Coming Back To Earth

(view of the laguna from my hammock)
Hi everyone,
I hope you are enjoying summer. I recently returned from Peru and had a fabulous time. It's taking me a bit to get back here though. I have been in the jungle most of the time and am feeling a lot of culture shock being back in Canada. I had many adventures (physical and spiritual) and will be blogging them in the next 2 weeks (once I get to my computer) on my personal blog at www.Kerrifargo.com for those who are interested in the details of my trip.


The jungle 'canoe' a tippy hollowed out log. Did I mention the lake had piarannas?

Big Blessings,
Kerri



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Summer Party Friday July 15th!

More Information and Summer Centre Updates

HERE

March Newsletter Hot Off The Press!

March Newsletter HERE

Anam Cara ~ Soul of My Friend

In the Advanced IET class on Sunday we were discussing the idea of ‘Soul Buddies’, or ‘Soul Friends’. Soul mates is a term used frequently by people searching for their other half or missing piece in terms of a romantic relationship. (I believe we have more than one soul mate and that it is never a good idea to be looking for that other half-rather to be whole before even venturing into a relationship-but that is just my opinion and you can find more on that HERE)
This is a different thing entirely, although a soul friend could become a soul mate, or life partner, in this case I am talking about really dear friendships. Kindred Spirits.
I know when I look at the dear friends I have made so far in this life, I am very grateful! When I remember back to that moment of meeting~ it is true that there was an instant recognition of the other and a feeling of picking up wherever we left off ~as though we knew each before from another time. It does not matter how often you see these friends-there is always that same feeling of deep friendship that transcends time and space. You can have more than one soul friend. These relationships are special, and are usually life long.
In the Celtic tradition, there is a beautiful understanding of love and friendship ~ the idea of soul love; “Anam Cara” refers to the Celtic spiritual belief of souls connecting and bonding .
In Celtic Spiritual tradition, it is believed that the soul radiates all about the physical body what some refer to as an aura. When you connect with another person and become completely open and trusting with that individual, your two souls begin to flow together.
Should such a deep bond be formed, it is said you have found your “Anam Cara” or soul friend.
Your “Anam Cara” always accepts you as you truly are, holding you in beauty and light. In order to appreciate this relationship, you must first recognize your own inner light and beauty. This is not always easy to do. The Celts believed that forming an “Anam Cara” friendship would help you to awaken your awareness of your own nature and experience the joys of others.
The “Anam Cara” was originally someone to whom you confessed, revealing the hidden intimacies of your life. With the “Anam Cara”, you could share your innermost self, your mind and your heart. This friendship was an act of recognition and belonging. When you had an “Anam Cara”, your friendship cut across all convention, morality and category. You were joined in an ancient and eternal way with the “friend of your soul”. The Celtic understanding did not set limitations of space or time on the soul. There is no cage for the soul. The soul is a divine light that flows into you and into your Other.
This art of belonging awakened and fostered a deep and special companionship. When you love, you open your life to an Other. All your barriers are down. Your protective distances collapse. This person is given absolute permission to come into the deepest temple of your spirit. Your presence and life can become their ground. It takes great courage to let someone so close. Where a friendship recognizes itself as a gift, it will remain open to its own ground of blessing….. When you are blessed with an “Anam Cara”, the Irish believe, you have arrived at that most sacred place: home. This bond between friends is indissoluble: “This, I say, is what is broken by no chances, what no interval of time or space can sever or destroy, and what even death itself cannot part”.
~ from “Anam Cara…Wisdom from the Celtic World“, by John O’Donohue
Watch A Beautiful Video About Anam Cara HERE

February's Newsletter

Hot off the press! February's Newsletter HERE

Love & Relationships

Valentines Day is approaching and during that time relationships are brought into the spotlight. Whether you find yourself currently in one and happy in it, currently in one and unhappy in it, not in one and happy with that, or not in one and unhappy with that, it is a time when many people contemplate their situation. Relationships are always in flux and change, and that is the way they are meant to be.

Problems arise when we look to much to the other to fulfill a need in us. The need usually arises from something we are unwilling to give ourselves. If we are unwilling to give ourselves something, how can we expect another to give it to us?

No one can ever really give us what we cannot already give ourselves. No amount of love can heal you if you are in a state that does not allow it in. We need to look within ourselves to find that missing piece and heal that. If you are a bucket, you cannot hold water if there is a hole in your bucket. It does not matter how much water you find, you will always feel empty. We need to learn how to accept and receive love, before we can truly know it.

We need to love ourselves better before we can be full enough to truly and authentically give love to another.

Many people spend their lives searching for that missing person, that soul mate, the 'one', that missing piece.

Shel Silverstein illustrates this quest beautifully in his poem below and I encourage you to watch it. It is simple, and says so much.

Enjoy : )

WATCH IT HERE

This one is also good!

THE MISSING PIECE MEETS THE BIG O ~ WATCH IT HERE