Sacred Spaces and Mystical Places ~ North Shore Silent Meditation Garden and the Pu'u O Mahuka Heiau

Be enthroned in the castle of goodness, 

and your memories will be like beautiful flowers 

in a garden of noble dreams.

~Paramahansa Yogananda

North Shore Silent Meditation Garden

Here's a beautiful classic Hawaiian song to listen to while you visit this post! 

When you sit in the silence of deep mediation,

joy bubbles up from within ... 

~Paramahansa Yoganana

This beautiful hidden gem is up in the hills above Sharks Cove on the North Shore of O'ahu. It's a non-denominational sanctuary where you can meditate and pray in a magical setting. On Sundays there is a Self Realization Fellowship style meditation service where they read a teaching by Paramahansa Yogananda, Amma, Jesus or other spiritual teachers.

Kevin and I went a few Sunday mornings while I was there. It somehow would always start raining outside during the meditation which not only made it even more peaceful and I felt fused with the whole of nature outside.

Phones are not allowed on the property or in this meditation garden.  They will allow cameras but not phones so I took these photos with my digital SLR. Because your phone has to be off, there is thankfully no one taking selfies or Instagramming their meditation! 

I love these vermilion colored magical flowers that seem to float among the trees in the garden ...

If you want to love God you must love people.

They are His Children.

~Paramahansa Yogananda

All the white with blue made me think of Greece.

Humbly serving all with their beauty, 

flowers say more to us about God 

than anything else.

Each one brings a message that the Heavenly Father 

is right here.

~Paramahansa Yogananda

Kevin practicing a yoga inversion in the silence.

Pu'u o Mahuka Heiau 

This Heiau is the largest religious site or temple on the North Shore and covers almost 2 acres. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1962 because of its historic significance.

"Puʻu o Mahuka Heiau may have been constructed in the 1600s. Built as a series of 3 walled enclosures, the stacked rock walls ranged from 3 to 6 feet in height and the interior surface was paved with stone. Within the walls were wood and thatch structures. Such a large heiau would have been built by the makaʻainana (commoners) under the direction of a high ruling chief (ali’i nui) and his priests (kahuna).

In the 1770s, high priest Ka’opulupulu under Oʻahu chief Kahahana, oversaw this heiau. This was a time of political upheaval and it is likely that the heiau was used as a heiau luakini (sacrificial temple), perhaps for success in war.

In 1795, when Kamehameha I conquered Oʻahu, his high priest Hewahewa conducted religious ceremonies at this heiau. Use of the site continued until 1819 when the traditional religion was abolished."

The Heiau is on the ridge above Waimea Bay and it is said that signal fires were up at that spot for communication between the islands. It really is a stunning location. The turquoise and azure waters with the rust colored earth are breathtaking. 

Hope you are enjoying these view of beautiful Hawaii!

links

North Shore Silent Meditation Garden

Pu'u o Mahuka Heiau

The beauty in the world bespeaks 

the creative motherly instinct of God,

and when we look upon all the good in Nature,

we experience a feeling of tenderness within us-

we can see and feel God as Mother in Nature.

There is no greater experience than to feel and know 

that Cosmic Mother is with you.

Watch for the presence of the mother, 

because She will look after you in every way.

~Paramahansa Yogananda

Blessings, light and much Aloha!

Il Gesù, a Glass of Wine and The World Most Awesome Ceiling

There are a lot of amazing, incredible, magnificent (insert adjective here) ceilings in Rome. The Sistine Chapel, for instance. This one, at Il Gesù, I had to see. The only problem is that when I got to the church, it was closed and would be closed, for another hour. Oy. 

Il Gesù

Consecrated in 1584

Oh look, a place where I can have a glass of wine! As I sat there, right across from the church, taking a load off and writing in my travel journal, I also watched, as other people tried to open the door to Il Gesù. A lady, in front of a side door, over and over, would tell people to come back later. I don't really think she worked there. She just looked like she enjoyed being the one to tell people what to do.

Most of the churches reopen around 3 o'clock or 3:30, but not all. So, check the websites, if you are on a time constraint. The website for Il Gesù says it reopens at 4:00 but recommends visiting between 4:30 and 7:00 pm. Maybe they turn the lights on at some point, because when I was there, nowhere near 7, it was already getting pretty dark, as you'll see.

Wine and Il Gesù...

Here is an absolutely gorgeous Vivaldi violin concerto, for your visit to Il Gesù ...

When the church opened, this masterpiece of the Baroque, did not disappoint.

There are painted wood and stucco figures, that were added to the ceiling fresco, extending out beyond the frame, and over the gold guilt coffered ceiling. The effect is stunning! 

Triumph of the Holy Name of Jesus 
1676-1679
Giovanni Battista Gaulli, called Bacaccia 

A glaze of painted shadow were even painted, on the coffered ceiling, to make it look even more three dimensional. Absolutely magnificent.

Central dome with fresco  by Baccacia

As with many churches, in Rome, you put coins in a little box, to make the lights go on, so you can see the masterpieces. 

I loved the mirror, they had put on the ground, so that you could look at the frescoes without ending up with a pinched nerve, or a slipped disc. Great idea, huh?

Il Gesu, is the mother church of Jesuits. In 1540, Pope PauI III recognized the Jesuits, and St. Ignatius, who founded the order, started fundraising. When the church was first conceived, and the foundation was laid during the Renaissance (1550s) it was much more simple and austere. 

Then along came the Counter-Reformation, in the 1600s, with the drama of the Baroque, and you can see that the whole "austere" thing, went out the window. 

It was so dark, I felt like I should be carrying around a torch. I'm sure it didn't help that it was cloudy  and late in the day.

Shafts of light, from the setting sun ...

Chapel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

I lit candles, here, for my friends and family. It was so beautiful! Often, I love simplicity (believe it or not) but there was something so beautiful about this little, ornate chapel, that made you feel like you were praying inside a delicate, Fabergé egg. And, it was almost perfectly silent.

True prayer is an expression of the soul,

an urge from the soul.

It is a hunger for God that arises from within,

expressing itself to Him 

ardently, 

silently.

~Paramahansa Yogananda

More photographs of the ceiling. Next time ... a telephoto lens and a camera with higher speeds, for dim light. (Always looking for a reason to go back!)

Constantly, 

inwardly,

talk to Him;

Then He cannot remain away from you.

~Yogananda

Capella della Madonna della strada

With the light (or lack of it) you can either get a photo of the little painting or the interior space. Well, sort of. It's a lovely little icon of the Madonna and child, and there was something about the beautiful warm stonework and the slender, graceful candles, that I just loved. 

Cappella di San Francesco Saverio

I brought up the light on these photos, on my computer, but alas ... still very dark. At least you get a little of it.

The secret of effective prayer

is to change your status

from beggar, to child of God;

When you appeal to Him from that consciousness,

your prayer will have both power and wisdom.

~Paramahansa Yogananda 

It was worth the wait.

Façade of Il Gesù by Giacomo della Porta

Notice the light, in the photo above, top right?

Here's a video from "Smart History" with great information and wonderful shots of the church.

It was time to work my way back up to my neighborhood, East of the Spanish Steps. I was south of the Pantheon, and it was starting to get a little dark outside ...

Heading east, I looked to the South to a view of Piazza Venezia and Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emmanuel II (the first king of a unified Italy.) Romans refer to it as "the typewriter."

I passed many more churches. as I began to head north ...

San Marcello al Corso

And before heading back to my cozy room, I thought I'd better throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain. (It's worked so far!)

Here I am, after throwing a coin in the fountain, to assure my return to Rome!

Check out the Sacred Destinations page on Il Gesù here, for some great info and pictures that were taken, with the lights on! Clearly the photographer had some pull!

Official website of Il Gesù

A few more posts of Rome to come, before moving on to Umbria, though I may have to share some of my recent adventures in Southern California, as well! 

I had a lovely day in Santa Barbara with my Mom, a gorgeous trip to the L.A. Arboretum, and was a guest at the season 1 wrap party of the TV show Las Vegas. (Yes I met Dennis Quaid, and yes, he is still sexy. ;)

Hope you are all enjoying a lovely April, and finding adventures, 

in your own backyard and beyond!

Blessings and light!

Shiatsu Rincon ~ A perfect gift

As much as I am chomping at the bit to move forward with 2011, I feel the need to share a bit of the close of 2010. I was staying up in Ojai over the holidays (where my parents and sister's family live) taking care of my friends' German Sherpherd, Koa. While up there, I was given a wonderful Christmas gift from my Mom and Dad ...

A shiatsu massage from John at Shiatsu Rincon. (Shiatsu Rincon is on the back road between Ojai and Santa Barbara, near Carpenteria Beach.)

It is the most amazing, healing atmosphere and John has incredibly healing hands. My sister said it's like "the hands of God" working on you. He definitely has a gift. Judy is the other shiatsu practitioner and I have heard she is amazing as well. I have friends that have gone together and had a couples massages for their anniversaries and my sister and I went together years ago and had massages together in their blue and white cotton japanese robes. (The robes are provided ... keep in mind it's shiatsu, not swedish)

If you get there early you can even soak in the japanese bath at which point you really feel you have entered another world. It's so peaceful. I however, was running behind schedule and missed the opportunity. Kind of a bummer but I sat instead in the big open room by the fire reading my Yogananda book which was still lovely and very peaceful.

It had been raining for days and I was worried about the sometimes very windy little road between Ojai and Shiatsu but I had another gift that day. The sun came out and it was gorgeous! If you are ever in this neck of the woods, it's a beautiful drive and a very special place back in these hills.

These beauties live at the place!

View from Shiatsu Rincon

The straight portion of the road back to Ojai

Lake Casitas

It couldn't have been a more healing gift and I am so grateful. Although, I think I drove everyone else crazy on the highway that day, pulling over to take pictures. Artists and photographers might be some of the most annoying people on the road ... "Where should I pull over?" " Look at that view!"

Anyway, it's one of the most beautiful areas, I think, in Southern California. Hope you can see it someday!

I hope also that you are having a beautiful start to your 2011! I am back in L.A. with my very long to do list so I had better get to it!

Live each moment completely

and

the future will take care of itself.

Fully enjoy

the wonder and beauty

of

each

moment.

~Paramahansa Yogananda