shabbat

Shabbat today started around sunset and ends tomorrow at sunset. We mark the occasion, which allows for a greater connection with the feminine divine (creation) with a ceremony. It was long. We took raw bread and grape juice, did a few group dances with singing, and had a hand washing ceremony to cleanse our karma from the past week. We also invoked the names of four angels, which is not something you are normally supposed to do (but for this it's okay--a non-trivial ritual). People had lots of questions about angels afterwards. He said spirituality doesn't have to be complicated, it's simple. But angels are real, they don't have wings, but they always walk forwards, towards God. So they don't have compassion towards humans on their path, it's not in their nature. They also walk stiff-legged--only forwards. I guess I don't care about angels at this point. They sound scary, like ghosts or something. But no problem, then they won't show themselves to me if they do exist, because I am not in a place for it. But they are supposedly messengers from God. Why not.

"Personality is a case of mistaken identity"--something Gabriel said today. Another interesting thing is that he refers to himself in the third person, because he is a vessel for something higher. It also allows him to disassociate from his ego. You'd think it would be annoying but I like it. There is truth in referring to himself that way.

During the meditation, during which I almost fell asleep, he came around and touched us in the third eye. After this, I saw moving patterns, almost psychedelic. Later I commented on that and he said it was some kind of kriya and it means that Kundalini energy is moving. He has a real positive and gentle energy, it doesn't seem like he makes up things to placate or please or get a following. If it wasn't anything special, he would just say so.

We also had a moment for those who suffered in Burma and those who will benefit from the monsoons. The monsoons created some larger cracks in the dictatorship, which is why he noted that some will ultimately benefit from the difficulties. In the same way that global warming will destroy the same greed economy that created it. A woman also noted that the union between a man and woman is divine and can affect the weather around them. That is why intention is very important and meditation before the sex act can be very beneficial. I like that, it also shows how meaningless sex can have greater negative repercussions (though I am not exactly sure how).