AWE - Shared Appreciation of the Second Meadow

By Jack Barber

November 2010

Back to the BEginning

In the Summer of 2009, I (Jack) returned to our Colorado Cabin where I had begun my spiritual rodding journey the year before. Despite not feeling particularly called to pursue the practice on a regular basis, I was intrigued by the opportunity to resume my journey in the place where I often feel most spiritually connected.
On the first morning, I went to our 'star-gazing' deck for meditation with my rods. As I held them, I went through my normal prayers. First, I gave thanks and appreciation for the Gift of Life - that is, the wonderful opportunity it is for me just to live my life. At which point the rods rotated to a familiar position:
BE
The rods then proceeded again to move to several positions. I noted them and tried to apply them to Grandma's Alphabet. I continued my prayers asking forgiveness for my weakness - in what I have done and what I have failed to do. At which point, the rods moved again to the position:
BE
The rods again made some movements, the meaning of which I could not discern. So, I continued to ask for blessings on each of our family members. As I prayed for each one, the rods would move to:
Yes (position)
The rods then proceeded to move to several more positions - the meaning of which was indiscernible to me. At which point, I simply asked for blessings on the activities that we had planned for the day. The rods responded moving to:
BE
At which point, I concluded my meditation. I was content with the blessings of the 'BE' message that I received, but was curious and somewhat frustrated by the indiscernible movements.

Meaning behind the Movements
Later that day, I shared my experience with Malia, my Dad (Will), and my Mom. I told Dad that I was puzzled by the spontaneous movements that I was unable to decipher. I requested, that if appropriate, he might be able to assist the understanding of these movements through his own rodding practice.
So, during his next engagement, he inquired about the puzzling movements. The response was that the source of the movements was the spirit of AWEII, an Indian leader who was the spiritual leader of a tribe that performed sacred ceremonies in the Castle bowl area. Dad confirmed that AWE's spirit was attempting to connect consciously with me. For the moment, although the purpose of this spirit's desire for a connection was unclear, the spelling that Dad received was unmistakeable:
A W E I I [pause] J A C K
Upon further rodding inquiry, Dad had determined that AWE had a particular connection with a place in the National Forest near the Castles that we call the 'Second Meadow.'

I have long held the Second Meadow, with its spectacular panoramic view of the inspiring Castles-bowl, to be particularly special. So much so, I have made a point of hiking to the Second Meadow every year for at least 30 years. I even propose to Malia there. Dad had confirmed that, indeed, AWE had performed sacred ceremonies in the Second Meadow. And, that it was our shared reverence for that location which had prompted AWEII's desire for spiritual connection with me. As Dad concluded his engagement, the rods again had spelled:
A W E I I [pause] J A C K
That night, Dad told us about his rodding experience and we marveled at the revelation of our shared reverence for the Second Meadow. And, we were intrigued by what our further experiences might reveal.

My Own Sense of AWE

The next morning, equipped with the knowledge that had been revealed through Dad's (Will's) rodding engagement, I returned to mymeditations on the star-gazing deck. After my usual mantra of giving thanks, asking for forgiveness, and petitioning for blessings, I opened myself to the possibility of a conscious connection. I began by introducing myself and asking who I was in spiritual connection with. The rods moved to:
No (position)
Sensing that perhaps I was being too ambitious to expect a spelling, I tried a different tact - asking if I was connected to the spirit of AWE? The rods moved to:
Yes (position)
I then asked if the purpose of our spiritual connection was based on our mutual love for and appreciation of the Second Meadow?
Yes (position)
I was cognizant of the fact that my family would be taking a horseback ride through the Second Meadow to the base of the Castles later that week. So, I asked if I was to be mindful of this spiritual connection during that journey.
Yes (position)
Was I to be, do, or say anything else at his time with respect to our connection regarding the Second Meadow?
No (position)
Satisfied with my understanding of the purpose and intent of our connection, I closed my rodding engagement and ended my meditations for the morning

My Next AWE Experience

On the next morning, I began my meditations. But admittedly, I had a headache and had difficulty feeling spiritually connected. So, it was not until the 4th morning that I had a notable experience. I began my prayers with appreciation for the day - and the life that we are privileged to lead. I was pleasantly surprised to see the rods immediately moved to:
Yes (position)
Coincidentally (or maybe not), this was the morning of our horseback ride through the Second Meadow to the Castles. As a bit of background, it is always my desire as a father to provide 'great adventures' for my kids. So, while my family has hiked to the Second Meadow every year, we had never ridden horseback which would also allow us to travel further and much closer to the Castles.
Mountain. So, I asked for special blessings on our adventure. The rods again moved to:
Yes (position)
I then opened myself for the possibility of additional connection and communication, by asking if there was anything else that I needed to be, do, or say. The rods responded moving to:
Maybe (position)
Curious, I inquired further. Is there something with respect to AWE?
Maybe (position)
Should I be mindful of our spiritual connection during our ride through the Second Meadow?
Yes (position)
The rods then moved to a position that I thought might be pointing over my right shoulder. I sensed that I should move from the star-gazing deck to a platform on the 'creek-side' of the house where I could look up the valley to the Castles. Once positioned there, I asked again for blessings on our adventure:
Yes (position)

I asked if I should be mindful of my connection with AWE.
Yes (position)
Then, feeling complete with my experience, I asked if I could close my session.
Yes (position)
We then embarked on our horseback ride. I did as had been requested - and as I have been wanting to do. As we passed through the Second Meadow, I was mindful and tried to imagine the sacred ceremonies that AWE and his people had performed there over 2000 years ago. In a Namaste way, I honored the place in AWE in which the entire Universe dwells, I honored the place in AWE which is of Love, of Integrity, of Wisdom and of Peace. When AWE is in that place in him, and I am in that place in me, we are one

Giving Thanks for our AWEsome Experience

On the day of our departure, I arose early one more time for my meditation on the star-gazing deck. I thanked God for the opportunity to be spiritually connected and fulfilled. And, I gave special thanks for the wonderful adventure - our horseback ride through the Second Meadow and to the base of the Castles. But, as I proceeded through my prayers, I was unable to discern any meaning from the movement of the rods. Recalling my previous experience, I went to the platform on the side of the house and faced the Castles valley.
Feeling more spiritually connected, I asked if I had appropriately honored my connection with AWE?
Yes (position)
Shall I continue to honor this connection with subsequent trips to the Second Meadow?
Yes (position)
Is there anything else?
Open (position)
I took that as a sign that I should remain open to the possibility that there may be ways in the future to appropriately and fittingly honor our spiritual connection with AWE. Little did I know at that time, that our connection to, communication with, and adventures with AWE were only beginning. For that, read Invitation to SEEK COTUU.

I closed my rodding with a request for blessings on the rest of our trip. Mindful that we had a long trip in front of us - as we were driving all the way out to California - I asked for blessing on:
Our trip to Las Vegas and the Hoover Dam
Yes (position)
On our 'adventure' to the San Diego Wild Animal Park
Yes (position)
On our trip to the Webber family reunion (my Mother-in-law's family)
Yes (position)
And, our trip from Southern California back to Austin
Yes (position)
And, I am pleased to report that we did have a wonderful rest of our trip

Reconnecting

During our family ski trip to Colorado in December of 2009, I brought my rods to our cabin knowing it would be an ideal time to continue my spiritual rodding journey. And based on what my Dad had recently shared over Christmas about his AWE experiences, I must admit I was a bit anxious and curious to see what, if any, experience that I might have.
So, on my first morning, I tiptoed out to a table we had in the upstairs playroom. I positioned myself where I could see the Castles displayed majestically in front of the cabin. Then, I began my normal mantra of prayer - giving thanks and asking for forgiveness and blessings. Next, I opened myself to the possibility of connection and communication. As I began to follow the rods movements, I observed the following movements:

Nonetheless, I do try my best to stay true to the process. Based on what I had observed, I asked, " Am I to seek a blessing for our ski trip today?"
YES (Position)

After praying for blessings on our ski trip, I asked, "Is there any other communication?"
YES (Position)
Am I consciously connected to AWE?
YES (Position)
Do you have a message for me?
YES (Position)
Do you know that Dad and I will SEEK COTUU in the Second Meadow when I return this summer?
YES (Position)
Will you lead us?
YES (Position)
Then, the rods began to move, pointing in various directions around the family cabin. Based on a prior experience, I suspected that it may be pointing to family members (my wife and children) who were still asleep in the cabin. So, I asked:
Are you pointing to my family?
YES (Position)
Should I bring my family with me when we SEEK COTUU?
YES (Position)
Anything else?
YES (Position)
Then, both rods pointed directly at me. Then, spelled:
BE
Is this a communication that you want me to 'BE - who I am, all that I am, …"
YES (Position)
Then, I thought to myself, "thank you for the blessings of this communication. Amen."

BEing in AWE

On December 28, 2009, Iawoke this morning and headed to the upstairs table facing the Castles as I had the previous morning. I said my prayers giving thanks and asking for forgiveness and blessings. But, I must admit that I was having difficulty getting mentally collected and centered. So, I asked, "Am I spiritually connected?"
NO (position)
I just continued to meditate and let my mind clear. Then again, I opened myself to the possibility of spiritual connection and communication. Eventually, I was greeted with:
BE
The left rod then moved to a position which I believed was pointed to the Indian Feather downstairs that my Dad associates with the spirit of AWE. So, I asked: Am I spiritually connected with AWE?
YES (Position)
Is thre a communication for me?
YES (Position)
Then, the rods spontaneously moved to:
BE
With deep respect for the connection that I felt with AWE and that he had so honored me with the BE message that has become so part of my spiritual sense of myself, I acknowledged and appreciated his message. Is there anything more?
YES
The rods then moved and pointed out the window to what I discerned was the Second Meadow on the ridgeline that leads to the Castles. Am I to take this as a message from you (AWE) that I should take my BE message with me (in my thoughts) as we SEEK COTUU?
YES
Is there anything else?
OPEN (Position)
I took this as a sign to remain open to the possibility of spiritual connection and communication. I closed my prayers for the morning and proceeded with my day.

More Movements

On my next opportunity to engage in spiritual rodding, I returned to the upstairs table facing the Castles. I began as I always do, by saying my prayers, giving thanks, and asking for forgiveness and blessings. Again, I had difficulty discerning meaning from the movements. But, I did observe the following amidst other movements that were readily apparent:
BE
Rods pointing to me
Rods pointing to the Castles
BE
Rods pointing to the feather representing AWE's spirit
Rods pointing to the Second Meadows
Rods pointing again to the Castles
Rods pointing to me
At this point, I was a bit frustrated at not having the clarity to interpret the movements, nor the ability to ask clarifying questions. So, I simply asked if I could further consider and share what I had observed with Dad, Mom, and Malia. The rods responded:
YES

A Clear Invitation

On the last morning of our winter vacation, I returned to the upstairs table facing the Castles for my final rodding experiences. I began as I always do, by saying my prayers, giving thanks, and asking for forgiveness and blessings. I asked:
Am I spiritually connected?
YES (Position)
Is there a message?
YES (Position)
Then, I observed the following movements.
BE
Left rod - toward feather representing the spirit of AWE II
Right rod - toward the Second Meadow
Left rod toward the Castles (the spiritual position for God)
Right rod to me
Both rods pointing to various positions around the cabin where my family members were located.
For me, the message was perfectly clear and consistent with my other rodding experiences during this trip. There is a call for me to continue to BE all that I can BE. And, the spirit of AWE is inviting us (including my family members) to the Second Meadow to SEEK COTUU. I can't wait until our summer trip when the snow has melted to continue this journey. Namaste, Amen.

From the Mountains to the Ocean

On our Spring Break vacation (March 2010) to the beautiful island of St. Croix, I took my rods along. For one, I realized it would be a time of relaxation which would provide a great opportunity to become spiritual centered and continue my rodding journey. And, I must admit that there was some curiosity to see what my rodding experience would be (if any) in a place other than Colorado.
So, each morning, I'd head out to the white sandy beach outside our cottage and look out over the magnificent blue ocean. I'd pull up a chair and sit where the gentle waves lapped at my feet. Then, I'd say my usual prayers: giving thanks, asking for forgiveness, and petitioning for blessings.
While I must admit that my rodding experiences were relatively 'meager' compared to many that my Dad has experienced, I was joyed to observe each morning my common spiritual message:
BE
I found this very fitting and appropriate. Indeed, the BE message seems to be with me always - not only in Colorado, but last Spring Break at our rented beach cabana in Tulum, a remote town just a couple hours south of Cancun, Mexico. Knowing that my parents were in our Colorado cabin, I couldn't resist sending them a text message:
first ridding position on st croix beach?

BE

To which my father's response was:
BE why are we not surprised?
Have a safe trip home.
AWE II PS - [connecting just now with AWE's spirit to ask if I could
send you his regards, the spelled response through the rods was]:
SEND REGARDS TO JACK FROM AWE II

Almost dumbfounded by the message, I was inspired to know that such connection and communications could be carried from thousands of miles away. I asked Dad to return my regards. And, again, I looked forward to our summer trip when we could fulfill the invitation of AWE to journey to the Second Meadow and SEEK COTUU..