Beside Restful Waters

by Greg Hermann

“In order for development to occur it must be preceded by a vision.”

Don Coyhis, Native Elder

How are you developing?

Are you involved with clubs, groups, or organizations? Does the group have a purpose or direction? Is there a leader of the organization? Are you a leader or a follower?

As a leader, I must provide direction and development.

As a follower, I must know the direction of development and I must be in balanced relationship to the dream/dreamer.

What is the source of the dream or vision?

Many cultures engage special ceremonies to offer an individual the opportunity to seek a dream. Ceremony opens the hearts of dreamers to ongoing insights – visions which may not demand intense ceremony yet require a practice of vigilance to the dream.

I have come to believe that the practice of vigilance is a heart practice – a practice of intuition – a practice of attention to my gut. This practice demands my silence. This is my daily ceremony.

Well, I have battled with silence, literally. I enter the ceremony my meditation seat with expectations of deep silence and penetrating insight. These are great expectations. However, my reality is an ongoing conflict of thoughts. Yet, the practice offers more and more moments of silence – not hours but moments.

The rest of the day is filling with more and more subtle observations of life. In these observations I am more aware of intuition, insight, heart energy, and yes, the visions and directions that offer development and growth.

I offer each of us ceremony, the gift of a few moments each day for

Quiet,

breath,

silence,

vision,

direction.

Namaste’