FEAST  OF  AGAPÉ:
A  LEGITIMATE  ALTERNATIVE

Hi again,

I am recounting my dream in greater detail because of the significance of its meaning. 

On May 1 2010 in an early morning dream I found myself among a group of peoples who were climbing through a craggy mountain pass.  We were ascending the side of a huge cliff, but we definitely knew where we were going.

I was aware that "I "was in a body that was not my current one.  I was fit and had blond hair shoulder length (unruly as dreadlocks), I am not aware of gender.  The emotion I felt was anticipation and joy.

We reached a plateau that was clearly our destination, where a waterfall from this level fell into another much larger waterfall from another plateau.  We were "home" in what was a village, the structures were small and comforting with a large temple(because it was more ornate) that stood near the stream at the end of the village closer to the wall of the mountain. 

As I stood with my fellow travelers we watched a beam of light form in the river. It was similar to a large flashlight beam but you could not see the source only the light.  Everyone became so elated.  I asked twice what this beam of light was.  I was told "it is YAWAY ".  Wanting to make sure (and knowing this was important for "me" to remember) I asked how it was spelled.  I was told Y A W A Y..  As I looked out over the stream I saw another area of this same bright light in the water, it was also YAWAY, next to the temple.  I jumped in the water and waded towards it.  I heard my people calling me for dinner in the temple.  I got out of the water and went in we ate seated on the floor and the food was spread in an array in the middle of us.  There seemed much love and warmth from my people, family and friends in this group. 

I also knew that YAWAY was not something elusive, but would always be there or wherever I chose to look.

When I awoke May 1, 2010,  I allowed myself to do so slowly (something I seldom do),  I thought about what I had dreamt.  When I remembered the place in this dream that I asked for the spelling of this mysterious and wonderful light,  I felt it very important to see if I could find the word YAWAY in this world.  I typed it into Google search.  My surprise was palpable.  I began reading much of "The Age of Reality" web site.  Then I contacted Lamah to share this dream.  He told me of the Feast of Agape.  This resonates as truth for me as I dreamt this was a feast.  I do not know what it all means but I know it is a connection in spirit.  I also know overcoming the fear and reaching out to share information is giving and giving from the heart is LOVE.

Thank you Lamah,

Janet

P.S.  Lamah, I wrote this poem in 2004; I think you of all will understand the understand the spirit in which it was written.

      MOTHER EARTH

You've always been there for us,
Thou sometimes we are blind.
The steady rocks we walk on,
The mountains that we climb.

The lakes that we relax by,
The reflections in a pool.
From birth to death you've taught us,
In and out of school.

Your tall trees shelter areas,
Abundant with all life.
Your deserts, barren soil, and
Drought are fraught with human strife.

The highest peaks, our lofty thoughts,
The valleys our despair.
The oceans deep with potential,
Prodding us to care.

We've plundered deep your bounty,
We've stolen from your soul.
In ignorance we've become greedy,
Like gamblers on a roll. 

We use your soil to hunt and kill,
Brother unto brother.
You feel all the pain of despair and grief,
Just like any Mother.

You shake and roll and shudder,
I pray don't change your mind.
We chose this voyage on your back,
Please don't leave us behind.

If only we could hear the voice,
From our higher self above.
The earth transformed to an Eden again,
Will be brought back with our love.

It's not too late to turn it around,
To bless what mother earth has bore.
Too cherish, nourish and stop the break,
Of the heart that is its core.

Much Love, you, me , all,

Written By:
Janet Hays

The above was e-mailed to me the day after this lovely soul of a lady and I had talked for almost a good hour of exchanges that was surely to have happened for the conformation of my work as the Father of the Age of Reality.  I could not have possibly ever written anything as totally miraculous as the deeper meaning of her dream or poem that was so in keeping with the totality of all that I had already written in the four or five pages following this wonderful and totally independent of any prior knowledge of anything to do with this Age of Reality.  Of course, you can understand the wonderful and elated feelings that we both had repeatedly experienced as a direct result of Janet’s most unusual and mystifying  dream.  We shared the elated wonderment of the reality of this dream that led Janet to discover the very parallel and shared feelings that were already expressed on my website that had happened to come as the top runner on Janet’s Google search for the word, Yaway.
         As the Father of this wonderful Age of Reality I have declared Janet Hays as the very first participant of the soon to be, House of Agapé.  So it is, with Janet’s most timely dream and almost immediate Google search for the word Yaway, that I will now finish this chapter with the rest of the story.  In any case, I may have to call Janet, the “Mother of the Age of Reality” if for no other reason than the reality that she alone and without any prior knowledge of the Age of Reality experienced this mysterious, wonderful and very spiritual-filled dream, and was able to recall and then record its details.  I am also very grateful that Janet had the foresight to actually and timely perform a Google search for the word, agapé that she had recalled as being so central to her dream.  And what is even more amazing to me is the reality that her Google search lead her to the Age of Realty website where she was then connected through e-mail with the Father of the Age of Reality.  AND, all of this was so fluently and with such ease accomplished in less than some twenty-four hours despite the great distance of some 1200 miles as the crow flies.  That whole experience reminds me of Jung’s description of the universal mind.
          Now, back to the original start of this chapter in which I will give you, NOT even this smallest bit of some dogma or doctrines of these newly created Houses of Agapé, but instead, only some guiding suggestions to help you form your very  own House of Agapé.  PLEASE note that there are absolutely no set of rules to govern the establishment or any specific manner in which one might designate your own private residence or home as a House of Agapé.  Please do not forget that this celebration of love was for just and only just what the first followers of Jesus of Nazareth were instructed to do and to this “often in remembrance of” what Jesus of Nazareth  had suggested was “the showing of one’s unconditional LOVE for his neighbors.”
         It was in the early 80s that I was working at the University of New Mexico as a psychotherapist and if I had a client that was seeking a change, in some particular behavior, or say putting away from some perceived bad habit like that of smoking; I had a most singular or particular approach to helping these clients achieve their desired change:  I am not quite sure just where I had initially or actually learned this particular approach, but I had always thought that there needed to be some totally viable alternative behavior to be suggested as sort of a replacement to their otherwise real, or very possibly perceived, unproductive behavior or bad habit. I surely do not see, that just any religion that is practiced by an individual, to necessarily be seen as a bad habit or behavior that needs to be replaced.  But for those who already claim that they are spiritual and definitely not religious, as well as those individuals feeling very trapped by their religion that they were likely born into; for these all too often desperate individuals there needs to be some viable and/or legitimate replacement.  The author of  this replacement or the very perpetrators of this replacement agenda have the need to be aware of the traps that are too often embedded deep within its various doctrines as well as likely found in its sometimes, being ever so adequately disguised by its basic ideology. In any case, it remains a very sad set of circumstances in which an individual aptly feels that there is no hope of ever finding that one religion or some philosophy that is not only acceptable to their society, but at the same time, also meets the real and pressing needs of their own individual expectations of experiencing those spiritual elements that are absolutely needed for their own spiritual growth and maturity.
          I have most certainly gone out of my way to explain the many faults with religions and most particularly with that of Western Christianity, but at the same time I have failed to suggest any alternatives for those individuals who feel they have a particular need for some religious ideology, structure, materially and spiritually relevance, so as to appropriately fit the basic social structure in which they can feel both comfortable and at home. I have for the last 10 years or so, while writing these books, continued to stress that with this new reality; there is absolutely no need for the creation of any new religions simply to replace the existing religions that have mostly become so corrupted as to fail to serve the spiritual needs of its followers. It may interest you to understand and know that both Jesus and Buddha never expected to be deified and then installed into some formulated religious ideology or even some spiritual structure. They both had made the attempt to instill in their followers an individual expression of their own divinity. And both of these god-like figures as shared their enlightenment not on some synagogue, temple or church, but always being in natural surroundings that did not offer them the feelings of some closing-in and restrictive walls that would have laid down  and cut one off from the real world of nature.  Jesus had simply said that the kingdom of heaven is within each of us, while it was Buddha who had explained that one should seek the enlightenment that lies within each of us and accomplish this enlightenment not some one or thing that is external to mankind, but very specific with the use through meditation. I wish to say it now and forever; there's no need for a new religion and that I hope that absolutely no one ever attempts to deify me, as I'm just another mortal man seeking the truth.
          If someone should ask you that leading question as to, “What is your religion?” I would suppose that that very question has need of some reasonable response.  Jesus’ early followers were instructed to only practice but one ceremony that would aptly reflect the totality of his one and only commandment of loving one's neighbors as Jesus had shown his love of all mankind despite whatever their personal religion might be.  This very practice was  most specifically designated as the Feast of Agapé.  For those few of you that do not already know the meaning of the word, Agapé; I will most simply explain that is the Greek translation of their word for the very nature of love that might be applied to the general widespread love that is far beyond that of any mundane or individual to individual carnal love that can only be found in the sexual intimacy between two consenting adults for which the Greeks had designated with the word, Eros.  It was only later when Constantine the Great’s Spiritual Mafioso that turned this beautiful remembrance of Jesus’ practice of this Feast of Agapé into what is now considered as the Sacrament of Communion.
          In order for any of Jesus’ initial followers, who were instructed to practice only this Feast of Agapé, and to do so frequently in remembrance of his teachings; they could only and actually provide for this Feast of Agapé, IF someone amongst the regular gatherings had provided for and had brought into their midst, a total stranger to the host or to those that met regularly.  It is very sad that we do not practice this Feast of Agape in today’s regular environment, as it would probably solve many of our global problems in dealing with others, whether it be on a personal level and very likely the public state level as well.  Remember that it was Jesus who had suggested that “to only love those who already have a love for you; there is no gain to your life or character.”  I most likely did not employed the more accurate wordage, but I am sure that I had captured the real meaning as intended by Jesus.
          I'm going to suggest that we do create a symbol of our personal beliefs or acceptance of the very basic tenets of this Age of Reality and that symbol is simply a golden medicine bag that is designed so that it lies flat either on a chain of possibly a stick pin.  On the outward flat outward side of this Native American Medicine Bag there would be inscribed or overlaid with a large letter “A” that would stand for the word, “Agapé” and as we had learned from the very first book that was published, that the very strongest medicine generally found in one's medicine bag is simply, LOVE. The very nature of the kind of LOVE has the very same meaning as does the Greek word, Agapé.  This very symbol of this Medicine bag is taken from our own Native Americans and most assuredly of all, the Zuni of Western New Mexico.  There is absolutely no need that anyone be required to displays this symbol, but it should become that one singular expression of knowing exactly what Jesus had intended for those who had accepted his teachings as a sure means of experiencing the great joy in one’s life.  There is only one important and exclusive means of claiming any relationship amongst those who so choose to be identified as one who fully understands just what this wonderful Age of Reality teaches any of us and that is seen in this singular word, Agapé.  So, if anyone should ever asks me the question, “What is your religion? or “What do you actually believe?”  The answer is simply; AGAPÉ!  And, if someone were to ask me, “What does that mean?” I would simply tell them , “Love.”  And, if they seem at all confused, I would further suggest that they might want to read any of the books published as part of this broader subject of the Age of Reality or very likely, suggest that they might go to the website that is maintained by Agapé members from the original House of Agapé that is found in the community of Cedar Crest, just East of Albuquerque in the Eastern foothills of the Sandia range of Mountains.  It is suggested that you not ever try and tell anyone what it is that they ought to believe in, as I see that uncomfortable mode of religious recruiting as some misleading form of religious hypothesizing.  And God only knows, we simply don’t wish for any more creative ideas as to what any single individual should be taken as his only personal form of religion.  Our already terribly overwrought society with its so many different Christian denominations that with many of these denominations all claiming to being the very one that has that exclusive means of guaranteeing you a front-row seat in their own description of heaven or hell if you fail to see their light as only they can show you THE only way to salvation.
          Now, for the Feast of Agapé; here are a few suggestions for the where, when, how often, who, why, how many and what’s with the conversation.  First off, I want to be sure that you understand that there is, with most of these suggestions, no absolute rule or manner for any element of Agapé. There is but one exception; and that is for all to remember just what it was intended by Jesus and his teachings on love that possesses the singular interpretation of any gathering for the purpose of the Feast of Agapé.  What I am saying here in this long run-on sentence is simply we need to honor Jesus for his one and only commandment of loving one’s neighbor; this will alone serve the question of WHY?.
          WHERE?  Most anywhere could be considered as appropriate for a Feast of Agapé.  Naturally the comfort and safety of your group needs to be carefully taken into account.  My personal idea is to very the location if for no other reason that having it in the same location may tend to lull the group into a state of  monotony in which the energy level of the group and its members may become so low that in time the very survival of the group is threaten.
          WHO and HOW MANY?  It should be fairly obvious that a group of three or four people would likely be too small for a group to survive.  And likewise if your group were to grow to say 20 or 30 people it would become quite difficult for any host of any of the meetings would be hard-pressed to serve a dinner not having a commercial kitchen or even the funds available for that size of the group. In my own home I had 12 dining room chairs so that is probably what has determined the number of individuals that would be an optimal number. Now, keep in mind that at every gathering of the group there should be At least one new guest invited to meet the primary purpose of breaking bread with a stranger that is not known to the entire group. From amongst these new guests, the group can decide along with the mutual consent of the guest as to whether they might be added to the group permanently. And when the group finally reaches its desired size, then amongst these guests the group may suggest the formation of another group starting with that list of past guests have some starting point. There will exist a website or possibly websites for the explicit purpose of introducing people in the same region to each other so that they too might be able to establish a new home for the Feast of Agapé. Every group should designate one of their residences as a home for the group. This does not mean anything except having one individual to maintain any materials relevant to that group such as a mailing list of the group and someone to coordinate the selection of the strangers to be invited to any and every gathering of the group.
          Please keep in mind that there is total equality amongst this group members as there should never be any designated shepherd of the flock, or minister or even any particular number being designate as a Pastor. In cities or towns where there are a number of different groups, there could arise the expected possibility of having a designated pastor who could be called upon by any member of any group to serve the same purposes as pastors and ministers have served in the traditional churches and that is simply an individual selected by the members of all the various groups in some designated geographical area.  This person could be the designated individual that is qualified and able to conduct weddings and funerals for any of its members as well as offering the traditional counseling.

I would suggest that all of the groups get together no less than once a year to make these kind of appointments that must be mutually agreed upon. Since there are no rules that govern any of these groups I would think it could be appropriate to have at least one member of each group attend these larger gatherings, but attendance to any of these gatherings of the various groups should always remain totally accessible to any Agapé member. I would hope and trust that as the number of members grow in overall size and numbers, that the individual and groups should not lose sight of the true cause of loving one's neighbor as the only legitimate reason for groups to grow and expand. And it should be remembered that every member of Agapé as well as every group should always maintain an organization that is fully capable of serving the real spiritual needs of its members. And all of this only points to the great need of guarding against any group or groups becoming too political and thus failing to conduct its real business in a manner that truly had only serves the spiritual needs of its individual members.
                  TO BE CONTINUED!

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