Seattle Community

Rev. Elke Siller Macartney

Last activity: 4 hours ago

29 posts |12
  • Road trip to a new life (??)

    I am writing from somewhere in Oregon now, even though my home is in North West Washington….

    The situation: My life has been in chaos lately, due to enormous changes in my life: The younger of our 2 children has basically flown the nest, first fishing in Alaska for the summer, then off to college in the fall. And, my fellow nester, aka my husband, has just been diagnosed with temporal lobe epilepsy, and no longer drives or works. My status as part time spiritual practitioner and part time stay at home mom has officially changed to chief breadwinner.

    I’m looking at all options for work: stay the course and continue my work of 22 years as an independent spiritual counselor, or apply for a “real job”, or finish up my fiction book, Energy Soup and see where that takes me, or all of the above.

    Yet, in the spirit of thinking outside the box, which has always done fairly well for me, I’ve had another inspiration: For quite some time, I've been feeling that living in small town LaConner is possibly drawing to a close. It’s been a great place to raise the boys, but LaConner has barely supported my work. Plus, public transportation is basically non-existent for my non-driving husband.

    Yesterday we loaded u our little ol’ car and pointed it out of town for a month long spirit-led road trip. It’ll be worth the investment. My intent is to find allies and new friends to support my work, inspiration for us as we continue to hammer out our respective books, and to possibly find our new community.

    I don’t know our entire itinerary yet, but am open to suggestions! If you know of places for me to work, or cool places for us to explore, let us know either by emailing me here, responding to my blog (www.inspirationu.com/blog/). Next up: time in southern Oregon, and then pointing eastward to possible job and co-housing community in Prescott Arizona, taking in some painted rocks along the way?

    Perspective, tips and intuitions welcome. Thanks!! Elke

    Posted Jun 11, 2008, in Coffee Break | 2 replies
  • How do I put together a discussion board?

    It’s wonderful when a request prompts a new idea for my business and a new way to business:

    I have been receiving numerous email requests and personal requests from people seeking a mentor. While this is very, very complimentary to me, I'm noticing a dilemma in the situation: A few of these people live quite a distance from me, making it hard to either travel to them or for them to travel to me. And, after many years of doing mentoring groups for healers and practioners, there is a need to create community within the ranks, and that's a lot of people to wrangle.

    Hence my idea: I want to put together a Mentoring (Discussion) Board, where people can log on and post their questions, considerations and discoveries with like minded people, as well receive some tips from me as mentor.

    But how to go about this? And how to maintain this? I’d like to keep it contained for now, just people signed up through me.

    Thanks! bright blessings, Elke

    Posted Jun 26, 2007, in Community-wide general discussion | 5 replies
  • thoughts on setting fees for services

    I ma re-postign this separately from responding to Mikelann's fine post, in case there a re those who want to discuss this further (incluign guys!):

    Some thoughts on the subject from an old timer:

    I was just talking with a colleague up here in the Northlands of Washington state (She is in Bellingham) about this very thing. Even after being in business for 23 years, I still sometimes have problems asking for...oh you know what: $$$$, money, denero, the "Energy Exchange."

    Our conversation yesterday was a good one: she asked how much do I charge for weddings (I am a wedding officiate, among other things), and I stated my price--$300 and up, depending on location-- and she was shocked. "I only charged $150!" she said. I told her my price includes two planning sessions, unlimited negotiations over the phone, typing out the service and placing it in a keepsake book....It breaks down to about $50-60 an hour, which is way reasonable.

    I asked her how many hours she spent on a recent wedding...and as we talked, she realized she spent close to 8 hours in all...so that is $150 divided by 8, which is approximately $18.75 an hour, excluding gas money, etc. I said if she was comfortable with that, great. But I am not, as my experience should be compensated for: I put on beautiful weddings! She has a lot to think about now.

    Also, I provide a very special and unique service called Aura Portraits, a two hour spiritual reading and water color painting of a person?s energy field. I talk about what their purpose in life is all about ,and life trends, and etc...it is a life changing event. But at first, 16 years ago, I had no idea what to charge. Over the years, I have found whenever my rates go up to meet what I feel I am worth, my business increases! Very cool. I now charge $225/portrait in-office and $250 + if I have to travel a bit. Very few people balk at the price, But if they do, I will negotiate as much as I can: I?ll take payments, knock off a few $$ for low income, etc. I do the same for spiritual counseling and every other service I might provide: charge what I feel my time and energy is worth. It works for me, and here is the gift: I find that those who want to afford my services support those who cannot.

    One more thought: About barter/exchanges: people, a lot of people, want to do a service exchange with me...Right now I would have an over abundance of massages and pedicures to schedule in, and no money in the bank or to feed my family if I took on all of those exchanges. I rarely do them.

    What are your thoughts, people, on service exchanges or on fee setting? I'd love to hear about them!

    bright abundant blessings, Elke

    Posted Apr 23, 2007, in Community-wide general discussion | 6 replies
  • Book Preview, Friday Mar. 30 in Bellevue, WA

    World Premier! Well, I am joyously and a little nervously announcing that I will be at Stargazers in Bellevue ( www.stargazersbookstore.com) on Friday, March 30th, 7:00 PM, to read from my new book-in-process:

    Energy Soup: Served Up in a Kitchen from Tomorrow

    You can be the first kid on the block to preview this inspiring fictional tale of visions from the future, told from the perspective of an elderly wise Kitchen Sage. Who doesn't want to know how this is world is going to turn out, eh? Well, I certainly do!

    Journey with me and be a friendly face in the audience as I read and chat about the process of "channeling" this wild old broad. $5 lecture fee...cheap date! if you can't be there, say a little prayer for an inspiring and fun night...much apprectiated!

    Also: I'll be available for aura portraits and spiritual counsel during the day, Friday and Saturday, March 30 and 31. Who knows, maybe the Kitchen Sage will show up for your appointment too...hmmm. Call Stargazers, 425-885-7289 to schedule. See www.inspirationu.com/auraportraits.htm to view a portrait description.

    Posted Mar 26, 2007, in Community-wide general discussion
  • Will there be a way to edit a biztalk post?

    HI there Dan and biznik web-meisters:

    I have a question regarding biztalk: Is there a way to edit our postings AFTER they are posted? I am completely mortified when I see the mispellings and typos that make me look like a dweeb in my postings...and then there is no way to edit!! Ack!

    Might this be a feature of biznik 2.0? It would be wonderful if it was.

    For a reference of a board I visit now and again that has a nice editing function see: http://www.myss.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi

    Thanks for all your good work and the opportunity to visit with other way cool people. Elke

    Posted Feb 12, 2007, in Community-wide general discussion | 11 replies
  • wonderful wedding site on Camano Island

    As a wedding celebrant (officiate, same thing, but I like the celebrate part of Celebrant), I have performed weddings in a number of venues, and I can honestly say that my favorite for (relatively) stress free in our Northwest area of rather iffy weather are sites that offer both indoor and outdoor possibilities.

    I have been using one such place to teach a spiritual mentoring class, and it is so beautiful and accessible, and the planner there so terrific, I just had to let you in on it before it gets too busy. This is the second year of operation for Four Springs House on Camano Island, so it is still relatively unknown...but getting known fast!

    There's a beautiful house for intimate weddings, great conference room surrounded by picture windows for larger weddings, and 50 acres of nature preserve, lake, deep forest and sunny meadows for outdoor celebrations. This place rocks! Check it out at http://www.fourspringshouse.com, and then talk to Lisa, the planner. Tell her I referred you.

    Of course I would be delighted to be your celebrant there....bizniks have fun and colorful weddings...just ask Dan and Lara! cheers, Elke

    Posted Feb 12, 2007, in Community-wide general discussion | 4 replies
  • Last minute Valentine wedding? Need a celebrant?

    Valentine day wedding? I'm your minister!

    For the romantics out there who want to be able to remember their Wedding Anniversary and don't mind getting married on a Wednesday, I am available as a last minute, yet creative and fun wedding celebrant. Find the place, invite your friends, and tell me where to show up!

    Biznik Special: $50 off usual Washington State fees: $350 Snohomish and King County:now $300 $300 Sakgit/Watcom Counties: now $250

    Fly me somewhere (Las Vegas? Palm Springs?)or if I take a train or ferry: talk to me!

    Posted Feb 05, 2007, in Community-wide general discussion | 6 replies
  • reminder: December 31 Clearing and Creating Ceremony on Camano Island (supports Landmine Survivors network)

    December 31 Clearing and Creating Ceremony (charity event to benefit Landmine Survivors Network)

    A time to clear. A time to create.

    Sunday afternoon, December 31, 2006, 12 noon 'til 4:00 PM:

    My invitation: Men and women of spirit will get together for an end of the year smudging, drumming and rattling circle. Clear out the cobwebs of your old thought forms, and welcome the new adventure.

    After the clearing, we will set our intentions for the new year by creating a treasure map for the next year, as well as the next five years (2007 + 5 years = 2012, most auspicious and transformative year).

    Details: When: 12 noon until about 4:00 PM, Sunday December 31 (you can then get ready for New Year parties!) All proceeds (see below) go to Ladn Mine Survivors Network.

    Where: a beautiful site on Camano Island: Four Springs house. For directions and to view the site, see: http://www.fourspringshouse.com. Beautiful large conference room and house surrounded by a 50 acre Nature preserve.

    RSVP please!: Elke Siller Macartney, here on this posting, or elke@inspirationu.com or 360-466-5046
    --------------- Equipment list:

    Bring with you: A World Peace Gift: $10 (or more!) donation to Landmine Survivors Network: a fantastic group that cleans up the earth, brings viable options to those affected by landmine injuries, and promotes peaceful communities all over the world.

    and also bring: Open heart and mind, ready to clear out the old and bring in the new. drum and/or rattles if you have 'em. An item for a group altar 3 or more magazines with good pictures you do not mind cutting out. scissors glue stick or bottle of paper glue. potluck snack or beverage to share one or more great books for a book trade/giveaway blankets and pillows to sit on...chairs are available.

    Posted Dec 19, 2006, in Community-wide general discussion | 2 replies
  • December 31 Clearing and Creating Ceremony on Camano Island (supports Landmine Surviros network)

    December 31 Clearing and Creating Ceremony (charity event to benefit Landmine Survivors Network)

    A time to clear. A time to create.

    Sunday afternoon, December 31, 2006, 12 noon 'til 4:00 PM:

    For twenty years,the World peace Meditation has been happening around the world at noon, Greenwich Time (our time 4:00 AM on December 31... the day before New Year's day.)

    I would like to invite you to not have to get up so early, but to EXTEND THE PEACE of the meditation in an end of the year clearing and creating afternoon.

    My invitation: Men and women of spirit will get together for an end of the year smudging, drumming and rattling circle. Clear out the cobwebs of your old thought forms, and welcome the new adventure.

    After the clearing, we will set our intentions for the new year by creating a treasure map for the next year, as well as the next five years (2007 + 5 years = 2012, most auspicious and transformative year).

    Details: When: 12 noon until about 4:00 PM, Sunday December 31 (you can then get ready for New Year parties!)

    Where: a beautiful site on Camano Island: Four Springs house. For directions and to view the site, see: www.fourspringshouse.com. Beautiful large conference room and house surrounded by a 50 acre Nature preserve. We can contribute our energies to Mother Nature.

    Equipment list: Bring with you: Open heart and mind, ready to clear out the old and bring in the new. drum and/or rattles if you have 'em. An item for a group altar 3 or more magazines with good pictures you do not mind cutting out. scissors glue stick or bottle of paper glue. potluck snack or beverage to share one or more great books for a book trade/giveaway blankets and pillows to sit on...chairs are available.

    Also: World Peace Gift: $10+ donation to Landmine Survivors Network: a fantastic group that cleans up the earth, brings viable options to those affected by landmine injuries, and promotes peaceful communities all over the world.

    RSVP: Elke Siller Macartney, elke@inspirationu.com or 360-466-5046

    Peace and blessings of good will. Elke

    Posted Dec 11, 2006, in Community-wide general discussion
  • Lecture on Auras tonight...wud luv friendly faces in audience!

    HI Folks, Just thought I'd let the more curious among you know about a lecture I am giving in Bellevue tonight. I am thrilled to be talking about a subject most dear to my heart. Bring an open mind. _ Friday night, November 3, 2006 Lecture: The Rainbow Aura and the Rainbow Tribe We are the people we've been waiting for!

    With her aura sight, seer and teacher Elke Siller Macartney will explain how the human aura works, and why it is a powerful force in the Earth's transformation. Since ancient times, the aura has been explored by tribal lore, spiritual traditions and even present-day energy medicine systems. As an aura seer for most of her life, Elke has explored all aspects of the rainbow colors of the aura: the tribal, the physical and emotional, and the spiritual. Knowing about the rainbow aura will help us in our understanding of our place in the world, and, therefore, healing the world. Rainbow tribe awaken!

    Location: Stargazers, 12727 NE 20th, Bellevue Washington Call 425-855-7289 for directions to the store

    Posted Nov 03, 2006, in Community-wide general discussion | 4 replies
  • anyone publish a book for online downloading?

    ayiyi! It's been ages since I've posted...been sabbatially inclined, and quiet for a time. But now I am ready to rock and roll! I am writing a book about auras energy and so forth, and want to put this online to download, chapter by chapter. I intend to create some excitement out there, marketign wise; and give me structure to work with, author-wise. So, ????'s: Does anyone know the best way to do this for a non-techno geek? Is paypal the way to go for folks to buy these chapters online? and: are there any good people out there that know about self-publishing in general or small press publishing? many thanks. Elke

    Posted Sep 28, 2006, in Community-wide general discussion | 7 replies
  • world cup =world peace?

    Alright, so this may not be a very businessy item, but here goes... I admit: I love soccer. My youngest son plays on our high school team, and my older boy was a football player...But I much prefer world football, the real football.

    Anyway, I have been absolutely entranced by this World Cup: the dramas, the tenaciousness, the ecstasy.... There was the disastrous first game of the US, then 2nd game coming up with a win that showed an entirely different energy. I love the underdogs or new teams: Trinidad/Tobago held off powerhouse England ‘til the 89th minute (for those not in the know, the game is 90 minutes long). Then England scored 2 goals, and, in the overage time, like the 92nd minute, Tobago scored...great game! Anyway, I can get carried away, but here’s why I am posting all this drivel:

    Signs of world peace were everywhere: players picking up other teams’ players after knocking an opponent down in a tackle: good sportsmanship. The players are actually escorted onto the field by children: little guys and gals holding the hands of these powerful athletes...very cool and humbling. The players unite together under a country’s banner for this once-every-four-years event, but in the regular season, they play and live all over the world: the German coach lives in L.A., an American player lives in a German castle, Trinidadians play in England, US people do too...and so forth. This is THE WORLD cup, after all. It is the Rainbow tribe coming together for sport and pride and healthy (mostly) drama.

    It got me to thinking: wouldn’t it be cool if this was the way we did war? No nukes, guns or explosives, just explosive action on a field of PLAY! You may call me a dreamer.... Blessings to all world cup fans!!! Go world teams! Rev. Elke

    Posted Jun 20, 2006, in Community-wide general discussion | 1 reply
  • a lesson in starting over? woudl like (helpful) comments

    This morning, I feel more than a little sad as I am wondering what I’ve just created ...

    Yesterday, I went shopping in a nearby larger town than my small town. Admittedly, I am not accustomed to locking my car doors all the time, since I live in a rural small town where that is a rare behavior.

    I spent about an hour in one store shopping for graduation cards for my boy and his very close friends of ours, birthday cards for other son and dad who is visiting, father’s day cards, thank you cards...you get the picture... I carefully read over the cards and picked just the right ones, then bought a few groceries. I then went to a hardware store for other items on my list and went home.

    While unpacking my car, I unpacked the front seat and back seats first, came out to unload my trunk, and stared: the grocery bags were gone, the bags of cards were gone. But not my gym bag, and yoga mat, and a few other things. "Hmmm", I thought, "these people must have been hungry." And then, while getting over the sadness of seeing all those carefully selected cards gone, I realized: My book bag was gone. My precious book bag, where there were 258 handwritten pages of the Gods’ Letters book, adn a children's book I am working on. I haven’t been able to afford a laptop for myself, and I had meant to do some major transcribing this summer to my office computer after guests, graduations, parties, etc.

    Also in the bag: a collection of letters people snail mailed me with their Divine Stories (see my post on this: A call for Divine Stories), some books about God, and sigh, my address and phone book of many years. So. I know the obvious lesson is to lock my car, no excuses. But I am starting over after 11 months of writings, and this saddens me. I have some material in my office computer, but the bulk of it I had been joyfully created by hand, when and where I felt the creative urge.

    So here I am. My intention to create incredible books is still here. Thanks for "listening". Elke

    Posted Jun 09, 2006, in Community-wide general discussion | 8 replies
  • A great inspriational quote for all of us, and the correct source

    Hi all. I was just re-reading this fantastic quote, because I am in major need of inspiration right now. The following satisfied my need instantly! (FYI, this has been attributed to Nelson Mandela for some reason, but he never used this in his inaugural speech or any other speech.)

    Our Deepest Fear by Marianne Williamson from "A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles"

    Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

    From Elke: well said. blessings of true power to all of us.

    Posted Jun 04, 2006, in Community-wide general discussion | 1 reply
  • need a quick hit: laptop computer for a HS Grad

    Help! Nothing inspirational this time. I just need help in choosing a laptop for my college student to be, graduating in a week son. He’s 18, and will be studying mostly sciences. The more I surf and look, the more confused I get. Long battery life would be good, and some power, and under $1000, if possible. Ideas? Big thanks!!!! Confused mamma

    Posted Jun 02, 2006, in Community-wide general discussion | 2 replies
  • biznik networking can extend to other life events

    Just a bit of a reminder, my friends: Networking and sharing in the way we do here at Biznik can have positive consequences in other arenas in life too. To whit: I facilitated a Shaman's Master Class on Mother's Day in the lovely sudio of biznik member Megan Groves. She was not able to attend the event, due to a bicycle accident, but the group that did attend sent her healing during the workshop, and we left her office with a beautiful vibe.

    But wait there's more: At the very last minute, a mom and her teen son signed up for the class...they are both close friends of mine. The rest of the class was made up of a few biznik members, and their close friends. It was a cozy group.

    The teenager, Alex, stated that the class seemed to be preparing him for something big about to happen in his life. Since he is about to graduate from highschool, we all made assumptions about what that big event would be. We were wrong....

    Alex was in a critical mountain biking accident this last Saturday, with injuries to his spleen, liver and kidney, plus a broken rib. He is in Harborview resting peacefully, and has to be very still for the next few weeks....quite a huge task for an active teen.

    Yet, he was prepared: he now has some new adult allies to support him, including a few biznik people; he gained perspective from the class, and he will aproach his journey with more tools than he had before taking the class.

    So, keep networking people! Offer classes with tools we all can use. MOstly, offer yourself as a compassionate human being, trying to create a better world through your personal purpose. It works.

    Lovingly, Rev. Elke

    Posted May 23, 2006, in Community-wide general discussion | 3 replies
  • I was awakened to a miracle story this morning

    HI all... Look, I know that the huge majority of you do not know me from Eve (nor Adam), but I had to report this somewhere somehow... I had just posted a message about the shamanic view, so now I need to post about a miracle that occurred today, 6000 miles from my home, on the small island country of Ireland. I want to tell you of this miracle because it demonstrates the potential for healing that comes with finding your spiritual path in life, and then following it.

    As a shaman, I pray all the time for miracles, for healing, for release for the many who come to me in deep crisis or pain. But this reported miracle this morning came at a time in my career when I’ve been asking: "Does it all really matter? Does what I do actually work?" Now, of course it does, or else I wouldn’t be doing what I’ve been doing for 20++ years. Why would I continue to do something that doesn’t work?

    But I don’t often hear from the very people I’ve successfully inspired: they’re too busy moving on with their lives! And that’s fine. But I’ve been asking for a demonstration and it came today:

    My friend Terri, of County Cork, Ireland called at 5AM PST to announce that she has gone from being Hepatitis C positive for over thirty years as of last week, to being VIRUS FREE this week. This after only ONE interferon treatment, and only one week of other medicines. Wow. Now, this miracle happened overnight and it didn’t. I would know about the latter, I’ve been Terri’s friend ally and personal shaman/healer for over two years now:

    We met over the phone, thru a mutual friend. She had just found out that the symptoms that had left her head in a fog and her body in disarray for many, many years were due to having Hepatitis C all those years. In a youthful moment, when Terri was 17, she shot up heroine ONCE. Yup...one time is all it took to transmit this deadly virus. And many years later, she found out: her liver was damaged, her platelets way too low, and she had Hep. C.

    After the diagnosis, she called a mutual friend of ours I had only just met, his intuition told her to call his friend in America, perhaps she could help, and viola’! Our first conversation ensued.

    I’ll never forget when, after two hours of conversation and prayer and discovery, she asked, "If you’re like this over the phone, what sort of healer are you in person?" and thus our adventure began. I have visited her lovely country twice now, and met and worked with many people. She has come here to visit, to do amazing astrology readings for my clients and friends, and to heal. We have been thru ceremony after healing ceremony; all peeling back the layers of her life that kept her from her healing. We’ve journeyed to the Southwest US desert, to sacred lands here in the Pacific Northwest, and to sacred wells and stone circles in Ireland.

    A few months ago, she made the choice to go for the conventional treatment of interferon injections and chemotherapy. It was, for her, a statement of choosing life.

    No truer statement has been made. She is a walking miracle…and by God, so am I, so are you...wake up everyone! We are a miracle. We are expressing ourselves the best we can, aren’t we? Think of all the synchronicities, chance meetings, choices made and not made that got you to here, now.

    Celebrate, as I am celebrating now. Thanks for letting me share. In health and abundance, Elke

    Posted Apr 27, 2006, in Community-wide general discussion | 2 replies
  • The Modern Shaman

    For thousands of years, our earthly tribal societies had shamans or medicine people as caretakers, counselors, healers, work consultants, or celebrants for ceremonies during life changing times: marriages, adulthood ritual, deaths, births, etc., and many other roles. As I’ve mentioned before in other posts, the shamans often lived slightly outside the village or tribal area, so people would make a journey to them for perspective, for advice, for life-giving tools.

    In my 28 years of studies under about twelve shaman teachers from around the globe, I have found that there are a number of essential elements that make for a shamanic view, including: the use of natural rhythms and powers, such as the power of the four directions (east west north south), or the four elements (air fire water earth) or the rhythm of the moon phases. Also there is the main belief that words have power for both blessing and cursing. And then there is the use of sound to take a person out of one’s ordinary reality into another domain of consciousness (say a drumbeat): that way, insights or answers to questions can be accessed.

    Recently, a number of persons, including biznik people, have emailed me and asked: Don’t I have to be a Native American or belong to a tribe or society to be a shaman?

    There are actually two true answers to that: traditionally, a shaman is born into the role, and the tribe acknowledges this, and has that person trained over many years. Many good peoples in indigenous tribes still believe this is the only way to become a shaman, and I absolutely respect that as an absolute truth for some.

    These days, however, modern times require a modern perspective: the modern shaman is gifted and wants to be versed in ways of using that gift in a healthy way. Many of us are not born into tribal societies that can support that training. I believe that, among biznik people, there are some gifted modern shamans-in-waiting. But there has to be a calling: either this perspective, or way of being, calls to you...or it does not.

    For those who feel drawn to at least learn more about how to use ancient tools in modern business and life, come to my free Biznik class on Friday night(the 29th) in Seattle (see events)

    I will also be holding a two session Modern Shamans’ Master class for two Sundays (May 14 and June 4) to deepen the journey. (In Seattle)

    And, for those who want a good shamanic tune up, there will be an all day Spring Clearing and creating ceremony in my lovely town of LaConner (My neighborhood is on Native land) on May 21. Details to follow, but I promise an intense healing like nothing you might ever have experienced! Let me know how I can be of service to you.

    In the spirit of a blessed journey, Elke

    Posted Apr 26, 2006, in Community-wide general discussion | 2 replies
  • another call for divine stories!

    HI there! This is anothe rattempt to enlist your aid: I am still collecting stories of the Divine for my book: God's Letters Dropt in the streets. Great stories are coming my way, but I, being a greedy author and shaman, want more! see below for the entire post, and sample stories to inspire you. blesings, Elke a call for divine stories

    Posted 03/29/2006 11:01 AM

    Reply by email or post if this inspires you: I am putting out a call for short stories answering the following question:

    Have you had a communication from or an encounter with the Divine?

    To some of you, the Divine could also be known as God, to others, The Divine could include divine encounters with people, angels, spirits, or just happenings that might have been so synchronistic, you might consider them divine interventions or communications of a sort.

    I am finding that the biznik community is so diverse, creative and intuitive: surely there are some juicy stories out there!

    I am compiling these stories for a book series entitled: "God’s Letters Dropt in the Streets". The title by the way, for all you literati, is from the gorgeous, long poem by Walt Whitman: A Song of Myself. Four lines from the tome/poem have inspired me for years:

    In the faces of men and women I see God And in my own face in the glass. I find letters from God dropt in the streets And everyone is sign’d by God.

    Thank you so much. Peace and blessings to all you divine people! Rev. Elke __ From Washington state: Clean up your act, and then Ask for what you want:

    I was in my early 40s. I was divorced, broke, and living way out in the woods. I had no job prospects, I was having health problems, and I was scared. But a small voice inside me told me to do something very different from anything I'd done before. First of all, I took care of everything I could take care of myself. I cleaned up my little place. I cleaned out every drawer and file. I fixed everything that was broken. I borrowed money from my brother and paid off all my bills. I worked until there was nothing nagging at my mind. (A tall order.) In this clear, quiet space, I sat down and wrote out a list of what I wanted. I didn't say "I want to be a writer" - instead, I wrote down what I wanted to feel like in my new job. I said I wanted to feel good about the people I worked for and the work I was doing, that I wanted to use all my skills to their highest level, and that I wanted to be paid well for them. I specified some other things as well. Then I "gave it to God" and went outside and laid in the hammock and enjoyed the spring weather. A month later I got a call out of the blue from a friend from graduate school, offering me a job! The job was writing educational materials for a nonprofit company that was committed to empowering health care patients. The job paid twice what I'd ever made before. In that town, I found a physician who was able to trace all my health ailments to a simple, easily treated problem. I also found a counselor who helped me get closure on my divorce and deal with an underlying anxiety issue.

      • * Three years later, I wanted to move back to my home town area. Since I now knew how God liked to work with me to manifest things, I did the same thing as I did before: cleaned up my act, got very clear about what I wanted, gave it all to God, and relaxed. This time I asked for a job within a couple of hours of my family, but not in the same town. And I asked that I find a welcoming community where I would feel at home, because that was lacking in my present situation. (I'd forgotten to specify it before!) A couple of weeks later I opened the monthly newsletter from an organization I belonged to and glanced at the job listings. Then stared with my mouth open. A job doing exactly what I had been doing was listed - in a beautiful resort community 90 minutes from my home town! The resort community is the kind of place people retire to, but people don't go there looking for work. Most of the jobs are tourist-industry jobs: waiting tables, cleaning hotel rooms. Yet here was a job writing patient education materials, at the same salary I was currently making. I sent my resume in an e-mail to them, and got a phone call back 2 hours later inviting me to interview. I flew to the town, hit it off right away with the people I'd be working for, and was offered the job during the interview. I spent the next couple of days looking for a place to rent without success. Then I happened to see an ad for a beautiful little cottage that I could afford. I walked in and before I got past the dining room, said "I'll take it." I just knew it was my house. I made an offer, it was accepted, and I flew back to give notice at my old job - hyperventilating at how fast it had all happened. I tell people that once I told God what I wanted, a vortex opened up and sucked me right to it! And yes, I found my community. I found a church that exactly fit my own beliefs, joined a choir, and found friends of my own age and interests - something I had not had in my last place, because I'd never told God I was open to being helped to find that. My minister likes to say that "our angels are just waiting to help us - but we have to give them permission first." Oh, by the way - I bought the house on a stormy day. It was not until I had moved in that I looked out the living room window one day - and saw mountains! I had a view! I had no idea. Now every time I "raise up my eyes unto the hills," I say a prayer of thanks for being guided even more beautifully than I knew at the time.

    _ From Texas: This happened 1989, I think...I was living in an apartment, a house really, that had the upstairs converted into two apartments, split right down the middle. Our side was the south side, with the beach about five or so blocks away. My daughter was little then and it was just her and I living there while I worked at the library and attended college. Anyway, I didn't have a car then and so, we spent lots of time out riding the bike for transportation and using the city buses. There are a lot of homeless people here and I think I ran into everyone of them along the way. We lived in between two gangs that I knew of at the time, guess it was a shady part of town. It didn't used to be. I remember this one particular homeless man. He was very tall, dark, of Asian descent. I saw these homeless people everyday and they saw me everyday. Sometimes I think they knew where I'd be at any given time of the day. I thought this one Asian homeless guy could read my mind sometimes…it was scary. Anyway, that year it was an incredibly cold winter with ice, which this part of the country never sees. And, I remember seeing him out there with these great big holes in his shoes, dragging his feet along. His feet had to be frozen. So, I prayed, Dear God, I wish he could get some new shoes to keep his feet warm. The next morning when I awakened to a smell…oh yes, it was the homeless Asian guy. You could smell him a block away. He was close to my home that day, very close. So I looked out the front window or opened the front door, I don't remember which now, and, there he stood all smiling at me and everything with the biggest, brightest, prettiest white new tennis shoes on. It was kinda weird and scary for me. I didn't know what to do. But, one thing was evident, God heard my prayer and answered it and I guess saw fit for me to see that. It was an incredible feeling.

    From: Saudi Arabia When I was 9 years old my family uprooted from Texas and moved to Saudi Arabia. My father got this great new job that would allow him to make a lot of money (for us).

    When I was 13, I would baby sit neighborhood kids. I saved 75 Saudi dollars (called Riyals). I received a gold neck chain for my birthday and didn’t like the pendant. I saw a pendant I wanted that had the word God (Allah) written in Arabic on it alone. I went with my parents to the shopping district and spent half a day going in and out of the gold stores. Since it was considered safe there I walked alone while my parents did their own shopping. Everywhere I went the lowest price was 85 riyals. I couldn’t get any of the merchants to go lower than 85. So as the time neared for me to meet my parents I gave up and figured I would have to save more. On the way back to the car I saw a woman begging for money in order to make a pilgrimage to Mecca. I gave her 10 riyals. I figured I had to save the more money anyway so why not help her now? When I met my parents they weren’t ready so I went into a gold store near the car and saw the pendant I wanted. Just for kicks, I asked the guy if I could see it. I really wanted it and thought maybe I could ask my dad for the rest. I asked the merchant how much and he said 65 riyals. This may seem like a coincidence to some but I begged at least 10 merchants to negotiate this same pendant. I knew God had wanted me to be worthy. I have worn that pendant everyday since. I am now 37.

    By the time I was 18, I was indoctrinated with religion both Christianity and Islam. My mother’s side was Christian and my father Muslim. My grade school best friends were Hindu and Buddhist. I went to a Moravian high school and had a Jewish roommate my first year. In order to graduate we were required to take comparative religion classes. Having traveled all over the world I experienced a lot of different cultures and religions. It occurred to me one day that every one of these religions professed to be the only way to God. The rebel in me made me question the truth in this belief for each one. I recognized that I was born into mine and my choices were given by my parents. Why would God let people be born into a religion that is not of HIM and then punish them? So I decided I couldn’t believe in such a God and I decided to reject all religion. It all had to be made up otherwise who’s right?

    The night I decided this I thought to pick up the Koran and start my life over educating myself to the myths of religion and see if I could find in it any redeeming help to humanity as a whole. I wouldn’t stop at Islam I would read all religion as myth. I freed my mind and heart of all the brainwashing and ideas of God I had been told and prepared to relearn existence. As I read through the verses, they seemed quite silly and I thought, well this is a nice way to teach right and wrong. Also thinking it was man’s right and wrong that was being taught. I don’t know how long I had been reading but in a flash of time I felt I had been scooped up (the way a child would hold a ladybug in its hand and cover it with the other hand). In that moment I was completely surrounded by clean white pure light that felt like nothing else. I have never in this life felt so safe where truly nothing could harm me. It’s the kind of safe a child must feel in the womb before the reality of life pushes it out. While in this light, I knew I wasn’t alone. I was surrounded by a sense of peace and knowledge. It was an infinite moment where every question was answered. All I had to do was ask. I knew the moment wouldn’t last and I knew I wouldn’t remember all the answers to all the questions I had asked so I asked “What is the most important thing I need to know?” Slowly I felt like I was being lowered back to my original spot and I remember the last thing I heard, the only thing I heard was a voice saying “LOVE” I closed the book and the world made sense to me. I know from that experience that this life is the illusion and we are merely visiting souls learning to do what we already know how to do but with hurdles and challenges. I was shown Love. God is Love and we all want to be in it. When we feel alone we remember how if feels to be in God and we long for human companionship to fill that void. Being in romantic love is life’s substitute for the real thing. When we fall in love with each other we feel peaceful, invincible, happy, strong, and nothing can ruin that. We all ache for the feeling of home and being in Love. We want to be home with God. So we morn not having it and we are sad when we feel out of love. There is an energy that fills the universe and has awareness. It is a power that is our home when we are free of human bodies. That energy is Love. God is Love and each of us is God.

    Often when I forget, I listen to the last verse of this one song that says it all.

    The greatest love of all Is easy to achieve Learning to love yourself It is the greatest love of all

    And if by chance, that special place that you've been dreaming of Leads you to a lonely place Find your strength in love

    • Greatest Love of All George Benson

    ----note from Elke: Pretty cool, huh? peace.

    Posted Apr 22, 2006, in Community-wide general discussion | 2 replies
  • Tips from the business shaman: Part one: new moon and full moon

    How to utilize the energy of the full and new moon. (The first in a series of tips for a modern day shaman)

    I live in a rural county in Northwest Washington, and even in these modern times, if I were to ask any farmer about the benefits of planting according to Lunar cycles, a good half of them would confirm what agricultural peoples around the world have known for centuries: The New Moon is a good time for planting seeds and weeding out the old stuff. The Full Moon is a good time to transplant what is already growing, and discerning what needs to happen for the crop to succeed.

    So what does this have to do with you as an entrepreneur? Use the lunar energy to create anew, release the old, and cultivate your already implemented ideas.

    New moon: As an entrepreneur, you are probably constantly coming up with either new ideas or re-looking at ideas you want to implement that are on your business plan/agenda. The new moon is a great time to implement the new. It is a great time to set the intention for the month’s creations. It’s also a powerful time to release what may not be working, or what you are complete with. During a new moon, release your doubts and considerations, clean up your desk drawers or desktops, and exorcise old, unneeded ideas.

    Every new moon, I do a little ceremony, either alone or with friends: I write down my intentions for the month on a piece of paper, and write down what I want to release that month on another piece of paper. After looking over my lists and feeling complete with them, I ceremoniously burn the papers in either my fireplace or a burning bowl: a Hibachi grill works great! Fire transforms matter into spirit: that’s why all the major spirit traditions light candles, or incense or sage or cedar...it's like a living prayer. Plus, there’s a cool visual effect when that paper hits the fire! (You Burning Man people can relate to the power of the burn…)

    Right now there’s a big ol’ full moon in the sky: The full moon is a time of revelation and bringing up out of the darkness everything that’s been hidden. The extra light at night has this effect on some people: it’s hard to sleep because of the light and extra cosmic energy. So, while you’re not sleeping very well, get things done during a full moon:

    Transplant and nurture: Take a look at your already seeded ideas: which ones do you truly want to nurture? Do they need a bigger space to grow in? In other words, are you feeding and giving your ideas the energy and food and care they need to come to fruition?

    Bringing into the light: What issues do you need to attend to? Maybe it’s time to do an inventory, literally for figuratively. Are there any fears that need facing? Are there any difficult communications to be made?

    Full moons are a great time to dream of the possible, and maybe even consider the impossible.

    I hope this graces your life. Thanks for being who you are, fellow bizniks. PS Hope you can attend my class on the 28th of April: Be Your Own Shaman...it’s on a new moon!) Peace.

    Posted Apr 14, 2006, in Community-wide general discussion
29 posts |12