THE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM - WEST



I cannot stress enough the importance of never calling in an "Ass-Kicking" when dealing with Spirit. I have first hand knowledge that it is not only a poor idea, but one that has made a crater sized impact on my soul. Let us just say that respect is always appreciated on the other side; well that and a sense of humor. Given the fun-loving nature of Twin Spirit Tribe, I believe it is safe to say that Spirit not only smiles at us and our antics, that one can almost hear the guffaws of laughter wafting on the winds when we are together. Fun folks, yes, but we do have our serious side as well. This is often demonstrated in the reverence of our Earth-focused ceremony, our unquenchable thirst for connection with Spirit and the deep trust we have in each other.

Our Apprenticeship Program continues with a journey to the West quadrant of the Mesa. I am learning that working with the Mesa is similar to how one would utilize a toolbox. The Mesa holds the energy and symbols of energy as much as a toolbox would hold a wrench or hammer. When needed, you open your toolbox, pull from it the perfect tool for the perfect job and apply thusly. The key to the Apprenticeship's "Mesa toolbox" is to learn which tool works for which project. The direction of the West on the Mesa, focuses on connections to our feminine side. It also connects with the element Water. How very beautiful and calming it can be. But balance is ever present in this direction. One cannot ignore the other aspects of the West, as it also encompasses darkness, shadows, and death. Certainly, these are not very attracting or appealing thoughts to many, but broken down, the West gives us the knowledge about these foreboding subjects, not actualities. We explore the fears within ourselves to better understand ways to go beyond the stopping points which are often created by these fears. You see, the more familiar that we are with darkness, shadows and death, the more comfortable we are to be around them. When you couple familiarity of shadows and death with the power and energy from the West's Totem, the Jaguar, you feel quite secure in walking those darkened pathways.

Personally, my explorations of the West allowed me to open myself up to surprising sorrow, fears and ultimately death itself. Confrontation of these issues allowed me to shed much of the darkness and understand more, thus bringing light into these areas. The West brought me closer to life by giving me an understanding of shadows. There is a feeling that life has been restarted, with new chance and a broader view.

Along my westward journey I also came to the realization that my Tribe family means far more to me than mere friendships. Twin Spirit Tribe members are special beings that I have trusted with innermost thoughts, my death and my reawakening. I look to them and see a future of connection, of love and of support. Here are people who not only speak about caring but back up their words with heartfelt actions. As for my relationship with Spirit, I can say with great conviction that if you ask for Spirit to assist, Spirit will comply, ….especially if it involves getting your ass kicked.

Humbly,

Joe K.

THE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM - THE MESA

Earlier, I wrote about the Apprenticeship Program and some of our activities as we explored how indigenous cultures work with the four directions: South, West, North and East.

In this year-long program, the tool we use to explore the significance and meanings of each of the directions is called a Mesa. The concept of the Mesa is a practice that has been used for many years by indigenous cultures. The Twin Spirit Tribe uses the Peruvian method of Mesa-work. Mesa (translated from Spanish) means altar, or table. A piece of cloth is used as our altar, and objects are placed upon this cloth in various locations with specific intentions.



During the Apprenticeship Program (named as such because we are learning from our Teachers), we are taught how to incorporate the Mesa into our daily lives and to use it on a regular basis for direction, meditation, manifestation, healing, and more.

As we explained before, each direction has a symbolic meaning. During each weekend, we learn to use the Mesa by incorporating the art of ceremony into our lives. Personally, I have been working with the Mesa for over a year now. The first weekend is dedicated to the South, which symbolizes “the self” among other things. This is an important start when working with the Mesa because a further knowledge of self really is the best directional tool. Ask yourself, how can you know how to care for yourself unless you know what needs attention? It makes sense and it seems so simple in concept that it is easy to overlook the wisdom of this simple statement. Besides other activities mentioned in a previous blog posting, we placed items on the Mesa with intentions that symbolized what we learned about ourselves or to symbolize what we are manifesting into our lives or the lives of those we care about.

The Mesa and how one sets it up can be very personal which makes it as unique as a fingerprint. After everyone had assembled their Mesas on this first weekend I was in awe of all of the individuality and beauty that emanated from each participant’s Mesa. For those of you that are sensitive to energy and/or are energy workers the vibration that is felt from another’s Mesa can be quite strong. I felt this while looking at the Mesas belonging to my fellow participants. It inspired a variety of conversations about a particular item or other, what it meant to them, and why it was placed where it was. I in turn was able to share my impressions, and how their Mesa impacted me.

The second weekend of this 4-part program is in just a few days and it is regarding the West. This direction symbolizes water, the feminine side of our selves as well as our “shadow” side. I am excited and nervous at the same time because “shadow” means the dark side of ourselves which is typically that side of me that I know is there but I try not to look at very often even though I really need to. I understand the need for balance, and that we need to acknowledge both the light and the dark side of ourselves but that does not mean I have to enjoy looking at it. Ha ha ha. Well, I will be sure to share my experience with you after the weekend and even though I am nervous about it, I am very confident that it will be very healing.

- Tim C