The Vessels of Peace

I had returned home from a tumultuous trip into the interior of B.C. in November 2006 and there was a lot to do to keep my mind from the circumstances that had created the unrest. One of many emails caught my attention with the phrase...Vessels of Peace. I had joined several teleconference meditations with this group of women, and this was another invitation. The Vessels of Peace are a loosely knit group of women spread across the North American continent and are the heart child of Lynda Terry. There is no admission criteria other than a heart felt desire to be there. I'll share a letter I wrote after my first call with the group.

Beloved Ones,

As I said on the call, words are insufficient to the task of capturing the full extent of what happens to one of us, much less all of us during such tele gatherings. In metaphysical terms the glow of energy around my heart chakra expanded...in physical terms this has created a wonderful large warm glow across my chest to match the smile on my face.

One evening thirty years ago, high above the city lights of Montreal I sensed my/our existence as being interconnected through spiderweb grids or networks of light comparable to those we see marching along a street at dark. That feeling increased my sense of the wonder of All That Is, and challenged every belief system I had created about myself as a separate from everything else being.

These last thirty years have been spent unravelling those beliefs. As I have recapitulated the childhood events and the cultural and religious influences behind my beliefs, I have experienced the reality of "no-time". As the Spirit of Forgiveness was given space within my being to grow, I discovered with every "forgiveness" I bestowed upon myself or another, there was really no need for forgiveness. It was as if the sponsoring event had been changed and what had been "painful" uncomfortable energy had become deeply and unfathomably filled with the love of new understanding. In other words, after genuine forgiveness comes a realization...there was never anything to forgive in the first place.

These years have been filled with teachers, visible and otherwise, assisting me in remembering who I really am. Through the mirrors of authors like Lynn Andrews of the Medicine Woman/Sisterhood of the Shield series, and Brooke Medicine Eagle "Buffalo Woman Comes Singing" I reconnected with the Divine Feminine energy that is my/our physical vessels birthright.
Thirteen years ago a vision quest experience on Blacktail Ranch in Montana led by Brooke Medicine Eagle culminated in an adoption ceremony into the Lakota tribe and my name, Honors the Gentle Breathe of Spirit. A commitment to an act of beauty came into my heart and a new reverence for our Great Mother endowed me with the courage and strength to open my voice and sing the Mothers praises.

To bring this energy into an everyday context...through these years of study and personal growth I raised a family as a mostly single mother. The rediscovery and new respect for feminine energy meant I could literally offer my three sons a choice of which side of me they would prefer to talk with about a situation. They could talk with the Mom side who would listen and look for ways to make the situation work for the good of the whole, or the Dad side who would offer the "because I said so" energy. That tool worked wonders in keeping me conscious of the choice, and needless to say the boys loved the option.

In the last year I became aware of a need to find a group of humans with whom I resonate and with whom I can pray from the depths of my being. I share a small part of my story with you by way of explaining the depth of my eternal gratitude to the Vessels of Peace for being such a group of humans. I am honored in having my wishes fulfilled beyond my wildest dreams. The unconditional acceptance that I sensed as I entered the Vessels of Peace circle was palpaple, very much a homecoming.
Thank you for creating and holding this Divine space.

I share this letter by way of introducing you to the next stage of growth and to invite you to join us on our journey as Doulas of Peace.

Dear Vessels of Peace Community,

The first month of Doulas for Peace meditations have completed. Month two begins with our meditation on Sunday, April 1st, and continues on April 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th. (Call details, plus two other brief announcements, follow this message.)

We meet on these calls to honor the miracle now unfolding An expansion of peace consciousness has been conceived and implanted - and now grows within the global womb. The outward signs of this miracle still are minimal; much may seem unknown, tenuous, fragile. That’s how it is in the first trimester, and that is why trust and surrender are essential.

At this stage, we can be tempted to run to the store for the pregnancy kit, to “test” whether this really is so; to run to the doctor to make sure all is OK and find out a due date. We forget there was a time when all women “just knew” these things; the Feminine whispered them into the ears of their hearts. Similarly, we may be tempted to have expectations about what the calls are “doing” or “should” be – and if those expectations seem not to be met, we may feel confused, ambivalent, or impatient with the experience. Part of us wants to be excited and happy; part of us is feeling queasy, tired and overwhelmed. Just like the early weeks of pregnancy, yes?

We gently invite you to be kind to yourself and open to the journey. Those of us facilitating the calls have no superior insight or understanding; we are feeling our way just as you are, just as the whole world is right now. What we can say, however, is that trusting and surrendering to the process helps – a lot! And so does the affirmation, each week, that we are not alone; there are other women on the call (and tuning in via intention), who are holding the space with and for us. Know that we are so grateful for your presence and support.

Peace & Love from the Vessels of Peace Core Circle: Sophie Richmond, Karen Latvala, Julie Heyman, Christina Brewer

Doulas for Peace: Holding Space for Birthing
a Global Evolution in Peace Consciousness
Every Sunday evening from now until early December
Time: 6pm PT/7pm MT/8pm CT/9pm ET
Phone number: 1-712-775-7000; Pin: 408488#
No reservations necessary




Members of the VoP Core Circle as well as Vessels of Peace founder, Lynda Terry, take turns serving as facilitators. Each meditation is slightly different, as we follow the guidance for what the Sacred Feminine wants of us.
Each call lasts no more than 45 minutes, including 30 minutes of meditation, and you do not have to take part in every call in the series. Join us when you can and/or as guided.
The line will be muted during the meditation and unmuted after the meditation, for those desiring to share.
If you have questions or comments, email Karen Latvala at 719-942-4758 or karenlatvala@co-isp.com. Or visit the Vessels of Peace website’s Doulas for Peace page at: http://www.vesselsofpeace.com/doulas
Also remember, that if you can't join us on Sundays, the last meditation recording is available at 1-641-985-5009; Access Code is 408488#.

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