Month: December 2018

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Seeing our Greatness in Affliction

“Seeing our greatness in affliction”

By James Anthony Curtis

The past few days near Mt. Graham, Arizona, the temperature where we are staying has dropped significantly, the wind adding to the chill goes right through the body, piercing the marrow in the bones, until it feels like there is just no warmth left to the soul. You begin shaking, seeking out any place that might bring some relief, even acting out in mannerisms that might be very telling of the desires locked away within our mortality. Anger, frustration, and depression are common elements that arise as the cold seeps into the body.

Back east, every winter this seemed like a mass exodus in emotional waves that would cover the small town of people when winter began its arrival. The mountains of the Alleghenies though, have a way of hiding the sky, even their greatness, as the hills are close in relation to one another, providing a sense of density that out west does not have. And the humidity seems to stick with you, clinging, in all its various forms, creating a weight of sorts, that feels very much like your body is oppressed in reasoning as to why you would ‘live where you live.’

But the point of it is, we have chosen, each of us, to live where we live, be with whom we are, even if we are caught in habitual patterns of arrangement unconsciously, seemingly through no control or thought of our own. In an inclusive universe, although it may not feel like it, those very parts that are under affliction, are streaming information to the whole of creation as to what we like, even in our ‘dislikes.’ More importantly, as we learn to listen to ourselves, the places within us that surface in emotion, are coming forward to ask or reveal what it is we truly desire. This is always love, in some form or another, whether it be nurturing, holding space, or acknowledgement, our divinity is the love manifesting circumstances for us even though it may appear we have not chosen them. What we do with our response, or reaction, how we treat ourselves through what comes forward, is the love we have been gifted with for shifting our vibration. How we meet life, even in our dislike of circumstances, produces a way forward for the expansion of the heart, which in turn allows room for us to grow in our eternal form. We can either choose to embrace the beauty in our orchestration, acknowledging the genius source creators that we are, or continue on in our patterns, seeing only what we wish to see until we are ready. In either case though, love again is the point in our choosing, beit conscious or unconscious in our awareness.

It might bring some small comfort that, though I am aware of this process, each time is an opportunity to move through it with grace. The ‘unmerited favor’ comes from allowing me to be with me, finite self to connect with infinite self, choosing to abide with strong feelings, uncomfortable sensations, while holding the heart with love, and not abandoning or rejecting it along with the cold.

Today as I look up at the majesty of the mountain, I feel the incredible wealth of colds affliction, the greatness in our mortal journey, why we are revered above angels, because of the pilgrimage we have chosen. With each breath we open ourselves to the one that is coming forth, that desires more than anything to be born, to live as god incarnate here in earth. The fears that we feel are only the pains of being squeezed into this tiny frame, so we feel as we are ready, being gentle with our mortality, granting passage to our afflictions, knowing they are only a part of the birthing process, of coming to know the one we already are, the love that we are, as compassion warms the heart in light for all beings within us.

Blessings my dear friends, much love, gratitude for the heart road we are walking. May it be so, so it is.

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“Ranchers, Aliens, and Conspiracy Balloons”

Roswell, New Mexico November 13th 2018

“Ranchers, Aliens, and Conspiracy Balloons”

By James Anthony Curtis

Events leading into 1947’ were a hot bed of activity on Earth. America had tested, and then dropped atomic bombs on Japan as World War II was nearing its end. The world’s first general purpose electronic computer is assembled, and completed (Electronic Numerical Integrator Analyzer and Computer). U.S. Navy Flight 19 disappears over the Bermuda triangle. The Transistor is invented, The United Nations is formed, with 50 nations signing the Charter in an effort for world peacekeeping, and government, as the Cold War begins.

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We may never know exactly what Mac Brazel found on July7th, 1947’ while out tending to his sheep pasture near Roswell, New Mexico. Even the initial press release from the local Air Base stated, “RAAF Captures Flying Saucer On Ranch In Roswell Region.” The story released days later has sparked conspiracy theories to this day, as to the amount debris, odd looking bodies, strange writings on even stranger metals, and two large crash sites — all coming from one “Dummy Test Balloon,” as stated from the supposed cover-up. No automatic alt text available.

But as we entered Roswell, one thing becomes very apparent, the town has embraced this legacy as their own, with everything from alien pizza shops, to used clothing stores, all dedicated to the little green men with graffiti. I found myself grinning from ear to ear, my boyish nature hardly contained, as I saw large Aliens in front of hotels, displayed in paintings on buildings, and lining the streets on lampposts. Our destination for the day: The International UFO Museum And Research Center in Roswell. First let me say, even if you are not a ufologist, this is a great little gem of a place simply to spark wonder, imagination, and intrigue — you will not be disappointed.

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As we walked the halls of the museum, they have done their best to entertain, with fancy mock-ups, artwork, and scenarios, but lets be honest, the artifacts just aren’t there for obvious reasons. This is one place you have to go all-in, without reservation, letting your mind wander where it wills. There is evidence to support arguments in any narrative you choose, believer or not, which is nice in its presentation.Image may contain: sky

Personally Ive been a UFO enthusiast all my life, from the time I could read, to watching those old black & white movies of ‘visitors’ with various intentions coming to our world. I remember as a teenager growing up in the forests of the Alleghenies, intently watching the stars for extraterrestrial presence, longing for contact from universal friends.Image may contain: sky, tree and outdoor

Looking back, the life I knew growing up was very shrouded, there was no internet, no cell phones, and much of the information we received was via television, radio, or newspaper. It gave us the space for the mind to play, to listen to our longings, feel into ourselves with the lack of communication globally. And although I’m not against technology, I do see the need now for this space, one in which we connect specifically in darkness.Image may contain: indoor

Roswell presents us with an opportunity, not so much in the events that unfolded back in 1947, but more to the point of opening our minds to the space from which we may feel into something, be with both our fears and our longings. Whether we believe in the strange circumstances of cover-ups or not, mathematically we are assured its an impossibility that we are alone in the universe; life has evolved abundantly and without doubt on our little blue planet, and the same has already happened elsewhere or is in progress in the cosmos. Aliens present us with the truth about how we face ourselves, the openness we give to our heart, and what we offer to one another, in terms of both borders and boundaries.Image may contain: 1 person, sitting and indoor

When we look into this facet of our meaning, we grant ourselves the wisdom of seeing an extension of life very difficult to embrace in our current evolution as a species — going beyond human limitations and lifespans to a higher place we refer to as “the heavens.” One in which when we look at the sky in amazement, or climb a mountain simply because we feel the need inside of us, we connect to something far reaching in revealing the truth to our pilgrimage here.

For me, Aliens present those sides of me I long to know, and are only ‘Alien’ in nature until I have come to know them.Image may contain: outdoor

Today may we acknowledge those parts, giving them passage in us, breathing in deeply the love they are asking for. May we share in our commonality, both as a species, and as members in the same universe, recognizing the greater body of ‘self’ that we are. And if we meet some day, may we meet when we are ready, preparing our paths to intersect as the long awaited friends that we have been, with each holding of the heart we give, through all that we feel, for the benefit of all beings.

May it be so, so it is. ????

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Kartchner Caverns, Arizona State Park

Kartchner Caverns, Arizona State Park

By James Anthony Curtis

 

We had the pleasure of visiting Kartchner Caverns on Friday November 30th, 2018. Its hard to believe that 44 years ago, almost to the date in November, this cavern was just being discovered by Gary Tenen and Randy Tufts as they were exploring the limestone hills at the eastern base of the Whetstone Mountains. The two men dreamed of finding “a cave no one had ever found,” and indeed they found it.

As we neared the Limestone hills containing the now well maintained, manmade entrance to the caverns, we had no idea what we were in store for as we approached the entrance. The hills themselves do not sit that far from the highway, and leave little to be awed by from an outward view. There is nothing that gives any indication to the incredible beauty that awaits under the surface, and once inside its mind boggling what it must have been like coming upon this treasure in such a dark exploration. Gary and Randy were two such souls that truly felt the significance of a place like this, and kept the cave secret until February of 1978, when they sat down to share the their find with property owners James and Lois Kartchner. The two knew the cave had to be conserved, since natural wonders can seriously be damaged from unregulated usage, and a course of action was set into motion to approach Arizona State Parks about acquiring the caverns.

It’s hard to believe as you look over at the original entrance, which is hardly noticeable, that a small, dark, hole into the earth, leads to such magnificent beauty in what lays beneath. Our ranger guide was very informative, as was everyone working at the park, and you could feel the passion in his sharing each step of the way as we entered the tunnel to the caverns.

It was sunny yet very chilly outside, and as you approach the first door, you see the beginnings of tunneling into the hillside. The park takes great lengths in precaution to preserve the still actively growing cave, listing many helpful ways in which we will be walking into the cavern as to not disturb what has taken hundreds of thousands of years to form.

Upon walking through the first door, immediately the temperature is a comfortable 72 or so degrees, humid, and surprisingly pleasant. We pass through long tunnels painstakingly made for easier access into the caves, and a total of three large metal doors, sealing the outside world, and preserving the inner one.

Kartchner Caverns is one of those rare places on earth that brings you to a place deep within yourself, thats hard to comprehend the amount of time, pressure, and gravity of circumstances to create. Gary and Randy crawled, through a tiny black opening, squeezing, moving, exploring the darkness, until it opened into something ancient, magnificent, leaving a legacy of awe to what others might share. The beauty is remarkable, even more so as you realize the process in discovering it, and the truth which made it.

I found myself feeling into my own journey as we walked, those dark places yet to be discovered, and the ones that have revealed themselves through much crawling, squeezing and exploring in great effort. The ranger that took us in remarked, “its hard to believe this much beauty formed over so much time in such darkness.”

Many times in our journey it’s difficult to view our own darkness with such reverence — mostly because we get caught up in those tight places, grasping for movement, trying to reason our way through tiny limitations, when being human is really all about feeling those closed spaces. As we allow ourselves to abide with the dark, seeing past the tiny openings, our desires guide us into something much more than we could ever have hoped for.

When we are ready, may we find our ‘sink hole,’ beginning the long journey inward to see what has been forming for a very long time. May we crawl, squeeze, move at our pace, allowing ourselves to enjoy each exploration with love. And as we come to know the one we have been waiting for, may we greet ourselves with all the tenderness we have long desired, for the benefit of all beings.

May it be so, so it is. ????

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Three Rivers Petroglyphs

Three Rivers Petroglyphs

By James Anthony Curtis

 

It might not seem like the post for Thanksgiving, but bear with me for a bit.

So on our way to Arizona, we had the privilege to visit what some might consider sacred places along the way. ‘Sacred,’ to me, means touching something deep inside, a part that reflects love in a manner that cant easily be given or received, but involves a space of gratitude, empathy, and attention which provokes the heart to see something more than the mere moment of passing impermanence.

Some beings choose to express these times in art, writing, and music, while others immerse themselves as the flow of the ‘sacred’ allows, giving the current permission to carry them where it wills as the path unfolds. All of us experience the ‘sacred’ through the acknowledging of something meaningful, greater than what we believe ourselves to be, vast, yet small, precious in valuation of what we know based on our current relationships. 

Most times for me there is a period of integration, a space of ‘allowing’ for what has been transmitted, and received, giving time for reflection to manifest back to the universe an acknowledgment of the journey here. Maybe that’s why I choose to write, sometimes in recording, others in expression, both sending those emotional energies to myself and others as apart of universal connection in cooperation with the life lived here. 

It might not seem like we have an impact at times, or like we are here fulfilling purpose, but some of the smallest of actions very well may be the most precious in circling back to our roots, granting ourselves passage as the ‘divine,’ or ‘sacred’ beings that we are — like these testimonials etched in rock, from a people long ago that farmed a once fertile valley, leaving small, unsubstantial traces of animals, actions, and feelings. We too carve out moments in time, possibly left for others to feel as they find, and maybe its not what we think in terms of preserving or recording our memories, or culture, but those ‘expressions,’ feelings that we leave in our absence, ‘signatures’ we leave of our life here in how we interact with our divinity in human form.

The people at ‘Three Rivers’ left no record for us to find, no monuments to any great civilization, but as you sit upon the rocks, walk paths they walked, and touch the pictures they left, you find yourself in the sacred, feeling a place in the heart for family, friends, and a deep gratitude rooted in the preciousness of life. They even buried their dead in the floors of the places they lived, perhaps to keep them close, or maybe as a reminder, to the spark each life holds, that in time transcends all boundaries of limitation.

Today we offer thanks, not for any set discovery, land, or celebration of peoples, but for all beings, on the sacred pilgrimage of love, as we come to know our relationships and why we journey with them. May you be blessed, may you be loved, may you find ease in the open heart of healing.

Namaste.