Zero Point Field

Quaker meeting was interesting today. A friend stood up and spoke about a theory quantum physics called the zero point field. She said that the space in between atoms, electrons, molecules, everything is not a space, but a vibrational energy, and that the energy reaches out of us and into the air, the mountains, and everything on the planet that has been created. Thus, we are all linked by some form of energy. She said that it is possible to ask this field for whatever it is you need, and that you will get it. She has used this for tiny, small things like parking spaces in town, and apparently it never fails.

I suppose we all have different names for what this phenomenon might be - God, angels, guides, positive thinking, visualisation, higher conciousness. She encouraged us to be brave enough to ask for what it is that we want, in a way that is clear and specific, trust that it will be so, and then leave it.

She wanted me to know this so that I could use it if I needed help when I was away. I was so touched that I shed a few tears (for about the eleventh time this week! - Since when was I such a tearful woman? - perhaps it's something to do with the full moon - or just that the world is full of such lovely people it's hard to appreciate sometimes).

Poem

Hooray! One of my favourite people has sent me a poem for my travels!

It's really lovely and says what going on a journey is all about - the journey rather than the destination. It's v.easy to get attached to destinations I guess. Even though my Mum used to tell me that your holiday starts the minute you get up on the morning you leave, I would never believe it (much whingeing of "are we there yet?").

But she's right of course. I suppose if we're not careful we could spend our whole lives saying "are we there yet?", and we never are! There's always something additional, "I'll be happy when..."

Anyway, here's the poem:

When you set out on your journey to Ithaca
pray that the road is long,
full of adventure, full of knowledge.
The Lestrygonians and the Cyclops,
the angry Poseidon - do not fear them:
You will never find such as these on your path,
if your thoughts remain lofty, if a fine
emotion touches your spirit and your body.
The Lestrygonians and the Cyclops,
the fierce Poseidon you will never encounter,
if you do not carry them within your soul, if your soul does not set them up before you.

Pray that the road is long.
That the summer mornings are many, when,
with such pleasure, with such joy
you will enter ports seen for the first time;
stop at Phoenician markets,
and purchase fine merchandise,
mother-of-pearl and coral, amber and ebony,
and sensual perfumes of all kinds,
as many sensual perfumes as you can;
visit many Egyptian cities,
to learn and learn from scholars.

Always keep Ithaca in your mind.
To arrive there is your ultimate goal.
But do not hurry the voyage at all.
It is better to let it last for many years;
and to anchor at the island when you are old,
rich with all you have gained on the way,
not expecting that Ithaca will offer you riches.

Ithaca has given you the beautiful voyage.
Without her you would have never set out on the road.
She has nothing more to give you.

And if you find her poor, Ithaca has not deceived you.
Wise as you have become, with so much experience,
you must already have understood what Ithacas mean.


by Constantine P. Cavafy

3 weeks to go

Three weeks until I depart for Guate.

I am riddled with needle holes (rabies injection was FOUR needles! Why?!), and rattling with anti-malarials. No side-effects yet (apart from the foaming at the mouth - which I find strangely attractive).

Last night I lay in bed wondering why on earth I am doing this. And the truth is, I honestly can't remember. One minute we were having vague thoughts about visiting some Quakers in Bolivia, and the next we had bought tickets for six months in Guatemala - strange. Still, as people keep saying to me - "if you don't do it now....", and that's a depressing thought. I like to think that I'll be one of those groovy mums that drags her offspring all over the world, for it to grow up speaking inumerable languages and generally being the coolest kid in the world. But maybe it's not quite that easy, hmm.

The last 2 things I have been worrying about have been sorted out this weekend. Who, oh who will look after my guinea pigs (one of which suffers from an impacted rectum - I'm not going to describe it here, but believe me, you wouldn't want to look after him!), and who will look after Nobby, the little car that taught me to drive. All have now found loving homes, and fate alone will decide whether they will be alive when I return.

All that remains is to carefully construct a wardrobe that convinces the armed robbers that I'm not worth bothering with (shouldn't be too hard!).