10-Day Retreat on the Island of Healing

So Good to Be Home!

On June 3, 2005, Debra and I left our home and flew to the Big Island of Hawaii.  When we landed many hours later, we felt like we were home again.

Each island has its own charm and energetic character.  The Big Island is the largest, most southeasterly island, the most diverse and, in many ways, the most unique.  Unlike the other islands, which were formed millions of years ago, the Big Island is still growing: lava flows from Kilauea Volcano creating acres of new land each year.  A palpable primal creative force is at work on the Big Island—energy which is often felt by visitors and residents alike.  This energy (or Mana), combined with the abundant sunlight and moderate temperatures support 200 different types of ecological habitats with a diversity of flora and fauna that enchant the imagination, soothe the body, stimulate the mind, and refresh the spirit.  The Big Island feels as if it functions as the root chakra of the island chain. 

Sacred Work

Each of the Hawaiian Islands contains sacred sites associated with myths and legends, and such sites are numerous on the Big Island.  Several of these sites were visited as part of our work.

Our intention was to honor and deepen relationship with the Guardians and Stewards of the Oceanic Way of Love and Wisdom; Stars, Sun, Moon, Earth, and Ocean; the Four Sacred Directions and Elements; Madame Pele the Goddess Spirit of the Volcano; our plant, stone, and animal friends (especially turtle); and to connect our personal and group energy grid to Sacred Place using a counterclockwise circumambulation around the island beginning in the North and ending in the East.

Our method involved focused intention, prayer, breath, libation, meditation, ritual, and visiting historically sacred sites to offer ho'okupu (promises to uphold and honor sacred values) and Ayni Karpay (sacred exchange of spiritual experience).

The North – Place of Earth

Our first visit was to the northern most tip of the island pictured below.

Hiking down a steep trail, we were drawn to a small cove in the side of the rock cliffs that overlooked the ocean below.  Placing our Sacred Stone friend on Earth, we sat with our backs supported by the rock wall.  In sacred space we connected with and called the names of our brothers and sisters in the Great Heart.   We extended luminous cords of light into Earth and opened ourselves energetically to the Green Gate of North, place of Earth, place of the Midnight Suns, place of the Holy Archangel Uriel.  We prayed and meditated to enter into deeper relationship with the Sacred Direction of North and that the Element of Earth would be in balance and harmony within us and each of our spiritual friends and loved ones. 

The West—Place of Water

Our work in the West involved several phases.  Each morning we sat next to the pounding surf, called on the Lady of the Ocean, opened our solar plexus area to be purified and strengthened, and performed deep breathing.  Later, we would snorkel in a private lagoon.  Lying belly down in the warm ocean waters, we would open the solar plexus, extend luminous threads into the water, and ask for the blessings of deeper relationship with ocean and that the element of water would be in balance and harmony in ourselves and those we love.  In very special and private ways, we deepened our relationship with Turtle Friend.  Each evening we would witness the majestic setting of the Golden Sun as we reviewed our day’s activities.

The Rite of the West took place at the Place of Refuge (pictured below).  This Sacred Place is said to be the place of forgiveness.  Can you imagine a place miles from civilization?  A place that for hundreds of years has embodied the energy of forgiveness?  Can you imagine the feel and smell of the warm ocean winds?   Can you sense your feet sinking into the sand as you walk across beaches hallowed by sacred use?  Can you hear the sounds of the pounding surf and the birds as you walk towards Pu`uhonua o Honaunau—the Place of Refuge pictured below?

One of the islands' most sacred sites, Pu`uhonua o Honaunau, is ringed by stone walls twelve feet high and fifteen feet thick.  Believed to date from the fifteenth century, this sanctuary offered protection for all.  Spiritual and psychological cleansing was provided here so that fugitives might be returned to society healed in mind and spirit and absolved by the gods.

Following signs provided by a Tikki God which point to a certain location, we moved out on to the lava finger extending out into the Ocean pictured below.  Here we performed a special ritual of forgiveness.

Placing our Sacred Stone friend on Earth, we stood facing the ocean.   In sacred space we connected with and called the names of all our brothers and sisters in the Great Heart.  We extended luminous cords of light into Earth and opened ourselves energetically to the Blue Gate of West, place of Water, place of the Setting Sun, place of Love and the Holy Archangel Gabriel.  We prayed and meditated to enter into deeper relationship with the Sacred Direction of West and that the Element of Water would be in balance and harmony within us and each of our spiritual friends and loved ones. 

We prayed; “I forgive you Father for everything you said or did or didn’t do or say that hurt me.  Please forgive me too.”  This prayer was repeated for mother, sister, brother, husband, wife, children, friends, enemies, and ourselves.

After the work was complete, we noticed the place where we conducted the Rite was perfectly aligned with the Tikki God, the lava extension, and the setting sun.  A turtle friend swam close by.  We felt lighter. 

The South – Place of Fire

We drove across the rugged coastline to the Southern tip of the Island which is also the Southern most point of the United States.  This area is reported to be a vortex with UFO sightings.

Along the way, we passed through golden fields and rolling hills, past the eerie sounds of slowly spinning wind-driven electrical generators, red rock, green growth, and ocean cliffs, inhaling the beauty all around us.  We parked our car and walked ½ mile down to the rugged coast line.  The elements were palpable!  There was the howling 50 mile-per-hour wind that almost took your breath away.  The roaring of the crashing ocean waves that drowned out all other sounds and the razor-sharp lava formations all around.  The awesome hand of visible creation! 

Placing our Sacred Stone friend on Earth, we stood facing the ocean.   In sacred space we connected with and called the names of our spiritual brothers and sisters.  We extended luminous cords of light into Earth and opened ourselves energetically to the Red Gate of South, place of Fire, place of the noon-time Sun (which was positioned directly above us), place of Life and the Holy Archangel Michael.  We prayed and meditated to enter into deeper relationship with the Sacred Direction of South and that the Element of Fire would be in balance and harmony within us and each of our spiritual friends and loved ones.  We prayed to enter into apprenticeship with the Sun and to learn the deeper ways of working with unconditional Light, Life, and Love.

Our work with Fire also involved a visit to Madame Pele—Goddess of the island’s active volcano.  We began with a short hike into the cave pictured below.  Here in the damp dark, we extended cords of light deep into our Earth Mother and introduced ourselves to the Spirit of the Mountain.

We then drove to the rim of the volcano.  Placing our Sacred Stone friend on Earth, we stood at the rim.   Once again, in sacred space we connected with and called the names of our brothers and sisters.  We prayed and meditated to enter into deeper relationship with Madame Pele and the element of Fire—to be fired with the energies of joy, courage, will, creativity, and enthusiasm.

The East—Place of Air

On Thursday (the Day of Christ), we drove the 28 miles of switch-back roads to Hilo the east-most point of the island pictured below.

Placing our Sacred Stone friend on Earth, we again stood facing the ocean.  In sacred space we connected with and called the names of all our brothers and sisters in the One Heart.   We extended luminous cords of light into Earth and opened ourselves energetically to the Golden Gate of East, place of Air, place of the rising Sun, place of Light and the Holy Archangel Raphael. 

With energetic centers opened; with feet in earth and head in sky; aligned with the 3 Hearts of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity; and all our brothers and sisters, we offered prayers, tears, and blessings.  We prayed and meditated to enter into deeper relationship with the Sacred Direction of East and that the Element of Air would be in balance and harmony within us and each of our spiritual friends and loved ones. 

Finally, libations of gratitude were poured onto Holy Mother Earth and the essence of this incredible experience was captured by breath and blown into our sacred stone friend.  With the incredible sunset before us, we then drove back to our hotel aware that we were bringing the circle to completion. 

Completing the Circle

Each morning, our eyes soaked in the bright Sun rising from behind the lush green mountains, and then feasted on the sunsets each evening for review.  Each morning our ears were treated to the choir of countless birds greeting the sunrise and each evening we enjoyed the repeat performance as they nested in the trees at sunset.  The endless cycle of birth and rebirth was enacted before us in a blaze of color and an orchestra of sound.   

On the final evening, we sat in lawn chairs next to the roaring waves to express our deep gratitude for the gifts of this spiritual retreat. 

Our intentions to deepen relationship with the Guardians and Stewards of the Oceanic Way; Stars, Sun, Moon, Earth, and Ocean; the Four Directions and Elements; Madame Pele; our plant, stone, and animal friends; and to connect our personal and group energy grid to Sacred Place had been fulfilled in ways of Mystery and Grace that could only be addressed in silent appreciation.

The spiritual elders of ancient MU may have long since disappeared beneath the waves of water, time, and memory, but at least some of the Way of Wisdom—Tahunaism has been preserved by Oceanic descendents known as Experts of the Old Way (Kahuna). 

These wisdom teachings encourage right relationship with God, Humanity, and Nature.  They remind us that the spirit of Aloha is the key to well being—to be genuine and loving in all interactions with people and nature.  They transmit the sacred medicine practices of purification, forgiveness, and balance.  They teach us how to rise at sunrise and call upon the Sun to enlighten and to sit in the quiet of the sunset to review the day, and to forgive ourselves and others.  They invite us to reach out in our imagination to honor and bless those who have gone ahead of us, to love those who currently travel with us, and to think of those who will one day follow us.   The Experts of the Old Way ask us to look into our hearts and remember our origin.  Offering a hint, they point to a luminescent road of heredity stretching back through time, a road paved not with stones, but with Ancestral Spirits.  They remind us that in our current lives, each stands as a connecting link on the eternal ladder of Life.  When our lives on earth are completed, each of us will take our place in the endless chain of eternal becoming. 

Aloha!