January 15, 2009
Why Gourds?

Landscaping takes more than imagination and money -- it takes time. After researching books at the library, last spring I planted gourd vines. They grow fast, have dense, lush foliage and they flower. If all went well, the bonus would be gourds.

Last summer I watched the vines flower and the gourds form. My imagination blossomed faster than the gourds grew. In October, I invested in a few tools and the result is this collection.

At the end of October, I attended an Eckankar Seminar, the Religion of the Light and Sound of God. As a member of Eckankar for many years, I have experienced guidance in both my inner and outer life in many ways. For me, there is a little voice inside that leads me through this maze called life. The voice is not just a sound. Sometimes it is a nudge; a gentle thought; or a something in my everyday life that all of a sudden, I see differently. My world doesn't change as much as my viewpoint, but a new viewpoint can change my world.  After attending this spiritual seminar, I walked the contemplation trail, a beautifully landscaped path graced with singing birds and critters scurrying about collecting food for the upcoming winter. It was snowy and I was almost alone. As I contemplated, love and gratitude sustained my every breath. I could feel a new pulse within me. Everything within sight was communicating on a higher level and I felt as though I was standing in the heart of God. Enjoying the moment, I sealed the feeling in my conscious mind and plucked a Seedpod to help me conjure up this very special moment at will. Little did I know depth and breath of the Seedpod. This is the source of inspiration for the design of the Contemplation Seed Bowl in my collection. 

                                                        

Each day I reach in the bowl and select one of the "gourd pieces". Each one has a word(s) inscribed by a burning pen. I sit quietly and contemplate on the word. This morning I selected "Light and Sound". In my contemplation, I listed the many ways I experience  God's Love through "Light and Sound". For me "Sound" manifests through the wind, the bark of my dog or even my husband's voice. My experiences with "Light" are the sparkle in someone's eye, a smile or the sunrise. These are all experiences which open my heart so I can receive God's Love. 

The Contemplation Seed Bowl (located in the Bowls section of this website)  holds gourd pieces inscribed with different words. Each day, I reach into the bowl and contemplate on the word(s) inscribed on the gourd piece. 
                                                                                                                                                                April 5, 2009

This morning I selected "Just for Love".  After sitting quietly by myself and clearing my mind of thoughts, I gently closed my eyes and placed my attention on that space between my eyebrows (known as the Spiritual Eye). This redirected my thoughts from the physical world to that higher source I know as God. With eyes closed, I watched the screen of vision. Instead of praying to God and asking for something, I listened and watched for a pinpoint of light. This time the light was white, but it has been other colors like blue, yellow, pink, etc. After a short time of silence and calmness, the pinpoint became the word "Love" in my screen of vision. First it was tiny in the distance, then it moved in toward me and became larger. As the word Love appeared closer it became a stream of light connecting me to God's Love, filling me with peace and joy. I basked in the Love for a few moments and then my screen of vision grew dimmer and the light dissipated. Then I opened my eyes. Throughout the day, this will serve as a reminder for me to do everything "Just for Love".
 
                                                                                                                                                            May 20, 2009

The gourd piece I selected this morning had the word "Dream" inscribed on it. After sitting quietly and focusing on my sleep the night before, I recalled last night's dream. 

In the dream, I was standing in the middle of a carpeted room. Acquaintances in the room were close to the walls talking. All of a sudden, the carpet caught fire where I was standing. I became like a statue, unable to move but tried screaming to others for help. A few people heard me but shrugged their shoulders and continued their conversations. I was shocked no one would help me. Almost frustrated, I took a bucket of water and put the fire out.
 
What did the dream mean? Obviously it was about fear. So I asked myself what was I afraid of? Was a new experience about to happen? And then I made the connection. For me, this was a prophetic dream. The following night I was to lead a new book discussion class at a local library and I doubted my capabilities. 

This is what I learned from the dream experience. First, no one helped because help wasn't needed. Second, the fact that I put the fire out was the reassurance that I could properly lead the book discussion. By realizing the message in the dream, I was able to relax, feel confident and open my heart to this wonderful opportunity. Dream experiences are but one of the many ways Spirit communicates to me and helps me in daily life.  
                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                                                     June 30, 2009

Staying busy can sometimes distract me from what is really important. Today I selected the gourd piece (again) with the words "Just for Love"To get the most with these words I decided to keep my attention on God for one day while doing all the things I planned to do. In the morning, my heart was very open as I began my day. All the little nuisances came and went without notice. In the checkout line at the grocery, patience and understanding were abound. I noticed even the people next to me were calm and kind. I couldn't help but wonder whether they were they riding that spiritual trail with me and choose to be even tempered or were they reflecting my choices! The whole day seemed easier and I am sure my attitude had a lot to do with it.

                                                                                                                                                                     July 16, 2009

Today I selected the gourd piece with the words "Spiritual Exercise".  To me, this means I can choose a spiritual exercise I already know -- or I can create a spiritual exercise to lift my own consciousness. Creating anything is fun so this is my choice. Spiritual growth is very important to me and today I will try to notice the smallest details of my life that appear to be secret messages from Spirit. I have to watch closely for these events because they are so subtle.

The day has ended, and today I was visited by three messengers attempting to help me have a higher state of consciousness. This is how the day went for me. (If you don't like bugs, you might not like this experience, but this is my experience!)

I encountered three creatures I normally would have avoided -- a tick, a Japanese Beetle and a wasp. The tick must have fallen from a tree and I discovered it in my hair at the back of my head. Immediately, I removed it and went on about my day. While at my computer later in the day, a Japanese Beetle was behind my ear. (Normally, their feet are so scratchy there is no way it would be there without my knowledge, but it was. Besides I am always removing the beetles from our blueberry bushes.) Just before sunset I placed a tool on my gourd work bench in the garage and went back into the house. As I sat at the dining room table, a red wasp was crawling on my fore arm. 

When each visitor came, I asked myself what does this mean to me? For me the head is the place where knowledge is stored, the purpose of the ear is to listen to others and the wasp represented protection (because I am allergic to them and yet this wasp was not aggressive at all - I was able to get it off without harm to me). So knowledge, listening and protection. But what do them mean? 

At night I sat and opened my of my favorite Eckankar books and read a paragraph which went something like, ".... knowledge is good, but listening to others opens the heart to love and when the heart is open there is a special protection from God so their karma won't necessarily become yours....." something to this effect. I have been listening to friends who are going through some tough situations and I have concern about getting too involved.

These messages are confirmation for me from Spirit that 1) I should do things knowingly, 2) that by listening to others, it helps them and opens my heart and 3)  I have God's protection and therefore, I am not taking on their problems.   

I am also reminded how subtly we are guided by the hand of God, and each day we have so many choices. How wonderful it is to have such freedom!

                                                                                                                                                                           March 1, 2010

Hibernation is almost over.  The world awakens - its nearly spring.  What a gift of life!

                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                                             
By using hand carving tools these newly designed gourds have a totally new dimension. Each of them is individually showcased on the following pages.  
                                                                                                                                                                                     

About Gourds . . . 

A hard gourd is a fruit from the lagenaria plant family. Some varieties are edible when young. As all hard gourds mature and dry, the outer casing becomes a wooden shell. No longer edible at this stage, the many shapes of gourds lend themselves to being made into decorative statues, vases, bowls, spoons, ladles, musical instruments and much more. The only limitation is the imagination. 

The history of mankind reflects that gourds have been around for thousands of years. Although gourds are originally traced to the Continent of Africa, today they can be found throughout the world. Many cultures still use gourds as containers for liquids, grains and other possessions.

                                       
Contact Melissa with your comments or suggestions: Gourdsbymelissa@live.com