Initiating the flow
Initiating flowing acceptance and attachment requires mindfulness.
By mindfulness I mean paying attention to one’s mental and emotional processes going on internally.
In the case of flowing mindfulness we are looking out for those times when we have a “knee jerk” reaction of “this is not happening”, “not now” “why me?”, “I don’t want this.” etc. There are a million variations but the theme is the same, it’s always about a mental rejection of the incoming information and attachment to a different desired reality that the new information is indicating won’t or can’t happen.
Ever seen a sports fan suddenly stand up and yell “NO NO NO NO!” at the tv as the other team does something to prevent the outcome the fan wants? That is what we do in our minds quietly, internally, many many times a day. Some times we do it so quietly we don’t even realize we are doing it ourselves. It happens a thousand times a day, and with each mental rejection we gain resentment, resentment that is like a snowflake on a branch. Alone the weight of the resentment, like a snowflake is nothing. Yet over time they build and with it, like too much snow on a branch, we emotionally bend under the weight. Laid low by the weight of our own creation. This leads to anger and depression and we know not even why we are feeling such.
To start the flow we must pay attention to our internal processes and when we sense resistance we stop that mental process consciously and replace it with acceptance and letting go of our wish for a different outcome.
Flowing acceptance and attachment, like so many other things, requires practice to be good at it. Most things will be easy for us to learn to accept and move on. Other things are a greater challenge, but the principles stay the same.
What’s the point to all this? Why bother?
The point is about being at peace, no matter what is happening around or to us. It’s about being joyful and free of the weight of resentment. It’s about having a mind and spirit that flows smoothly and endlessly like a clear stream of water, it’s a still pond and a deep vast lake. It is mastering the well within us, it’s about learning the secrets of the realm of water.
A ritual to initiate the flowing mind
Find a place next to a body of water, such as a stream, creek or river. A lake or pond will work as well, but have a slightly different energy to them. Baring any of the above a fountain that has an element of flowing water will work excellently as well.
You will need a candle and some incense, and/or silver for offering.
Take a seat next to the water. Make yourself comfortable as you will likely be here a good while. Some place quiet and a bit isolated, but safe is ideal.
I. Opening the rite.
A. Take a few deep breaths and allow your body and mind to relax.
1. Clap three times loudly to get the attention of the spirits of place.
B. Opening Prayer: “A child of the earth has come to learn the way of flowing water . Oh spirits of waters realm, hear my words, know my heart to be open to your teachings at this time!” (do not feel you must use these words exactly.)
C. Purification:
1. scoop some water and Asperge in the four directions saying “I cleanse this place and make it whole and holy.” Scoop more water and say asperge the “shrine” in front of you saying “I cleanse this shrine making it whole and holy.” Take a third scoop of water and asperge yourself and say “I cleanse myself and make me whole and holy.”
D. The hallows:
1. light the candle and toss silver into the body of water “Fire I kindle and water I silver. Hearth and well I hallow. The fire, well, and sacred tree flow and flame and grow in me.”
E. Statement of purpose
1. In your own words state why you have come, it should be something along the lines of wanting to learn flowing acceptance and attachment. Address your statement to the water.
F. Open the gates to the realm of water.
1. for this rite we are going to open the gates to the realm of water, and thus our body of water will be our gate. Call upon a water spirit or minor deity to be the gatekeeper. Be sure to give an offering of some sort such as silver or incense to this being. Ask them to aid in the opening of the gate and to be it’s guardian, to hold back any malicious spirits.
II. Body of the rite
A. Take a few deep breaths and again relax your body and mind. Start by turning down the radio of self talk and thoughts in our heads and just watch the water flow by. Note how it does not appear to be attached or resistant. Take that in, integrate that flowing sight into your mind, heart, and body.
B. Now listen to the water. Hear it’s flowing or gentle lapping. what does flowing sound like? If you like you can close your eyes and focus on just the sound of flowing water. Listen for a time and then integrate the sound of flowing into your mind, heart, and body.
C. Now reach out and place a part of your hand or foot in the water. Feel it flowing around you without attachment. What does flowing feel like? When have you felt like that? When have you not felt like that? Can you feel like that again? would you like to feel like that all the time? Integrate the feeling of flowing into your mind, heart, and body.
D. It’s time to come back into your body fully. Let your mind focus on your feet and toes, on the earth your sitting on.
III. Closing the rite
A. Thanks the spirit of water for their teaching and cooperation.
B. Thank the spirit that guarded and warded the gate of your working to the water realm. Give it another offering and with it’s aid close the gate.
C. I like to finish with “The fire, well, and sacred tree flow and flame and grow in me. Thus I remember the work of the wise. This rite is finished, so be it.”
D. When you go out into the world, be mindful of your internal processes, allow yourself to have a flowing mind of acceptance and attachment. Allow yourself to flow like the river, pond, or fountain that you used.
Practice practice practice.
By fire, well, and sacred tree.
Rev. Davin Mac Lugh