noun
the quality of being clear
the quality of being clear
I once did an American Indian Sun/Moon Dance -I danced forward and back to a totem pole for 3 days and nights. The shelter was meagre, no food or talking allowed. We were given a whistle made of Turkey bone, to blow while we danced, and half a cup of water. The goal was to cleanse our body, minds and souls, so we could receive a vision.
I danced to the sound of a beating drum. I sucked air and moisture through the weeping whistle and the smell of burning sage satisfied my cravings. I cleared out a lot of poop. Outdoors, in a deep hole until I felt hollow like the whistle - in a good way, empty, clean and finally free of sadness. My vision went like this.
Imagine a 12 year old American Indian girl - like Hiawatha or Pocahontas. Tiny, with two long plaits, a headband, bare feet and tan leather clothes. My father was preparing for his journey to a Sundance. I wanted to go but women were forbidden. I knew I was brave enough so I decided to go. I hid as we journeyed to the sacred site, and I took my place in the circle before he did.
No-one said a word. I was allowed to stay. They admired my cheek, underrated my power and, at times, a predator was enchanted by my sensuous dance. Hundreds of years later, similar faces dancing a journey, smoking their pipes, letting me write, leaving me be. On the third day, curious and weary I dropped and they claimed I was Holy. I was given a white robe and shown how the women became welcome. My gift was to see the result of my childhood defiance, hundreds of years ago, still nobody knew it was me.
After it ended a predator was lurking. He said "Your dance was mesmerising, I feel a connection" - from a past life no less - "Can I give you a massage?" - The, take your clothes off, nobody is watching, it's only natural, kind. I told him with clarity it wasn't my vision. I cleared out and drove two hours home, blissfully cleansed (it really was a lot of poop). I was on a different path - Nothing from the past could hurt me, and nothing imagined is real. I was dancing to the beat of my own drum.
Clarity, Clearing and Cleansing - Call on frog medicine to bring on tears, water and rain. Plenty of tears, let them flow - without interruption. Do a ritual (or go to a spa, much nicer - same price), do a fast, go for a swim, do a colonic irrigation, anything to do with water will help - this is another foot bath reminder. Don't let a fear of emptiness overcrowd you. Experience the joys of feeling hollow and clear. With clarity comes vision.
If we pollute our body we pollute the planet. If you're bloated or blocked - Is clarity calling?
**The colonic irrigation link is for people seeking more information (inc. video). I worked at the clinic for some years in Melbourne, Australia - and it's C day - Colonic starts with a C :)**
If we pollute our body we pollute the planet. If you're bloated or blocked - Is clarity calling?
**The colonic irrigation link is for people seeking more information (inc. video). I worked at the clinic for some years in Melbourne, Australia - and it's C day - Colonic starts with a C :)**
I love this- Experience the joys of feeling hollow and clear. With clarity comes vision.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing! Hit some good points for me.
empty and hollow tend to have such negative vibes attached to them, and they don't deserve it :)
DeleteYour posts are always so meaningful. Thanks once again for inspiration. I recently let go of a lot of "stuff" by cleaning out my closets. I imagine a junk drawer or garage might have the same results. :)
ReplyDeleteSometimes following another's path is what leads you to your own - In a less cryptic way that just means we can and should learn lessons from history's pages :) I'm heading over to see how many C words you strung together in one poem now - you're lovely *Austin Powers voice*
ReplyDeleteThanks Hilary, It's a story that helped me understand the concept too - I never imagined it would be my story :D
ReplyDeleteNo surprise indeed. What surprises me is how many people don't make a connection between what is happening in their lives and the effect their bodies - and vice versa - Thanks Zoe much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteWith clarity comes vision-- well said.
ReplyDeleteLook forward to the rest of your challenge posts!
Damyanti @Daily(w)rite
Co-host, A to Z Challenge 2013
Twitter: @AprilA2Z
#atozchallenge
Just reading your methods relaxes me :) I enjoyed your budhist prayer wheel post - but couldn't comment on it?? - again we touch on similar themes - visions and visualisation :)
ReplyDeleteHi Ida, what a fascinating post! And definitely, writing is one way to clarify things for me. Your life experiences are so rich and I'll definitely be back to find out more on what you share. Cheers, Mel
ReplyDeleteWow, I don't think I've done anything in my life for three days and three nights.
ReplyDeleteI can think of one thing... your doing it now :)
DeleteLearning to go after quiet and peace is difficult, but definitely worth it.
ReplyDeletethe thing that I was sure would be the hardest was no talking...but it turned out to be my greatest source of peace... and quiet
DeleteOkay - I feel like you're staring our of the computer at how I feel right now. I'm off for a foot bath right now. And swimming starts next week!
ReplyDeleteAmazing images
Lx
I hope you kept your feet in till the water went cold :)
DeleteThanks Julie - the true love story continues - and your story on constipation is perfect just the way it is - Great C word
ReplyDeleteThat's really neat. Where did you take part in the Sundance? Was it in South Dakota? It takes a lot of endurance. I know I couldn't do it!
ReplyDeleteI did the sun moon dance a long way from South Dakota, west of Melbourne in Victoria, Australia
DeleteThis is an awesome post, Ida. I would enjoy three days of silence right about now. A foot soak sounds pretty good too. :)
ReplyDeleteNever underestimate the power of a good foot soak.... thanks for that word, I was stuck on foot bath, I like soak... I have never been able to stay that silent since :)
DeleteHi, I could use clarity in dealing with pain and illness. Sounds like a wonderful experience.
ReplyDeleteMary Hill
http://mary-anderingcreatively.blogspot.com/
Oops, just realised I typed third instead of first nation's.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's the newest nation of all - one with out borders :)
ReplyDelete