Setting Birds + Butterflies Free = Symbols of Spiritual Liberation

Good Morning` from South Haven. Michigan, USA, a very… hmmm… how shall we say it…(?) interesting place to currently reside in our world, interesting defined as a state of curiosity or serious concern. To quote my Native American Teacher Chief Philip Aaron Crazybull around the time of the assault of Iraq, a war beginning March 20, 2003, “I don’t do politics”, a lead I’ll follow here. With a solid N/C regarding Thursday’s debate, we are all clearly facing the rapid revolutionizing of our world, what today’s Sunday NY Times calls “worldwide disruptions”, but here at The Higher Haven we recognize as a massive spiritual transformation of our modern world. As our outer, illusory reality tanks, the ability to possess and practice internal skills that calm, center and balance us, providing a toehold into what used to be called the world to come but appears to be very quickly arriving, will prove to be invaluable. Of course there are those waiting to be raptured. And although we honor and uphold Jesus Christ’s most difficult task, that of proving one can live on earth as if in heaven, here we lean into taking full responsibility for our own spiritual work to help make it so.

With that, let’s not panic or lose the ability to laugh out loud and confidently just yet. My college roommate commented that Biden and Trump both looked like the old men from The Muppets. I liked John Stewart’s attempt to lighten the terrible mood saying he was so stressed, he needed to “call a real estate agent in New Zealand.” Speaking of old, good friends, and reaching out, I was prompted to call my buddy, my bån and main man Phuc in Vietnam (more on that below). The truth is that given the reality of impermanence, all of our lives on planet earth will soon be coming to an end, but with true spiritual work, hopefully a very fulfilling one.

Chatting up Phuc, I eagerly inquired, “how do you say, not just: ‘I’m sorry’ (Xin loi, pronounced Sin Loy), but rather a bigger apology, an “I’m so very sorry”, (apparently rất xin lỗi). Rất Xin Lỗi, (pronounced Zut Sin Loy) was this post’s alternative title, a sincere ask for an understanding pardon from the many currently contacting The Higher Haven. Almost back on my feet after the previously discussed loss of my sweet Louise, I was sent back down my personal loss rabbit hole for several weeks with the late-May death of my Uncle Z, my sole and favorite Armenian Uncle, and my Dad Sark’s little brother. So behind the scenes my own heart took another hit, but I’m very happy to report that it’s turning out to be a Summer of much needed, much deserved Healing. And if you’re in need, we got some we got some if ya need it, turn it up, turn it up, before we're gone… the situation, which side are you on? Are you getting out or are you dropping bombs? Have you heard of diplomatic resolve? (Yeah!). Although most of our August private visit opportunities are filled by current students, we will offer a class with overnight stay possibilities, so watch for that and then contact us .

One last backward look down the rabbit hole, I navigated some of my grief by taking part in a Butterfly Release Memorial. The event provided an opportunity for children, teens, adults, and seniors in our community to come together and celebrate the lives of lost loved ones. The symbolic act of releasing a butterfly served as a poignant metaphor for transformation, renewal, and the natural, endless cycle of life, also representing the release of grief and setting the departed loved one’s spirit free. This serene, simple reflection and remembrance also took me back to Vietnam in 2022, when Phuc and I released birds at Båo Tháp Xá Loi Temple in Saigon.

It’s pretty clear upon viewing that we didn’t exactly script this video. I cut Phuc off hi hi (Vietnamese Lol), he cries out “the bag, the bag(!)”, meaning my orange/yellow Patagonia backpack he was a little obsessed with, informing me “the orange represents Buddhism in Cambodia, the yellow in Thailand”. Then we do our level best to pray the good Vietnamese way. As we prepare to celebrate the independence of Mÿ, or America, it occurred to me that the freedom we enjoy at The Higher Haven flows from spiritual practices that provided peace to earth’s people, from Asia to the Americas, long before the founding fathers’ little buckled shoes even set foot on this land. Here, despite outer appearances, the true spirit and destiny of Turtle Island, aka North America, remains alive and well. Come experience our take on the many-sided jewel that is the true spiritual path at our July Ceremonial Way of the Contrary weekend, followed by our Summer Noble Silence Meditation Retreat. God bless you and God bless America (Mỹ).

On a Very Happy Mother's Day and Our Upcoming Offerings

I spoke of my Mom Louise’s passing in the former post and shared this photo on my social media. I’m not a huge social media fan, as my own consists of merely a personal Facebook page and a Higher Haven Facebook page, finding it to be a sort of external verification for much of the world and its people’s internal uncertainty. I think we have a very quiet to virtually non-existent Instagram page, as when Instagram surged I had so much on my plate it seemed like just another distraction. I suppose I’m good for my 23 Likes. All that said, I did find it comforting to receive some notes from old friends, old inside Lou Lou jokes, and other condolences. I’m also happy to report that where I anticipated a huge slump on Mother’s Day, we instead encountered a lot of sweet Moms and hugs by proxy. So thanks to everyone who said, ”Do you need to hug my Mom?” and “She’s in a better place, honey,” which is true.

Now all that remains are sweet memories of Louise, like the pic above, taken when she visited me living in San Francisco in 2009. I was utterly obsessed with King Tutankhamen, the boy king when I, too, was a boy, and King Tut mania first swept across the United States, during his first visit from 1976 to 1979. “Now, when I die, don't think I'm a nut, don't want no fancy funeral, just one like ole king Tut. (king Tut), he coulda won a Grammy, (funky Tut) buried in his jammies,” We had a lot of fun catching the exhibit 30 years later at the de Young Museum, clowning in the gift shop. When the picture above was taken, I whispered to my Mom,, “Do NOT smile Lou, you are Ramses II,” and I think she pulled it off. I’m also feeling a lot better in general and so happy to be running Ceremony this weekend, the first with Louise Teresa as one of my ancestors, now residing on the other side.

We still have a few open spots and won’t be able to offer the public another opportunity for this particular retreat until July, as the June Way of the Contrary Weekend has been filled by a private Men’s Group. Private group Ceremonies — that’s an option that groups of eight to ten men and women should consider. We’ll also be offering our signature Meditation + Mindfulness 101 class on the Saturday of Father’s Day weekend, and any son who registers can bring their Dad as our guest, while a registered Dad can bring their sons. And we just received such tremendous reports from the participants in our Spring NMSR, that we look forward to sharing, and will offer our Summer Noble Silence Meditation Retreat weekend July 26th through the 28th. The Yoga + Meditation weekend has shifted to the last weekend in June, and registration will open soon.

We’ll close with Dinese’s take on her April visit, confirming that we’re one of the world’s premier places for personal transformation, and as always, look forward to seeing you soon. "I am so happy that I chose The Higher Haven in my quest to take part in an authentic, healing, indigenous Ceremony. Other offerings I researched throughout the United States and even internationally seemed detached and almost dispassionate. After discovering their website, talking with Paul and making travel plans, I just knew I was making the right choice. Paul's knowledge, passion, and genuine approach to helping and healing others was exactly what I was looking for. I feel loved, I know I am not alone, and I continue to feel a renewed sense of peace and clarity. Aho! Matakuye O'yasin (we are all related)!”

On Our Winter Whereabouts and Blossoming Spring Retreat Season

We’re back, evinced by our new Wetlands Wooded Practice Platform, one of several recently wrapped Winter projects. We’re considering starting a deep woods, sweatlodge-rock-laden Labyrinth this spring. These cool new additions to The Higher Haven’s ever-expanding offerings lie on some of the prettiest — and previously inaccessible — parts of our property. You can see the deck lines the banks of what we like to call the little Mekong, the crystal clear creek that runs from the backwoods through the wetlands to the banks of the Black River, here bending around our bamboo spirit house from the faraway land of Kampuchea, the ancient kingdom behind modern-day Cambodia. While we’re happy to return from our Winter Break with a little art and good energy, inspired by time spent traveling in Southeast Asia, our notable two month absence from this blog, last reporting from Hanoi in February, indicates our recent gains but also losses. In the heartbreaking development that every Gia đình (family) faces but can’t quite prepare for, ours bid adieu to our great matriarch Louise Teresa Wrobel Tootalian on Valentines Day, February 14th, 2024, when my Mom passed into the world of the spirit. While initially strengthened by our well of spiritual work and understanding, releasing the past and letting go of Louise hit the dimmer switch on our off-season, turning it into a bit of a long, cold, lonely Winter.

Good memories of the forever loved and lovely Lulu considered, that ice is slowly melting, and with the return of spring and the sun, the smile’s indeed returning to our faces. In fact, the sun’s encouraging light — or lack thereof — brought a special blessing our way with the recent Total Solar Eclipse, occurring on April 8th, marking my date of birth and end of my 57th year around the G-type, yellow dwarf whose gravity holds our solar system together as a great time of personal transformation. My dog RoZie and I enjoyed a life-changing Walkie through downtown Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, on the path of totality for over 3 1/2 minutes, the intense experience making us official Umbraphile eclipse chasers and skywatchers for life. While I’m not sure RoZie will be by my side reporting from western Iceland in 2026, she will most certainly be sniffing about our new practice platform on the partial Lunar Eclipse occurring September 17th-18th, as we’ll be acquiring a Higher Haven telescope for dark sky events and some new, high-aiming offerings.

For now, we were happy to be back in Ceremony this weekend as we will be monthly, having just enjoyed the great April crew that came through.. You can also consider easing into some deeper inner work by joining our first 2024 Noble Silence Meditation Retreat Weekend from this Friday, May 3rd to Sunday May 5th. Knowing just how challenging it currently is out there, we’ll then be offering our signature Meditation + Mindfulness 101 class on Saturday, May 11th, and in honor of my Mom and Mother’s Day weekend, anyone who registers can bring their Mom as our very special guest. And a registered Mom can bring her kids. So come on out and pound the planks pictured above with RoZie Grrl, walk our magical, wild woods, and watch for some new, summer retreat gatherings specifically for men and women, plans we’re currently finalizing. More information in this healing space soon, Until Then, Toksha