1 Jan 2015

The Past Has Manifested the Present and Together We Create the Future

Venerable Dhyani at Saint John the Divine, 1980 — Interdenominational Peace Gathering, Saint John the Divine Cathedral, 1980(?)
Pictured: Venerable Dhyani Ywahoo and Wallace Black Elk, Lakota, (behind VDY) Photo: Margie Joy Walden

“The past has manifested the present and together we create the future. Let us energize, let us visualize a world of harmonious balance and co-operation. A reminder that each of us may hold a candle to illuminate the night and uncover joy and methods of reconciliation. May each hold a candle of discerning observation to see behind appearances, the one truth from whence all arises.” (Ven. Dhyani Ywahoo)

In December, 1980, Ven. Dhyani Ywahoo, representing Sunray Meditation Society, joined leaders and individuals from the spiritual, indigenous and other communities around the world in a candle-light, interdenominational gathering at the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine in New York, New York. This gathering was a call to create beneficial awakening, change and the setting aside of divisiveness that conspired to blind human beings to our shared humanity. It was a time of exploring what we, as human beings, share in common and how our spiritual views ultimately can harmonize into pathways of skillful co-operation. This gathering included a panel discussion on peace making from different religious views, which explored pathways to planetary health and methods to transform confusion and aggression.

Quotations

Wisdom, a stream ever flowing, a sense of our oneness with all beings, an understanding that that which crawls, walks, flies, or swims is some relative to each of us. In recognizing that stream in ourselves, there is a sense of wonder and respect for life as it manifests in every part of the stream. (p. 113)

Voices of Our Ancestors

Just as our organ systems are supported by Mother Earth’s compassion, she [Mother Earth] is supported by our caretaking. To return to Earth appreciation and caretaking of her waters, mountains, and atmosphere is the responsibility of her children [human beings]. That is our song in this time. (pg. 117)

Voices of Our Ancestors

To still conflict within ourselves, to make peace within our own minds and hearts, what effect will that have on the planetary mind? May that be the necessary impetus for the nations to put away the instruments of war. (p.201)

Voices of Our Ancestors

The common factors that unite human beings are the desire for security, peace, abundance, and ease for our children and grandchildren. Parents all around the world have the same concerns. The cause of imagined separation is ignorance of the means by which we are all interrelated. We are connected by the air we breathe and the Earth we share. (p.140)

Voices of Our Ancestors

By observing the emotions and patterns of their arising, one may respond without being carried away. Emotions of fear, anger, envy, are seen as ripples on the stream, caused by winds of confusion. Mind dedicated to beneficial actions calms winds of confusion. (p.118)

Voices of Our Ancestors

Pacifying the emotions of confusion is done thorough forgiving oneself and others for what might have been, could have been, should have been and allowing the charge of emotions unexpressed to be carried away in the water-mind of forgiving. (p.118)

Voices of Our Ancestors

In Tsalagi [Cherokee], water is ama, consciousness, like mama, and when we awaken to the cleansing properties of water, then we may wash away the obstacles to good relationship with self, others, the Earth. (p.117)

Voices of Our Ancestors

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