Most Native American tribes have a wonderful awareness that in order to be balanced people, we need a way to let go of old experiences and their lessons when they no longer serve us. In the Western Culture that dominates our continent, we are encouraged to go into therapy which may take years and thousands of dollars. This is not always a good option and there is always a risk that the therapist available to us has an agenda or a viewpoint of their own that may color their suggestions to us.
Among OhShinnah's people, the Shishindi (the Zuni knew them as the Apache), there is a Journey done by everyone who hopes to walk a path of medicine in the world. She, herself, was taken by her father before her coming of age ceremonies. They accompanied several Shishindi families who went by horseback. Then, the Journey took several weeks. It is a Journey of cleansing into the persona of Changing Woman, with the resultant energy of change and self-direction strong in the individual. The Journey of the Waters challenges the individual to face and work with the inconsistancies that have impacted their lives.
For years, OhShinnah tried to get her elders to give her permission to take us Rainbow people (people not of her tribe, but of all the races of the world) on this Journey. Almost 20 years ago, she received permission and has been taking groups every year on this challenging and life-changing experience.
I went on the Journey of the Waters for the first time in l988. We met as a group in New Mexico and over the course of the next week, road-tripped in carpools to 6 sacred water sites in the South West, duplicating the route that OhShinnah's people used to take on horseback. These sites are usually natural mineral hot springs, or natural cold water sites. They all have their own individual mineral content and in the progression of the Journey, with the ceremonies and teachings that OhShinnah shares, an amazing process of cleansing and rechoosing happened for me. The Journey cannot be put into words easily. My life changed dramatically over the next year and my barriers to change have never been as acute or uncompromising as before I went. It was not a headtrip intellectual experience. My changes feel deep, visceral, and I am still finding out what they were. My relationship with OhShinnah strengthened. She has become a good friend and spirit sister. It felt very honoring to have her ask me to assist her with this beautiful way of helping people find their connections to Creator Spirit and let them express in the world in helping and healing ways. Thus for more than five years, I have been on the Journey of the Waters again. Each time I go, I am amazed at the deeper level I am able to access in my own growth, as I help OhShinnah in this high sacred doing.
I offer you this opportunity to come with us next year. We usually go in May, at the end of the month, so as to arrive at the icy lake the day of or the day after the winter thaw. The weather is a mixed bag of cold nights, cool to warm days, with the possibility of storms or sun. Most of us choose to stay in motels, and camping is available. You are responsible for your own travel arrangements, housing, and meals. We offer a lot of support for you to do this, providing opportunities for carpooling, roomsharing, and lots of suggestions for what has worked for people in the past. Bobi says to tell you to have $1500 and you'll be able to have fun in the SanteFe flea market, too. The workshop fee is about $900. We have some scholarship arrangements possible and ideas for creative financing. Please don't let money be the reason you decide you can't do this. Creator provides everything we need, when we can get out of the way.
OhShinnah's teachings include legends she grew up with and connections with the energy of the Mountains that are sacred to her people (The Gahn). Her spirit-connections always help me move to new levels of self-knowing: I call her my energy chiropractor, and get regular adjustments by sitting with her. She used to be a folk-singer in her younger days, even hung out with the Grateful Dead. Her voice reverberates off the stone walls of the natural pools with the blessing songs. I can feel the vibrations in my body. Its incredible.
The mineral hot springs have all been sold to private parties who have developed spas around them but one of the conditions of the sales was that the springs be available to the Native people to do their ceremonies. We go in after the spas close to everyone else. The cermonies are private and protected and very beautiful.
Think about going with us. Think about going into the new millenium cleansed of old useless ideas and belief systems. Think about the accelerated manifestation of your dreams that having choice energy available could create for you.
Several of us from Seattle have gone. You can e-mail us to gather more details. Contact me first and I will put you in touch with others who are willing to share with you.
Here are some comments made by participants:
* Feel the Freedom
* When it happens, I'm taking all of you
with me, because we went into the
waters together.
* Catch us if you can...
* The lake was my biggest fear and it
turned out to be my greatest joy.
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Moonfire Meeting House
1691 County Rd. 39
Southampton, New York 11968
phone / fax 631-287-9000
moonfire@optonline.net