Sweet MedicineSundance auStralia

In this Issue : MAY 2013

» BUSH MEDICINE – Medicine from the heart

and soul of Oz Freedom

By Neil Robert Black Panther Warrior

» More thoughts on freedom

• From a Buddhist perspective by

Dzogchen Ponlop

• Osho on Freedom

» Lineage Address and Red Lodge Preview

» Information on:

• Purification sweat lodge

• Shamanic Dearmoring

• Drum Team

» Greetings from the Metis Medicine Shop

» Self defense – What a great weekend

» Byron Bay Martial Arts with Shirsha Marie

Important Dates

Red Lodge Year One & Three 2013/14» March 14–17, June 6–9, Aug 1–4,» Oct 31–Nov 3, Jan 9–12, 2014

Red Lodge Year Two 2013/14» July 24–28 , August 9–11, October 25–27,» January 3–5 2014

Red Lodge Ceremonial Week Years 1, 2 & 3» Aug 30–Sept 6

Lineage Address and Red Lodge Preview» June 6th

Purification (Sweat) Lodge Ceremony» Monday 10th June

Sharmanic De-Armouring » 11th - 25th August

Welcome to the 7th edition on the Sweet Medicine SunDance Newsletter. This edition we explore a little of the nature of Freedom as in the 0-9 law, 7 is in the place of Freedom

Freedom comes after Focus, Substance, Form, Determination, Understanding, Imagination have been progressed through. It is not until our awareness of reality passes through all the phases do we truly know when we find ourselves in freedom.

Freedom to make choices and to determine how we progress; freedom to do things differently, not just out of habit or ritual but to consciously choose our life events. Freedom includes the qualities of responsibility, autonomy and authority. Freedom can be confused with license or an excuse for getting our own way or ignoring responsibilities. True personal freedom does not bring harm to any other being.

For many of us Freedom has been an attribute we have looked for outside ourselves, in the world around us. It is actually always in us, in our choices and ways of thinking. It is something we create for ourselves, something to aspire to in all areas of life. Freedom is the choice to do something differently – make new decisions- break habits whatever they might be, from what you have for breakfast to which chair you sit in. ……

In June we have session 2 of RED LODGE. It is still possible to join in this years sessions until June 6th. Then the intake is closed until 2014. Come on board and share the fun of shamanic teachings within a spiritual community!

On June 6th, Coorabell Hall in Byron Shire NSW, we will have the Lineage Address given by Janneke Koole. This Address will focus on the Nature of Abundance. All are welcome. See details in this newsletter.

We welcome any one with an interest in the Sweet Medicine community to register on the website www.sweetmedicine.com.au. Let us know what you are interested in - the courses Quodoush-kas, Sharmanic De-armoring, Sweat lodges or gatherings and we will keep you informed of the dates for the various events.

In beauty Jenny

BUSH MEDICINE – Medicine from the heart and soul of Oz Freedom By Neil Robert Black Panther Warrior

“In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved.” Frank-lin D. Roosevelt 1

“Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it.” George Ber-nard Shaw 2

Can there be such a thing as freedom? Truly?

We are here by the grand design of Great Spirit and whilst we may be a cell of Great Spirit if you think you are free then choose right now to have never existed. Still with me then? In the sense of the word the way we use it, Great Spirit is the tyrant that you will never conquer for all things, including your victories, occur within Great Spirit.

Don Juan claimed that a warrior reaches the point of freedom with the realisation that he is never free, as does Theun Mares in the Return of the Warriors. The premise being that once a warrior reaches impeccability there is simply no other way of being that a warrior would choose, thus the warrior reaches the point of freedom knowing that he or she is never free.

Is this not surrender?As the seventh movement of energy, freedom sits between imagination, the faculty or action of producing ideas, especially mental images of what is not present or has not been experienced and pattern, a consistent, characteristic form, style, or method, as: a composite of traits or features characteristic of an individual or a group: one’s pattern of be-haviour. Is it not interesting then that freedom sits in the void space that holds the potential for all forms of all things, that freedom is a blend of imagination and pattern.

“The secret to happiness is freedom...and the secret to freedom is courage.” - Thucydides

At what point did we have the freedom to choose? Was it at the point that Wakan first made the determination to inhale and thus give birth to everything that followed? What freedom do we have now?

For me, the expression of freedom is to know myself better, to know my-self as the magikal mysterious char-acter. Freedom is to go beyond what I accept about myself here and now and to continue to grow and develop. To do this I must choose to engage life, I must have the imagination to make known what is unknown and integrate this knowledge as a new pattern in the energy expression of my magnetic attracting thought space.

Freedom is the acceptance (surren-der) that I am what I am. I am the imagining of Great Spirit and thus I am a being extraordinary to my own concepts of self. I am more than I can possibly imagine myself to be.

Freedom is not free. The price of such freedom is the death of identi-ty. Whilst I choose to identify myself, I choose to limit myself. Identity requires no imagination; all we need do is listen to the opinions of others.

If I continue to hold as valid those opinions then surely the chains of my wounding, moulding and sculpting will reassert themselves and dampen that spark which is my children’s fire.

I must accept the responsibility that I create my reality within the choice of Great Spirit. I must accept that in every moment I must become present and stand accountable for my choices, face and conquer the blocks to maturity that prevent me from discovering my true nature. In order to be free I must learn to surrender.“Man is born free, but everywhere he is in chains.” Jean Jacques Rousseau 3

1. Franklin D. Roosevelt, Speech, September 22, 1936 - 32nd president of US (1882 - 1945)2. George Bernard Shaw, Irish dramatist & socialist (1856 – 1950)3. Jean Jacques Rousseau, The Social Contract - French political philosopher (1712 - 1778)

MORE THOUGHTS ON FREEDOM From a Buddhist perspective by Dzogchen Ponlop

Sometimes we think that freedom means simply being free of any outside control—we can do whatever we like, when we like. Or maybe we think it means we are not controlled by inner psychological forces that inhibit the free expression of our feelings. But these kinds of freedom are only partial. If freedom is not accompanied by intelligence and basic good sense, we could end up just acting impulsively, letting our emotions off the leash. We might be free to shout at people or to stay out all night indulging our appetite for excite-ment and sensation, but we are certainly not in charge and we are not free. We may feel temporarily energized and liberated by that kind of freedom, but the feeling is short-lived and usually followed by more pain and more confusion. We may also think that freedom means having a choice. We are free to choose what to do with our lives, our time, and our money. We may choose wisely or foolishly, but it is our choice.This so-called “freedom,” however, is just a façade when every day, we make the same choices, when we do the same things over and over and react in the same ways. http://www.rebelbuddha.com/2010/08/the-road-to-freedom-what-you-should-know/

Dzogchen Ponlop is a teacher, a poet, visual artist and city-dweller, based in the United States for two decades. He is the author of Rebel Buddha.

Basically you are totally free to choose, but once you choose, your very choice brings a limitation. If you want to re-main totally free, then don’t choose. That’s where the teaching of choiceless awareness comes in. Why the insistence of the great masters just to be aware and not to choose? Because the moment you choose, you have lost your total freedom, you are left with only a part. But if you remain choiceless, your freedom remains total. So there is only one thing which is totally free and that is choiceless aware-ness. Everything else is limited. - Osho - Freedom

Osho on Freedom - www.osho.com

“The most important kind of freedom is to be what you really are. You trade in your reality for a role. You trade in your sense for an act. You give up your ability to feel, and in exchange, put on a mask. There can’t be any large-scale revolution until there’s a personal revolution, on an individual level. It’s got to happen inside first.”

- Jim Morrison

Lineage Address and Red Lodge PreviewThe Lineage Address is presented by Janneke Koole. Janneke is an authorized teacher, ceremonialist and senior medicine woman on the Sweet Medicine Sun-Dance Path. Janneke is the author of many of the books that we use on this Path. We are very grateful that she is able to visit our shores and share her advanced knowl-edge of the teachings with us.

Abundance – the natural state of the universe.

If abundance is the natural condition of the Stream of Livingness, how is it that we struggle with lack and poverty? How can we enter the Stream of Livingness and align with the Law of Return?

Now that the Gates to the Human World have cracked open, we stand on the thresh-old of great opportunity. Our thoughts become more potent; our intent manifests more directly.

This address will set a context for successful intending and provide concrete practic-es to enhance your personal abundance.2

Lineage Address

The Lineage Address is a talk given at the opening to the Red Lodge sessions. Every-one is invited to attend and hear from one of the most senior people on the Path of the Sweet Medicine SunDance tradition.

WHEN : Thursday June 6th, 7 pmWHERE: Coorabell HallCoolamon scenic Drive, Coorabell.

COST: $15 - All welcome

Purification (Sweat) Lodge Ceremony Monday 10th June

A Purification (Sweat) Lodge Ceremony is planned for Monday 10th June at the South Ballina Beach Holiday Park, where our Red Lodge Longhouse program is held. This will be a fantastic day to immerse yourself into the lineage and experience of the SMSD purification lodge tradi-tion. Sweat Participants gather at the Green Shed ‘Shala’ at South Ballina Beach Holiday Park at 10.45am. Please arrive on time. Directions will be forwarded after registering All are welcome.

Registration is essential.

Bring:» Towels, thongs or sandals and sarong » lunch and nourishment for break» water bottle» a donation to share covering costs» medicine gifts with tobacco for the fire crew, Dance Chief in Training and our Dance Chief Stands Behind

If you are impassioned, sparked by de-sire or just curious then this is what you need to do:

email, text or phone Dianne Ryan on 0415 172 154 or cocreate@bigpond.net.au as soon as you can that you would like to come. I will need their name and contact details, email and mobile phone number.

Are you ready to catalyze change in your life at this time? Now is your chance to de-armor!

We still have spaces available in the Shamanic De-armoring program, coming up in the Byron Bay area August 11-25 2013. This deeply transformational, 15-day intensive ceremony is designed to help you release energetic blocks and patterns of pain from your body, allowing life force energy to flow freely. What a great opportunity to align with change and propel yourself forward in your evolution!

I'm interested, what do I do next? If you would like to be part of this ancient shamanic ceremony or just want to find out more then go to www.shamanicdearmoring.com Or Contact Alison 0432 599 812 shamanicdearmoring@gmail.com

DRUM TEAM IS CALLING

For those who have experienced Eagle Dance, THE SONGS LIVE IN YOU..For those who have heard the Drum Team or gathering songs, THE RHYTHM INVITES YOU..

The Drum is the heart beat… COME…GATHER…SING… The heart of the Sweet Medicine Sun Dance community is the drum and the gathering songs. We will be meeting every second Mon-day in Wynnum to learn and practice the songs for the upcoming Eagle Dance. If you enjoy sing-ing as a group and ceremony, I reckon you’ll love this.

Come along and join the circle ... try it at least once.

All enquiries please email drumteamoz@gmail.com or call me on 0408 454 481 For those of you in the Byron Shire, please express your interest as I am trying to find creative options to have Drum Team practise in your area as well. Rich BlessingsMal Ryan

Image: Kim Lewis

Orgasmic Bliss is not to be missed the intention is setsee what you getit’s like riding a wavejust don’t be a slaveif you go with the flowwhere you end up, you won’t knowlet your breath be the guideas you go for a ridesurrender to it all allow yourself to fallinto the orgasmic blisswhich is not to be missed

- Pauline Ryeland

Greetings from the Metis Medicine Shop AustraliaWe are so close to launching our website and are most excited that we will soon be “live to air”!Please watch this space www.metismedicineshop.com in the coming month and look out for us at the Lineage Address on June 6th at Coorabell Hall. At the Metis Medicine Shop you will find many of your Medicine needs including Pendleton Blankets, fetishes, smudge requirements, Deer Tribe Publications and much more.

Please enjoy the following reviews of three of our most popular books:

Sharmanic Wheels and Keys (The Green Manual) $60.00 AuBy Harley SwiftDeer Reagan

This shamanic reference book and self study guide delivers teachings of the Twisted Hairs Elders of Turtle Island. Translated by Harley SwiftDeer Reagan, Founder, Medicine Chief and Nagual Lineage Elder of the Deer Tribe Metis Medicine Society (DTMMS), the Shamanic Wheels and Keys reveal ancient truths and open inner doorways to personal power. A comprehensive introduction to the Sweet Medicine SunDance Path, this book will challenge your mind and expand your awareness and a must have as you journey on your path with heart!

The teachings of this volume include:• What medicine wheels are and how to use them;• The key to the structure of the Universe:• The 0-9 Law and the Seven Streams of Light;• The Powers of the Four Directions (East, West, South, North), the four Basic Elements (Air, Fire, Water, Earth), and many other medicine wheel overlays;• The Star Maidens Circle: a bridge to your Higher Self, a Key Driver Wheel that provides powerful

insight into your patterns (actions, reactions, desires, beliefs and goals) and how to change them;• The Infinity Movement, the key which unlocks the knowledge held within any wheel;• The Twenty Count: the hidden, mathematical blueprint to understand the sacred powers of the Universe.• includes free Infinity Movement-Spinner Card (which you’ll learn to use in the book) ...and much more.

The Shamanic Wheels and Keys, is a challenging and profound body of sacred and ancient shamanic knowledge, rich with illustrations and symbols, contains practical exercises and instructions for ceremonies that awaken wisdom, reminding you of what you already know.

Song of the Deer - The Great SunDance Journey of the Soul $25.00 AuBy Thunder Strikes with Jan Orsi

Song of the Deer offers a fresh perspective on the evolution of soul consciousness. Wheels of knowledge, rooted in the Sweet Medicine SunDance path, an ageless and magickal shamanic Twisted Hairs tradition of the Americas, guide you on a quest to “remember” your mysterious character and the true nature of your soul. Song of the Deer is inspired by the Gold Horse of the Rainbow Bridge Prophecies, which speak through the metaphor of a Great Horse Race. The Gold Horse in the Race carries our shining potential for greatness as enlightened humans.“Seasoned spiritual seekers and beginners alike will find this book takes them on deeper and deeper levels of understand-ings... There is just something about this book that makes those lightbulbs in your head click ON. This is a book you will want to reference and read many times over... I have read many self help books and I have NEVER discovered any teachings as profound as these. There is enough information condensed into this book to cover fifteen books!” - SHERRI from Indiana” A powerhouse book whose

broad scope and clear narrative are unique in current spiritual offerings. There is more here than meets the eye. Multiple layers of meaning reveal themselves with each rereading. Song of the Deer should be at the top of every spiritual seeker’s study list.” - CAROL BARNETT

The Sexual Practices of Quodoushka: Teachings from the Nagual Tradition $30.00 AuBy Amara Charles

From the Sweet Medicine SunDance Path spiritual sexuality teachings! Practical guidance on sex, intimacy, and relationships, how to reach higher levels of orgasm and sexual ecstasy, the healing power of sexual union and orgasm.Quodoushka instructor Amara Charles explains:

• the physical, energetic, and sexual qualities of the nine male and female genital anatomy types• the nine variations of orgasmic expression• exercises for greater sexual pleasure and increased orgasmic intensity….......of course much more

We are very fortunate to have these teachings in print format for the first time!

Self defense – What a great weekend!Recently members of our community participated in self-defense training led by Shirsha Marie of Byron Bay Martial Arts. We can all safely say we feel more empowered in our physical bodies, have new and expanded understanding of our capabilities, plus gained a few new moves (like Wrist grabs, Hair Grabs, Chokes, Bear Hugs, and Punches..) It was a fabulous weekend so expertly led by Shirsha and so appreciated by the group. Our sharing circles and willingness to learn and practice together showed the strength of the

community spirit. Every bruise and sore muscle felt on Monday was worth it! See you at self-defense 2!

Byron Bay Martial Arts is located in the heart of Byron Bay, Australia where health, vitality and well-being are an integral part of the regional lifestyle. This lively Centre was established in 1986 by Shirsha Marie, Senior Instructor.

Shirsha promotes the development and integration of body, mind and spirit through the Eastern Arts of Taiji, Qigong and Hapkido-Hapkiyusul. These traditional arts offer physical, mental and spiritual development

to improve all-round health and enhance one’s experience of daily life. They promote fitness, longevity, self-preservation and personal empowerment. Training in these authentic health and martial arts improves co-ordination, balance, postural alignment, flexibility and strength, and increases focus, stamina and self-confidence. At an internal level these arts provide effective stress release, relaxation, and deepened states of awareness. They cultivate inner refinement and respect and harmony with self and others. The teaching style at Byron Bay Martial Arts is a significant outcome of Shirsha Marie’s many years of dedication to health, martial arts, personal development and meditation. She has expert knowledge and experience in training methods which focus on ‘Ki’ development - energy cultivation.

Taiji (Tai Chi) is a soft style martial art based on principles of relaxation and meditation. It is a non-aggressive self-defense system whose soft yielding forms are employed to harmonize with an opponent’s force. It develops internal strength, calmness and depth, and promotes the experience of stillness in action. Qigong (Chi Kung) is a gentle and enjoyable exercise system based on traditional Chinese medical theory. It cultivates the smooth flow of vital life energy throughout the whole body, nourishing every organ and tissue, building inner strength and improving all functions of the body. Qigong calms the mind and promotes deep relaxation, inner peace and well-being.

Hapkido-Hapkiyusul is a traditional Korean Martial Art comprised of strikes, kicks, joint manipulations, off-balancing skills, and throwing techniques. It incorporates internal training methods such as deep breathing techniques, ‘Ki’ energy development, and meditation. Hapkiyusul’s unique training methods result in a highly effective self-defence system. However,

the higher purpose of the art is to develop the mind and spirit of a warrior with a character that is able to master oneself in all situations.

Shirsha delivers the subtleties of Taiji, Qigong and Hapkido-Hapkiyusul with grace, depth and insight, which enhances all aspects of student practice, including meditation. Her refined skills and clear instruction make these arts accessible and enjoyable for everybody.

At Byron Bay Martial Arts there is a safe, friendly and non-competitive training environment that allows students to focus within and develop vital life energy for rejuvenation, self-healing and self-empowerment.

BYBYRON BAYRON BAY

MARTIAL ARTSMARTIAL ARTS VITALITY VITALITY ENERGY ENERGY SPIRITSPIRIT Established in 1986 by Senior Instructor – Shirsha Marie

T A I J IT A I J I Soft-Style Chinese Martial Art

Inner Strength & Harmony

Q I G O N GQ I G O N G Gentle Chinese Exercise Art

Radiant Health & Well-Being

H A P K I Y U S U LH A P K I Y U S U L Traditional Korean Martial Art

Focus & Empowerment

Tradit ions that have Healed and InspiredTradit ions that have Healed and Inspired ff or Thousands of Yearsor Thousands of Years

(02) 668581(02) 6685818181 www.shirshamarie.com • info@shirshamarie.com

www.ByronBayMartialArts.com.au