We hikers have a “code” for the trail. It is this:
What takes place on the trail, stays on the trail.
So any of you labyrinth walkers must forgive me if I am breaking any such “labyrinth code.” But this is simply too a-maze-ing to leave solely in the hearts and minds of those who witnessed it.
I, for one, was there. So was my sister Joan. So was my friend Miriam. So were the three women who Big Baba met in the labyrinth.
Big Baba, a Buddhist Monk from Thailand, has been staying in Mt. Shasta for the past three months. He is the one who put the “amazing” in the labyrinth. This is when. This is how. This is why.
Gayle & Big Baba in Labyrinth on Mt. Shasta
Last Wednesday Della Clark held a farewell potluck for Big Baba at her beautiful home and retreat center at the base of Mt. Shasta.
Erupting volcanoes could not have kept me away!
Gayle Sharing Food with Big Baba
After the gathering, I wanted more of Big Baba. I always want more of Big Baba. I have so much to learn from him. Besides, whenever I spend the day with Big Baba, I have the energy to live a full length day–no minor feat for someone diagnosed with terminal, stage 3 metastatic pancreas cancer who is on daily and weekly chemotherapy!
So, Big Baba invited us to meet him later at his house, drive him to Dunsmuir in response to an invitation, and then proceed to the mountain that lured him to the city of Mt. Shasta.
But, as such things often happen, the woman who was to guide us to her house arrived later than the agreed upon time. Consequently, Big Baba sensed we needed to cancel our Dunsmuir trip and head to the mountain while there was still light.
Joan, Miriam and I took him up the mountain to the labyrinth. When we arrived, we saw three women in the center holding hands and either praying or talking together. They soon finished and walked toward us. Somehow Big Baba knew we had missed the trip to Dunsmuir to be here at this very moment.
He walked toward the women and said to the youngest one, “Is there a question you want to ask me?”
The young woman looked at the saffron-robed monk in front of her and then at us with a puzzled look.
I interjected, “If you have a question, you may ask him.”
“Yes, I do,” she answered, still looking puzzled. Yet she remained silent.
Big Baba asked, “Do you have a boyfriend?”
“A friend,” she stammered.
“Why are you here?” Big Baba asked.
“Before we left Mexico, I prayed for a sign,” she answered. “We came to the labyrinth yesterday and today waiting for a sign.”
The young woman, named Lizzy, put her hand on another woman’s arm. “This is my mother. She meditates,” Lizzy continued. “She said she saw the image of someone coming here to help us.”
The third woman was translating the conversation into Spanish for Lizzy’s mother and into English for Big Baba. I was wishing for a transcendent translation!
Big Baba then began to describe Lizzy’s relationship to her friend, her mother and her career.
“You know too much,” she giggled, but was fascinated and eager to hear more.
The monk then told Lizzy how to heal her relationship with her mother. He next turned to the mother and told her how to heal her relationship with her daughter. He had them face each other and repeat after him. He said words in English, they repeated. He next gave them a blessing in his native language and the two of them began crying and hugging each other with great love and forgiveness.
It was such a powerful moment that Miriam, Joan and I cried and all six of us women began hugging each other, moved beyond words at the healing that had just taken place between a mother and daughter and a daughter and mother.
Divine Love!
But Big Baba was not finished. He looked into the young woman’s eyes and said, “You are very intelligent. Others do not understand you. You want your friend and your mother to understand you. But they cannot.”
“That’s right,” Lizzy agreed.
“I understand you,” the monk replied, “and one is enough. So drop it, okay?” (I think he learned that last phrase in California!)
She nodded her agreement.
“You promise?” he asked.
“Yes, I promise.”
The Buddhist Monk looked once more at the young woman from Mexico. “You have a very good future ahead of you. You will also make lots of money.”
Big Baba then asked Joan, Miriam and me to stand away for a while as he talked further with the three women. I wonder what he said.
Each of us were in amazement and awe at the truly gifted healer standing before us.
The women finally left as they had yet to drive to Sacramento. From there they would catch their flight back to Mexico.
I think they were already flying high!
On the drive back down the mountain, with the powerful monk sitting beside me in my small car and the memory of the event still melting my heart, I so desired, and yes, even prayed, that I, too, could one day spread such goodness in this world.
Big Baba had told me a few weeks earlier that I still have work yet to do in this world–to spread love to thousands of people. May his prediction one day come true!
And, may this blog post be one of those ways love reaches you. Big Baba’s love–my love–all love. Love beyond yearnings and cravings. Love beyond understanding. Love beyond the human heart. Love that heals by reaching into the soul of who you are and overflowing into the souls of all. Love that Big Baba offers freely to the world. Pure love. Love.
Big Baba left Mt. Shasta last Saturday, on his way to new adventure. I will continue to learn from him, however, as I hold him in my heart wherever he goes and wherever I go.
(I will also follow him on his website @www.csustan.edu/…/BigBabaBlackBuddhaPhraWithoonArjarasupohBio…)
And I will hold YOU in my heart, too. Wherever you go. Wherever I go. For you see, somehow, Big Baba opened my heart.
I think it happened the first time I was in the labyrinth with him. Mike was there and was the only one to witness me fall to my knees sobbing in gratitude and humbleness for the healing that had just taken place inside. I don’t know what it was, or how it happened, or what occurred. All I know is that it was one of the most profound moments of my life. Thank you, Big Baba!
So you see, labyrinths are truly a-maze-ing places. Especially when Big Baba is the one doing the A-Maze-ing Grace!
Big Baba
Big Love!
“And, may this blog post be one of those ways love reaches you. …. ”
When I read that sentence I began to weep. It’s been a hard day, foot hurting, phone breaking, truck in the shop, savings being spent…but I read that paragraph and I prayed that I would let it all go and just allow the love and the truth of what is. Thank you Gayle for spreading the love. I may not be thousands, but I am one.
You are the perfect ONE! Allowing lets it happen!
What a beautiful story and told so wonderful it brings tears to my eyes for you and those women. You are such an awesome writer Gayle, I love you~
I love you, Mary. You are such an awesome woman who knows what it means to love!
Thank you again. Gayle your blog immerses me, for one, in some feeling that really transcends what I usually feel. Dang it… Then things get in the way. Duh, and it’ s gone. Your reminders are the “love” you seek. I allow living to get in the way. But I know I have saved all of your reminders and will always be grateful. Love u
Only one small adjustment if I may: your living does not get in the way–it is the way! Dang it! 🙂
Gayle, as I opened your email today. I was thinking how interesting it is that although I only shared a few days with you, I feel so connected to you and what you write. It is always so special to read your blog and see your pictures. Indeed, you have been sharing a special kind of love with me and those of us who read your words. I can only imagine, how much love, joy and understanding you spread in your daily personal contacts with your loved ones, your friends, your medical practitioners, the merchants you meet and the strangers that you greet. Thank you for being you and spreading it around. xoxox Sandy
Your imagination as to what I spread has perhaps been magnified, but would be happy to have tea with you one day and we can share together!
Dearest Gayle, This past summer I kept thinking about Mt. Shasta and how you were near, and I notice that a newsletter I get was doing a retreat there somewhere, but I didn’t feel drawn to go there with them. The last post I remembered you had tea with Big Baba and then your nodule had diminished, you were so grateful for meeting this man with such gifts of love and healing. I thought this is fantastic…it surely can happen and Gayle is so right in line for total healing! But I never wrote you….then today I get the post and had to go back to the “Don’t worry, Be Happy one.” that I somehow had missed, and today’s reread a few times realizing that Big Bab had been there for some time. If only I had contacted you, but a lot of stuff going on, I kept feeling that my “wants” were not so important, and I was focusing on financial survival as well as my daughter’s selling of her house and how I fit into all that. She sold it and is now with her child living with me as this past week. Things just seem to be moving so fast. I have felt in a quandary and so in need of a comrade in thought and joy, an uplifting, loving spirit. And, my dear your posts are that for me right now this very evening. You do spread joy and love, and may the powerful spiritual climate of Mt. Shasta, the beauty that I can only sense is there, connect with the “apu” of Mt. Greylock, here and bring that “big love” in even stronger. May I become as brave as you are. May I look out my window and walk on the ground and know that there is no problem, that I do not have to worry that because one does understand and one is enough. Love back to you and yours and that glorious mountain that lifts you up and guides you with its energy so well!
Dear Sandra, Big Baba told me it is not time to use my healing powers (which I haven’t told you about yet), as I must first regain my strength, so I will send you the greatest healing power of all–LOVE! He also told me that positive thinking can change the hormones in one’s body–so positively I will send love to you! If you ever desire a retreat on the West Coast, please feel free to come here. (The photo on my blog is my favorite sunrise from my front porch.) And the price is right–free. Plus, if you’re a coffee drinker, Mike makes the best coffee. He has also learned Big Baba’s secret for healthful, delicious tea. My best to you, Sandra. You have certainly given some of your best to me!
Gayle, thank you for such an inspiring story. I pray for you everyday and always remember how you reached out to me. I truly love you for that. G-d Bless you and thank you for being part of my life.
Xoxo
Dear Wanda, I’m still reaching out to you. Only now it is not by telephone! May you continue to gain strength and healing along your journey. You obviously are a strong woman to be continuing your walk!
I LOVE your posts with all the LOVE.
Thank you, thank you for your sharing.
Said from a true master at love! Thank you!
Fantastic thank you for sharing.
Hi Barbara, Thank you for reading. :-). I still look forward to the time I can stand next to you singing songs again.
As always, thank you Gayle for sharing this special time with Baba and friends. Blessings, Peggie
Hi Peggie. As always, thank you for receiving!
Gayle: You are love personified! So much light and world-healing pouring from the words you have written here. Just lately I have suddenly been in a panic, feeling so strongly that I am not fulfilling what I came to do – to teach about that pure love for all beings – no one excluded, anywhere. I am not doing this enough! But reading your words reminds me that even what each of us does right here in our own little corner of the planet, how we think and feel and speak and act – is all so, so important. It does matter! And you have always given us all such great insight and that pure love and joy in every blog post and by just being you. A deep bow of respect to you! With love, Rita
Hi Rita, Your laJoie magazine has been speaking your heart for years now. As has your care and attention of animals in need. You are as blessed with them as they are with you. As I think back over my life, I realize there is one thing I would have liked to do more of, and that is to spend more times with animals, both pets and livestock. Who knows, perhaps it’s not too late. I do feed apples and carrots to the two horses who live down the lane. That is joyful. I would like to meet your bovine, Christina, one day. And as what you have come here to do. I’ve come to the belief that our purpose is simply to be who we are. Who is better qualified at that than you are. Many blessings, Rita. Keep up the good work.
Gayle, Thank you for sharing the love,
the great love that you are able to respond to. You are teaching me. Judy
We are teaching each other! Just take a look at your beautiful art!
Gayle,
You have already spread so much love and goodness with your beautiful stories, I hope that someday I can open my heart and love in that way.
Thank you and thank you big Baba
Jennie
Thanks, Jennie! As Big Baba says, if you can imagine it, it is possble.
Reading your blog that my dear friend sent to me has truly made me realize what living life with love and openess to our present life is! I have always been a positive person, but lately have felt trapped in criticism of my present situation. Reading your blog has told me to go back to the positive and focus on my own true being and go forward with that!
Thank you, Gayle, for your inspiring words!!
Wow–you are an A+ student! 🙂 Kindest regards to you.
And so you are spreading that love Gayle…no doubt far more than you know. I am thrilled that Big Baba came to you and that you are bringing him and his love to all of us. Great love, Pam
Thanks, Pam. Would love to have you visit for a cup of tea.
Gayle,
Ah…missing Big Bubba and your story makes me wonder..but as Kermit the Frog says in “It’s not easy being Green”…why wonder? Though to be there would have been another amazing time with this unique spiritual being (and you plus)…the Red Sox prevailed! So Joy & I, and her friend Susan, sat at the Elks Lodge bar watching the World Series, my home team, and downed some beers. At that time, it was the right thing to be doing! 🙂
I am not what you would call a “sports enthusiast”..however, the World Series is so…so…American and the Boston Red Sox…well, it just felt good to pull out my “B O S T O N” t-shirt and put it on.
I do think about how wonderful it would have been to speak to Big Baba again…perhaps ask him a question or two about a couple of personal subjects. Funny though how you really don’t have to ask him. He is really one of the most intuitive beings I have ever met.
He delves into a persons soul…looks through their eyes and really sees. So many times we look at people but we do not look into their eyes. Eyes are our soul..and our souls are meant to be seen.
Lovely, Gayle. I am so happy that Big Bubba came into your life, is in your life..my life (thanks to you), and all those that the universe has put in his path.
I wish you LOVE until we meet again….Karen XOXO
Yes, you’re right about Big Baba. A week before I met him I asked in my heart for a teacher, a really BIG teacher. My wish was fulfilled!
I felt really honored to have met, and spend as long as we did with Big Babba! He really focused on us as we drove and explored the mountain, how fortunate for those of us lucky enough to have shared his insight, wisdom and healing powers. He cooks some mean tofu too, lol. Special day in Mt Shasta for sure, including the labyrinth healing and blessings. I will most likely never have a chance to ever be in the presence of anyone more spiritual than Big Babba! Thank you BB! Thank you too auntie Gayle! Love you. Ang
Yes, what a special man. I told him if he comes back next year I’ll be here! Great motivation to hang around–don’t you agree! I was also glad to have shared the day with you. Love, Auntie
Gayle, as I opened your email today. I was thinking how interesting it is that although I only shared a few days with you, I feel so connected to you and what you write. It is always so special to read your blog and see your pictures. Indeed, you have been sharing a special kind of love with me and those of us who read your words. I can only imagine, how much love, joy and understanding you spread in your daily personal contacts with your loved ones, your friends, your medical practitioners, the merchants you meet and the strangers that you greet. Thank you for being you and spreading it around. xoxox Sandy
What a lovely thing to share–thank you! Life treats me well!
Hey there, I got over to your website page via StumbleUpon. Not some thing I frequently read, yet I like your thoughts none the less. Many thanks for putting together something worthy of reading through!
Thanks for the stumble and the read! Glad you liked it.