Temple of the Earth Goddess
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Altar of the Great Goddess
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Dances of Universal Peace
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From the beginning of time, sacred movement and song have brought people together - at times of seasonal ceremony and celebration, as part of everyday life and life passages, in daily renewal and meditation. The Dances are part of this timeless tradition. The Dances are simple, meditative, joyous dances based on those of many cultures that use sacred phrases, chants, music and movements from the spiritual traditions of the earth to touch the enlightened sacredness within ourselves and recognize it in others. Building on the Dances of Universal Peace begun by Samuel L. Lewis in the 1960s, they promote peace and integration within individuals and understanding and connection within groups worldwide. There are no performers or audience: all form the mandala circle as everyone sings and dances together.
Meditation
​There are an endless number of ways to meditate. Any technique which allowes us to let go of our discursive, judgmental, busy thoughts and enter into a relaxed state of mental calm and clarity will be beneficial.
In Tibetan Buddhism there is a technique called shamatha, which is Sanskrit for "peaceful abiding". It brings us to a conscious awareness of the continual, ongoing stream of thoughts that shape our perception of the world and of ourselves.
Sit crosslegged on a cushion or in a chair with back straight. Allow the hands to rest on the thighs. Gaze with eyes half open at the floor in front of you without focusing upon anything in particular. Lightly rest the mind upon the act of breathing, noticing how the air comes in and goes out, blurring the boundary between what is within and without.
As we sit in this manner, we will become aware of our thoughts arising, almost in a waterfall torrent at first. Whether the thoughts are wonderful or terrible, we acknowledge them and let them go. In this way, we become familiar with these patterns and in time they begin to wear out. We can then begin to perceive the clarity which is behind our ordinary thoughts. That crystal clarity is a first glimpse of the beautiful and sacred world which is the Goddess.
Ways to know the Goddess
There are many rewarding ways to increase your awareness of the Great Goddess Who is aready within you and all around you. They include: switching to a vegan diet, social action, wicca, yoga, appreciating the beauty of nature, meditation, using tarot cards, working with crystals, or doing a bit of gardening. The possibilities are endless! It is also said that any act of pleasure that harms none is a sacrament of the Goddess, so being kind to yourself also counts.
Becoming more aware of the Goddess in every moment can be achieved by what we could call inner work. This involves clearing away obstacles which prevent our bodies and minds from perceiving Her sacred beauty in each moment. These roadblocks to our own happiness and connection to Nature block our ability to receive the abundant gifts that are freely given from Her bounty.
The outer work is every expression of our gratitude to the Goddess, or of using our abilities to raise love energy and ease suffering. It includes solitary practices of healing and celebration, as well as practices with other like-minded persons who aspire to heal, raise and radiate love, and lessen the aggression and suffering that is so prevalent.
Being Vegan
Sustaining ourselves cruelty-free is in iteslf a sacrament and an offering to the Goddess. The Meat and dairy industry inflicts torture on our brothers and sisters and does great harm to the biosphere.
It is very possible to eat a completely balanced diet as a vegan, and once the horror and pain imbedded in ingested meat is out of our system, we can truly feel good about waking up in the morning!
Inner Work
Shambhala, an organization founded on tibetan buddhism, offers free instruction in shamatha meditation at each of their centers, which are located in most countries of the world. Their site will help you locate a center near you.
Universal Life Church
The Universal Life Church Monastery strongly believes in the rights of all people from all faiths to practice their religious beliefs, regardless of what those beliefs are, be they Christian, Jew, Gentile, Agnostic, Atheist, Buddhist, Shinto, Pagan, Wiccan, Druid or even Dignity Catholics; so long as they do not infringe upon the rights of others and are within the law of the land and one’s conscience.
The ULC ordains ministers, priests, rabbis and clergy worldwide who are totally non-religious or even anti-religious. This may seem contradictory, but they are looking to change the negative perceptions of religion, faith and spirituality, by encouraging people to take control, stand up and speak truth to power by fearlessly stating their personal religious beliefs. The ULC Monastery seeks to fulfill the spiritual needs of as many different groups as we can by offering a wide variety of services, ordinations, information and networking opportunities. We further proclaim that "We are all Children of the same Universe" and as such we each have a right to be here. Thus said, that is the way that your God and Mother Nature planned it.
Self-Hypnosis
Self hypnosis is another powerful tool to free our minds from the negative programming which we all have received from teachers, parents, the media, clergy, and unsuccessful experiences of the past.
Within you is the ability, the seed of greatness, an unlimited potential. It is only awaiting the stimulation of your desire to spring forth and bring you to whatever you desire. You have the key to that door. Only you can unlock it. Only you! For many people, self hypnosis is the first step in unlocking that door. It could be for you, too.
Since the dawn of humankind crystals have been used for healing and for atunement with the Life Force and with our highest mind. Send an email to us and we will send you a coupon code worth 10% off at the site below:
Tarot
Tarot cards have been used for centuries to tap into the primal symbology of our higher consciousness. Divination is not a way to predict the future, but rather to see more deeply into situations and into our own hearts and potentials.
Wicca/Neopagan
Those who become aware of the presence of the Goddess may find themselves drawn to wiccan and pagan knowledge. For millenia humankind has acknowledged the Goddess, and wicca and neopaganism are expressions of the same unbroken tradition. The one great law of wiccan practice is, "if it harms none, do as you will."
Persecution has driven practice underground for centuries but Her presence is again becoming clear for us to see and feel, and many are now joining wiccan groups or pursuing solitary practice.
There are many great websites dedicated to knowledge of the practices of wicca and paganism. Please continue to check back for more links!
Outer Work
Healing Crystals
The Chakras
In our body, there are seven main energy centers lining up from the base of the spine to the crown of the head. These are known as chakras, which in Sanskrit means "wheel". A basic awareness of our chakras, their locations, color associations and organ correspondences is helpful to maintain health and wellbeing. If any chakra is blocked or undernourished there are methods to cleanse and energize your chakras. ChakraEnergy.com is a great place to get started: