For weeks now, the stones, wind and spirit of the Sacred Site, Haleakala, on Maui, have been calling to me. In the ocean, I have been smelling the crisp air, and whenever I close my eyes, I am lying on my back, gazing up at the crater's edge, a night sky full of stars, and the wind whipping and rolling over the rock.
It was an effortless motion — to answer the call. I found myself making a simple decision to be in the Holy Embrace of Haleakala Crater on the alignment of 12.12.12, doing the the most Sacred practice I know — Ka'alele 'Au, or in English, 'Flying'. The invitation went out to students, colleagues, friends and strangers and this morning, our dream became a reality. Again with effortless motion, I awoke a full hour before the alarm, ready for the journey, the adventure, ready for a new beginning. Filling up on hot kicheree, tea and hot chocolate, we made our way to the summit, picking up fellow pilgrims along the way. Half way up the mountain, I had a funny feeling — a simple breath that seemed to have infinite space, a 'lift' in my heart and a 'butterfly-like' feeling in the pit of my stomach — an excitement for something I could not yet see. We drove through thick fog, driving rain and finally, as we neared the top, the weather completely cleared and we were amongst the stars, with not a breath of wind.
After taking a deep gulp of warm 'car air', we ventured out into the darkness, 10,000 feet above sea level, grabbed our flashlights and headed down the Sliding Sands Trail to a flat spot. The Crater stretched out below us, full of undulating shapes of slowly moving white cloud beings. A soft glow was coming into the sky, and after a brief explanation of the movement for those unfamiliar, we began to Fly. This movement incorporates each part of the body moving in the shape and rhythm of the infinite. Embodying the endless flow of the figure 8, it is a continuous movement meditation / dance which both imprints the nature of the Infinite on the body, and calls the Infinite — that which actually animates Life — from deep inside the body's innate intelligence. Anything that is not in harmony with our true nature is immediately and powerfully brought to the surface. In the crucible of this sacred movement all of our resistance is transmuted into forward movement in our lives. Ka'alele 'Au is a mystical movement which brings us into alignment with our Essence, and therefore with our infinite potential in this Life.
I'm not sure how long we flew, but I'd say it was at least 45 minutes. People experienced whatever in themselves was 'up' for healing in that moment. Reports included: sadness, frustration, fear, anger, aching for a 'better life', and self-criticism. As we flew, bringing into the sphere of our experience every emotion, sensation and thought, these resistances re-calibrated in our systems, to strength, flow and lightness of being. The aching arms and unstable legs became free and strong and sure. The movement became effortless, and our spirits were free to soar. As the rays of the Sun broke into our consciousness, over the edge of the clouds, I could feel the Light, deep in my cells, rise to meet it. We were blessed this morning to be welcomed into Haleakala — The House of the Sun, and uncover the Source of Light in ourselves. The Light of Spirit infuses our cells, and has the power to heal and transmute anything in the way of our Highest expression. It is up to us to call it forth, awaken what has been ignored, and pay attention. Ka'alele 'Au provides this sacred opportunity. For me, there was the sense of a new freedom in my system, sudden space for new possibilities I haven't even imagined, both for myself and for the Planet. We stopped just as the sun was halfway emerged and stood quietly in it's presence as the rest of the star blossomed over the horizon. It was a moment that stretched into eternity. A time where the edges of my body and consciousness were nowhere to be found, but instead there was an endlessness that stretched through the crater, deep into the Earth, merged with the Light and expanded out to the stars.
Making our way out to the top of the trail, we were greeted by a pure white rainbow, something i had never seen before. As most of the group went on to the parking lot, four of us stayed back, entranced by the rainbow. It seemed to pulsate with Light and both ends which touched the earth remained, glowing, even as the rest of the rainbow disappeared and appeared again a few times. It was completely alive and communicative, although I have no words for the communication. I have taken to calling it a 'White Spirit Rainbow', as that is what it was: pure and full of Spirit. The four of us remained in awe until the rainbow disappeared. I knew that the 'new possibilities I haven't even imagined', had begun to appear in this moment. For the rest of the day so far, I have been inhabiting an uncontrollable joy. I am forever grateful to my teacher, Kahu Abraham Kawai'i for the Grace of this work.
Mahalo Nui Loa, Haleakala. May the blessing of this Sacred Day, 12.12.12, continue to expand in myself, and in all beings.