WHAT HAPPENED ... YELLOWSTONE AND AROUND THE WORLD
     (Opening the Golden Age of Peace)
      by G.W. Hardin

Letters have poured in from around the world telling of the wonderful experiences shared by so many during The Gathering of One. Since the world reaction was recorded and discussed on Common Passion and the teleconference archived on their website [ www.commonpassion.org ] I’ve decided to devote most of this newsletter to what occurred at West Yellowstone. I encourage you to listen to the amazing stories that have been recorded for all to listen to: call (641) 715-3429 ... then punch in the access code ... 545195# ... it’s worth the time, believe me.

What I’ve decided to do is tell this story from my own experience so as not to diminish what others felt and saw. I will present the story in four parts:

(1) the days of preparation
(2) the Dance of Oneness
(3) the Mayan Fire Ceremony of Don Alejandro, and
(4) the Grand Formation


THE DAYS OF PREPARATION

What many noticed right away was the roller coaster effect of chaos and peace, separation and oneness, feeling lost and finding wholeness. Never have I seen an event sway between such extremes as we entered into the days of preparation. Several at the event asked me why this was happening. My response was that we needed to see the sunrise/sunset effect, the day/night polarities to show us starkly what we were about to step into. I told them that peace is NOT the absence of tension. In fact, in nature, tension is a sure sign that new forces are at play in the creative process. It’s what happens before an electron jumps to a higher state of being. Carl Jung spoke of a similar phenomenon in psychology. For us to step into Oneness, we have to grasp the consequences of the polarities we have spent most of our lives dwelling in, in order to appreciate what we were about to evolve into. Throughout history, whenever a new paradigm or a renaissance has moved into birthing, a great wave of resistance from the old paradigm rises up to challenge it, to hold on to the old ways. Such was the case at Yellowstone. All present saw vividly the displays of polarity and separation before we stepped into Oneness, never to give it up.

In the previous appearances, the angels had said the following:

    Bring forth 222 gathered masters at the Yellowstone with that which
    we give you to do with others around the world and you will send forth
    the first vibrations of Peace. Bring forth 444 gathered masters and that
    which you will cause will be a noticeable change around the world.

    Your kind desires peace in your world. Yet your kind has become lost in
    the way in which peace is to come about. That which OUR KIND calls
    the first vibrations of Peace will open the hearts and minds of your world
    for peace.

I want to make note here that the angels are using a term that many may not relate to or understand -- the first vibrations of Peace. I also want you to note that the angels call each of us who dedicates our life to our spiritual path “masters.” And they mean it. The English language suffers when it comes to clearly defining words like “love” or “peace” or “truth.” What I personally feel they are trying to say to us on this notion of “first vibrations” is that this is the first time that Peace is fully recognized as a divine condition embraced by more than one race of beings. We are talking about Peace that passes understanding. We are talking about Peace that unites not just humanity, but also angels and other worlds. The angelic message continues:

    The first vibrations of peace will wash over the world IN QUIET. People
    will hear the sounds of nature in ways they have long forgotten. Insects
    in the fields can be heard. The songs of birds will fill the air. The people
    of the world will know peace cannot be won. They will begin to remember
    the greatest teaching of any prophet or holy man they follow is the way of
    peace.

    Peace is truly a way of being that is allowed by all and not made by a few.


Chief Bernard Red Cherries, of the Northern Cheyenne, had lost his daughter the day before he was to leave for the event to be with us. On her deathbed she asked him to bring his message to us, which he did. The burden of his loss shone on his face as he spoke to us of all that he had struggled through as a man and as a leader of his people. He recognized our efforts at trying to bring peace to the world, but he reminded us of what our forebears had done against peace, not only to his people but to a world needing to be in harmony with Mother Nature once again.

Don Alejandro spoke at the evening segment. This 80-year-old wonder of wisdom immediately showed us why he is revered among the Elders of the Americas and highly respected around the world. He spoke of the time when the world was one, and the legends of why we separated. He asked us to respect one another’s cultures as we stand in the beauty of each culture. His speech riveted the audience with its rich symbols of nature and ancient tales of how the world came to be as it is. What hit me right away was his challenge to the modern world to respect and study the ways of the indigenous. If you want to know the ways of the Maya, he said, then come to the lands of the Mayans and sit with their Elders. As a stark example, he registered his displeasure with how the ancient Mayans had been painted by historians as people worshiping with human sacrifice. True, the glyphs depicting beheadings, blood letting, and bondage did portray sacrificial horror. But the glyphs were not historical as insinuated by archeologists and anthropologists; they were prophetic. The glyphs of the ancient Mayan culture were erected to warn the Mayan people of what was to come when the conquistadors would land. These were stone glyphs of the future, not the past. It was to prepare them for how their world be changed by “modern” invaders, and then later how modern culture would in turn be changed by the wisdom of the indigenous. He asked the modern world to respect the ancient Mayan truths and prophecies, and not to fictionalize them. If it is truth you wish, then sit with the Elders and hear truth.

His statement reminded me of a passage from Western society’s Book of Wisdom, which states, “If it is wisdom you desire, then visit the company of wise men.” Don Alejandro stood before us as a great wise man, and we listened, hanging on his every word. The question-and-answer period was as intriguing as his speech. Someone asked about the date of 2012. Don Alejandro is respected as the greatest Mayan astrologer of his people. So it came as quite a surprise to hear him tell us that the date is not accurate. Going into great detail of how the jigsaw of the Gregorian calendar had been wrapped around the Mayan calendar to create this date, he stated that the date can not be determined with our calendar. Many of the 20 Mayan calendars that help make up the Long Calendar have been stolen or destroyed. So we can only approximate the time of the end of the Long Calendar. More questions took us late into the night. No one wanted to leave. Don Alejandro received several standing ovations throughout the event.

The next day, as I took in all that unraveled around me, I struggled with trusting in what was trying to unfold as opposed to trying to co-create what I hoped would unfold at the event. Oneness is fully immersed in trust. So when I heard that 30 people were no-shows, my heart sank. Here we had worked so hard to get the 444 people needed to fill the Grand Formation so that a global shift could be, would be initiated, only to find that we had fallen short. Frankly, I wanted to pack my bags and leave. So many folks had arrived at the event with nothing but trust. They had no place to board because all the hotels were booked. But they came anyway. Several from Europe showed up with no money for food or for lodging. The word spread for others to help these amazing folks. And before we knew it, spare beds and floor space was found. Then folks began to give Larry Contier meal tickets that they thought they would not need or could spare, so that others could eat. The food was great and plentiful--a modern version of the loaves and fishes. A nd before we knew it, we had spare food tickets for everyone there.

After spending time in meditation, confronting my own ego, I went before the event attendees the next day and asked how many came from adjoining states. Many hands went up. I encouraged them to get on their phones and convince 5 more people to show up so that the Grand Formation would be completed. A minor miracle unfolded as 17 people ended up overflowing the Grand Formation and filling the connecting world formation when Saturday arrived.

More good news unfolded as record numbers of people from around the world signed up via the Internet to join us from around the world on the solstice, representing every continent and subcontinent, even Antarctica. Indeed, out of the chaos a wonder of great proportion rose up as the world moved together.

Friday afternoon we stepped into Dance of Oneness as our next step of preparation.


THE DANCE OF ONENESS

Unlike the previous two years of Eden Events, the angels gave the steps and the song for the Dance of Oneness. The Mamos of Colombia had been slated to attend, but at the last minute arrangements across borders fell through. They were to bring us the ancient secret of their Dance of Oneness. But since that now was not possible the angels gave us an alternative. Circles of people formed in the east and west with those circles encircled by four more oblong circles. After much effort in coordinating everyone, the 444 people finally were set and began to chant the words, “I am, you are, we are one,” 72 times. On the word “one,” everyone shifted position to the right or left, depending on what circle they stood in. The movement was hypnotic and soul stirring. At the end of the 72 chants each circle switched direction for 72 more chants. It reminded me of the sacred dances of Gurdjieff (a great Russian/Armenian mystic who died in 1949). To give you an idea of what the angels had given us, here is a You Tube version of one of the Gurdjieff sacred dances, called “The Four Prophets” that will give you an indication of feeling and movement of our circles. We held our hands together, asked by the angels never to break the circle of held hands during the two rounds of 72 chants.

        youtube.com/watch?v=suLGJIkjAy4

Once the dance was complete, a stunning sense of peace and unity filled me. Never had I felt that with such a large group of people. We had been told that the dance was the opening of space and the clearing of vibrations for the Divine Feminine (Shekinah) and the Divine Masculine (Metatron) to come in the next day. I couldn’t wait.

For others, the Great Blessing was the final stage of preparation on Friday evening. Michael the Archangel had designated seven people besides Joe to bring through this blessing from the forces of Heaven. Many felt so blessed they couldn’t stand, the grace so overwhelmed them. As the evening drew to a close, I announced that Don Alejandro, Grand Elder of the Mayan People, would present the Mayan Fire Ceremony at sunrise to formally bless and purify the grounds of the Grand Formation.


THE MAYAN FIRE CEREMONY

Getting up at 4:44 in the morning, all I could do was groan, after the long day on Friday. But I wouldn’t have missed this lifetime opportunity for all the buffalo in Yellowstone. As Don Alejandro and his wife Elizabeth donned their native headdresses, they explained to us the purpose of the fire ceremony. Care was taken as they laid out the wood and placed colored candles, herbs, copal incense balls, and flower petals as gifts to the Spirit of the Fire. Don Alejandro and Elizabeth told us that according to the Mayan calendar, this day was the Day of Reconciliation. How perfect, I said to myself. Most people think there is only one Mayan calendar, but in truth we found out from Don Alejandro that there are 20 different Mayan calendars. The Fire Ceremony was based on what is called “the Long Calendar.” Don Alejandro instructed us that we must purify ourselves and the ground around the fire pit where the Grand Formation had been laid out. The chalked lines of the Shekinah and Metatron formations glistened in the light of the rising sun. The world formation, that would connect the Grand Formation with all the other formations around the world, surrounded the fire pit, which lay to the north in between the Shekinah and Metatron formations.

As the Fire Ceremony continued, Don Alejandro went through the 20 Mayan days that made up the Mayan calendar. With each day, he gave us a message that spoke to the truths of that day so that we could look into our hearts and prepare ourselves for self-reconciliation that we would later send out to the world. With the chanting of each day, gifts would be thrown into the fire. Some of us had brought prayers written on paper from people all over the U.S. and other parts of the world. Others had brought sacred herbs, others flowers, and still others candies and sweets as a sign of celebration to the Fire Spirit. At the end of the ceremony, Don Alejandro gave the fire to those of us attending. In giving the fire to the people, anyone could say, sing, pray or ask for anything they wished. We stood by as many expressed gratitude and hope for the peace that was to come to our world.


THE GRAND FORMATION

After dinner, Joe had a lot of information to share with us as to what we all would participate in. Michael had appeared to give final instructions. Joe stated that he would write up the visit and send it out later. So it was about 8pm when I trudged into the gathering field, reminding myself of what Michael had said if 444 people made up the Grand Formation:

    I tell you truly, the excitement you are feeling will fill the hearts of
    others. That which is to come will be as no other Eden Event.
    Friendships will be made that will last a lifetime. Love will be found
    by those who have found it not. Souls will reconnect with one another
    in a powerful way because of the paths of truth that are open, which
    have been denied by the darkness and by ignorance. When the Shekinah
    and the Metatron join once more, the world cannot war against it.

How my soul yearned to know a world where war would be replaced by Oneness. I knew already that the rest of the world was moving into formations as well with such hope. As we reached the gathering field, clouds of mosquitoes moved upon us like kids in a candy store. Rather than set my mind to thoughts of peace, I watched 10 to 20 mosquitoes at a time trying to feast on each hand. After futile efforts at swatting them (so much for peace), I got out my vanilla extract natural insect repellent and doused myself all over to keep the little beasties from carrying me away. Clouds of insect repellent wafted over the crowd. What a combination, one cloud replacing another. After taking an hour to put everyone in place, Joe asked anyone who needed to use the porta-potties to do so now. He might as well have called the retreat of the Light Brigade.

As we waited for the formation to return to fullness, I took sacred corn meal that the Hopi had sent via Gayle Buchholtz. The Hopi spiritual leaders wanted us to know that they had begun their period of preparation for four days as well. They had spent that time nonstop in their sacred kivas (dwellings) dancing and praying for the people of the world to bring forth a change that would never be forgotten. As I sprinkled the sacred corn meal, I called their spirits in to stand beside me. It was time to begin.

To prepare the ground, Joe sprinkled a path of sand from the center of the Metatron formation to the center spot of the Grand Formation. From there, Robbie spread a path of sand to the center of the Shekinah formation. This was to signify the paths of truth that would lead to wisdom, which would allow us to call in the “first vibrations of Peace.” Next, Joe sprinkled a path of sand between the middle of the Grand Formation north to the fire pit surrounded by the world formation, where Don Alejandro sat with Elizabeth and the other indigenous leaders. It was time to begin.

After chanting the seven names of God, and blessing ourselves, we then stooped to touch the earth and send the first vibrations of Peace from our hearts into the earth. Up to this point, I had not experienced the pronounced energy that I had the previous year at the Ohio Eden Event. Everything seemed uncharacteristically calm. But when we blessed the earth, I felt a wave of Divine Presence, like being washed by an invisible shower, move through me into the earth. I could not only feel it, I could see it as the wave penetrated the Earth to its core and then erupted in an explosion of light, with the light spreading outward to the surface of the Earth. What happened, I can only guess. But here is what the angels said would happen in the May 10th appearance, as described by Joe Crane:

    The Shekinah (Divine Feminine in west part of the Grand Formation)
    moved without moving in the direction of the tent (the holding place
    of the Divine Masculine in the east). She was going from one place to
    another place but not moving from where she was. The strangest thing
    I have ever seen. The next thing to happen was her entering the tent,
    (in the east) even though she was still above the altar (in the west).
    There was a bright light in the tent, and then there was only the masters
    standing in the formation. Their vibrations seemed to be going out to
    everything. The ground was absorbing it, and even the very air was
    holding the frequency coming from the masters. It didn't feel like
    something profound happened in a powerful way. It was more like a
    gentle breeze started in the center of each part of the formation, and it
    went outwards.

I can verify this sense of a gentle breeze or this sense of calmness and peace -- so unlike past Eden Events. When I spoke with others, they, too commented on the quietness, the peacefulness in contrast of what normally has been a blast of energy. Some went so far as to say they thought nothing happened, that maybe we had failed. Quite to the contrary.

    The thing I noticed was the way the masters looked. There was
    something very different about them. I think it was more about
    who they had become rather than any physical change that took
    place. The best thing I can come up with is they are just more of who
    they really are. It was like their inner light shone more brightly.

    Gabriel
    You see now that which the masters are becoming. Yet I tell you truly,
    the world has begun to change in that which you have seen. Look out
    into the world.

I have spoken to many who are now home after the event. And the greatest reaction I am hearing is that most everyone is sleeping like hibernating bears. Comments range from sleeping all day to sleeping 10 to 12 hours a night. And they don’t know why. My personal opinion is that the shift has caused such a swift change in those at Yellowstone that the body now needs time to adjust. Sleep is one of the ways that the body adjusts. Today is the first day I haven’t had to take three naps during the day. Whatever happened seems to be stabilizing.

    I began to look outside the formation to see what Gabriel was talking
    about. My sight was limited by the brightness of the light all around
    me and the formation. As I peered past the light, I could see what
    looked like new grass on the field. Not like someone just put down sod
    but little sprigs of a really beautiful color of green coming up from
    the ground. The trees also held a new vibrant color to them; and the
    vibrating air had a clearness and crispness to it I don't ever
    remember seeing before. "Wow," was all I could say.

    Gabriel
    Wow indeed. As you can see, the world has started to change. And again,
    truly, I say to you, it is not only the world that is changing. It is all of
    those upon it.

As the gathering grew to an end, some of use were given stones that had been used to make up the Shekinah’s altar, which held the receiving bowl. We were supposed to stand in a circle and use light sticks to read our new names hidden in scribble on the handmade stones. Those in the Metatron formation were given the stones used to create the floor in the tent. Everyone was quiet. Everything was peaceful. So much so that I wondered if anything had happened in the worldwide formations.

Over the next few days, I began to wonder if anything could be done with this Peace we had sent into the Earth. So I did two experiments. The first was in a healing session in which I pulled up the vibration and placed it into the client. I found the client’s response much more pronounced than I am used to seeing in my work. I intend to keep using this technique and invite you to do so as well. My sense is that everyone I touch receives this vibration of Peace that the celestials, the other worlds, and humanity collaborated in co-creating. Try it yourself and see what you find. The second experiment I tried was to call forth this vibration into myself when I found myself empty, or irritated, or out of harmony. I’ve noticed an immediate response. What I felt and discovered at Yellowstone can be called in and re-enforced. It’s there for the having.

When I arrived home and checked my e-mail, a flood of messages announced the excitement from the over 300 formations around the world. All the messages I received expressed excitement over the Oneness felt by all, the contentment that our planet was now moving to a new phase. How that plays out in the coming months remains to be seen. I can only tell you that the change I feel in myself must be an indicator of what I hope for the world. Peace on Earth. Goodwill to all.

from my heart to yours,
GW

 

THE COMING TOGETHER OF HEAVEN AND EARTH
by G.W. Hardin

The angelic realm is appearing before humanity in increasing incidences. One true account of angelic encounters is documented in the story of On the Wings of Heaven: A True Story from a Messenger of Love. The messages from the angel appearing to Joseph Crane are quite direct in what they have to say to humanity. We are entering a time of great blessing where the realm of angels is opening to the realm of humans. We are in the process of witnessing the coming together of heaven and earth.

How is that possible? The better question is why should it be impossible? In the story of Wings, the angel presents us with a series of statements sure to shake our world. To Joseph Crane the angel promises, "There is something wonderful going to happen, and there is nothing you can do about it." The angel goes on to give an accounting of how some of these wonders will unfold. In particular the angel states:

For the first wonder, you will call upon the land of the bear and say to
them: I AM has sent me that you may be strong among nations. Take your boat that sails under the sea and go you to the Valley of the Star. In the deepest part of this valley you will thrust a hollow rod seven feet into the bottom. Take what you have gathered there back to your land. Give it to your men of wisdom and healing. In this lies the cure for two great plagues that are in all lands. Before a year is finished, you will find it.

The angel does not stop there. It continues its story of giving and wonder by presenting continued promises of healing for all of humanity if we will simply open our hearts to the possibilities. Can we do that much?

Replant the lands you have made barren with that which you have taken from them. I will give rain to the lands that have been dry that you may grow food. I will make clean the waters that you have made unclean, as will I the air you breathe and the earth you walk on.

I will take from you disease and your misshapen bodies so you will be strong.

These promises end up not being idle promises. Later in this amazing story of heaven coming to earth, the angel begins presenting to Crane, to pass on to all, ways for healing to occur. These teachings are being compiled in a document called the Angelic Book of Healing. The day has come for the earth to learn the ways of healing. Not only healing of our bodies, but healing of our emotions, our minds and our spirits as well. In turn our communities and our nations will benefit from such healing, and in turn the Earth herself shall be healed. The angel goes on to say that there will be seven spiritual centers in America and in those areas seven Halls of Healing. It turns out that Montana is one of those places where these amazing gifts will be brought forward. The Bitterroot Valley and the Missoula Valley have already begun the process of bringing this marvelous knowledge to people.

What has humanity done to deserve this? Simple. Just enough people have raised consciousness to a level where all are benefiting. We are talking about a hundredth-monkey phenomenon. In a day when conspiracies are rumored and scandals commonplace, we have also found hope and inspiration in ourselves. Just enough of humanity has seen fit to move toward peace and justice to affect us all.

Part of the information the angel presents in On the Wings of Heaven is a new kind of sacred geometry which will assist humanity in working with the angelic realm. This geometry is to be used to create an actual opening to the angelic realm that the angels call the "Angelic Gateway." Several of these gateways have already been created in the Bitterroot and Missoula Valley and are being put to good use. Not only do these gateways serve humanity but they also serve to heal Mother Earth. As a barometer to their effectiveness, just look at the number and severity of earthquakes on the Pacific Rim the last two years and compare it to this year. We are entering into the days of wonder.

During this holiday season, let us be mindful of the tremendous good we, as a people, are capable of generating. During the forest fires of the summer, we saw incredible destruction exceeded only by the generosity and caring of the whole community toward others. This is not an aberration but a truth about the people of Montana: We care about one another. This area is blessed equally with gifts from the angelic realm. Pay attention as these gifts continue to manifest and present themselves in the days ahead. For this region will set an example to others that "something wonderful is about to happen." And there is nothing we can do about it.

THE RETURN OF THE SPIRITUAL GATEKEEPERS
by G.W. Hardin

When was the last time you talked to a tree or listened to a wise stone? Indigenous societies millennia old once held in highest regard their gatekeepers, those people capable of entering other dimensions or of bringing the forces of other dimensions into what we currently call "ordinary reality." These guardians of the Gateways fostered powers the modern world has forgotten, such entering dimensions where they can commune with ancient trees or eons-old river stones. Such powers were only a few of the dimensions the gatekeepers accessed. Many could read the stars or divine the future or speak sacred dreams or call forth healing in the sick. Remnants of those long-forgotten days tease us today. But that is changing. Otherworldly forces beyond the rational now flood what we call our world, once again empowering those born with the gifts transcending our limited third dimension.

What happened to the gatekeepers of old? Most were killed, burned, imprisoned or forced into hiding. And why? Most gatekeepers were gay. Indigenous societies had no word comparable to the modern word "gay." They had words which loosely translate to "two-spirit," "contraries," "man-woman" or "flower children." The word of origin usually was not spoken among the people of the village. Not because it was shameful but because it was too sacred. For instance, the Dagara tribe of Africa -- who still recognize their gatekeepers in remote villages -- have no word for "gay." They saw their gatekeepers as spiritually-oriented adepts not sexually-oriented misfits. The term "gatekeeper" represented the capacity of these spiritual adepts to cross gateway dimensions, and to guard those same gateways from forces of other dimensions trying to come into ours. They carried an energy signature which was recognized even before birth by the shaman of the village.

As patriarchal religions took power in Europe they decided to rid themselves of these powerful gatekeepers by discrediting or destroying them. And as European powers colonized Africa, South America, North America, and Australia, they carried with them their desire to eliminate the gatekeepers, whom they labeled as "savages." In colonial America, the zeal to eliminate any powers threatening to Religion led to witch hunts or public displays of torture. But that is all about to change.

A most unlikely source is asking for the return of the gatekeepers, and that source is none other than the angelic realm. These heavenly beings are now speaking out in teachings from the Joseph Crane material, which began with my book <italic>On the Wings of Heaven</italic>. The latest material indicates an accordance from the angelic realm with understandings from indigenous societies that these gatekeepers, these gifted ones, were and are among the most sacred gifts of heaven. However, what is equally surprising is that the angelic realm also indicates that the new gatekeepers are no longer to be found only among those who are gay or bi. Indeed, these new teachings indicate that the new gatekeepers will be found throughout society as long as those who are called are willing and able to embrace both their masculine and their feminine. Why? you might ask. The indigenous knew full well that the gatekeepers held both masculine and feminine energy when moving across dimensions. Once one moves beyond the third dimension, duality no longer functions. You cannot pound a dualistic square peg into a wholistic round hole. And those who held on to their dualism while trying to cross a gateway, paid the price by having that very dualism explode in their spiritual faces, causing an eruption of any hang-ups, problems, issues, or confusions fostered by dualism. In other words, a macho male trying to cross into another dimension would find himself confronted by the most powerful of feminine powers. These powers would so confront him as to either destroy his machismo or strip him of the mind-set behind it. And in some cases, such confrontation would result in either the insanity or death of the transgressor. Some men cannot survive seeing their own feminine, let alone embracing it.

So why would the angelic realm exhort humanity to bring back the gatekeepers? Also in the Crane material are teachings in what many in the Bitterroot Valley of Montana are already familiar with: the angelic gateways. That's correct. The time has come for even the division between Heaven and Earth to cease. And the best way to assure that the forces of Heaven can merge with the powers of Earth is to have gatekeepers in place who will assure that the powers of healing and enlightenment are available to all.

Indigenous societies jealously guarded the powers of the gateways. In fact, the gatekeepers were known as the Guardians of the Gateways. Their job was to make sure that just not anyone could enter these spiritual wormholes. Not only was it too dangerous, but it could also be misused. However, the angelic gateways are different. Unlike the gateways found in nature, the angelic gateways, which can be created by sacred geometry using special stones, have a self-protective device that causes them to close if any "evil" or "wrongful" intention exists. The angels themselves see good and evil as dualistic. To allow anyone with a dualist notion of carrying anything counter to Oneness into a gateway creates a spiritual paradox, which automatically shuts down the gateway. And unlike the ancient gateways, the angelic gateways are to be open to all.

What are the consequences of these new gateways and their new gatekeepers? Once again, the spiritually gifted are coming forth as integral parts of the community. Is it important for people to learn once again how to talk to trees and learn from ancient stones? If we are to stay on this planet, recognizing the power of harmony, it is. Do we need gatekeepers who can hold healing space? Just look at the most recent failures of modern medicine with the common ordinary little bacterium. Science is losing out to super-germs. Cancer is as prevalent today as it was decades ago when the war on cancer began. And what about the powers of divining or dreamspeaking or shamanism? Even science now understands that we are more than our bodies. Research points to healing results coming from the unexplainable, such a people who are prayed over doing better than those who are left alone. The angels tell us we have more bodies than the physical body. There are the emotional, mental, spiritual, ethereal, and noetic bodies as well. Any of these bodies can end up affecting the physical body by manifesting disease. It is time to honor those who can work with these other bodies as well as realms such as the angelic as we enter into a time that the angels say will eventually result in the end of disease as we know it. It is no wonder they call for the return of the gatekeepers?

The following is an article from New York Times bestselling author G.W. Hardin. As long as the credit at the end of the article is used, permission is granted to your newspaper to print/edit this article for free.

SPIRITUAL VIOLENCE: Holding Religion Accountable
by G.W. Hardin

Was I out of my mind? I could have been gay-bashed. All I knew was that I was sick and tired of listening to public displays of gay bigotry. And it seems I'm not the only one. Before I confess my tale of temporary insanity, let me kidnap you for a bit so that you might understand the truth behind this incident.

It was a straight preacher who coined the term "spiritual violence." And he directed the phrase at his own Methodist Church who had summoned him, put him on trial, and defrocked him for daring to conduct a union ceremony between two gay men. Reverend Jimmy Creech was not trying to defend himself when condemning spiritual violence. Quite to the contrary, he was exhorting his own Christian fellowship, during the trial, to cease its erring ways with gay men and women.

Creech said before his accusers, When gay men and women are called sinners over and over again, it eats away at the very fabric of their being, undermining their sense of self-esteem. Sadly, this often leads them to drugs, alcoholic abuse, promiscuity, or suicide. Those who have condemned the sinner are themselves the source of sin.

And Reverend Creech is not alone in holding his communion accountable. Bishop Spong of the Episcopalian Church travels continents with a similar message. His popularity and his strong voice are stoking the embers of institutional religion unrelentingly. And isn't it about time? As an author of spiritual topics, what is it that I should be doing? This nagging question was the very thorn lingering in my side as I accidentally overheard a conversation on a Seattle ferry boat heading for the Olympic Peninsula.

I was having a quiet lunch with a good friend when, midway, four men plopped themselves in a booth across the cafeteria from us. One in particular -- a blond truck-driver type, with a handlebar moustache big enough to hang clothes on -- was swilling a beer and ranting to his comrades about gays in the military and how "them homos deserved what they got." It was a sermon on how queers should be purged from society. Growling, I rose from the table and slam-dunked my remaining sandwich into the trash. Once I realized I was standing in the midst of a bar scene out of Star Wars, it was too late. The truck driver had taken notice of my intrusion after finishing a gulp of beer. "Excuse me sir," I said, "But I don't appreciate your public display of bigotry."

"What the hell are you talking about?" he protested.

"You know what I'm talking about. Your attitude and your opinions about what you call 'homos.' " He looked more stunned than I did. After his eyes checked out his buddies, he stared up at me and said, "Well that's too bad. I don't like homos."

I don't know what came over me, but I returned, "And I, sir, don't like bigots."

An argument ensued with our voices taking turns ratcheting up the decibel meter. "Homosexuality is a sin. You guys are sick! Homos are sick!" he yelled.

At this point, every head on the ferry was turned our way, every single conversation having ceased, except the one between me and the handlebar moustache. "And you are a bigot," I yelled back, drowning out the rumble of the boat's engines. Realizing I was getting nowhere, I left the cafeteria deck and returned to my car. The truck driver went ballistic in his ensuing tirade about homos and sin, embarrassing himself and his buddies. But what had I accomplished? To be sure, I was proud I had confronted bigotry, especially bigotry pouring from the mouth of a man who could have tipped me overboard just as easily as he tipped his beer mug.

You see, I was on the way to a conference where a friend, James Twyman (author of The Emissary of Light) was to speak. And his speech was on the topic of peace. Twyman is known throughout the world as "The Troubadour of Peace." I ended up sitting quietly, listening to Jimmy lecture about peace. And his key point was not to talk about peace, ask for peace, or pray for peace. He says we must BE peace. Hearing him caused a replay in my head of the scene on the ferry. I ceased "being" peace the moment I judged and accused the truck driver of being a bigot. For that made me no better than he. I remembered Creech's words: Those who have condemned the sinner are themselves the source of sin.

As true as my words may have been, what might have been better would have been to replace judgment with words reminding the truck driver of his innate goodness, his capacity to love, his capacity to be a decent and caring human being. For this is what Reverend Jimmy Creech and Bishop Spong are doing on our behalf. It's not easy BEING peace. But it may truthfully be the most powerful tool we have in holding religion accountable.

G.W. Hardin is a New York Times bestselling author of THE DAYS OF WONDER, THE MESSENGERS and ON THE WINGS OF HEAVEN. Well known for his true stories about the strangely wonderful, he strives to bring forth information which will take us toward a better a world. He resides in Missoula, Montana.

THE SACRED POWER OF BEING GAY
by G.W. Hardin

Branded in my memory is the first time I saw the jarring, large sign suspended between enthusiastic Christian supporters: "God Hates Fags." To witness this flagrant condemnation at the March on Washington - when more than a million gays and lesbians showed up in the name of justice, solidarity, and equality - was shocking and at the same time humorous. At the time, I was standing in the middle of the Oregon delegation, who had assembled right behind the Colorado delegation - two states where legal battles raged as constitutional initiatives tried to outlaw protections for gay men and women. The Colorado delegation raised more than a hundred fists in the air as they passed by the sign-carriers, shouting, "Shame! Shame! Shame!" When next the Oregon delegation passed by the brightly painted sign, a chant of hundreds of voices proclaimed, "We're here! We're queer! Get used to us. We're fabulous!" I can still hear it to this day. Those voices sounded like a marching army. Reminded me of my days in boot camp. The skyscrapers reverberated with the thunder of many bass voices amplifying as more and more delegations joined in the chant. Normally, I would just watch in a situation like this. It was not my way to raise my voice. But several in our delegation began to dance as the chant continued. They were not angry; they were celebrating. After all, Proposition 9 had just been defeated by the voters of Oregon. Of course we should celebrate. And as the celebrating grew louder, I could no longer still my voice. For the first time in my life, I joined in the benediction: "We're here! We're queer! Get used to us. We're fabulous!" It was a minor miracle that I had even heard the sound of my own voice. And since that day, my voice has not been stilled.

What also has not been stilled is fundamentalists' proclaiming that part of the Divine Flock is going to hell. I hesitate to tell you this, but Heaven has sent a messenger to counter those who would use the name of a loving God in such a condemning way. Let me try and explain. It was never my intent to write true stories about angels or heavenly intervention. For like the first time when I raised my voice at the March on Washington, I now raise my voice in a way I would never have attempted before. I was not a willing advocate, I have to confess. The story of how angels began making their presence known in my life is not a story I like to tell. Much the same way a mountain climber does not like to confess to the blisters on his feet. For I had been asked the question, what would I rather do, proclaim injustice, act out my anger, or live in the sacredness of my own power? All of these choices can be seen as worthy causes. But one of them has yet to be fully tried. Or so it would seem to those of us who recognize that we can change precious little by telling others to shut up. So allow me the luxury of trying to explain what it means to possess sacred power.

An African shaman-priest, named Malidoma Somé, once told me, "In my culture, we have no word for gay. In my village, we see no separation between the natural world and the supernatural world." The point he continued to make was that in his tribal nation those that are gay are considered the sacred ones, the Gatekeepers, those who can move between this world and the Otherworld. They are accorded great respect and recognized as an integral part of village life. No one would even think of showing disrespect to these watchers of two worlds.

At first I was surprised to hear such a notion. But the more I explored it, the more I realized that most indigenous societies treated these "sacred ones" (the Gatekeepers) with the same respect. In Native American societies, the medicine men, the diviners, the dreamers and the dreamspeakers, the astrologers, the sacred singers and the callers of the spirits were most often gay. Like the Africans, they were recognized for being able to access the natural and the supernatural. They were called "two-spirits" because of this inherent power. Some of these sacred ones were not gay, but had the capacity to tap into both their masculine and feminine in spiritual, emotional and mindful ways.

Imagine my shock when, writing my latest book, ON THE WINGS OF HEAVEN, this notion of the sacred ones once again came forth-only this time from the angelic realm. Any of you who have read my works know that I write true stories about the extraordinary. My new book is just such a story where a Vietnam Vet, by the name of Joseph Crane, barely survives the bombing of his ship during the Vietnam War. Just when he thinks he is going to die, a shouting voice directs him through a blinding inferno. Later, along with his fellow deck mates who had also followed the voice, Joe discovers no human source can be found to thank. For twelve years, the voice intermittently continues its calling out of Joe's name until the day he decides to answer back. From that point on, there unfolds a story that changes Joe's life. An angel appears in his bedroom while he is about to join his wife and four dogs in sleep. The angel charges Joe to find seven master souls who not only will represent the human condition in us all but will also speak on behalf of humanity as heaven presents us with an offer of returning to an Eden-like earth. And by the way, three of those seven masters will be gay. Joe almost chokes at hearing this, but over the space of two years finds the seven.

What is so striking is how these seven work in the village concept hinted at by Malidoma Somé. And at one point, the angel goes so far as to call them Gatekeepers, just like the African culture. However, the angel speaks of a different kind of Gatekeeper where all are welcome, not just gays and lesbians. Now, isn't that a switch? To add to all this, the angel presents Joe Crane with two texts, one called "The Book of Bricks," and the other a decoding of the Biblical text known as the Book of Revelation, or also known as Apocalypse. What's so interesting is that the angel reveals that much of Revelation has been misused and misinterpreted over the centuries. It is not a book about the end of the world, but about the end of hatred, fear and punishment. It's too detailed to go into here, but I would like to point out one particular passage and quote from the book directly. The historical, Biblical translation from this corresponding section in the Book of Revelation goes like this:

...and no one could learn the song except those hundred and forty-four thousand, who have been purchased from the earth. These are they who were not defiled with women; for they are
virgins. These follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These were purchased from among men, first-fruits unto God and unto the Lamb, and in their mouth there was found no lie: they are without blemish [Rev. 14:4-5].

Now, I'd like to give you the exact translation as was given to Joe Crane by the angel. Pay close attention to how words were changed across history. The angel tells Joe this same passage as it was given from the one called I Am:

Then there were those that had the Father's and the Son's name written on them. No one could learn the new song but these. And they were those men that did not lay with women or women that did not lay with men. They have been chosen as the first fruits and are the spiritual teachers. They are blameless and speak the truth of God's love.

Rather than go into the reason for these differences, I'd like to continue with an excerpt from ON THE WINGS OF HEAVEN, from chapter 15, page 209. Let me set the stage here. Joe Crane has now had several visits from the angel and has found the seven master souls. One in particular, Gary, who is gay, is helping Joe with the information being provided by the angel. Joe has named the angel "Michael."  We come in as Michael is just finishing with showing Joe a vision of what the original writer of Revelation, John the Apostle, saw. The angel is telling Joe, "You knew these people were gay when I first gave you what to write. You and many others knew things that you are not aware of yet. Be not surprised when you do. The song they sing has been learned, and is being learned, by the male and female in the male and female. These are the 'first fruits' spoken of in Revelation. They are in touch with the male and female natures in all things. These are the ones who chose, and were chosen, to live this way. The religions of the world have cast them out as sinners and allowed them not the love of God. Blessed were they, for the love of God was all they had. They were set free to find the connection with that love. They feel the spiritual connection of both the masculine and feminine."

Joe responded, "Gary said this part could mean that they were celibates or virgins."

"Religion would tell you so," Michael said, "yet that does not make it so. When you abstain from sex, you abstain from nature, and are out of balance. Only when the four natures of humankind (the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual) are in balance will you be one with God.

"The wisdom you have found will be found by others, and those that read this will see the truth in what is written. Much has been asked of you, and much have you given. I will not speak to you again until you have rested. Be about that which is before you. Be at peace and teach only love."

With that, Michael stepped back into the brilliance of light and disappeared. Joe sat there stunned by all he had seen, heard, and felt.

As Gary reads this message from the angel, he is overwhelmed with emotion, for he has felt the guilt of religion and the judgment of peers. So much of his life has been kept secret because so many had told him that God did not love him. He had abandoned religion completely, which was a tragedy, for he was an extremely spiritual person. And oddly enough, if you look closer, you will see the angel is right: Most gay men and women are deeply spiritual, and in an innate way. Just like the indigenous had recognized, they are actually spiritually-oriented, not sexually-oriented. Sexual-orientation is an invention of modern-day society. What a surprise from a cultural that sells sex on the TV screen, in the movies, and in the newspapers as if nothing else mattered. Gay men and women's sexuality is simply a by-product of their spiritual-orientation, not the other way around. The angel, the heavens, recognize this. They understand that we carry the masculine and feminine in us in the most profound way. And not for sexual reasons, but for spiritual reasons. This is a gift, not a curse. It was intended as a blessing so that all of life could and would be held in balance. With so many years of repression and condemnation, is it any wonder that we find our world out of balance? It does not surprise me that even the angels have chosen to intervene to try and bring this balance back to all peoples, as well as to the Earth herself.

We simply must end this arrogance where we pretend to speak for God. We must take a look at ourselves collectively and understand that we all have a place in the Divine Plan. And those who are blessed with the "first fruits" must give up their victimhood in favor of their sacred power. The time has come for the Gatekeepers to bring balance back to themselves and to life itself. Let me illustrate.

I was at an Integrity meeting a few weeks ago. The entire meeting was taken up with the horrible injustice done at a university church were the pastor found out the choir director, who also happened to be the youth director, was fired on the spot when he found out she was a lesbian. She had an incredible record, as her employee evaluations witnessed. But that wasn't good enough. Her years as a member of the congregation, her devotion to the children of the church, simply did not matter. She was out.

The meeting I was attending filled the air with lamentations. Tears were wiped away as if trying to scrub away evidence of shame. My heart ached for the music minister who had been fired, and compassion flowed out for those who were so wounded, who poured out their hearts at this meeting. But enough was enough. Similar to the story I have told here, I told of a letter I had received from a straight cohort telling me about a young man who had come out to his mother. Her response had been swift. She cut him out of the will and refused to let him return to their home. He was told God did not love him the way he was. The man didn't care about money, he had only wanted his mother's love. Repeatedly denied, he was contemplating suicide when the cohort handed him a copy of my book. At first, he couldn't believe it. My friend encouraged the man to forgive his mother, bless her because her own fears had blinded her of her son's love. She had not only wounded him, she had wounded herself. Soon, the man realized he was not without means. He began to understand that he was blessed with spiritual power. He forgave his mother and quit begging for her love. Instead, he simply showered her with his love expecting nothing in return. It took a while, but in the end, she was changed.

As I finished my story, there wasn't a sound to be heard in the meeting. Power. It was there. Everyone felt it. No one could deny it. My final remark was, "You do not have to be victims. You have been blessed with power. And I don't have to tell you that the greatest power there is, is the power of love."

And to my surprise, a gifted friend of mine, a talented composer and musician named Lee Ellis, spoke up. "Perhaps I could offer a closing to the meeting. I would like to sing a song and let that be our concluding prayer. Is everyone open to that?" All encouraged him to take his place at a nearby piano. Music soon filled the air as he sung a song from his new album dedicated to those in recovery from spiritual abuse, those who have been rejected by the very religions who should be embracing them. The name of the song is "Stranger at the Gate." As the words clung to the melodic tones reaching every ear and every heart, new tears came forth.

... I am the lost and the forgotten...
I am the only first-begotten...
I am the souls you cast aside...
I am the toll at the end of the ride...
Do you know who I am? Do you know who I am?

I am the Lord of all you see;
I am in you, you are in me.
Can you see who I am?
Do you know who I am?
I am the Stranger at the gate.

These were not the same tears that had been wiped away earlier. No one wiped these tears away for they felt good, they felt right. Lee was a living testimonial to this sacred power that comes attached to every gay man and woman at birth. As the song ended, few, if any felt like a victim. For they were witnessing what the angel wants all of earth to witness: Balance. Peace. Love. The next time I see a banner blazoned with "God Hates Fags," I won't even shout like I did last time. Next time, I will simply bless those people. For they are in need of blessing. They have no idea how much harm they do to themselves as well as others, simply because they cannot love.

G.W. Hardin

Lee Ellis' new CD about sacred power in gay men and women, MICHAEL, can also be purchased at www.leeellis.com

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