Bowl of Light
“Bowl of Light” Care
written by Dr. Penny Lloyd, Veterinarian
I come from a farm, but still have much to learn about how to care for the land. It was an honor to attend a Land Blessing by Kumu Donna Kawehi O’Nalani Basich and granddaughter Addison Lili’uokalani Haller for “Hoku Lio Farms” (which means “Horse Star” in Hawaiian). A Land Blessing is a ceremony to “establish a harmonious co-existence between the land and its people where love, peace, and mutual respect prevail”.
One of the first things we did was place a carved wooden “Bowl of Light” at the pasture gate, as a reminder for all who enter. It reminded me of what I began practicing years ago as a mobile vet. At the gate of every horse farm, I would switch the radio off, drop thoughts about lunch, etc. I would “Open the Gate in Me” by focusing my senses on the present moment. This greatly enhances the quality of our interactions. Tending our “Bowl of Light” (see more below**) bears witness to the growth of that potential.
After the bowl was placed, we each received a saltwater blessing. With each one our hearts got bigger. It was like becoming part of a giant wave, that swept far beyond us as individuals. It felt like we were lit up on behalf of geldings, colts, fillies, mares, stallions, pigs, sheep, banyan, palm trees, humans, birds, and more … worldwide. As was “Hoku Lio Farms”. One of many leading-edge centers around the globe (led by many of you reading this) where humans learn harmony with animals and the land. To grow and shine ever brighter together.
Next was “Hula” portraying all this in visual dance form. The music was “Take Me Home” by “Aloha” written to honor this part of the island. The ceremony drew to a natural close with a warm hug from the Ko’Olau Mountains framed by the setting sun. A huge flock of cockatiels swooped by, swirling delicious formations of joyful zest throughout our beings. The daring flock took it a bit past their bedtime circling Hoku Lio with several encores. Leaving us humans just enough light to make it back out the gate, past our Bowl of Light aglow in overflow.
**“Each child born at birth has a Bowl of Perfect Light. If he tends to his light, it will grow in strength and he can do all things – fly with the birds, swim with the sharks, know and understand all things. If he becomes envious or jealous, he drops a stone into his Bowl of Light and some of his light goes out. Light and the stone cannot hold the same space. If he continues to put stones in his Bowl, the Light will go out and he will become a stone. A stone does not grow, nor does it move. If at any time he tires of being a stone, all he needs to do is turn the bowl upside down and the stones will fall away, and the Light will grow once more.” Source: Tales From the Rainbow, by Koko Willis and Pali Jae Lee.