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Peace Talk December 2011

A Window to the Spirit of Insights

 
Harvest of Divine Knowing
 
 
 
"Please light two candles for the month of December and two for the month of January."
  
With loving blessings,
 
~Joseph Beautiful Painted Arrow

 
 

Email Us

This Week

Tuesday 7:30 pm - "Messiah" Training class
 
Wednesday 6:45 pm - Fire Ceremony
 
Friday 7:30 pm - Drumming Circle
 
Saturday 10 am-4 pm Premier Shopping Days
 
Sunday 10 am - Monthly Council Meeting
 
 

Premier Shopping Day

Premier Shopping Day
Saturday December 10th
10am-4pm
 
Visit our new photo Gallery to see some of the selections.
 
Saturday, December 10th.
The hours will be from 10 am to 4 pm.
 
necklace
There is a lovely little giftshop, nestled in the foothills of the mountains, which is known only to those who have been to the Center for Peace. This giftshop is quite unique in the quality, beauty and value of its merchandise.
 
You may have visited a certain beautiful shop in Western Plaza in Knoxville, or maybe the pretty little shop in Maryville and found very similar quality items as those at the Center For Peace—but if so, what you’ve also found in those other shops are much higher prices.
 
The prices at the Center For Peace are consistently lower than you will find elsewhere in the region.
 
The Center for Peace giftshop carries
very high quality silver and gemstone jewelry,
Native American type jewelry and items,
beautiful rocks,
minerals and crystals of all sizes.
 
All of our items are hand picked, with very few duplicates. 
Come shop our selection:
  • pendants
  • stones
  • beaded velvet bags
  • bracelets
  • earrings
  • spheres
  • sage bundles
  • massage stones
  • silver crosses
     
  • and MUCH MORE
 
Each visitor will be given an index card (or more) for you to make your Wish List on, so bring your partner, friends and family for a day of leisurely browsing our shop. Each person will have an opportunity to shop for anyone that they choose to do so, while their relative, partner or friend enjoys a cup of tea or coffee and a cookie and a friendly conversation with other persons of like mind.
 

Premier Shopping Day

TU-TAH* Chamber

 
 
 
CALL TO ACTION !!
 
 
January 1, 1994 construction on the Peace Sound Chamber at the Center for Peace began. Over the next several years many of us had the opportunity to come together in community and work long fruitful hours.
 
     "...Inspired by the vision of Joseph Rael, 'Beautiful Painted Arrow', a Spiritual Teacher from the Picuris Pueblo [and Southern Ute] Native tradition, it will attract people from near and far to come to 'sing their song of Peace'."
 
~ Perry Robinson 1994
 
From the time the initial poles were placed to mark the future, celebrations and ceremonies have continued to contribute to the unique energy of the Peace Sound Chamber.
 
Many of you have experienced the Beauty and the vibration of the Peace Sound Chamber. Some of you may have never been here in the physical realm.
 
A combination of age, weather, the storms and fallen tree limbs we have had this year have left our roof leaking with ensuing damage to the floor.
 
PAY FORWARD
 
Your help and support on this fund raising project will help guarantee that the Peace Sound Chamber will continue to provide a safe, warm, dry space for spiritual growth and to serve as an important link in the work of Beautiful Painted Arrow to awaken peace on Mother Earth.
 
This is an opportunity for you to help assure the ongoing work of the Peace Sound Chamber by contributing to the Chamber Repair and Maintenance Fund. Use the button below to make a PayPal contribution or mail a check to:
 
Center For Peace
880 Graves Delozier Rd
Seymour, TN 37865

(please write "Chamber Repair Fund" on your check)
 
Donate through PayPal here.
(button has been repaired and is functioning now.)
 
* "TU-TAH" - the center from which peace spreads, is the name that Joseph Rael Beautiful Painted Arrow gave for our chamber.
 

"Messiah" Training

Tuesdays 7-8:30pm
 
"In September of 2009,  I began leading a weekly seminar at the Center for Peace around the subject of 'Messiah' Training.  These are on a continuing basis [until they are not] and everyone is invited to participate.
"If you have read and liked such books as Richard Bach’s ILLUSIONS and/or are intrigued by the teachings of A COURSE IN MIRACLES and/or follow the visionary path taught by people like Joseph Rael, you already may have been studying up on this subject – already a 'messiah in training'.  
"Please do not let the language throw you!  These times together are very little about doctrine, demands, or nice ideas and much more about self discovery, personal power, and mutual support."
 
Perry Robinson

More Information on Messiah Training

Fire Ceremony

Fire7th of each month, 7 pm
           ~ led by Katy Koontz

The purpose of the FIRE CEREMONY is to heal and purify both the planet’s physical oceans and the oceans of cosmic thought.
At 7 pm local time, fire elders light ceremonial fires at  each of the Peace Sound Chambers around the world. Those present watch the fire in silence until it burns out, giving to it what we want to transmute in our lives and staying open to the messages and teachings it brings.
 
All are welcome. We suggest you arrive around 6:45 pm.

Donations are appreciated.

Fire Ceremony Information

Sweat Lodge

Sweat lodge
Thursday Night Lodge-
December 15th 6:30 pm
 
New Year's Day Lodge -
Sunday January 1st 10am
Saturday Night Lodge
January 7th 7:30pm 
 
 
 
A sweat lodge or "Purification Lodge", is an intensely rewarding experience. By entering the womb of Mother Earth (the lodge), we seek purification and a deeper spiritual awareness through prayer.
Generally speaking the experience is to deepen spiritual awareness. The steam, heat, and darkness intensify prayers and personal introspection. The lodge leader (pourer), with help from the fire tender, hold an energetic space of safety and security while setting the intent of the lodge. The medicine of the lodge leader and of each participant helps to enrich the lessons of the lodge.
There are composting toilets in the meadow. You may change clothes in these toilets or at the Peace Sound Chamber. There is no nudity in our lodges.

Suggested Items to Bring:
 
• Two Towels
• Men are requested to wear swim trunks, gym shorts or something similar.
• Women are requested to wear a skirt or dress. (Something for inside the sweat that is modest and you don’t mind getting muddy.)
• Change of clothes (Preferably long sleeve and covers all of the legs to keep from getting the feast area dirty).
• Covered Dish for the Feast.

It is appropriate to bring tobacco, a small gift, or monetary gift for the fire-keeper and lodge master, both of whom offer their services to the people as a gift.
Cash donations are used to support the Sweat Lodge.  We use lots of wood for the fire; supplies like herbs (sage, tobacco, cornmeal, etc.), drinking water, and more. If you are feeling abundant, a donation would be appreciated. 

There is never a charge for Ceremony. If you are not feeling abundant, PLEASE do not allow this to prevent you from coming.
 

More sweat lodge information

Drumming Circle

Every Friday @ 7 pm
~led by José Gonzalez and Tamy Brown

Drumming is a powerful, sometimes dramatic, way to break into other levels of our mind.  Sensitive instruments can measure the way that drumming affects the brain waves.  That’s the reason for tens of thousands of years the shaman has journeyed with the drum.
This drumming is not specifically for journeying; but you get to use it whatever way you wish – including having a good time doing it!
So, on Friday of each week, bring your drum, and come join us.
Donations are appreciated.

Perry's Ponderings

Perry's Ponderings
 
“What’s Next?”
 
By Perry Robinson
 
 
Many have noticed that our true family is not necessarily the people we grew up with.  Blood runs thick, and I hope I never forget that part of me that is truly Jones/Robinson.  I am only partially joking, when I make smart remarks about trying to bring a measure of peacefulness to the Gunn Clan [the Scottish clan of which Robinsons are a part].  I love and bless my “blood relatives”, most of whom live along the coast of North Carolina.
 
Over the twenty-five years of life of the Center for Peace I have come to feel a deep bond with those of you involved here.  In a spiritual sense we have grown up together and I am grateful to you.  I have noticed more and more people using the term “family” to describe what you feel here.
 
I would like to underscore that term.  So I’ll cut to it and just say what has been on my mind for a few months:  I believe the next stage of our society’s evolution will include the intentional establishment of “tribes”.  At least, I believe that is the where the Center for Peace is headed.
 
I was “told” by Spirit many years ago that the next step of our personal spiritual evolution will be marked by the experience of the open heart and that in turn the open heart will open the door to the memory of our true connection to each other and to the living consciousness of this world.  I not only was told this and shown glimpses of how life can be when people live that way; I experienced within myself what it felt like to be of one mind and to share experiences by way of telepathic communication.
 
While I am just as “dense” as the next person in my conscious self, I know that humankind has not substantially changed.  Rather, the reason telepathic and empathic experiences are not common among us is because we have closed and hardened our hearts to cope with prevalent inhuman societal behaviors.  
 
“Divide and conquer” is still the accepted tool of all those who wish to control and manipulate people for their own purposes.  We need only look at the practices of politicians and organized religions to see exactly how that works.  So it would be foolish for us to expect these to solve the sense of separation, but we were born with the tools of oneness “in our genes”.  Jesus was neither the first nor the last to teach the two great commandments:  love Creator with all of our being and love fellow humans as we love ourselves.
 
When we lay down the “swords and shields” which separate us and generate enmity and strife, we shall have an opportunity to discover the ways all of us are alike.
 
Many have experienced community building workshops and programs here at the Center for Peace and in other places.  You have seen a glimpse of how, when a group of ordinary people gather and “empty” themselves of the emotions they hold against each other, a miracle takes place.  It is not that they achieve community.  It is that, when the obstacles to community are given up, community returns into its natural habitat:  the connected hearts of human beings.  Put another way:  when we let go of our “stuff” Spirit’s gift of community returns.
 
If you desire to use historic terms like “kundalinic awakening” or the “awakening of the Holy Spirit”, they mean the same thing:  human beings coming to themselves to accept our heritage and birthright.
 
Notice:  [1] there was a marked time: “tower of Babel” [early Genesis in Judeo-Christian Bible], when communication became confused; and another,[2] the experience of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost [in Acts in Christian Bible], when clear communication was restored.  
 
In fact, if you study Acts in the Christian Bible, you will notice that the experience of the Holy Spirit resulted in:  
 
Clear communication.  No matter what language was being spoken, the speaker was understood. 
Community.  The people were together and held all things in common. 
I believe this is true and that these are offered to us today, not just because they are “written in the Bible”.  [I refer to the Bible simply to illustrate that these are not new or strange ideas.] I believe this because I have experienced it in my life in some measure.  I also believe it because Spirit took me up when I was in Israel [2004] and showed me how this whole world is still the Garden of Eden and we all are still Creator’s beloved – AND the tree of life still waits for us to take its fruit and eat!
 
Today we are literally bearing the wounds and scars of separation.  People in the United States happily working, enjoying life, just a few months ago are now jobless and homeless.  War veterans are returning home to a nation which may not, literally, keep our promises to them!  [SSDD:  grub up the money to pay for the wars but leave the veterans to fend for themselves!]  How many of them with broken bodies and spirits will become new numbers on the jobless and homeless lists?  
 
Do you think the government and churches are going to step in and solve all this for us?  Do you see solutions being formulated in Washington?  From where I sit our government cannot solve its way out of a paper bag! – right now.
 
So, what next?  Moan, whimper, and give up?  HELL NO!!  
 
Things were a lot worse than this for many of our ancestors when they escaped the “lords and masters” of Dark Age Europe and washed up on these shores – bad news for the natives, though it was.
 
Creator has not changed.  This world has not changed.  Once again the rich few may have “grabbed the money and run”; but we are not bereft of our humanity.  “[I]n my flesh I shall see God and My eyes shall behold and not another”, was the cry of Job, a man who had lost friends, family, and possessions and whose body was covered with sores.
 
Politicians and religionists make promises and do not fulfill them – probably because they cannot.  Neither can I, for that matter.  But Creator has promised a new heaven and new earth; AND Creator does not withhold Its gifts.  It holds them out to us while we empty our hands to receive them.
 
Look how people all over the world are saying “enough” and assuming personal responsibility for their own destinies!  
 
Creator doesn’t just give hand outs!  What It does is clear the way in front of us when we accept Creator’s plan as the only one we are willing to cooperate with!  That function will not be dictated by a politician or pundit of any kind – not even by a founder of the Center for Peace!  Creator will light the fire in our hearts and light the way of our personal return to love.
 
Our souls remember.  We carry the imprint of Creator Itself!  When we get around to it, we are – or shall be – just as clear about what we need to do as Christopher [grandson, 8 years old] is about what he would like for Christmas!
 
Is it time to turn swords into plows, put our hands to the plows, and not turn back?  
 
I think so; but this I know:  Nothing will stop an idea whose time has come!  
 
What say you?
 
 

 

In This Issue

A Window to the Spirit of Insights

This Week

Premier Shopping Day

TU-TAH* Chamber

"Messiah" Training

Fire Ceremony

Sweat Lodge

Drumming Circle

Perry's Ponderings

Calendar at a Glance
 
DECEMBER
 
December 3rd-4th
Long Dance
led by Colby McLemore & Katy Koontz
 
December 7th 6:45pm
led by Katy Koontz

December 10th, 10am-4pm
 
December 11th 10am
Monthly Council Meeting
NOTE TIME CHANGE
 
December 15th 6:30pm
led by Steve Citty
 
December 24th 7pm
Christmas Eve Candle Lighting
 
 
JANUARY
 
January 1st 10am
New Year's Day Sweat Lodge
 
January 7th 6:45pm
led by Katy Koontz
 
January 7th 7:30pm
led by José Gonzalez
 
January 8th 10am
Monthly Council Meeting
NOTE TIME CHANGE
 
January 19th 6:30pm
led by Steve Citty
Work is Worship
“Work is Worship”
 
Work/activity is one very clear way to celebrate our selves as part of the community by which we are being fed spiritually. And it is always a lot of fun. Time seems to alter into a process rather than a taskmaster and friendships are born and nurtured by our community participation.
Bring gloves, appropriate clothing, water and an open willing attitude. If you have any special skills, please let us know so we can best use your talents. Of course, we will first take care of the pressing needs, but there is a lot of work to be done and all your talents are valuable.
We provide lunch. (So kitchen help is also appreciated.)
Contact:
Perry 865-428-3070 or
Steve 865-300-4424
Chanting in the Chamber
The Peace Sound Chamber is available for chanting, vision quests and ceremonies of many different types.
You are encouraged to come to the chamber and chant, drum, meditate or simply sit (the chamber Spirits love it); please check first that there is not something already scheduled.
 
Please call at least two weeks in advance to reserve our facilities as usage requires council approval.
Council Meeting
 
This is the gathering of the board of directors to discuss new ideas, future projects, and events.  Feel free to come with suggestions and comments.
 
December 11th 10am -Visitors welcome Note new time.
 
For more information, call the Center at (865) 428-3070.
Directions to the Center
Directions
 
 
Council Members
The Center for Peace is a non-profit religious corporation in the State of Tennessee. Donations to the Center for Peace can be claimed as deductions from income for income tax purposes.

Active Council Members of the Center for Peace:

 
Marti Ackerman
Belmont, NC
704-906-9464
 
Tamy Brown
Seymour
865-453-0447
 
Nan Citty
Knoxville
865-405-6809

Steve Citty
Knoxville
865-300-4424

Margarita DiVita
Jefferson  City
865-475-3799
 
Jose Gonzalez
Seymour
865-300-3439
 
Ed Hodges
Sevierville
865-951-8924
 
Katy Koontz
Knoxville
865-693-9845

Colby McLemore
Knoxville
865-924-1455
 
Sandy Palmer
Seymour, TN
865-304-0765
 
Dona Polero
Sevierville
865-805-8372
 
Barbara Rector
Knoxville
865-483-4510
 
Jeanne Robinson
Seymour
865-428-3070

Perry Robinson
Seymour
865-428-3070

Center For Peace • 880 Graves Delozier Road • Seymour • TN • 37865

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