We are the Ones We’ve Been Waiting For by Hopi Elders

You have been telling people that this is the Eleventh Hour,

now you must go back and tell the people that this is the Hour.

And there are things to be considered…

Where are you living?
What are you doing?
What are your relationships?
Are you in right relation?
Where is your water?

Know your garden.
It is time to speak your truth.
Create your community.
Be good to each other.
And do not look outside yourself for your leader.

Then he clasped his hands together, smiled,

and said, “This could be a good time!

There is a river flowing now very fast.

It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid.

They will try to hold on to the shore.

They will feel they are being torn apart and will suffer greatly. Know the river has its destination.

The elders say we must let go of the shore, push off into the middle of the river, keep our eyes open, and our heads above the water.

And I say, see who is in there with you and celebrate.

At this time in history, we are to take nothing personally, least of all ourselves.

For the moment that we do, our spiritual growth and journey come to a halt.

The time of the lone wolf is over.

Gather yourselves!

Banish the word ’struggle’ from your attitude and your vocabulary.

All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.

We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.

–Hopi Elders’ Prophecy

 

The taste of watchfulness

While facilitating this session, there was a specific question about the eyes, the alertness.

How much watchful?How stimulated while watchful?How does being watchful taste like?

The audience was so diverse,from the age of 5 to 50.Yes, this happens when I travel to far away in the rural.Nobody is excluded, the community feeling is beautifully embedded in the togetherness that we share in the villages.So, everyone from all age groups wants to be a part and also help others to understand, cultivate more of the practice.

I am very open to this experimentation, it makes me feel like a part of the farming family-where we all play a role, to feel the ground, be open and giving.We remain alert yet relaxed, fun-loving and open to listening everyone’s suggestions.That is exactly what this practice is: sharing the benefits with others, growing it for self and others.It is so much like growing the food for others with others- with happiness,sweat, and wisdom.

And back to the question about eyes and alertness.As I told them that it is perfectly okay to keep your eyes open or closed.Mindfulness is not about postures and coercion,it is your watchfulness in whatever you do, that makes it right.

Being watchful in a placid manner, not on a high alert, over-energized or low and passive.Being watchful like elements in nature, being joyful like plants bathing in the rain, being watchful like sitting in front of the fire while cooking, being watchful in meeting the air that breathes through your skin and wind that makes noise through the surroundings.Being watchful as you take the step on the floor and drink your coffee.Being watchful in words and action.Watchful with a smile, a tear or nothing.Watchful of your intention, smell, and plannings.Being watchful as you are, being watchful without pressure, stress, and laziness.Being watchful as you are, wherever you are!

And we did get it right, for you can never do it wrong:)