More nudges from stones that speak...
Posted by Scot on 05/19/2010 16:01:48
Hey Deirdre,
I stopped after work to fuel-up at my neighborhood gas station two days
ago and got a very pleasant surprise. As I was standing and refueling
at the gas pump I glanced towards the ground and noticed a small gray-
colored stone that at first appeared unremarkable, but then seemed to
take on a special presence and "call out" to me. I fixed my gaze on the
stone and then felt compelled to pick it up for closer inspection.
When I took the Gibraltar-shaped stone into my grasp it's weight seemed
a bit heavy for it's size. Some scuff marks suggested that it had
probably been run over and tossed around the pavement by the traffic
from the many cars that constantly drive in and out of the gas station
parking lot. I soon noticed that the distinct odor of gasoline came
from the dark oily grime that covered part of the stone.
As I focused my awareness on the finer details of the stone, the
ugliness of the stone's superficial flaws quickly fell away revealing a
thing of rare beauty. An iridescent glimmer suggested that the stone
was laced with quart crystals along with subtle striations that gave
the appearance of a piece of fossilized, petrified wood.
I knew that I had a real 'find' on my hands! I asked the mechanics that
work at the station if I could take the stone with me and got some
reactions in the form of good-natured jokes and laughter. One called
the stone my "pet rock", and the other just grinned and said, "Cool!".
I took my "pet rock" home, cleaned it up, and it now sits near my
computer on the base of a small lamp right next to a postcard that
features a very famous photo by Henri Cartier-Bresson of sculptor
Alberto Giacometti. The postcard was sent to me last October by a good
friend from Tucson, so the two items placed together have become a
shrine of sorts. The shrine will probably expand as time goes by.
This episode reminded me of one of John's lessons about Hawaiian 'worry
stones' from way back in the mid-80's. John had told me about how to
use a small stone as a tool for awareness practice while feeling
footfalls when walking. A 'worry stone' was to be held in the hand as a
kind of tactile 'alarm clock' that offers one a 'wake-up call'. I would
say that the practice of carrying a 'worry stone' can potentially be a
very apropos exrercise for the Aware Presence Game.
One day, not long after John's lesson on 'worry stones', I was walking
on a street near my house east of Tucson Blvd. (I have since moved to
the eastern U.S.) and saw a stone that seemed to have a unique
presence. Just like my recent 'find' at my neighborhood gas station,
the Tucson stone was partly coverd in oily grime, but I still felt
compelled to pick it up.
I mentioned finding my own personal 'worry stone' to John a short time
later, and he asked if the stone had "called out" to me. I confirmed
experiencing a mysterious communication with the stone and I knew then
that I had an authentic 'worry stone'!
John had an Hawaiian name for these stones that I had forgotten. I e-
mailed Marilyn and asked for John's specific ID for a 'worry stone'.
Marilyn told me yesterday that John referred to these stones with the
Hawaiian word, "Ipili".
So, is my latest experience with Ipili coming from the magical realm of
synchronicity, signs, amd nudges? If so, it couldn't come at a better
time!
Very Best,
Scot