Your reference to Chet Baker reminded me of Wayne Shorter. The documentary “Zero Gravity” on Amazon Prime is a beautiful tribute to someone who not only was a great improviser in music as well as in life.
I had originally intended my first essay in this series to be about my initial encounters with Brad, n/om, shaking medicine, etc. but immediately I could see that I had to give some further context to the milestone we're celebrating (10 seasons of what?). Especially because there are subscribers who are new to our work. So I thought I'd add a few paragraphs as an introduction and that would suffice. But as soon as I started writing, it became clear that there was more to say, and that what happened that first season set the stage for everything that came later. There is so much more I could have said about that first season, and the risk of telling the story the way I did is that it implies the Joseph Hart material was THE most important vision that season. It was certainly one of the most important visions, and it was definitely a turning point, but it was the WHOLE of the season and how it unfolded that changed our lives. What was intended to be a couple paragraphs turned out to be the longest essay of the newsletter thus far, so I had to let the tale be told as best I could without making it 6,000+ words. I'm hoping subsequent essays will serve to elaborate the full depth and breadth of Sacred Ecstatics (plus there's everything written since I launched this substack last year). I have no attachment to any pre-set thematic order, etc. for this new series. It'll be whatever feels exciting to write about as we look backward and forward at the same time. (And suggestions, requests are welcome!)
What a feast for body and soul. Thank you for being unwilling to accommodate name allergies. What a service to not placate. Thank you for breadcrumbs and honey along the trail of light.
As a long-standing member of The Ego Puffery & Preservation Society my time in the Sacred Ecstatics Guild has ranged from Not Easy (drop your expectations) through Very Difficult (sweep away interference from your conscious mind) to
Almost Impossible (surrender to what is taking place). When I’ve taken a step forward my clever mind has quickly conquered the new edge of mystery, planted a flag of understanding and claimed the territory as its own.
Yet rescued by joyful jazz of Sacred Ecstatics, my life is changing. There are times when, after performing the prayer practices we’re being taught, the day unfolds in the most surprising ways and I find myself being nicer than I might have expected. Reason to rejoice! One day I hope to be small enough to jump inside that sweet jar of honey.
Thank you, Hillary and Brad, for the first ten years. Here’s to the next one hundred!
Ever since Sacred Ecstatics was born it has been offering us our daily portion of honey. We have received fascinating and soulful musical productions that lifted our spirits and softened our hearts. We have been guided by visions, wisdom teachings and practical instructions from the saints of Sacred Ecstatics who await us inside the jar of honey. Thank you Brad and Hillary bee for your diligent and tireless work that truly shares with everyone else what your hearts are feasting on - God's love.
🍯
thank you for this most delicious pot of honey and sacred ecstatics melt that softens the heart for ‘thy will be done’.
Thank you Hillary and Brad! Especially the reminder of the sojoprings of Jose ph Hart.
Your reference to Chet Baker reminded me of Wayne Shorter. The documentary “Zero Gravity” on Amazon Prime is a beautiful tribute to someone who not only was a great improviser in music as well as in life.
I had originally intended my first essay in this series to be about my initial encounters with Brad, n/om, shaking medicine, etc. but immediately I could see that I had to give some further context to the milestone we're celebrating (10 seasons of what?). Especially because there are subscribers who are new to our work. So I thought I'd add a few paragraphs as an introduction and that would suffice. But as soon as I started writing, it became clear that there was more to say, and that what happened that first season set the stage for everything that came later. There is so much more I could have said about that first season, and the risk of telling the story the way I did is that it implies the Joseph Hart material was THE most important vision that season. It was certainly one of the most important visions, and it was definitely a turning point, but it was the WHOLE of the season and how it unfolded that changed our lives. What was intended to be a couple paragraphs turned out to be the longest essay of the newsletter thus far, so I had to let the tale be told as best I could without making it 6,000+ words. I'm hoping subsequent essays will serve to elaborate the full depth and breadth of Sacred Ecstatics (plus there's everything written since I launched this substack last year). I have no attachment to any pre-set thematic order, etc. for this new series. It'll be whatever feels exciting to write about as we look backward and forward at the same time. (And suggestions, requests are welcome!)
I love that the essay wanted to unfold itself in its own way, just like that first year was a turning wheel of interconnected surprises.
amazing, thank you!
What a feast for body and soul. Thank you for being unwilling to accommodate name allergies. What a service to not placate. Thank you for breadcrumbs and honey along the trail of light.
Following that trail!
Thank you for this wonderful re-telling of the first season of Sacred Ecstatics, brought even more alive by your musical narration of it!
Thank you!
Thank you for these words and for the audio…
As a long-standing member of The Ego Puffery & Preservation Society my time in the Sacred Ecstatics Guild has ranged from Not Easy (drop your expectations) through Very Difficult (sweep away interference from your conscious mind) to
Almost Impossible (surrender to what is taking place). When I’ve taken a step forward my clever mind has quickly conquered the new edge of mystery, planted a flag of understanding and claimed the territory as its own.
Yet rescued by joyful jazz of Sacred Ecstatics, my life is changing. There are times when, after performing the prayer practices we’re being taught, the day unfolds in the most surprising ways and I find myself being nicer than I might have expected. Reason to rejoice! One day I hope to be small enough to jump inside that sweet jar of honey.
Thank you, Hillary and Brad, for the first ten years. Here’s to the next one hundred!
Yes! Rejoice! Thank you, Chris, for these words. What a gift to be on this never-ending journey together.
Ever since Sacred Ecstatics was born it has been offering us our daily portion of honey. We have received fascinating and soulful musical productions that lifted our spirits and softened our hearts. We have been guided by visions, wisdom teachings and practical instructions from the saints of Sacred Ecstatics who await us inside the jar of honey. Thank you Brad and Hillary bee for your diligent and tireless work that truly shares with everyone else what your hearts are feasting on - God's love.
Thank you, Dezsoe! Onward up the rope we go.