Initial digestation of an Initiation

[chronarchy]

It took me twenty-four hours for my body to get back to where it was before my initiation: until about 8 PM last night, I was so exhausted, emotionally and physically, that it was hard to smile or converse. The drive back down to Columbus seemed to take all day (though the company of kargach and romandruid was exceedingly welcome and helped immensely), and I found

Comments

[wishesofastar]

I'm always interested to read about your spiritual experiences with ADF. I'm especially intrigued that you mentioned joy as one of your lessons. In all the posts I've read about ADF, and all the literature I've seen, I've never seen the word "joy" posted to describe a lesson or experience.

[chronarchy]

Since it was the last one received, it'll be the last one posted about, but it was very clearly precisely what was meant. I'm not sure how well I can describe it. . . "focus" and "center" will be far easier, I suspect, than the general ineffable quality of "joy". I am wondering how to describe it, exactly, even now. It interests me that the lessons went from "very concrete" to "almost indescribable".

I have always, though, thought of the individual, solitary work of ADF to be innately joyful: piety is something that, because it completes the cosmos in an artful way, is described quite accurately as "joyful". . . I suspect that they actually mean the same thing to me, much like viewing artwork that speaks to you on a deep level is "joyful". This, though, applies to something "bigger" than what I would usually think of as the joyful practice of ADF Druidry.

[chronarchy]

It is interesting, indeed :)

What can I say, it just seemed like the right time to put it on. I'm very glad I did.

[athenamsb]

Um, you ruined your robe during Initiation? Sweet!!

Seriously, this sounds like an intensely satisfying and life-changing experience. I admit that at first, I was sad that I was going to miss it and settled myself to pray for you and Kirk that evening, but after reading your posts and reflections, I don't think I want to be present for anyone's Initiation until I receive my own. And talk about fueling someone else's fire. I just started another course with fervor: half of Bardic 1 is complete!

So, can we talk more about this cave? Also, have you considered doing some workshops with the Cranes to teach trance techniques that can be used in a solitary setting? The Cranes, in general, are a relatively unfocused bunch. Have you been to one of our business meetings? Good Gods!

[seamus_mcnasty]

I disagree that we are unfocused. What other grove has published works? What other grove sets the standard in community service? What other grove is as public and well received in thier community? How many other groves have a yearly budget? Have by-laws and membership rules to protect the grove? Like jazz to an untrained ear we can at times sound "unfocused" but I think we are very focused. Mike and I have always had short and long term goals for this grove and I know that trend will continue...

[athenamsb]

Maybe unfocused isn't quite fair. We do get stuff done eventually. I guess the phenomenon I am describing would be more akin to distract-able. I don't know. Define herding cats, and then picture everyone in our Grove as a cat. See? I guess there is a lot of focus, just not everyone is focusing on the same thing. Kinda makes group work a bit of a pain sometimes, but we do get shit done....eventually.

Of note, I think we also have a set few people who do most of this work, or in the very least organize the work of others to bring our projects to completion. The rest of us can be, yes, unfocused.

[chronarchy]

Well, congregations often have congregants. It's the nature of religious work: some people just want to show up, and that's totally cool. If they want to socialize instead of do business, that's cool too, so long as the business gets done :)

And it mostly does, so I tend to think "no harm, no fowl. Except for Garanus."

[alvita_felis]

I can so sympathize with you! My Dedication (and it was just a rite I´ve been drilling for 2 years) was a blast for me.