Death

Feb. 10

At just this hour three years ago today, my father died and vanished. Gone into blue gray skies like disappearing ink. Three years gone except for memories, momentary visions feeling his presence and a few dreams in which I saw and talked with him and hugged him. Three years ago today my sweet Dad left this world for a better land, I hope, while I'm here in a car wash place waiting for my car which I'm hoping to sell. It's been a long time and it makes my heart ache a little as I sit here writing on my knee while eyeing the nylon stockinged leg of the dressy young woman seated to my left waiting for her car.

Oh, the contradictions in life, paradoxes and polarities, tragedies and ironies. I hope he's free of all this shit. I miss him. Life is sort of grim these days, but hey -- they're killing civilians and babies in Yugoslavia. Guys are sleeping on sidewalk grates in every American city, and I complain? I remember the intensive care unit in the hospital. Dad shuttered and left. (Gone)

Rumi:  To one who knows, death isn't bitter.
An earthquake opens the prison walls.
Do you think an escaping prisoner will complain
Of the damage done to the stone and marble work?
People will say, "So-and-so is dead. But you'll know how alive you've become. The soul soars when it's freed from its body. Like a sleeping convict in his cell dreaming of a rose garden, he knows he's dreaming and doesn't want to go back to his body dungeon. So he prays, "Let me keep walking here like a prince." God says, "Yes, your prayer is granted. Don't go back." He dies in his sleep and stays in that rose garden
with no regrets for what he left back in his prison cell.

Expect the best and most noble dishes
and the host will bring them out.
A mountain lifts its elegant head
like a guest who receives the dawn.

One might think this place would be fine if it weren't for dying. If there were no death, the world would be just a tangle of straw unthreshed in the field. No one who has died is grieving because of death. The only grief is not being well enough prepared for dying. No one objects to exchanging sour buttermilk for choice wine.

 -- Rumi Selections from Coleman's Bark's Feeling the Shoulder of the Lion

Presenting Offerings to God Selections from Vayikra in Leviticus 1.1-5.26

Introduction to Levitcus

The third scroll in the Song of the Torah is Vayikra, the Book of Leviticus. At this place in the song we spiritual seekers, sometimes called “the children of Israel,” have received sacred wisdom at Sinai and are now continuing our adventures enroute to a promised land, a state of enlightenment.

We’re traveling together in community. Leviticus gives teachings how to live harmoniously with others and how to serve effectively as a team living in and passing on the light.

We are re-introduced to the kohen, the priest or priestess within us each and shown how to bring that service forward to navigate between worlds and to be an instrument of blessings.

Presenting Offerings to God
Selections from Vayikra in Leviticus 1.1-5.26

God calls to Moses and speaks with him from the Tent of Meeting
Saying, instruct people how to present offerings to God

Make offerings from your herd or your flock. Bring these
To the entrance of the Tent of Meeting for acceptance before God
Our herds and our flocks are our assets and our wealth
The Tent of Meeting is wherever you go to commune with the divine

To offer a sacrifice of well-being (peace, fullness)
Bring before God an unblemished offering
With no taint of artifice or pride

Such unblemished peace and fellowship offerings
Bring one to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting

Sacrifice, korban, means drawing closer
When we sincerely offer the best we got
That’s an unblemished offering, and it draws us closer

If it’s a burnt offering, let it be without blemish                         Lev: 1.10
A fire offering makes an appeasing fragrance to God
The fire of one’s self-discipline or suffering can be offered up to God

If you bring a meal offering, give the best quality you have
Include oil and incense (meditation and genuine devotion)
Don’t make your meal offerings with leaven (pride)






God says, tell the Israelites, if one has committed inadvertent sin
Dedicate one’s self to benefit all, which is an unblemished sin offering
This will bring him or her to the entrance of the tent of meeting
To the threshold of communion

If one feels guilty for erring, be aware of the error – and confess it
Take full responsibility — without “blame”
This is an unblemished offering, and atonement can be received

Errors such as witnessing wrong doing, but not speaking out
Neglecting or forgetting to cleanse one’s self before holy service
Saying you’ll do something, but not doing it (do what you said you’d do)
Confess your errors and make guilt offerings
Give yourself to God wholly and practice selfless service

Also use meal offerings for guilt
Dedicate the energy of your food and drink for the benefit of all

If you misuse things given to God (food, drink or charity, for examples)
Make full restitution plus 1/5 more

The guilt offerings for lying or dishonesty in business or with others
For misusing money or property of others, or for robbery
Make full restitution plus 1/5 more to the rightful owners
In these ways one is fully forgiven  (peace of mind is divinity)       Lev: 5.26