Welcome to our Autumn 2015 newsletter.
Editorial
In this Autumn edition of the newsletter we report on The Kosmon Sanctuary Group, the Labyrinth, and the Orchard and its restoration.
The Kosmon Sanctuary Group and the Practice of Distant Healing
When our Charity was incorporated in 2006, i.e. it became a company as well as a charity, its name was changed, under the guidance of the then minister Peter Andrews, from Kosmon Church to Kosmon Sanctuary. This change of name expressed his vision to open up the organisation in order to meet the needs of the 21st century, for, prior to incorporation, the organisation had worked in relative secrecy and did not attempt to publicise its aims and practices. The trustees have responded to Peter Andrew’s vision of meeting the needs of our time by setting up The Kosmon Sanctuary Group.
The Kosmon Sanctuary Group, which meets on the second Saturday afternoon of each month, continues the Kosmon Tradition of what we would call these days distant healing and blessing. For example, for many years distant healing was given for all those affected by war, including those swept up in the holocaust and those experiencing violent and sudden death.
Other healing was concerned with the sending of blessings to unborn children, so that they would have the light established within them, in their souls, and thereby would become more receptive to angelic guidance for their journey on earth. The Kosmon Sanctuary Group continues the tradition of healing in a way which resonates with the ethos of the current time, which could be summarised as simplicity, openness and group awareness and stillness.
In developing the group’s approach to distant healing, we have benefitted greatly from the advice of both the former minister, Peter Andrews, and Carol Andrews. I also found much valuable guidance in a book by Jack Angelo [1]. It is now clear that there are fundamentals to the practice of distant healing.
The first is that Love is the Healer, so that it follows that we work from the heart centre. In practice, the presence of the light from candles is used to support the group’s intent to access the subtle field of Love.
The second is that energy follows thought, so that for healing energy to flow requires that we set a clear intension. The effect of thought is instantaneous, i.e. it travels faster than the speed of light, so time is not a problem. Moreover, since our essence as spiritual beings means that we are all connected to each other and our Source, distance is also not a problem.
The third is that we may ask for help with our healing from the angelic realms, who always welcome the opportunity to work with aware human beings for the benefit of humanity. Co-operation with the angelic realms was central to the healing practice of the Kosmon Tradition. For example, in Rite of Healing used by the Kosmon Church in 1938 we read:
May Thy Healing Hosts in Light Angelic go to (those afflicted), relieving them from pain. [2]
Setting the right conditions for distant healing to take place is important. By using breathing and visualisation techniques we bring ourselves into the most relaxed and peaceful condition available to us, and music is played which enhances the peaceful and meditative state of the group. [3] Above all, the Sanctuary is blessed with the presence of a potent energy field of stillness, which is the foundation for our healing.
We can have no idea as to the power available to a group such as ours. This is what Lars Muhl [4] writes:
A group that gathers in the universal light can together move mountains and achieve that which, for the individual, or for the unaware, seems to be impossible.
References
- The Distant Healing Handbook. How to send healing to people, animals, the environment and global trouble spots. Jack Angelo. Piatcus. 2007.
- The Kosmon Church Service Book. Rite of Healing p17. The Kosmon press. 1938.
- Examples of Music used in the Kosmon Sanctuary Group: Holy Harmony: Jonathan Goldman; Jewels of Silence; The Infinite Heart: Ashana; Into Silence; Moola Mantra; Satsang: Deva Premal; Taize Chant: St.Thomas’ Music group; Chant:- The Best of World Chant: Robert Gass; O Nata lux; O Magnum Mysterium: Morten Lauridsen; Shunya; Song for Athene: John Taverna; How can I keep from Singing? Enya; A Feather on the Breath of God: Hildegard of Bingen; Spem in Allium: Thomas Tallis; Miserere: Allegri.
- The Law of Light. The Secret Teachings of Jesus. Lars Muhl. p 53. Watkins. 2014
Anthony Deavin
The Medieval Labyrinth in Autumn
Our Medieval labyrinth (see newsletter no.2) is situated in the former vegetable garden, with garden wall on the left-hand side and orchard on the right. In the background are sweet chestnut trees, which the photo shows in their Autumn colours. We have two labyrinths, a classical one in the main garden and the medieval one shown above. Members of Gillian Lenane’s Labyrinth Group occasionally come to the Sanctuary to walk the Labyrinths.
Here are two of their comments on walking the Labyrinths this Autumn:
“I have been to The Kosmon Sanctuary several times to walk the Labyrinths, both on my own and as part of a group. I always feel that the Sanctuary is a very special place. There is a sense of calmness and peace which is wonderful for meditation and deep thought. The natural surroundings deepen my connection with nature which, in turn, enhances the whole meditative experience. I always leave feeling rested and renewed and am grateful that I am able to visit the Sanctuary.” Melanie
“I have written a Haiku about my experiences on walking the labyrinths so far. A Haiku is a Japanese poem comprising of 3 lines in the form 5 syllables, 7 syllables, 5 syllables, and is written to express a feeling or image. I don’t know where the idea to do this came from, as I have never written one before:
labyrinth calling
stones spiral release, forming
insights and freedom” JH
The Orchard
The apple orchard at The Kosmon Sanctuary was planted about 70 years ago, but for about 40 years has been totally neglected. There are also 5 neglected apple trees in the main garden, including 2 Bramleys, over 100 years old. In 2013, the trustees commenced a programme of restoration of the orchard. When we started, the nettles were so thick and high that it was not possible to penetrate the orchard in Summer.
Now the orchard is mown, and in Spring, daffodils come to life in large numbers. We have also extended the orchard, so that, including those in the main garden, we now have 14 varieties of apple. In addition to apples, we have also planted pears, cherry, medlar, apricot, peach, plumb, damson, cherry plumb and mulberry. This will provide a rich educational resource in the future.
Restoration of the Orchard
The restoration of the trees has been skilfully undertaken by Juliette and Craig Taylor, starting Autumn 2013. Each of the trees had a distinctive character, some fallen, some leaning and others still erect. Our aim was to preserve this character whilst clearing out vast amounts of dead wood and carefully pruning to reduce height and encourage new growth. In 2013, only dead wood was removed, with dramatic effect on the openness of the trees, which can be appreciated from the following before and after pictures:
In Autumn 2014, we began thinning, increasing the openness of the trees. The result can be appreciated by comparing the before and after pictures with the same tree in the foreground of the orchard picture.
With old and unmaintained apple trees, apples can become very undersized. This is certainly the case for all of our trees. However, with our restoration programme, the apples of one tree, called May Queen, have increased dramatically is size.
Anthony Deavin
