Celebrating life at the Oasis

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A picture of a celebration.

 

Dear Caminoheads,

The Oasis looked as if it would be a moment in time more than a place in space… in our minds, at times it seemed as if we were all walking encompassed to a timer, more than to a celebration; but one more time, this favorite line of mine from BJ Miller proved to be right: “Let be death what takes us, not lack of imagination”.

 

The Oasis has taken its own shape, I believe. I am clearly the less qualified to say this as there is no other Caminohead who is further away in physical distance terms than me: Google says there are 6918 miles from Buenos Aires to Vashon Island and 4 hours timezone difference-, but I got some lines from Catherine about yesterday that to me describe a celebration:

 

“Last evening and well into the night there was an ever growing sense of love and joy abiding, and spreading, and spreading outward, and outward. Like the way the stars seem to blink on one by one as the sky darkens. Maybe that’s what being there in spirit really means – entering into the mystery of love, love bigger than anyone of us.”

 

And Catherine’s words go pretty well with her dear friend’s words, John’s (John O’Donohue, friend of Catherine), wrote this blessing “For a Celebration”. I like to read this blessing in the day of my birthday, as most of the times is that moment when we give ourselves the opportunity to do all the blessing says (although we should do it more often!) I think it is proper to read them today too, because the blessing is for the celebration of life. And at the Oasis, that is what is happening: Life is being celebrated. And Fr. David kindly sprinkled another layer of celebration saying mass at the ranch at 11 AM this morning.

 

Now is the time to free the heart,
Let all intentions and worries stop,
Free the joy inside the self,
Awaken to the wonder of your life.

Open your eyes and see the friends,
Whose hearts recognize your face as kin,
Those whose kindness watchful and near,
Encouraging you to live everything here.

See the gifts the years have given,
Things your effort could never earn,
The health to enjoy who you want to be
And the mind to mirror mystery.

 

John O’Donohue – Blessing For a Celebration

 

Celebratory loves,

Cris

9 thoughts on “Celebrating life at the Oasis”

  1. As one who is privileged to be here with Phil and the team savoring the refreshing Oasis I want to say that Catherine captured it very well. The hearts and minds of all have been stimulated and we are thankful for Phil’s influence on our lives. Many of the participants did a lot of work to make this time together special and I thank them all.

    1. Ronaldo,

      It sounds like a magical and special time is being had by all with the General. Was there a corn feast Saturday night like we had at the Veranda?

      Rho

  2. Oh yes, a corn feast was had. The General and a few of us walked to the cornfield to pick the evenings rations. 30 ears we needed, he said!

    Most delicious.

    The gathering was pilgrims from hither and yon who broke bread and gave thanks and enjoyed meeting new friends and catching up with old ones. Wonderful afternoon into evening.
    Blessings abounded.

    1. Thank you Ron, Rho and Nancy!!! Thank you for describing in your words the most wonderful images of such a magical night! I could even taste the sweetness of the corn and the warmth of the love and blessings.

      And thank you for allowing me to use your words for the post too.

      Hugs to all,
      Cris

  4. Dear dear Cris–we so wish you could have joined us! It was most extraordinary and magical. Catherine, Dana and Jim were rock star producers. The word is we had around 80 folks come through. There were new people here I never even heard of! Ryck is going to make a FB page for it so everyone can post their pics there, so keep your ears open for that. Love you!

    2. Dear Rebecca,

      I will write more, but let me tell in this delayed reply that I got the best on-island employees with Catherine, Dana and Jim and Jen…. LOL!!!!! They were not only great at work but the most amazing co-workers. Our goal was to make The Oasis Phil and you wanted to have, and we are happy that it was what you wanted and even exceeded the expectations. Particularly your and Phil’s smiles keep me smiling down here the whole weekend.

      And of course, I would so much wished I could be there in person. Rest assured my heart was there.

      Love LOVE you,
      Cris

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