Good Guardian

8/14/2019 Good Guardian

1/9

Good Guardian

Guardianship is a great opportunity to serve and thereby help clean karma rather than create it,

and to demonstrate both strength and humility. Other than the leader of the Work, the head

guardian and the active guardian(s) on shift, it is best that no one elses focus be on anythingother than their own responsibilities, place or process. The guardian on shift deserves the honor

of being given the leeway to make mistakes, as long as they are not too harshly impactful.

By progressing on this Path and accepting the empowerment we are given, and allowing and

fostering the empowerment of others, we will all learn to be true Daimista brothers or sisters and

good guardians.

A good guardian is attentive to the leader of the Work, and constantly aware of and in tune with

all other guardian(s) on duty. He or she sees and handles (from his or her half) the entire salo,

maintaining peace, balance and harmony, fostering good humor and joy, and the free and fully

flowing flowering of the power of the Daime, Which of course is operating on the entire Currentas well as on each and every individual in the Current.

Certainly, a good guardian is also flexible, and knows there are special circumstances and

exceptions to many things. A good guardian, when he or she makes mistakes (which we will),

forgives themselves, asks for forgiveness, learns and applies what weve learned in the nextWork.

A good guardian handles all necessary stuff and details: drinking water, kleenexes, puking and

puke buckets, smudge (only and always when necessary), candles, etc.

A good guardian softly reminds especially new people not to cross arms or legs, to cover mouthswhen yawning, to interact minimally with others; assists people to bed (when appropriate); getspeople up (when right). There comes a point in a Work, in a series of Works, when it best serves

the person and the Current for that person to arise. New people can be given much more latitude

in this regard than Fardados and Firmados.

A good guardian keeps everyone, gently, gracefully, as close to the center (Holy Cruzeiro) as he

or she can. Brand new people and others occasionally can go walk in the woods for 20 minutes

as long as they are reminded on at least the subtle planes of the value of being close to theCurrent.

A good guardian maintains straight and full front lines with synchronicity of movement, evermindful that we sit and dance in a sacred geometric pattern with firm Fardados leading each of

the three front lines on a side, tall to not as tall as much as possible. In a dancing Work, if a solid

person appears that they will be missing for a hymn or two, their place can be left empty. If a notso solid person appears that they will be missing for an extended time, then their position can be

filled. People can be moved exactly as little as possible and as much as necessary. On those

occasions where there are only two in a line the two people should be in positions 1 and 2 andreminded to resist the inclination to spread out to cover the side.


2/9

Being in ones place is a major virtue on this path. Everyone has to be somewhere and it may as

well be in the place that is best for the whole, and therefore best for each person. Were all here(eventually) to help row the boat rather than just come along for the ride. Ideally, everyone will

strive always to be in their place and for sure be in their place for at the very least the last three

hymns of an hinrio and of a Work.

A good guardian maintains calm, clarity of focus, confidence (trust) and a loving and protective

attitude at all times. A good guardian anticipates necessary action and/or appropriate inactionwhile ever remaining in the present mindless moment, not doing too much nor too little,

invisibly. Erring on the side of doing too little is usually better than erring on the side of doing

too much, allowing our Holy Sacrament to cleanse, heal and empower unhindered.

Of course agreatguardian embodies, and is inspired by St. Anthony and guided by Juramidam

& the Queen of the forest, has the courage of St. Michael and the compassion of Christ. This

goes without saying, but it is worth saying anyway.

- Sam B.


3/9

Guidelines for Guardians

St. Anthony holding the Christ child

Guardianship has many facets. It is foremost a position of service, under the patronage of St.

Anthony. We are privileged to provide material and spiritual support to the current as a wholeand to each participant. We are responsible for helping all beings, incarnate as well as

disincarnate. Within this work of the Holy Daime, many beings are attracted to the intense, high

vibration of light, to be taught, forgiven and directed on the path of their illumination. Those thatare disruptive are handled with a loving strength and firmness. There are physical details to

manage during a ritual and much care to be given. However, the most important part of

guardianship is in the 'being' and not the 'doing'. It is the feeling behind the actions that helps tocreate the harmony, protection, and safety that are the spiritual responsibility of the guardians.

As with everything within the Daime, the main teacher is the power itself. The ultimate source

of guardianship is provided by the All that Is; all that is Nature, all that is Love, and all DivineBeings. The Daime will teach each guardian how to best fulfill their role, based on their

relationship with the power and their own sensibilities.

I. BEING A GUARDIAN

As you enter the work, spend a few moments aligning yourself with the power. Let go of

personal concerns, and allow yourself to become quiet. Surrender youraparelho to the Daime.


4/9


5/9


6/9

difficult issue, because some people want it for its cleansing properties, while others don't want it

because the cleansing causes them to vomit, and still others become sick from the smell. As with

all personal preferences within a Daime work, each person's needs should be respected, withinwhat is best for the group as a whole.

Water glasses on the altar should be kept full. Do so between hymns. It is helpful to take a breathand further align oneself before approaching the altar where the center of the power is most

intense.

All rooms should be kept clean and orderly, chairs around the edges free of extra clothes and

hinrios. Hinrios are sacred teachings, and should be kept off of the floor whenever possible.

Keep used tissues off of the floor, area around the statue of Mary straightened, water glassesplaced so that they won't be knocked over, etc.

When people leave a bed, straighten the blankets and fold the bed in half.

Keep room temperature reasonable. As an overall guideline, cooler is better. Watch to see if a

number of people are taking off or putting on sweaters. It should be cooler for dancing, and alittle warmer for concentrations.

Outside should be checked several times during the work, usually by a male guardian He should

walk around the building, checking in the front to see that the candle is lit Carrying the energy ofguardianship and the Daime within his aparelho secures the perimeter energetically.

There should be a male and female guardian in the saloat all times. If you must leave, letanother guardian know where you're going.

Smudging: There are some specific times during a work when smudging is usually done,including:

-At the beginning of the work-To start the Cruzerinho

-After there has been a lot of cleansing, i.e. throwing up, laying down.

-When the room gets 'heavy' This is a felt sense that the guardian develops

-Try to smudge at a time when it will be the least disruptive. Particularly be aware of this during

concentration. This can be when the Daime is being served, or there Ksome kind of transition.

-Have an experienced guardian show you how the censer works, and how much smoke should be

coming out. Some general guidelines are:

Male guardians usually begin. They start at the altar (on the inside of the room), and work in a

circle to the outside of the room, going in a clockwise direction, following the path of the sun.

The exception to this is that the guardian may smudge by going back and forth between the lines,

which means they will be going in a counter-clockwise direction for part of the time. Open some


7/9

windows and the back door to let the smoke out. One of the main reasons for keeping the doors

closed during a work (a star house in particular) is to keep the salo'closed' energetically. You

can put a glass of salt water in front of the door to keep the passageway 'clean'.

III. CARING FOR THE PEOPLE

The main guidelines when caring for people are, to make your first priority your own alignment

with God, to maintain harmony, and, to keep your interactions subtle and minimal, yet firm. Themost important work going on is between each person and the Daime. Even kind actions can

interfere with that process. Keep talking, touching, and eye contact to a minimum. If it is

absolutely necessary to speak to someone, do so after a hymn is completed, and then say as little

as possible. A hymn is not finished until the music is complete. If a person is throwing up, youcan hold the bucket for them and keep their hair out of the way, if they need the help. They may

be handling things very well on their own. Often the most helpful thing that you can do is

remember that each person is Christ, and treat them with that level of respect, tenderness and

love.

Guardians are not 'healers' within the Daime ritual. In some churches there are designated,experienced healers trained within and sanctioned by the Daime and the church leadership. This

is most often true in specific rituals: star houses, and St. Michael works.

Guardians can help people to stay up and in their place if they are having difficulty by:

-Breathing-check to see if your own breathing is deep and relaxed. Often that can have a good

effect on someone. You can also suggest to them that they relax their chest and stomach and lettheir breath be deeper.

-Silently sing the hymn to them.-If they have been throwing up and are bent over the bucket, gently help them to sit straight.

-Take them outside for a breath of fresh air. They can shake their clothes and hair to detach heavyenergies.

-Sit with them in the back room for a few minutes. The energy is often less intense back there,

and gives them a little space to recenter.

-If they have turned away, help them to face the cross.

- Have them run some cool water on their hands and face.

These things can be done if they feel appropriate in the moment. They shouldn't be done out of

a desire to 'help' or to bring attention to yourself, or because you feel that you 'should' dosomething. Sometimes the struggle someone is going through is necessary for their learning.

Over time you will be able to discern more and more clearly when a person is going through a

passage and needs to lay down. It is not necessarily best for someone to lie down because they

are going through a passage. The more that a person learns to heal within the current, the better.


8/9

To quote affectionately a head guardian in Maua, "The cure is in the center." Sometimes when a

person is scared or off-center, they only need a little help realigning. It is better to err on the side

of caution, and not interfere unless you are very clear what the need is. Always allow harmonyto prevail If someone doesn't want to do what you think is best, go along with their needs,

unless someone will be harmed. Never argue with anyone. If you are uncertain about how to

handle a situation, or if someone requests you do something that seems outside of the usualparameters, speak with the lead guardian who will either resolve the matter or consult with the

leader of the work.

Be aware of helping people to get back up after they have been lying down for a while. Once a

person lies down, it can be difficult to get up again. A gentle reminder and a helping hand,

sitting next to them for a few moments, singing a hymn to them silently or softly aloud can help

them to make the transition back to vertical. Be aware of the exquisitely fine and sensitive spacea person may be in when lying down. In fact, they may not even be in their body. Watch and

feel that person before approaching them to see if it is appropriate for them to return to the work.

If they have opened their eyes and it seems that the passage is complete, or the opposite is true

and they seem to be resting rather than working, it may be time for them to get up.

A few more guidelines:

-When a person lies down, help them to remove their glasses, etc., and put them in a safe and

obvious place. They should be lying on their backs in an open posture. If you see them curl up

later, gently help them to open again, if possible. If they continue to keep curling up, let them be.

-Know where all people are at all times.

-If a person is behaving inappropriately and not listening to you-if they are not hurting anyone,

let it go, and let the leader know after the work. If they are being disruptive, you can consult with

the lead guardian, take them out of the line and seat them near the wall, or speak more firmly tothem. Your main goal is not to be a police officer, but to maintain the harmony of the work and

the safety of each individual. Watch for any hooks that you may have with this particular person

or behavior, and see if there is a lesson in this for you.

-Find a balance between 'the rules" and the needs of the moment. If it's time for everyone to

stand, and someone is sitting very much in the power, with their eyes closed, don't disturb them.

Any time you are asking a person to make some sort of shift, do so very gently. Even the mostsensitive guardian doesn't fully know what a person is going through, and what effect their

intervention might have.

-Fainting: When someone faints within a work, the main job of the guardian is to be sure that, if

possible, they are not injured. Help them to meet the ground gently, perhaps by putting a hand

under their head. Don't intervene any more than you have to, but stay close by. Once they are onthe ground, leave them alone, unless they are in a very twisted position, in which case you can

gently straighten them out. Move the people around them so they can stay where they are as long

as they need to. When you see that they are starting to come to, you can help them to sit up, and

then stand, or move to a better place. The exception to this would be if the person faints in the


9/9

dancing line during an hinrio. In that case, guide the other people to dance around them until

the hymn is finished, then get the person out of the line. If they are still unconscious, you may

need the help of another guardian to physically remove them. Remember that they are protectedby the power.

-Maintaining the lines:

When someone leaves the line, they should be guided to do so without cutting through

another line. Keep lines even by walking between them and motioning where people should bestanding.

Move people as little as possible. When a person leaves the line, the people next to them

should NOT automatically move over. When a star person leaves the line, do notrearrange and fill their place until three hymns have passed, or, unless they let you know

upon leaving that they will be gone for quite a while. After the work is going, you can see

who is able to keep dancing and who is having more difficulty, and can switch lines

accordingly, keeping heights in mind. The front lines and the first person in eachconsecutive line should be kept strong, and weaker people should not be left too long

dancing alone, or dancing on an end without energetic support on each side.

If someone is consistently off in their dancing or maraca playing, gently take them aside

and help them to correct the problem.

When trying to catch someone's attention, try to make brief eye contact, and then show

them what you want. Don't tap or push someone from behind if it can be avoided.

While Daime is being served:

-Keep lines orderly. It may be best to have a few people come over at a time, and the rest stay attheir chairs. Be clear with what you want people to do.

-Keep the doorways clear.-Shift chairs if needed.

-Watch for those who may need a bucket.

Breaks and end:

Before you stop being a guardian, be sure that everyone is cared for. Let the next shift of

guardians know who may be needing particular attention. During the break, you can enlist thehelp of others so that you can have a rest.

ABOVE ALL, TRUST IN GOD. The Daime Knows What The Daime Is Doing.

Good Guardian

Documents

Transcript of Good Guardian