Apr 25 2008
Mystic Makeda’s Space
Welcome our newest writer, Mystic Makeda! Mystic Makeda will write on spiritual life topics and will offer our readers knowledge and insight into the world of spirit and healing. We welcome you!
BIOGRAPHY
Cheri Makeda
“MYSTIC JOURNEYS: CHARTING YOUR SPIRITUAL AND PERSONAL ADVENTURES”
Cheri Makeda began her spiritual exploration over thirty years ago. During that time she faced many of life’s major challenges. From that, Cheri developed an extensive array of tools that enables her to create a life worth living, full of joy and serenity. These tools, coupled with her intuitive and healing gifts, are available to help facilitate one’s growth and healing. From that, “Mystic Journeys: Charting Your Spiritual and Personal Adventures” was conceived. As a Spiritual Counselor, Intuitive Reader, Life Coach, and Reiki Master, Cheri teaches how to recognize personal truth and walk in integrity. THOUGHTS and ACTIONS are then reflected back as love. By allowing one’s innate creative spirit to manifest, one becomes healthy, whole and healed. Cheri’s passion for healing the body, mind and spirit drive her to demonstrate the universal power of love, prayer and peace.
Cheri Makeda has lived in the Tampa Bay area for over five years, where she shares her life with her partner Ronnie, and their dog Onyx. Harmony Metaphysical Church has been her church home since 2005, where she serves as an Associate Minister. Cheri enjoys traveling, reading and writing when she isn’t spending time visiting her daughter Monique, her husband O’Farrell, and her grandson, O’Farrell Jr. in Louisville, Kentucky.
An Introduction Is In Order
By: Mystic Makeda
I began my spiritual journey over 30 years ago. From my first memories I felt ugly, stupid and insignificant. As a child I didn’t understand why. The contradiction was that I was intelligent, cute and loved. I came from two college educated parents who loved my younger brother, Brian and I, as well as our extended family. There was plenty of love, nurturing and support. My mother came from a total of 12 siblings, and she, my father, and two of the older siblings helped to raise her younger brother and sisters when their mother died at a young age. So my younger uncle and aunts were more like my brother and sisters. We had big holidays with my parents, travelled on family vacations, and were exposed to much of what the “good life” had to offer. In many way we were over-indulged, yet were taught that we were fortunate, and everyone didn’t have the opportunities we had. Dad was a community activist and both parents made sure we didn’t forget how blessed we were. Yet, I still felt insignificant.
I wanted to die at an early age and just couldn’t understand why God would make me stay where I didn’t want to be. I was just taking up space and would wallow in feelings of uselessness, hopelessness and sadness. My parents did all they could for me, but they didn’t know just how bad it was for me. I learned how to mask my feelings and put on that “good little girl” mask. My parents were attentive, yet I hated myself. I was always sad and believed my parents only loved me because they “had” to. Suicide was often on my mine. I would be another 25 years before I would be able to understand the root cause of my “why”.
The suicidal feelings continued until I was introduced to Nichiren Daishonin Buddhism at the age of 21. This form of Buddhism came from Japan to the U.S. when the Japanese war brides came to this country. When I was introduced, the majority of members were Japanese ladies, who had the courage to propagate a foreign philosophy in a land where they were considered the “enemy” and had only broken English in which to communicate, but communicate they did.
From the first time I sat down in front of an alter and looked upon a “Gohonzon”, I never looked back. I knew I was home. (The Gohonzon is a mandala or object of worship, but I’ll explain the Gohonzon later, so stay tuned.) As I knelt on the floor, the incense burning, a bell ringing, and the chanting of many voices coming together to make one sound was music to my ears, “Nam-myoho-renge-kyo” . Everyone else was either on the floor kneeling with me, or sitting in chairs, rubbing their prayer beads together. I felt a soothing balm on my wounded heart. “Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo”. The house seems to vibrate and I felt as if I would just levitate off the floor. “Nam-myoho-renge-kyo” is loosely translated as; to devote oneself to the mystic law of cause and effect through sounds and vibrations in the universe.
Buddhism touched me in a way that nothing else had. Although my Dad was a devote Baptist and Sunday school teacher, my mother a Methodist, Christianity just didn’t feel right to me. As a child I had a relationship with “God”, but had a hard time believing the Christianity they were selling. Later I understood it just wasn’t my truth. As I began to chant, set up my own alter and began to attend meetings, I began to see that there was a purpose for me, I had to be alive, and I had a mission. My life had purpose! There was a reason for me to continue to take up space on this earth.
I didn’t become instantly beautiful, or smart, or well adjusted, but the picture being reflected back to me was no longer some grotesque unlovable monster. Chanting was like polishing a tarnished mirror. The more I did, the better I was able to see life without a distorted view. Nichiren Daishonin Buddhism saved my life.
Over the course of those thirty years I’ve faced many of life’s major challenges. I developed chronic debilitating diseases (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia) at the age of 40. I lost my husband at 43, lost my father at 45, relocated to Florida, found my passion and began living a life worth having. None of these challenges were easy, but what I was to learn over time is that if I hadn’t had these experiences, survived them, I ultimately wouldn’t be able to teach others how to survive these same challenges. Did I say it wasn’t easy? But I came through it and so can you.
I began my business a few years ago called “Mystic Journeys”. I realized that life is but one long journey with many roads, twists and turns along the way. We have the opportunity to embrace this life or we can go kicking and screaming. So I decided that I would look at my life as one great adventure after another. As “Mystic Journeys” I offer Spiritual Counseling, Intuitive Reading, Life Coaching and Reiki Healing. I had to walk through all of my challenges to lead the way for others. I have become a strong, loving, compassionate, spiritual and wise woman (if I say so myself). I’m not done yet, but I like the woman I am. I look forward to the future and can’t wait to see what else life has in store for me. Some times all we have to do is show up, shine our light and prepare for a wild ride. Together we will find what avenues to take so all of us can prepare for the next leg of our mystic journey.
Peace & blessings,
Makeda
Mother’s Day
By: Mystic Makeda
Today is Mother’s Day and this is my 25th celebration of this day. Each and every Mother’s Day has been a joy, thanks to my wonderful daughter Monique. She has been a blessing and I often wonder how did I get so lucky to wind up with her.
From the beginning I knew her name was Monique and she had to be born. I wasn’t disappointed. The little lady I envisioned with style and attitude is exactly what I got. From the beginning she had her own sense of self. She had her own mind and was determined to have things her way, regardless of what others may think. If Monique felt right she would argue her point tirelessly. I remember at the age of 5 or 6 she would sit around the dinner table and join in on the discussions of news and current events.
Monique has always been mature for her age. We always spoke to her as an adult, so her vocabulary was always several years ahead of other children her age. We spent a lot of her formative years living with my parents, so she would serve as the “legs” for her grandparents, never complaining. My parents also served as co-parents; they loved, educated and nurtured Monique just as I did.
We all made it through her teen years without too much pain. I was diagnosed with a chronic illness when she was in the 7th grade and there were times when she had to take care of me. I would often feel bad that she had so may adult issues to deal with and felt it unfair for her. I beat myself up for years hating the direction my life had taken. My parents had given me such an abundant life and I could not do that for my daughter. She never did without, thanks again to my parents, but there were times when finances were tight and we would not go to my parents for help. Years later she told me it helped define the person she would grow into and made her mature beyond her years. She never begrudged her life and I had to learn not to begrudge mine.
Monique lost her father at age 16 and her grandfather at 18. The loss of the two most vital men in her life caused tremendous grief, but she was able to rise above it. She learned from her pain and walked through it. After the loss of my father, my mother and I moved to Florida, leaving her in Kentucky alone. Monique went on to complete her undergraduate degree in four years from the University of Louisville, graduating in 2005.
Now on this Mother’s Day my child will celebrate her first Mother’s Day. She had a son, born February 17, 2007. My hope and prayer for her is to have as many wonderful memories as her grandmother and I have. The love of your children and grandchildren is a love like no other.
Mothers are the backbone of our global community. They are our nurturers, care givers, teachers, fathers, role models, motivators, providers, coaches and our soft place to land. They work endlessly to give us what we need. Most of the time receiving very little back in return.
To all the mothers, may Mother Father God comfort you, protect you, and kept you for all your days. Thank You!
Namaste
Light vs Dark
By:Mystic Makeda
As a metaphysician, I believe we are spiritual beings having a human experience, rather than human beings having a spiritual experience. There have been so many firsthand accounts of life after death that we can no longer deny it. There is more, so much more than what we see on the surface. People that have been “awakened” to the idea of their spiritual connection to the Earth and each other are called Lightworkers.
A Lightworker, as defined by Doreen Virtue in Archangels & Ascended Masters, is “A living human who feels called to help Earth and her inhabitants in a way that uses spiritual energy. For instance, a lightworker might feel called upon to engage in healing, teaching, or artistic work to help make the planet a better place.” What Lightworkers do best is to shine their light.
So I began to wonder, if we’re all being of light, are there also being of the dark? Duality is also a part of life. Are these dark beings, as depicted in horror movies, big and scary, or are they just souls who have not experienced the light? There are certainly too many humans filled with hate, bigotry, violence, rage and destruction. One only has to turn on the nightly news to see country vs. country; religion vs. religion; race vs. race; politician vs. politician; man vs. woman; man vs. animal; man vs. Earth. It seems to me, the closer we get to 2012 the more the news is filled with misery, the more we move toward self-destruction.
The dark does have its place. We would not be able to fully appreciate the light if we didn’t have the dark for contrast. Again, it is the duality of life. If there was no darkness, no challenges, no issues, how would we be able to stretch beyond our self-imposed limits?
The question then becomes, what are the Lightworkers to do? How do we counter this darkness. How do we make a difference when we are only one person? What I’ve discovered is the best way to counter the dark is to shine our light. It sounds so simple, and it is; however, we have to come from a position of love not ego. The essence of any Lightworker is our light or Universal Love. I believe that most of us would love to impact the world in a grand way, but it’s the small steps that make a huge impact over time. For all the people, places and things that are in the dark we need to illuminate them, steadily with love, compassion, peace, humility and joy.
It is our humanity that distinguishes the light from the dark. It is our compassion to care for our fellow human beings and the planet itself that shines our light. Peace, joy, love and goodwill can yet turn the tide. To bring in the light of Mother/Father God is to illuminate all that is. All we have to do is to walk in the light, one step at a time.
Namaste’
Makeda
Practice What You Preach
By: Mystic Makeda
Last week my 25 year old daughter, Monique, called me from Kentucky, tired, overwhelmed, frustrated and worried. She was preparing for the “GRILL”, which was the test all employees have to take to move forward in her company. There were topics from “accounting” to “everything you think you might need to know”. You went from department to department being “grilled” about what that particular department did, and their relationship to other departments. The goal of the “griller” is to hit you and hit you hard. One in particular had a reputation of making the “grillee” cry. The pressure was on. As an employee she works an average of 55 hours per week, plus she’s a new mom with a three month old son. She and her husband share duties, but as most women know, we are usually the overall caregiver of the family.
So, here we are two days before the “grill” and she’s a wreck. With both she and her husband as recent college grads they both found great jobs, she at a national car rental company, and he at a multinational company. They both make a decent salary, but with car notes, rent, baby everything, and huge student loans, they frankly needed the money passing this test would provide. Needless to say, a lot was riding on the outcome of this test.
The call came in, “Mom. You got to help me with this test. You need to call on somebody, people, spirits or anybody to help me!” Monique has grown up with a mother that wasn’t necessarily like other moms. I was always a “woo woo”. As a matter of fact she often calls me “Glenda, The Good Witch”, or “Harry Potter”. I much prefer “Glenda” she was such a kind, compassionate witch. But I digress, “What can you do Mom? We need the money now!”
Metaphysics is what excites me. I love the role of spiritual counselor and life coach, both offer me the opportunity to teach and inspire others by sharing my own life experiences and lessons. I instantly thought of Doreen Virtue, PhD’s book, “Archangels and Ascended Masters”. I knew the information I needed was there.
Now I believe we all have a spiritual team around us. We have our departed loved ones, angels, guardian angels, ancestors, and various archangels and ascended masters around us at all times. The members of your team may vary depending on the particular circumstances. You can add anyone to your team that resonates with you. What about the Chinese goddess of mercy, protection and compassion, Kuan Yin? Mother Teresa, a nun, dedicated her life to nurturing the world would be a good addition. What I wanted to do for my daughter is pull together the best team for this specific issue.
I settled on Lu-Hsing to take the lead on this mission. Lu-Hsing is the god of salaries, pay, success, career progress, investments, steady accumulation, wealth and employees. Lu-Hsing was a mortal man who was a high ranking royal court official in China during the 2nd-century B.C. According to Doreen Virtue, Lu-Hsing says, “The secret of financial success is the willingness to adopt a warrior spirit in attitude, grace and presence.” He goes on to say “…Warriors have an outlook of expecting a positive outcome, and a willingness to do whatever is needed to incur that outcome. It means not giving up, but allowing for flexibility, and to flow with the energy or chi as it moves along. Be strong, be vigilant for success, and be sensitive to the energy undercurrents, and you shan’t go wrong.”
This was exactly what I was looking for. Doreen Virtue goes on to say to invoke Lu-Hsing write, “Thank you, Lu-Hsing” on a piece of paper, fold it, and hold it in your palm during the applicable situations. I passed this information on, encouraged her to take her time, focus on her breathing and slow everything down if she began to feel overwhelmed or anxious. At the end of our call she seemed calmer and more in control.
Needless to say, Monique can through the process with flying colors. While she felt she did “O.K.” the next day her boss’s boss told all the other managers that, “Monique crushed the Grill”. It seems she did better than most other grillees. After that, she was flooded with calls and e-mails congratulating her on her accomplishments. Not only did she get an instant raise, this put her in the enviable spot of the managers all wanting her to work as an assistant manager in their branch. When she makes money, they make money.
I of course wasn’t surprised. I expected no less. I have worked with the archangels and ascended master enough to know they were the real deal, and if you want to make things happen, one just has to ask for assistance. I encourage anyone interested in learning more to check this particular book and to look over Doreen Virtue’s extensive list of books, intuitive cards, and other metaphysical material.
I got a call yesterday from my daughter asking for help once again. An assistant manager job vacancy has come open and she has received e-mails encouraging her to apply. I know without a single doubt that she will get the right position for her needs. All things are DRO (Divine Right Order). So she will again call on Lu-Hsing. I will be calling on Archangel Michael, Hathor, Ishtar, Mother Mary and other mothering goddesses and teachers to help guide me as I guide her.
Namaste
You and Your Environment are One
By Mystic Makeda
“The ten directions are the “environment”, and living beings are “life.” To illustrate, environment is like the shadow, and life, the body. Without the body, no shadow can exist, and without life, no environment. In the same way, life is shaped by its environment.” Writing of Nichiren Daishonin, page 644.
This quote is from the gosho (major writings) “On Omens” written by Nichiren Daishonin in Japan in 1275. This is an example of the symbiotic relationship between man and environment. We can not have one without the other. What was true in 13 century Japan remains true today.
My prayer is that we wake up to the idea that the environment is here to nurture us by providing food, water, heat, shelter, etc., however, I believe as the Native Americans believe, Mother Earth is here for us and we are here to appreciate and protect her. Thus far we haven’t been doing our part. We have turned our back on her, will she in time turn her back on us? I wonder!
Namaste’
The Loss of a Friend
By: Mystic Makeda
The comedian Bernie Mac died this week at the age of 50. The comedian turn actor was considered one of the “Kings of Comedy”. Besides stand-up, he had his own sitcom which crossed racial and social-economic lines, and appeared in many movies over the years. He and I are the same age.
When I realized we were born in the same year I began to wonder why was I spared when I had complications after my surgery last year? What or who decides who lives and who dies?
I believe we all have exit points throughout our lives and at those points in our contracts, we can choose whether to continue on with this life or we can decide its time to go back ‘home’. As I look back over my life I see there were several close calls.
The last one I had was very profound and I remember making the decision to continue living. I had been hemorrhaging all day and most of the night when at about 6:00 am the rehab hospital I was in decided to call 911 to get me to a hospital better equipped to help me. I needed transfusions of blood and fast. The blood poured out of my body as fast as it was put in. I was tired and sick and knew the exact moment when I decided that no matter how sick and tired I felt, there was too much left for me to do. I had a loving family with a grandson on the way, friends and I had more work to do. I believed my ‘mission’ wasn’t over yet.
A year later I’m looking at my life and Bernie Mac’s life and I wonder, why was my life spared? He was famous, influential and rich. He had the means to touch people all over the world with laughter; his celebrity could open doors for him; his money could take care of his immediate and extended family; and he was able to do philanthropic work as well; and then there is ME.
I had to catch myself because I was falling rapidly into the he’s ‘better’ than me mindset. His path was to do what he did and my path is to inspire people in my way. Although I get frustrated that my path isn’t as clear as I ‘assume’ his was, I realized that is a part of the journey. Learning who we are is the point. How do we learn what we are capable of if we are not put to the test? I may not ever be famous, globally influential and rich, and that is alright. We can’t grow if we are spending all of our time comparing what we have and who we are to others. I feel, like so many others in the country that Bernie Mac was taken way too soon, but that is his contact. The lesson for us is time is short and we don’t have the luxury of wasting any more time. Live each day as if it is your last and be comforted that when we do come to our last day, there are no regrets.
To life!
Namaste’
