water. We have received the Dao Blessing which to my soul is the Far East's version of a Baptism. The Dao (pronounced like Dow) is another verbal expression of God/Universe. Like a Christian Baptism you only receive it once in your current lifetime. It is a ceremony where you vow to follow the Heavenly Decree of God and Buddha to feel, think and do good from that moment. It is said that all who receive Dao do not have fear when their soul transitions from the body and that the body remains supple and at peace. In ancient times, the Dao blessing was not accessible to everyone like today. Only certain ones like Buddha, Christ and other enlightened souls received it. Now it is felt by Dao masters to grant it to all who come to receive as a means of salvation for the human race.
Lastly, this year we have been blessed to have experienced a Native American "Sweat Lodge" in the Lakota Tradition.In this ceremony most commonly people sit inside a tent or teepee in a circle and hot stones are brought in rounds. The heat intensifies with each round and as the heat intensifies so do the prayers and songs. The intentions of our prayers is to cleanse our spirit of any negative feelings and emotion as well as pray for men, women, children and all of creation to be healed and unified through peace and reverence for The Great Spirit. The songs are accompanied by a medicine drum. They are devotional songs to the Great Spirit (God) and gratitude for our ancestors. An elder told me that whatever you release and let go of in the lodge stays there. You are renewed and purified
Dao Blessing
in your spirit, mind and body. The Lakota as well as other Native American groups see this immersion by fire, water, and steam as a continual ritual through out our journey of life.
We are still currently going through the protocol, study, explanations and meetings with the Abba
(Priest)necessary to be baptized, which requires much discipline through prayer, studying and fasting.
The reward of the divine blessing of ever-living life into the Kingdom of JAH is a clear sign from the Most High to continue elevating our family spiritually. I know that the other baptismal rituals prepared us for this sacred rite of passage. Put your child first.
Joe has studied and performed traditional African music with Williams College's Kusika Drum and Dance Ensemble. He received instruction from Kusika's musical director KweYao Agyapon and renown masters
such as Titos Sompa, Bernard Woma, and Obbo Addy. n 2005, Gell relocated to Los Angeles where he studied and performed Yoruban rhythms and songs with Nigerian Talking Drum master Francis Awe. Through Awe, Gell met his current master and mentor Baba Ayo Adeyemi. Under Adeyemi, Gell gained spiritual healing through drumming, increased his vocabulary of Yoruban rhythms and songs.Gell credits Adeyemi's "swimming" technique for his musical progression in percussion, drum set and singing.
Visit Joe's blog
The Sacred Blessing of Baptism Beyond Christ-I-anity
Sweat Lodge
Su
http://manypaths1spirit.tumblr.com/