The Children's Fire: Heart song of a people

by Mac Macartney

Learn how to make an outside fire using twigs and sticks that you have gathered. If such skills are already yours, take it deeper and experiment. Wherever your starting point is, move into a place where you have to apply yourself and properly attend. o Discover a place where you can safely, and without injury to the environment, have a small fire in solitude. Choose this place or be guided to this place by virtue of the same unity of spiritual intention and practical consideration. Ask permission of the land, trees and creatures who live in this place to hold your ceremony. o Gather three or four handfuls of twigs and sticks and take them home with you. Tie them into a bundle and place them somewhere significant and respectful in your home. Occasionally take your bundle and sit holding it in your arms, feeling into the ceremony, feeling into your pledge, feeling into the implications. Never treat the bundle of sticks casually or betray their significance by referring to them in terms that make you feel dishonest or ashamed. You have gathered a bundle of ancient sunlight masquerading as a bundle of dead sticks. The energy in your bundle is colossal. It only awaits combustion. o At a time of your choosing, carry your bundle of sticks to the place where they will be lit. Do not invite others to join you unless you are sure that they will fully and unreservedly support you with their goodwill and respect. Light your bundle using whatever method you have practised and, once it ...