Live Painting at the Aumakua Heart Center

We are blessed to know a very special family. Lani Lee and her children have become our dear friends, and we are so grateful for them. They created the Aumakua Heart Center. "A Spiritual based community dedicated to the growth of love, acceptance, and awakening of our true selves." They hold beautiful gatherings once a month, each explores an expression of spirituality.  The gatherings also include drumming, meditation, and enjoying delicious vegan food. My family and I love them.  You can find out more about the Aumakua Gatherings at their website.... http://www.aumakuaheartcenter.com/

My family has attended the Aumakua's Spring equinox gathering, prosperity gathering, & Kundilini to name a few. I was honored to have the experience of live painting at their recent gathering about Shamanic Journey. I absolutely love shamanic journey meditation. It is a practice that resonates deeply in me. I was blessed to practice this sacred meditation frequently when I lived in South Florida, and form an intimate bond with my spirit guides through this practice. 

My shamanic journeys are usually very powerful and familiar...You can read about my journeys in one of my older blog posts called Spirit Bears.
This journey was facilitated by the talented Destiny Eurkus, a Shamanic coach and healer. You can check out her beautiful website here...http://riverswithin.com/

There is something magical and enthralling about seeing someone painting live. It usually draws a crowd. Who hasn't spent an hour or two watching Bob Ross paint "happy trees".  Inspired by Bob, and artists like Amanda Sage, and Alex Grey, I was thrilled to try it!

I sketched out my painting at home first. I would have been way to nervous to do it on the spot. I set up my easel, paints, and a few paintings, and got to work. As I painted the room filled with beautiful people, burning sage, and music. I painted as they drummed, and the energy shifted to sacred space. It was wonderful to stop and talk to people about their spirit animals, and shamanic journey as I worked. When Destiny began the journey I stopped and joined the group. My journey once again an amazing, nurturing, and profound experience, best described by my finished piece....

Thanks for reading!

Blessed Be!

Spirit Bears

By: Michelle Cicala

When I lived in Florida, I would participate in a lot of guided meditation groups.  There was a very special group of people that would gather at my dear friends John Wulf and Laura Hughes' house. With the deep and reassuring voice of John as my guide, I would journey into my self. I would process many feelings during the meditations, and observe the shifts of my consciousness. I would feel unsure of my ability to do it "right". I would feel profound connection to my fellow meditators, and to my guide. I would feel hope and excitement, centered and grounded. I would float out of the room at the end of the evening.

  Grizzly Moon ~ by Michelle Cicala

Once a month we would do a shamanic journey - lead by my friend Frank. The four directions would be called upon, to help us create a sacred space. Sage would smoulder, and smell so good, earthy, and fresh. We would begin to drum together. The energy would rise, and build, louder and faster, and then stop. Silence would follow, and seem so loud in its stillness.

 Blue Moon Bear ~ by Michelle Cicala

When the time was right we would begin our shamanic journey. Frank, with feathers in his hair, would strike his drum with a slow steady beat, while circling the room. Slowly the beat would grow quicker, and quicker, growing in urgency. I would sit listening, breathing, and in my mind I would be walking down a dirt road on a bright sunny day. The clouds and sky were beautiful, and the land is rolling hills of  yellow green dry grass. The beat of the drum is the rhythm of my foot steps, and as they become more rapid, I begin to run. I veer off into dark green cool forest of redwood trees. The sun light is dappled in here, the sky is covered by the tall trees and branches. There are pine needles under my feet, as I run even faster now.

Blue Moon Bear Detail

Suddenly, the drumming stops and there is a cave. I have been here many times. I was born here. I am coming home. Inside it is dark, and warm, and silent. I let my fingers rub the rock walls as I walk deeper into the cave. I feel the ancient hieroglyphs drawn and carved into the stone by my ancestors. Pictures of animals, moose, caribou, and bears.

 Gazing Bear ~ by Michelle Cicala

I can hear his breathing, before my eyes adjust enough to make out his huge shape. The spirit bear is sleeping. His brown shaggy fur is dreaded and matted, and I can smell him. I lay down, and curl up next to him. Without a sound, or change in his rhythmic breathing, he lifts his massive paw and embraces me. This is where I was born. I am home.

Gazing Bear Detail

Stillness, silence, and breath, is all there is in this moment. I've come here with questions, but those are all gone now. Here with my spirit bear, all is understood.

We don't always sleep. He has talked with me, shown me the hieroglyphs that decorate his home. Sometimes, I find him outside. I use his shaggy hair to pull my self up on his back, and ride him through the forest. But tonight I just rest beneath his heavy paw.

Traveling Home ~ by Michelle Cicala

I hear the drum again. Its time to travel home. I silently thank the spirit bear - for all his wisdom, love, and power. I make my way back out, into the forest. Frank's drum is speeding up, and so do I. Out into the forest, and back out to the road. 

The drum is silent. I am back inside my body. I am back in John and Laura's living room, with my fellow travelers. They have all taken their own journeys, to the places, and with the spirits that have called to them.  I wiggle my fingers, and my toes. I stretch my arms above my head, it feels luxurious. I open my eyes, and I giggle.

Silver Moon ~ by Michelle Cicala

Many of the Spirit Bear Paintings are still available in my Etsy Shop.  
https://www.etsy.com/shop/PaisleyBearCreations

Thank you so much for taking the time to read about my journey. I feel so happy to have a forum to share it with you.
Namaste
Michelle Cicala