DHO -Mt.Shasta and Onwards….
Beloved ones of God,
Much love and many Blessings fromVirginia.
We are just returned from a memorable gathering onMt.Shasta, and wish to share some impressions with you.
Firstly, this was our 32nd annual gathering, since our first Healing Camp in 1973. There were over 50 of us attending: including 3 Murshid(a)s, and 10 Shiekh(a)s, and Khalif(a)s.
Murshida Rabia participated, as well as Shiekh Mansur Johnson (Murshid Sam’s original esoteric secretary) and his son Nathan. It was a great treat to see Nathan after more than 30 years.
Mornings were spent doing zikr, practice, and the Healing Ritual. All evenings save for the first were dedicated to dance, walks, practice, homework, and a bed time story.
The first evening we focused on the relationship between the Ruhaniate and it’s healing activity – the Dervish Healing Order. This was a productive and informative discussion. Much clarity and love was focused on our lineage and on our inner and outer connection.
Alhamdulliah! Any potential discomfort was dissipated and harmony reigned. Mashallah!
The next afternoon our “Seniors” offered classes: Shiekh Murad taught Sufi Chi Quong, Caliph Aslan offered Sufi Choir, Jennifer led DHO 101 (our basic training of breath, attunement, energy work – sending and transmuting, protection, and so on), and Ana Farishta taught the Mevlevi Turn.
The following afternoon was devoted to Mother Mary May Meier, and the transmission of the Mountain. Two of her seniors (Jeffrey andLinden) drove up for lunch, and spent the next 5 hours regaling us with history, stories and a new manuscript of her biography (with powerful photographs). All 20 copies were gone in minutes.
The book lovingly refers to Murshid Sam, and kindly names some of us. It should be printed soon, and I will keep you all posted.
Murshid Sam told me after Mothers passing (January 1970) that he would take on any of her ‘students’ who wished to study with him. As I recall, at least six of us took hand with him.
It was truly wonderful to have some “conformation” on the stories I have been telling about Mother and the Mountain for these past 36 years. Inshallah! More to come.
The next afternoon was a “field trip” to visit Shasta Abbey, the home of our ‘sister order’ The Zen Mission Society of Jiu Kennett Roshi, our Godmother.
She and Murshid Sam went to the same monastery inJapanat different times. When she arrived inAmerica, she flew over the Mountain and it winked at her. She then called Murshid and asked if he knew anyone who was familiar with the Mountain and that area, as she wanted to purchase land, and build her monastery there. Murshid sent me, and thus began our life long friendship. Ya Shakur!
Their Meditation Hall is glorious and light filled. Entering it ones truly enters the Vast Silence. One only wishes to stop. To sit. To meditate. We were honored by being permitted to make any offering of incense. Time stilled. The heart was open. What great bliss.
We then were shown her gravesite. We did zikr, sang and did prayers around the stupa.
Once more we were deeply moved by the experience.
After some lovely refreshments under the trees, and a very productive visit to their gift shop, we caravaned onto Widow Springs – the healing springs on the Mountain.
The waters were cold and refreshing. A few of us went swimming – and a few of us slipped in. Many of us carried water home with us, and some of us took pictures. We hope to have the pictures for our web site soon which show all the beings of light which appeared on the pictures, as well as the many rainbows which also spontaneously appeared.
Truly a magical time in a magical place.
I wish to thank and acknowledge a few of the many folks who added so much to our Bliss:
Shiekh Johannes for leading the walk of Zoroaster – Shiekha Ananda for harmonizing her morning sung zikr with the sounds of the rushing, mountain stream just outside our meeting room – Murshida Khadija for leading the concentration on Mary, the mother of Jesus – Shiekh Mansur Kreps for leading us in Zikr, and holding the rhythm during our gathering – Nasruddin for his humor – Hakku Ron Rivard for locating the Spring and leaving us directions – Noel for leading us in the walk of Hanuman – Shiekh Mansur Johnson for reading us some extracts from his newest book on the life and work of Samcher Beorse – Shiekh Mujahid and Majid, who drove down from Oregon to make their first ever DHO Gathering, and brought us all up to date on their daughters and lives since leaving Charlottesville, and finally I wish to acknowledge the three mothers who brought their daughters: Jennifer and Laura, Khadija and Jamiell, and Iromee and Anoka – and to all those known and unknown to us whose blessings and love helped to make this gathering so wondrous. Ya Shakur Allah!
Next year (2006) at Lama – Murshid SAM 35 – June 21 to June 27 – more on this later.
Finally let us offer prayers and protection to all our sons and daughters who are in service inIraq, andAfghanistan. And, most especially to our newest DHO initiate Jamiell Goforth.
May the Grace of God enfold, protect and nourish all our children who serve in harms way.
Return to us sound in body, mind and spirit – Ya Ali!
I send you all my love, blessings and prayers for your continued growth into the Light.
Yours in Service to the Real
Hakim Sauluddin
