Sunday, August 18, 2024

196-Prometheus And The Reversal of Fortune



The Universe appears to be righting itself. Fear and Anxiety have been  replaced with Hope and Determination. We are moving forward with the Strength to face the new times. We are collectively changing the way we all think. What a wonderful beginning toward our Cultural Enlightenment. Speaking of that topic this blog will cease being a Form of Political Activism. It will also keep my Personal Revelations and Religious beliefs out of the forum. They are what they are and they are not a source of good reading to a general audience. The purpose of my work from this blog on will be to Celebrate the path forward and to give thanks to the Great Masters that have gone before including my mentor, Lyn Lifshin who recently passed. There is more to someones existence on Earth than just a Plaque on an Empty Dwelling. There are those of us that are left to raise the awareness of all who remain. The Inspiration of all this work stems from an Evenings in the State University of New York at Albany and Union College in Schenectady New York and a part time mentorship for 8 years through poetry, memoir and autobiography writing. Being a disposed Mountaineer that could no longer pursue my first love, the ski mountains of North America I needed a new view on Life, Liberty and The Pursuit of Happiness. It was to be given to me by my writing mentor. I did not know, then, at that time how very great of a gift was to be bestowed upon me until the event of her death. Seeing the fires dormant and the the dwelling empty except for a metal remnant tacked to a wooden wall is unacceptable. We all are temporary visitors of this world, this I know from my former life. However, those of us that remain are given a task and that task often is not realized or goes unused and collecting dust in a basement or a closet. My closets are now swept clean and my doors and windows are now wide open and my flag is being unfurled and the banner of Heaven will again wave. It is a righteous reckoning and one that is long over do. It is with the determination of any work of any substance that we move forward today to what I know is a destined conclusion. The work will be my Thorn Bird song to right an injustice that is far greater than any I could have previously imagined. It is my mantle to accept and to wear proudly visible for all the world to see. The coming months weeks and years for however long I am dwelling, shall be with with every stoke of the key toward that end. May this journey be as fruitful as my foray into the mountains of North America. They were a gift given to me among many others and now they shall be returned with Great Reverence to the ones who gave me this craft. The ending will be what is shall be. The Path forward has never been clearer to me than any Summit I have sought. I now carry the Light and the Life deep in my heart and I will hold it brightly and raise it high to illuminate for all the world to see.


May 17, 2024

Joseph Elijo












Sunday, August 11, 2024

193- 200 East Main Street- Aspen, Colorado- Prometheus and The Reversal of Fortune

Night Right For Love-Robert Earl Keen



Queen Of The Light Of Life
***


 











200 East Main St, Aspen Colorado

Winter of 94
Welcome to the Dream Academy 
The Aspen Athletic Club and Katarina's
Made for the Denver Bronco's
Ski Conditioning

Writing in the Office 
Shared with Katarina
My Love for her
Clearing my 8 year
Post Sobriety
Appletree Lane letter
Writer's Block
Breaking the 
Incantation Spells

Skinny Skiing to 
The Pine Creek Cookhouse
Up Castle Creek
Katarina driving with
Teamster Boone
Sid and Sam
Percheron Behemoth's

Christmas Celebration
Being Crowned 
Aspen's King of Light 
For changing the dull white lights 
To a dazzling spectacle salsa delight
Enduring the uproar
Of the stogy local business owner's
The delight of the tourist's 
Noted in the Aspen Time's 

The Lady of the Lamp 
Unwrapped by Katarina
Sealing my Destiny


Friday, August 9, 2024

192-A Brief Lesson In Showing And Not Telling

    Scene 1

     “Honey I’m Home,” Bill said.

     “How was your day Dear? His wife Joan asked.

     “It was O.K. I met Charlie for lunch and we discussed the possibility of a new account. Sally called and we ended lunch early. How was your day?”

Joan hesitated before answering. How could she tell Bill her mother was coming for a week long visit. How would he react?

     “Fine Bill, I have a Hungry Man T.V. dinner in the microwave.”

     “Sounds, Great, Joan! Just let me get my slippers on.”

 

Scene 2

 

Bill turned his Infiniti into the driveway of his sprawling Ranch Estate. He turned the key off of his new electric E series and was taken by the silence. He still had a difficult time with the silence of electric vehicles. He was old school and remembered the throaty rumbling groan of the big V-8 combustion engines of his youth. Although he did enjoy not watching the gas gauge drop every time he accelerated quickly. He was enjoying the smell of new, the newness of his car and the newness of this sprawling five-acre estate in a new development. Bill stepped out of the vehicle and was surprised to see his lovely wife Joan in her tight riding Jodhpurs holding the horses already saddled and waiting. He wasn’t sure what excited him more, the fact he would soon be riding the wonderful Equestrian Trails along the river, or that he would be beside this amazingly attractive middle-aged woman, he completely adored.

 

     “Hi Bill! I thought you might like to take a short ride before dinner. I baked a lovely Lasagna Dinner and its on the counter waiting,” Joan smiled brightly.

     “I’ll change in the barn quickly,” Bill replied.

     “Oh, Bill,” Joan grinned,” I filled the hot tub with some essential oils and thought we might get cozy before dinner,” Joan smiled devilishly.

    

Bill hesitated before answering. He might look too obvious if he pinched himself, but was this really his life. To have such a gorgeous loving wife, beautiful estate, with horses and amazing life, he wasn’t sure what life he had stepped into, but it surely suited him.

     “Sounds, Great, Joanie! Just let me get my riding clothes on,” Bill said with a twinkle in his eye and a spring to his step.

Thursday, August 8, 2024

191- Beyond The Appletree Lane Collection- 1097 Van Antwerp Road, Niskayuna, New York


I Shall Be Released, The Band



2142 Appletree Lane
Prometheus Unbound
Pegasus Rising With The Light 
























1097 Van Antwerp Road, Niskayuna, New York


Summer of 84.

I wrote in a Loft 

Behind Rose, colored stained glass windows

Listening to Gordon Grey

Play Peter Gabriel’s Red Rain

On his electric guitar

All hours of the night. 


Played in the yard with Abbey

An English Sheep Dog

Named for the studio

the Beatles recorded in.


I was Uncle Albert 

To every one then

On the ceiling

Laughing Gregariously

Like Ernest Hemingway 


Sure that I would 

Publish with Simon and Schuster like

Lowell Thomas'
Book of the 
High Mountains

Tuesday, August 6, 2024

190-The Origins Of Sri Joseph Elijo


Loosing My Religion-R.E.M.

  Sri Joseph Elijo came about almost as organically as Pete Peach did. Her name was Piper when we rescued her and had her baby teeth removed because her adult teeth had grown in and her baby teeth never fell out. She was like a little shark with all these teeth. We felt sorry for this little creature after her surgery and said things like, "How's my little Pi, Pi, my Piper, Peter Piper, my little Peach, Pete Peach." So she became Pete.  Since i carry her around in a lovely hand made carry bag, older people would admire this darling creature and I like an Organ Grinder would present my friend. When asked her name I would say, "Her name is Pete." generally the woman of the group who does not grasp the Pronoun thing would say," Pete, that's a girls name, I'm going to call her Peach." So of course I who always embellishes on the  ideas my wife talks to me about (always to her dismay) started calling her, "Mrs. Pete Peach. It is how the origin of Ask Mrs. Peach? evolved. How does all this tie into to Sri Joseph Elijo? Here we are.

While reading the Edgar Cayce Handbook For Creating Your Life Principle # 23 There is Power in a Person's Name My wife came across this passage. At other times, however, Cayce recommended that people may benefit from such a change. Once as he was beginning a reading for a man in a distant city, he repeated the recipient's name and address (as was customary), then he inserted curiously, "you should leave off the name Albert." He then proceeded with the reading as usual. The implication was that a shift in how the man referred to himself would have a significant impact. Now that was interesting, as a young man I was fat child, right at the time Bill Cosby came out with Fat Albert. You remember," Hey, Hey, Hey." How I hated Bill Cosby and my name. It was grade to middle school and it was relentless. I suppose it is why I am trim and exercise Today. To further put this into context we were watching The Chosen on television and Kathy had paused it. We discussed what name I might like. Growing up I admired my Uncle Joe. I mowed his lawn and worked in his garage on my cars. My father and I rebuilt a 1946 Dodge Power Wagon in his garage and it is a wonderful memory. My Father was of course Big Albert and I Little Albert (Ugh!) So Joseph was a great hit for the first name. Elijo was bantered about because when Kathy first took me to visit Paramahansa's Ashram in Encinitas we stayed in the State Camp Ground, San Ellij State Park. It is a very short walk from Swami's and we would spend the morning in Swami's Garden after buying our morning coffee's at Miracle's Cafe on the way. There was a meditation Bench at Swami's Star in the early days and we would sit and Dharma Talk for hours gazing out over Sunset Beach and the Pacific Ocean. Elijo it was. It was decided my pen name was to be Joseph Elijo. Was I really going to change my name? We started The Chosen again on the television and in the next few seconds Jesus tells Simon he wants him to change his name to Peter. O.K. Somethings in life happen and you say,"Did that really happen?" Well, "Did that really happen Joseph?" Kathy asked. Somethings in life cannot be ignored and often times when you are Karmically Shown Something you should really pay attention. 

The Sri was a real struggle for me. I was initiated into Kriya Yoga in 2009 just as I was completing my book Of Mountains And Men. It was a defining moment in my life as I had struggled with addictions and personal suffering and after my Telluride introduction to Swami, my life changed, my spirit soared, I had already  met my wife  (In 1994 and Bonded over Swami's Encinitas Ashram) and life moved forward without the struggle of my addictions. (See My Pages, The Rolling Reverend, and Telluride Smile.) The question that haunted me was I felt the title Sri should be given and it isn't up to an individual to assume it. However, I was in the middle of revamping my blog and listing (My Pages Inspirational Verses based on SRF Daily Meditations-The Covid Writings. Volume !-V.) I realized that it is who I am, who I identify as, I am a Yogi of The Self-Realization Fellowship Order of Paramahansa Yogananda and while I don't proselytize, I do however preach through my blogs of the great benefits and extreme changes that have taken place in my life, soul and being since my initiation in to the Swami Order and I am very proud of my accomplishments. I once truly was a Godless Cretin( See My Pages Miracles of Babaji.) If you live your life every day open to the Universe and Listen, Listen to what God and the World is truly saying to you, then there is nothing more we can ask of you. We all see the derision, hate, and violence that is prevalent in society. I don't wish to be the Mountain Guru removed from the world of Men, Women and Children. I wish to live among them in Peace and Harmony so I guess I will go along my way today as Sri Joseph Elijo.

Sri Joseph Elijo



A Day In The Gardens At Belknap Hot Springs, Mckenzie Bridge, Oregon
( See Remembering The Healer Of Belknap Hot Springs)

Sri Joseph Elijo



Monday, August 5, 2024

189- I Am Moses- One Modern Man's Journey Into A Biblical Revelation

Beginnings, Chicago 


Where I am going to prepare my manuscripts for publication before delivering them to New York for The Olympics in Europe to spend a Summer in Aspen.
I Like Spartacus Am Burning My Ships on The Western Shores Of Rome
Unlike Spartacus My Cultural Revolution Is Of Body Mind And Spirit
Taught By Timeless Avatars, Great Saints, Blessed Gurus and Enlightened Master Yogis    
Photo: Best Oregon Coast Resorts-Driftwood Shores

I Am Moses(A Man Of Selfless Dedication.)There now, I have said it! Once the gauntlet has been lain it will be up to the Universe, God and Myself to deliver. There is a time for everything in life and I cannot tell you why this is the time. One can never be certain of anything in one's life, the Universe is a shifting Karmic Reality. The only thing that I can say is that when God Speaks to You and Shows you what must be done, you must do it. It is not the ramblings of a lunatic in the desert but the result of a deep spiritual transformation that I was not prepared for nor did I ask for. It is Through Kriya Yoga, Qi Gong and Meditation and a Slow Evolving Transformation this has been presented to me. They say you go to the Mountains to find God, (Which I did) and you go to the Desert to find yourself, (So here it is.) Was I prepared for the result of this Journey, I was not. I am surprised, almost alarmed, a little like Noah building his Ark, because God told him to, it started with the Death of my mentor, the earth seemed to move then also, but I always felt that I had a calling. I remember distinctly as a young man of twenty- five falling down a  massive headwall of Arapahoe Basin where I seriously questioned my mortality and only after I gained control and arrested the fall, I stood with my knees shaking did I question, "What do you want from me ?" The answer came not of the wind or of the mountains or the snow ladened pines but of a voice that startled me, "Be a Teacher."  I didn't know then because I was a young arrogant man confused by Maya, but I understand now. So for what it is worth, please join me on this Epic journey, I am about to Embark On.

My next reveal will be the Origin of Sri Joseph Elijo. It also is quite the surprising development in my Writing Life. Developments that are Cascading Like the Ivory Crystals of a Snowy Alpine Avalanche into My life. 

Hope You Enjoy The Ride!


Mrs. Peach- Gazing Along The Open Road
                                          Over The Hills And Faraway-Led Zepplin

Friday, August 2, 2024

188-Love The Horses-The Miracle Of A Magic Monastery, Miracles Of Self-Realization Masters

 All Along The Watch Tower, Bob Dylan, John Wesley Harding


Slick Little Fox With His Mom, Foxy
He was our very first Rescue and the Foundation of The Lucky Dun Ranch
Our Motto Was: Love The Horses
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Tales of Lucky Dun Ranch Miracles and Magic Monasteries and Self-Realization Masters

Slick Little Fox was our very first rescue at Aspen Equine Studies. He was born with Congenital Flexural Deformity. It is a condition where the tendons of a horses legs do not allow the foot or leg to stand straight and true rendering the animal lame. The owner of the breeding ranch decided to put the foal down. My wife, Kathy and I asked if we could rescue the foal because we believed we could save him. It was a difficult battle between the Vet and our school to persuade the Vet to go along. In the end, the Vet agreed, and Aspen Equine Rescue Ranch was born. Kathy and I worked around the clock using massage and other therapies to eventually straighten out Slick Little Foxes legs and allow them to turn in and stand straight and true. (See my Pages, Slick Little Fox, The Coal Seam Fire, Mornings With Jack London and my Poems, Sister's Precious Miracle, In Defense of My Lady Tahoe's Honor, Wild Horses, Restless Spirits, Harnessed Spirits, Cry For The Species Equuis, Opening The Stall Door) They are some of our experiences with rescuing and working with horses. He was our very first Equine Miracle and we were to have many more, I hope you will be able to read about, as I write them all. Slick Little Fox and Our Lord taught me,  just like the Story of Rumplestiltskin, I could spin straw into Gold.


Recently, the St. Benedict's Monastery (3700 Acres) went out of business in Snowmass, Colorado. It has been listed for sale and would be an excellent Arts Colony and Rescue Ranch. I was fortunate enough to spend a good deal of time there, for many years, and it became a beloved place of worship and healing for people from all over the world. I would like to again restore it to it's original Glory. There are very specific rules and regulations of what can be allowed as renovation and remodeling. Since it was already a Monastery and had cottages and retreat houses it would lend itself to this type of progress. The Monastery had a wonderful book store that could be expanded and the retreat houses would make excellent places to write or to meditate privately. It would be a project worthy of Great Merit and a Legacy of Untold Honor. It would also take a community of Amazing Artisans and Gifted Individuals to see it through. I am reminded of Paramahansa being visited by Babaji before he left India for America.(Shortly before Paramahansa Yogananda left for America in 1920, Mahavatar Babaji came to Yoganandaji's home in Calcutta, where the young monk sat deeply praying for divine assurance regarding the mission he was about to undertake. Babaji said to him: “Follow the behest of your guru and go to America.) He was a simple Enlightened Indian Swami coming to America where he went on to build an enduring Legacy that has helped afflicted and suffering Individuals around the World to find Peace, Harmony and Radiating Inner Joy. I believe the Monastery is that Magic Place that could bring Creativity, Love and Happiness to Millions of Lost Souls and Help Save Our American Heritage, The Wild Mustang. Only God knows what is meant to be. 

  Sale Information On St. Benedict's Monastery  Tales Of The Magic Monastery- Theophane The Monk

I know that my blogs have been Extremely Political and It is not really what we are about. However these are Extreme Times and Silence is not an Option. It is imperative that everyone get out and vote. Please Vote for Kamala Harris!

If Mr.Caligula is chosen by God (As He Says), then I am Moses (The Only Man To Speak To God- Face To Face) in the Wilderness. We now know how Moses Felt. We will all step forward and be accountable and Teach the Children a Lesson On Bullies. Not with anger and violence, however we will use all methods at our disposal. I hope you can join us!




The Autobiography Of A Yogi, by Paramahansa Yogananda in Chapter 34- Tells of The Timeless Avatar Babaji materializing a Palace In The Himalayas for his Disciple Lahiri Mahasaya. It is a fascinating Miracle, one that I hope can be performed for us so that we may Teach and Rescue Horses at Theophane's Magic Monastery.

See My Pages Healing Inspirational Verses Volume !-V (A Book In Itself)