths split again, and I hopped a Craigslist Ride share back to Asheville then to Bonnoaroo where miracles took me backstage and great music did not stop. Out of cash with $6 in my front pocket and a flat tire, I limp into the Farm in a station wagon, just in time for an evening with David Rovic and Cindy Shehan, good people, and good music. Work work work, play play play, and the mary go round spins day after day. From the farm to Nashville and Rainbow outside Sante Fe, my first National! Super excited, with a world of dreams at my fingers tips a giant loving and dysfunctional family! "Lovin You Guys!" From council to aucoustic dance parties, midnight pizza, pancakes and everpresent coffee. It's always morning to someone, a forest that doesn't sleep, diner-drum circles, angel walks and Prayers for peace. Cold rain, mud fights, chocolate treats. Onward with Troy to Sedona town, we took the longest, most windy path we could find, but made it in perfect time.

An Earth Sky workshop with Drunvalo set the stage to dive right in, to our hearts that is. Of course I was scared and scarred, disbelieving and sceptical. But all in all, I made it through, my connection with spirit feels renewed and strong, vast and timeless. Sedona's power inspires me to write, hug and boogie. From here I'm not sure where? If you see me on the road pick me up, join this Rainbow Trail of Living Light, could be the most interesting ride you've ever known!

"Why Do I Run?" 4/10/2009

Why do I run, from Truth, Love, Now? I ask and ask and ask,
but do I listen for answers or leave premature?
I say "Give me Health, Happiness, Peace", but choose to bury my feelings, fear, and grief by eating, eating, eating unconsciously consuming the fist that feeds, choking myself with worry, self pity and doubt. I know so little about so much, when is enough enough?
Put down the book, take the headphones out, turn off the TV, start living, day by day, choice by choice, breath by breath. It takes a warrior to stop fighting and surrender, sit, still, silent, listen, learn, sacrifice simple empty pleasures for deep lasting fulfillment, purpose and joy.

Enter the Kingdom of Heaven , the doors are wide open, Love comes from within and is endless, trust your heart and see your beauty beyond your body, stand strong to your words, keep actions focused with intent. Building a castle starts brick by brick, enjoy the movements as they will last a lifetime and may never seem complete. The mountain may appear steep like a pyramid seems empty, but trust step by step and reach the top with little effort, let spirit elevate and guide go along for the ride no need to drive this vehicle knows more than you or I, with intuitive wisdom as vast as the ocean, we have all the pieces needed to frame our puzzle like a painting.

Problems like pretzels that twist and bend us blending together our faults and perfections.
The reflection of a rainbow in a oily puddle, a paradox and parody apparently wrapped in plastic and cardboard, a parrot in a cage watching the rain forest on DVD, laughing hysterically mocking grandma rocking nervously in her chair waiting for the children to get home from school. Smother us in kisses, spoil us with sweets, let us sweat as we play and fall asleep with sand in our sheets. I clean the dirt off my feet and comb my hair appearing pretty and neat brush my teeth and smile, starring eye to eye with myself, blinking blessings and prayers without shedding a tear, perking my ears as I blow my nose, its been raining for years and its time to Bloom. Spring is in the Air, Beauty in the Moon, Summer Sun Shines on the horizon illuminating the day. Stretch, dance, sing, that's all I have to say....

Spring is Here, Heading out East!

Wow, one more year has come and gone, I am 23 years young, preparing for a journey out East to North Carolina and Virginia, to join friends Ryan and Mandy from the Within Reach Movie Project. They have been biking from Northern California since last April and are creating a documentary film about Sustainable and Intentional Communities all over the states, their goals are to visit over 100 communities and bike over 12,000 miles! I will ride with them for 1 month, 1,000 miles from Asheville, NC to Washington D.C. and back to Summertown, Tennessee, visiting 3 beautiful and amazing intentional communities, Earth Haven, Twin Oaks and The Farm. I am super excited having never been to the East Coast, participated in a multi-day bike tour, or feature film project.

I recently left the Tree of Life Rejuvenation Centre in Patagonia, Arizona, a Raw Vegan Spiritual Health Retreat and Community after working as Garden Assistant for 3 months. I learned a lot about myself (eating from pleasure and emotion, struggling to meditate, stretch, breathe fully and surrender to the desert). Also about nutrition, gardening and greenhouses while staying active outdoors and in the larger communities of Tucson, involving myself in the Mankind Project, Boys to Men, Acroyoga and lots of awesome hiking and climbing!

Since my last post in April of 08' I finished my 6 month garden internship at the Solar Living Institute in Hopland, California, enjoyed many adventures Earthday @ Iron Horse Winnery in Sonoma County, Memorial Day weekend with Alex in Yosemite, Harmony Festival, Yosemite 4th Of July with Lauren, Skylar, Hassan and Kristen, Reggae on the River with Dave and Marcelo on our way up to Dave's Land, Mt. Shasta and Ashland, Oregon, Santa Cruz with Marcelo, Rebecca, Skylar, Lauren, and ofcourse Solfest!

After the internship I moved in with Jini and family, learning tough lessons by "showing off to get attention, being lazy, loud and messy. " I worked with the Dr. Vapor crew: Ben, Chantal, Cliff, and OSHO, at Power to the Peacefull and Earthdance. Flew back to Lawrence to rode down to Eureka Springs, Arkansas with Troy to help create the Coalessence Festival, then back to Cali, road trip LA, Mammoth Lakes (hot springs), Yosemite, Santa Cruz, back to Mendo with friends, going through my New Warrior Training Adventure with Shankara, bought a VW van and started another roadtrip south to LA with Hassan, meeting up with Troy and Rebecca then Troy and I headed East through, J-Tree, Flagstaff, Sedona, Patagonia, Truth of Consequences, NM, Austin, Tx, back to Lawrence for X-mas. The van had a nervous meltdown, but we managed to rent a car day after christmas and drive to mexico with Walt, Colin and Ben just like old times staying at Homero's and climbing large in El Potrero Chico. For the New Year we drank mas cervesas and rode a mechanical bull with small sticks of explosives erupting under our feet as we danced to a mexican dj underneath the stars. Colin, Walt and I headed back to Larry-town where I thought I would get rest and a break from the rush of travels. However, Troy wakes me up at 3am to go skiing in Colorado on his expense, 3 hrs later on our way to Breckenridge with Randy, Skiied and Rode Breck, then Copper with Mom and Mike, I split and hitched up to Winter Park with Kristen, Ft. Collins, Denver with Lindsay, Ian, Sean, Hope and Mike, got the job offer at the Tree of Life and got a rideshare down to Sedona, the hitched the rest of the way to Patagonia.

Last week Mom picked me up in P-town, we drove up to Sedona for the closing ceremony of Return of the Ancestors with 120 elders from around the globe, them arrived in Lawrence Wednesday night, saw friends Lindsay, Walt and Clayton. Troy and I left to Staff the NWTA in Kansas City and were there untill Sunday evening, saw Dad and Terry and Tim, rested yesterday going to hear Bob Stevens present on conscious language. I have a ride down to Austin, Tx then Nashville and arriving in Asheville N.C. on Sunday to start yet another magical chapter in this book of Life.

Where Is My Mind? Wheere is-myy Mind?

Its been nearly two and a half months since my last post, i've taken some extra time to let my new environment settle within amongst the communal chatter, broken routines and last goodbye's to familiar family.

In short, the new internship at the Solar Living Institute in Hopland, CA is going well, I reccomend everyone that can or is into sustainability come visit!, I've been learning a lot in the garden about growing my own food from seed to harvest, a great experience mostly trial and error, very self motivated but fulfilling work. Pete the Intern and Garden manager is great, very conscious, organized and hardworking, sometime to a fault but all in all good company and jolly! The community of interns is here and there, all of us coming from different backgrounds and interests which makes it difficult at times and fun at others. We recently moved outside into tents so no longer are sleepy on top of one and other, but having tents within reaching distance provides little privacy for fooling around..., anywho, we'll cross that bridge when we get there... The situation is a little slanted as far as the dating game goes with 6 guys and 2 gals, safe to say there's a surplus of testosterone. The institute is nice though, there always loads happening on and off site, with workshops, community events and field trips. The funnest part has been checking out other cool sites in the area, some intentional communities, CSA's, and research gardens, not to mention the Biodynamic Conference rocked my socks off!

Other than that i'm trying to hold my self together physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally, feeling a lack of deep connection to the Earth, Tribe, Family and Friends but realizing all is in due time, motivation ebbs and flows sometimes floods i try to direct it without building dams, reaching out without over extending myself is of high reguard, this last few days has been a true test and trip realizing the hard truths of life and death, saying Goodbye to my Grandpa Felix who's dying at the age of 80, he lived a good life and i'm happy to wish him well into the afterlife, trying hard not to let other's emotions get the best of me, while trying not to close the door on my own. Before the brief phone call ended he said "I hope
you have a great life... I'll see you on the otherside", i said " yeah Grandpa, you have a lot to look forward too, take care, i love you, i'll see you there too..." I think death should be as beautiful and celebrated as birth and although these thoughts are unconventional to the western mind, i think Grandpa would say so too. I thought a lot about this the other day, how i will keep his spirit alive when Felix is gone, i think i would like to plant a garden, or tend to the one that he used to keep when i was young. I got a place in mind in Lawrence, Kansas on the corner of KASOLD RD where few cows once roamed, where i spent my early years playing wiffle ball and chasing cousins, stuffing myself silly with grandpa and grandma's amazing food, and embracing familiar faces. All is not lost, memories remain and future ones wait to be created by in my grandfather's name i would like to dedicate some time to make his home my home and his garden my garden and to take care of the earth, be kind to visitors, work hard and share the surplus, because us Karlin's are hearty folk, here for the greater good to look for solutions not problems, to greet our neighbors and lend a hand when needed, I am proud of this name and proud of my history from Lawrence to Hayes to Russia and Germany, my ancestors fought hard to give me this wonderful opportunity at life and i will spend it wisely with all my heart and wit and charming personality, to be free, happy and grateful, that is all..... "I love you Grandpa and may you always come to visit"

For the Enlightenment of All Beings!

The New Year is upon me like a blanket, it comforts and surrounds me, makes me feel warm and happy about what is to come. The month of January was quite a trip, literally, my older brother Troy and I were determined to take a road trip together to explore the west, our human potential, and as possible Vision Quest. I personally was in search of fulfilling work and community, opportunities to learn and progressive projects to contribute to. Troy needed a break from work, I know that owning your own business can consume you, as it did with him, he was looking to expand his horizons, get centered and grounded looking for opportunity and vision to guide his future and the future of the company. With one day before our schedule departure I got my tags renewed on my car, insurance and picked it up from my Dad's where it had been siting in a garage for nearly a year, "I hope it runs?" Driving it back to Lawrence i realized something was wrong and needed to be fixed, luckily we know a sweet and efficient mechanic who doesn't mind working on Sunday with an incentive a some good beer. So 3oo dollars and a few hours later we were on our way, pushing into the sunset towards Colorado at 80 miles an hour!

We went skiing, saw friends, hiked, meditated daily, played lots of frisbee golf and eventually drank, watched sports and smoked pot. Not exactly off to the holistic start of the New Year I was intending, but exciting none the less. We rode with Clayton in Breckenridge, stayed at Mom's in Pagosa, slept at a friends in Santa Fe, meditated on the vortexes of Sedona, hung out with Eddie in Scottsdale, climbed in Joshua Tree, surfed in Santa Cruz, picked up Brent in Berkely, circled up with Hassan in Sebastapol, checked out the Solar Living Institute in Hopland, skied with Joel and ate lunch with Sara in Lake Tahoe, camped out in the snow of Mt. Shasta, went bouldering with Colin in Bend, played Frolf with Andy, Danced to the Alpaca Band w/ Dan and Rae, kicked it with Benji all in the rainy city of Portland, got stuck in a 3 hrs traffic jam on the way to Salt Lake City, had a 40hr epic drive back to Pagosa, where we skied, boarded, soaked our bones with Mom, Dan, Demitree and the Fam. and after the Superbowl in Southfork Mom, Dan and Troy drove back to Lawrence, and I up to Breck to see Clayton again, because the pass was closed indefinitely and i'm snowed in again! Wow, yes, yes Januaray was a trip and Febuary has proved action packed as well but more holistic for sure!

I'm on the Fifth day of the Master Cleanse fast, where i've been drinking a "spicy lemonade" concoction, meditating for about an hour a day, doing my "Sun Salutations" yoga practice and reading loads. At the moment I'm partially through about a half a dozen books, reading the Ancient Secret of the Flower of Life Vol 1., the Earth Users Guide to Permaculture, Scott Nearing's the Making of a Radical, Deepak Chopra's Book of Secrets, and just picked up Tom Brown Jr's The Quest which is absolutely fascinating! among reading intro's to about a half dozen more...

Yesterday I got home from Ice Climbing with Clayton and his friend Matt, I was pretty beat but read a few chapters in the Quest and had quite a breakthrough. the book is about TBJr's childhood from the ages 7-17 where he was taught by a great Native American elder, Grandpa Stalking Wolf with his boyhood friend Rick. Grandpa was telling them of the Four Big Prophecies of the destruction of Man and Grandpa is usually always right. Well two of those prophecies have already come to be and he says we only have time between now and the Third to make things right, by the Healing of Mother Earth and the Enlightenment of Man. Grandpa says:

"if a person is attuned to the world of the spirit, the world of vision, and working for things beyond his/herself, then the path and time to act becomes clear. Until then, allow the spirit of the Earth and the Creator to teach, and the Vision Quest to guide, and all else will become Reality" "Once the learning process of the spirit is over, however, (you) must make frequent journeys to into the world of Man to share that which is taught by the purity of the wilderness... All the Great Prophets and Holy Men have come from the Wilderness, for Wilderness is where their spiritual fires were born" pgs. 29 &84

After reading these pages I intuitively set the book down and started a meditation, first silent then using the sounds of Ahh, Omm, and the Sacred Vowels E, A, AH, O,U i put a call out to my ancestors, the spirit of the Earth and my Divine Self for the guidance and wisdom to live in service for the Healing of the Earth and Enlightenment of all Beings. Living in the moment and totally improvised this was one of the most powerful meditations i've ever had, after about 50 minutes I opened my eyes and the power of the apartment was out!, coincidence, who knows? A sign from the Universe, maybe? Anyways I wrote down the following statement in my journal and would like to share it.

"I choose to live a selfless life, powered and protected by love and spirit for the Enlightenment of all Beings and the healing of Mother Earth, Father Sky and the Divine Self. I am only part of the 'spirit-that-moves-in-all-things'. Great Spirit, Please Lead Me, Guide Me, Direct and Protect Me, I am in Service for the Greatest Good of All"

Its these moments that i feel complete, whole and in harmony with the universe, its then when i jump back on the track i was born to live! Thank You all, you are beautiful creatures made of Light, Love and Peace!