AWE - Seeking COTUU
By Will and Jack Barber
November 2010
Preface
Unlike most of the sections of this spiritualrodding.com website in which we describe our individual rodding experiences, we have decided to collaborate on this section. It seemed appropriate given that we took the journey to SEEK COTUU together. And, that it represented the first time that we would engage in our rodding practice at the same time. So, the following is Jack’s journaling of our collective experience.
Reconnecting with AWE
This is now my third Summer of spiritual rodding at our family home in Colorado. As I headed to the star gazing deck for my first rodding engagement, I couldn’t help but be mindful of our plans to hike to the Second Meadow to SEEK COTUU. After saying my initial prayers and intentions, I began to observe several movements and positions. But, I could not discern the meaning. So, I continued my meditations, until I saw the familiar position for:
BE
I then observed the rods pointing over my left should towards the first landing of the stairs on the creek side of the cabin. This is a place where I can see the Castles valley and a place where I have been directed by the rods in the past. After repositioning myself to the landing, I asked:
Am I spiritually connected?
Yes (position)
With AWE?
Yes (position)
Am I to SEEK COTUU during this trip?
Yes (position)
With Dad?
Yes (position)
With Malia?
Yes (position)
With my daughters, Meg and Jaclyn?
Yes (position)
I then asked about other members of my family who were also at the cabin. To which the rods moved to the Open position. I took the response to mean just that – other family members were welcome to come, but it was not necessary.
Finally, I asked if there was anything else required of me. The rods returned to the Open position. Satisfied with my rodding experience, I asked if I could close the session, consider the communication, and share with my father, mother, and Malia. The rods responded:
Yes (position)
Leading the Way
On the second morning of my trip, I decided to go directly to the landing on the creek side of the cabin. I began my rodding engagement offering appreciation, then asking for forgiveness and blessings. I then asked if I was spiritually connected and the rods moved to:
No (position)
Seconding guessing my decision to begin my session on the landing, I moved back to the star gazing deck. As I resumed my rodding session, the rods almost immediately began pointing over my shoulder toward the landing. A bit confused (but amused), I stood up with the rods still in hand. I noted that the rods continued to point to the landing as I turned my body and moved toward the landing.
As I proceeded down the stairs, I reached the corner of the cabin. To my pleasant surprise, the rods actually began to point ‘around the corner’ as if leading me to position myself on the landing, facing the Castles. This was my first experience of ‘following’ the rods as they ‘led’ me. Knowing that this might well be required on our SEEK COTUU trip, I found this particularly significant.
I asked again if I was now spiritually connected, the rods moved to the:
Yes (position)
The rods then began to move to various positions that I interpreted as spots in the cabin where my family was still sleeping. So, I asked is this some sort of blessing on my family, the rods moved to the:
Yes (position)
The rods then pointed up the Castle Valley, but slightly to the right toward where the Second Meadow is located. So, I asked if this was a blessing on our upcoming SEEK COTUU trip. The rods moved to the:
Yes (position)
I then asked if there was any additional communication. The rods moved to the:
No (position)
So, I asked if I could close the session to further consider and share with my family. The rods responded:
Yes (position)
Preparing for Our Journey
On the morning before our hike to the Second Meadow, I met with Dad to make final preparations. We also met with my Mom, Malia, and our daughters that evening to cover a number of topics.
Inviting My Daughters to Come on Our Adventure
We talked about the perspectives of my daughters about spiritual rodding. It had only been a month ago (on Father’s Day) that I shared with them our intentions to SEEK COTUU. While they were generally aware of Dad’s spiritual rodding practice, they did not know much (if anything) of my own practice. So, we had spent a couple hours sharing Dad’s First Experiences, my Open and BE experiences, as well as our AWE experiences.
Unfamiliar to their traditional Catholic upbringing, spiritual rodding was a lot for my daughters to absorb. And, over the next month leading up to our trip, we had a couple conversations to discuss their questions and concerns – as you might expect. And, while there was no request for them to ‘participate’ in the rodding practice, I invited them and encouraged them to join us on our ‘adventure’.
Logistics and Expectations
The logistics was the easy part. We agreed to go in the morning while the weather was cool. With Dad’s advanced age, we figured it would take a couple hours to get there. So, we’d leave after breakfast and pack a snack, but not lunch.
What we had difficulty imagining was – what to expect when we got there. Would our rods point the way to COTUU? It also occurred that our journey to SEEK COTUU would present a couple of first time experiences. This would be the first time that Dad and I would both be rodding at the same time. It would also be the first time that I attempted a rodding engagement in the presence of others. I must admit there was a bit of apprehension. What if our rods sent us in different directions? Or, would we receive a spelling that would provide further clarification?
State of Mind
We did have a strong sense that to SEEK COTUU we would need to have the right state of mind. It would be important to bring our best intentions and ‘be our best selves.’ For instance, I asked the girls if they would bring their favorite religious songs on their ipods to share on the hike to the Second Meadow. And, although Mom would not be making the hike with us, she would be sending her empowering energy and intentions from our family cabin.
Of course, all the preparation in the world would not change the fact that we just didn’t know exactly what to expect when we arrived at the Second Meadow. But, we agreed that we would just remain open to the possibilities and let things unfold as they may.
Hiking to the Second Meadow
Despite a rainy night and an overcast morning, we get up early to begin our hike. Before leaving, Dad informs me that he had received another message from AWE during a rodding experience earlier that morning. AWE had requested that Dad and I carry a rod in each front pocket. Although the suggestion seems somewhat puzzling (and a little amusing), we oblige.
Leaving around 8:30 am, we begin the approximately 2-3 mile hike to the Second Meadow. With the trek mostly uphill and the trail somewhat muddy, we take our time with frequent stops. Along the way, Dad and I walk and talk. Malia and my daughters hang back – praying the rosary as they make their own way. About half way there, we regroup. We share our favorite religious song. Mine is Here, I am Lord.
Beginning the Search
We arrive at the Second Meadow about 10:15 am. As we crest the top of the hill and look into the meadow, it begins to mist. We make our way to the tree line on the left that looks across the meadow to the Castles above. This is the spot where I asked Malia to marry me. We arrive and pull out our ponchos as the mist turns to light rain.
Dad shares with me a special ‘mantra’ that he has prepared for this engagement. I then turn and hand the paper to Malia and the girls to share with them.
BE
as in Being/being
STILL
beyond motionless and doing nothing, as in spiritual consciousness
AND KNOW
beyond figuring out and conceptualizing, as in spiritual faith and spiritual certainty
THAT I AM
as in God, Yahweh, Allah, and the Divine of mankind, as in the All of All
By the time that I turn around, Dad has begun his rodding engagement. So, I quickly assemble my rods. I kneel, perform the Sign of the Cross, and say a short prayer. As I stand, I ask if I am spiritually connected, the rods immediately respond pointing out across the Second Meadow in the same direction that Dad has already begun to move.
Going in Circles
We proceed together down a gentle grade toward the middle of the Second Meadow. As we approach a large mound in the center of the Meadow, my rods begin to point to the right of the mound, leading me away from my father. Eventually, our paths follow a gradual arc that leads us to the same point. Assuming that this must be the spot, we drop to our knees and begin to inspect the ground below us. But, there is really nothing much there.
So, we take up our rods again to seek further clarification. Dad is led to various spots on the mound. As he approaches several rocks, his rods repeatedly cross. (more details from Dad?)
Meanwhile, my rods lead me across the mound. At one point, they literally turn me in a complete circle – pointing to my left as I do a 360 degree circle in the same spot. Eventually, my rods lead me to a large rock. I ask
Is the rock is COTUU?
Yes (position)
Seeing a small fragment that is broken from the larger rock, I ask – are we to take a piece of COTUU?
Yes (position)
More Than Just a Single Rock
Convinced that I have found COTUU, I wait for a moment expecting Dad to be led to the same rock. To my surprise, he settles on another rock in the same area. As I move over to his side, it occurs to me that the entire mound may have once been a rocky area. And perhaps, it is all COTUU. After waiting for an appropriate moment to share my thoughts with Dad, he begins to share his own rodding-based insights.
Dad explains how he settled on the large rock we are now standing by. As he repeated approached the rock with his rods in the open position, the rocks would move inward and cross over each other. In traditional rodding (dowsing), this indicates the location of whatever you have been looking for (e.g. underground water or a lost objects). Then, regardless of the direction he moved away from the rock, the rod would rotate and point back toward this rock
Dad then tells me, based on his spiritual rodding inquiry as he stood in front of the rock, that the entire mound was once what we would call an ‘altar’. AWE would perform ceremonies on this spot, preaching his message of SEEK COTUU, which we have come to understand means ‘To Love One Another.’ And, that both of the rocks to which we had each been led were part of this altar.
Confirming our understanding
We marveled at the harmony of our rodding experiences – being led in a large circle around the mound, being turned around in a complete circle, being led to different rocks, …. While confusing at first, it was now so consistent and clear. Nevertheless, we each sought confirmations through the rods of our mutual understanding. Dad through his own rodding inquiry and I through mine. I asked:
Is this entire mound COTUU?
Yes (position)
Are we to take a piece of one of these rocks?
Yes (position)
Does it matter which piece that we take?
No (position)
Sharing and Celebrating Our Experience
I waive to my family, who had remained at the tree line on the edge of the meadow, to join us. I share our revelation that this mound in the Second Meadow was an altar and the rocks were part of this altar for AWE’s message to SEEK COTUU (Love One Another). The revelation seems perfectly fitting and appropriate – for this is also the mound that we have faithfully taken a family picture each and every year that we have trekked to the Second Meadow!
Dad and I then each select a piece of the COTUU rock. Through his rods, Dad asks for AWE’s guidance for selecting a particular rock. But based on my prior questions, I choose one for myself. We then close our rodding engagement as the rain becomes heavy. We make our way back to our family cabin. Our spirits couldn’t have been higher, despite the rather poor weather conditions. As we walk and talk, we marvel at our revelations – and think of new questions.
Satisfaction from Our Journey
On the morning after our SEEK COTUU adventure, I had the next opportunity for a rodding engagement. I began on the star gazing deck. After completing my typical prayers and meditations, I noted that both rods were pointing at me. Taking this as a positive sign, I asked if I was spiritually connected. The rods moved to the:
Yes (position)
Then to: BE
Always feeling particularly blessed with a BE spelling, I was thankful for the communication and responded that I will strive to BE all that I am intended to BE. The rods then pointed over my shoulder to the landing on the creek side of the cabin. I arose, followed, and again noted that the rods continued to ‘lead’ me as I was down to the platform and around the corner. I then asked,
Am I spiritually connected with AWE?
Yes (position)
Are you pleased with our experience to SEEK COTUU?
Yes (position)
Is our understanding correct regarding the mound of rocks that was once the altar for your SEEK COTUU message?
Yes (position)
I asked if it was OK if we placed our COTUU rocks in the cabin and in the garden. When the rods moved to the Open (position), I took this to mean that AWE was ‘open’ to place our COTUU rocks wherever we wanted. I then asked if it matters which rock that we placed in the cabin versus the garden?
No (position)
Next, I asked if we were to journal our understanding of his life and message to include on our SpiritualRodding.com web site. The rods moved to:
Yes (position)
When I asked if there was anything else, the rods moved to the Open position. I understood this to mean that there was no immediate need, but to be open to the possibilities of the future. With that I asked if I could close the session to further consider and share. The rods moved to the:
Yes (position)
Completing AWE’s Story
After returning from our journey to SEEK COTUU, Dad sought through further rodding engagements to clarify some of our questions and help complete our understanding of the altar that AWE had directed us to:
AWE performed seven sacred ceremonies in the Second Meadow in the Castles Bowl, each of them upon the tribe’s return to the area after wintering elsewhere.
AWE’s soul mate and others from their tribe attended these ceremonies.
All of these ceremonies were performed by AWE on a then stony portion of the Second Meadow at the area where our rods located the COTUU rocks.
No sacred ceremony was performed in the Second Meadow prior or subsequently to these by AWE.
During the first such sacred ceremony by AWE, he had the COTUU vision that became the central message of his spiritual leadership.
In appreciation and honor for the COTUU vision, AWE himself put together a circle of rocks that he called COTUU, and around which he and others of his tribe danced as part of AWE’s sacred COTUU ceremonies.
After AWE was killed and someone from another tribe was blamed for his death, and at the direction of the successor spiritual leader to AWE, the member of their tribe who murdered AWE dismantled the circular COTUU rocks and scattered them.
WE brought back two piece of these COTUU rocks to our family cabin. We placed one in a sacred corner inside the cabin and the other in Baby William’s Memorial Garden when the family is there during non-winter months.
The spiritual connection and communication of the AWE family and our family is enhanced by the presence of the COTUU rocks.
AWE and his family are satisfied and fulfilled by all this – as are we.
Final Appreciation for Our Adventure
During my last rodding engagement of our Summer trip, I began on the star gazing deck with my usual prayers and intentions. After a few rodding movements which I could not discern meaning, I asked if I was spiritually connected. The rods moved to the:
Yes (position)
The rods then directed me to the landing on the creek side of the cabin and around the corner to face the Castles valley. I then asked again, if I was spiritually connected:
Yes (position)
Moved by being spiritually connected in such a wondrous and beautiful place as our family home in Colorado, I thanked God for my blessings. I then asked if I was spiritually connected to AWE:
No (position)
While a bit surprised that the negative response, I took it as a sign that we had fulfilled our mission with respect to SEEK COTUU. So, there was no need for further connection at this time. I sent my regards to AWE anyway then asked if there was any other communication:
No (position)
So, I asked if I could close the session to further consider and share.
Yes (position)
I closed with an Amen and Namaste for all that I have experienced through spiritual rodding.
AWE’s story: Lost until now is hereby revealed
It has been our great honor and privilege to be the conduit through which AWE has been able to make his story known. We are moved by the shared appreciation that our family and AWE’s family have for this Castles area and the Second Meadow in particular, as a sacred place. We also honor AWE for the courage and insight to the inspired message of ‘Love One Another’ that he brought to his people during a time in which appears was controversial. While we were deeply saddened to find out that AWE’s life was taken and his message was once lost, we are so pleased to recover his story. It is a truly awesome example of the possibilities of spiritual rodding.
COTUU Namaste Amen.
