Tuesday, 26 March 2013

Travel Journal - South to North and Back Again



22 March 2013

I am currently on a journey of epic proportions, both physically and emotionally, as I travel with my heretofore estranged father to the funeral of my grandmother, his mother. Having lost my own mother nearly exactly a year ago, I strongly empathise with him, and I am blessed that I have this opportunity to form a relationship with him and aid him as I may at this time.

So far my journey has taken me over a thousand kilometers, from the south of the country in my current home of Dunedin, through the southern city of Christchurch, and to my childhood home of Tauranga. And now as I write we are travelling by car to Gisborne for the funeral today.

There is so much healing going on within me, and without, and reconciliation with my family and with my own spirit. This is the third funeral I have attended in my 23 years, and though it isn't the hardest - I haven't seen my grandmother in a decade because of my estrangement with my father and because she had Alzeimers disease and therefore I am somewhat less attached - it is certainly still having its effect.

The synchronistic timing of this event however is very uncanny - I had arranged to come to Tauranga on holiday over a month ago before I learned of my grandmothers passing. Furthermore, as I mentioned, the one year anniversary of my mother's death is rapidly approaching. And finally, the day before I embarked from Dunedin the Sun moved from Pisces into Aires, astrologically marking the New Year and therefore new beginnings.

They say that when the student is ready, the teacher arrives. I agree to this with the supplication that Life is the greatest teacher, and that through life one can teach oneself, as long as one wills to learn rather than succumbing to the illusory ills of this transient life.

The atrocities that mankind has committed, against itself and the planet we are part of, certainly deserves contemplation and action by those of us with the capacity. Indeed, each of us in our way has great capacity to change this status quo, through our perception and expression of our true Voice.

The lie of this world is that much of humanity's woes are out of our control. In truth, we are vehicles of our own manifestation, we literally create our reality. Focus and meditation on life's beauty, and faith in ones own ability and divinity are the key ingredients to this healthier perception and therefore manifestation.

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The journey today has so far been really pleasant. The weather the whole way has been exquisite - certainly a good portent - and the travel has been swift and safe. We started by picking up my cousin and smoking a joint, then hit the road. We have just stopped in Opotiki for a coffee, a smoke, and a stretch of the legs, in a beautiful wooded spot on the edge of town. Now we are travelling through the beautiful Waioeka gorge, the last stretch before our destination.



24 March 2013

What a wonderful experience yesterday was. A funeral of a matriarch is always such an event of mixed emotions. Fare welling such a beautiful, caring and compassionate woman, and hearing how much she loved and was loved was both sad and yet inspiring. And to meet members of my extended family whom I haven't seen for many years was a thrilling and heartening experience.

At the funeral I had the honour and privilege of acting as pallbearer. She is the third person in my life who.as departed from me, and the third person I have carried to be committed to fhe flames and return to whence they.came. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.

It is with these thoughts and perceptions that I write now, travelling on the road back to Tauranga to conclude my holiday, and to spend time with my last living grandparent - my mothers mother.

Despite the sad circumstances under which my holiday ended up taking place, I feel much more elated and reassured in life than I have in a long while. Providence has seen fit that as I approach the milestone of my mothers first anniversary of passing, I am reunited with the entire other side of my family. For this opportunity I am truly grateful. I give thanks to the Gods for my continue health an prosperity, and for the fact that I have found the strength in life to carry on and I have conquered the adversaries I have had to face.

A thankful attitude and a compassionate heart - these are the legacy I have inherited from my beloved departed. And it is these qualities which have strengthened my faith and given me wings that my soul may soar. We can and do save ourselves. We have the power and the potential for both great harm and ever greater love. Where you find faith is up to you, your choice. Yet we all need faith to carry on and break trough the veil of life's illusion.


On the drive we skirted along the coast at Orope. From this nestled town we could see the erupting White Island billowing white smoke in the azure sky line, to float over the deep blue Pacific. Majestic is this country, a place I will forever be proud to call Home.

27 March 2013


As I journey homeward through the Waikato plains, the Sun is bursting forth beside us above the Kaimai Mountains. As I am writing, the mist clings low to the hills, but is light so as to be an opaque veil over the landscape.  Eerily beautiful.

     Then suddenly, in one passionate and graceful moment, the Sun is born again by the Grace of the All, piercing through the harrowed wisp of clouds to shine again.

       I am blessed because I couldn't imagine a more perfect morning to end an any more perfect holiday.

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I am now at home all safe and sound. Happily and content I contemplate the extraordinary week I have had, and I give thanks. Now to get some rest and recuperate from all that travel.

Blessings,

K. T. Eye
Ka-Tenemi-Ihy

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