Thirty years ago I was living and teaching English in Tokyo, Japan. I was just beginning my journey of opening up to greater realities concerning the interconnectedness of all of Life. Six months after I arrived in Tokyo I decided to visit the island of Iriomote said to be home to the elusive Iriomote cat. I was traveling on my own and would like to share one of my first journal entries from that time written with very little editing.
I was on the beach and started walking till I found a giant red Tori Gate(a large red gate like structure often found near places of spiritual significance connected to the Shinto religion) placed right on the beach. I saw a path leading up one of the steepest slopes I’d ever seen. The atmosphere was powerful if not a little scary. I slowly climbed the rocks feeling the power of the place almost wondering if I should be there. When I got to the top, I saw a huge rock with two smaller ones on the left side. I felt an overwhelming kind of energy that seemed to command that I sit. The energy was stern and I couldn’t even look at the rock. I just sat there in a daze waiting for the information and invisible communication. Then it came.
It said, “These two rocks will be your helpers. They will transmit the information. It is time to open that channel.” I was startled and couldn’t move, could hardly breathe. Then it told me to pick up the red rock so they could activate the inner eye. I was shaking and started to cry a little. It told me to rub the palms of my hands with the red rock to open the chakras there. I did start to cry and then it said to put it on my third eye. I did and a full face with huge eyes appeared and then many pictures. The stern voice then said, ‘You are not ready. You haven’t learned to control the images.”
I took the rock away and waited. I felt young as if I knew nothing and was not ready to move to another level. Then a most amazing thing happened. An energy descended. Little lights were sparkling, so soft , so delicate, so gentle, so loving, the force of God I think. It was the most pure loving energy I have ever felt. It sparkled around me and I said aloud, ‘Something is here’ and a voice said, ‘stay with it.’..and I bent my head and felt my channel and the sparkling energy came to me and flowed through me and all around me.
When it was over I felt as if I had been helped by God, like Grace had come. I left the place taking care not to look back. I was a little shaken. I then found another place which was just as amazing. A pathway led away from the beach. I came to an area scattered again with those little fertility temples. One beckoned me. The energy was again so kind and wise like that of an old grandfather. I came in and sat down. A huge stone with Chinese characters smiled down gently at me. I could see a man, a kind wise man in my minds eye, so gentle. He told me to sit and I did. I was feeling a little coarse and heavy, not so clear, a bit confused like too much was happening at once. He was so gentle though and suddenly the energy I felt flow through me before was all around. It was in the trees, in every leaf, in the stones, in the air. It was so pure, so gentle, so delicate, so spiritual. Soft. I can’t say enough about the gentleness, like that of a new leaf unfolding. It was all around me. “ This is you”, it said, “Awaken. You are aware now. Awaken, awaken.”
It was an awakening an I knew it. Allness was all around me and I saw how inextricably I am connected to the whole. I was stroking a leaf next to me crying at the gently energy. I loved it so . “ You are this”, it said. “Be gentle with yourself.” I just sobbed as I connected to my true energy and although I have a long way to go, I know who I am. I know I am part of the Divine Force.
Written all those years ago and now here I sit at my retreat center, Bridge Between the Worlds, a center dedicated to honoring the intelligence of Spirit in Nature to assist all to reconnect with ourselves, each other and the essence of Spirit in Nature. Written 12/12/18
