from

Watch  and  Pray

Anne Blaney   January 8, 2000

“What, could ye not watch with me one hour?” These words were spoken by the Master Jesus to Peter, His disciple, approximately 2,000 years ago, in the Garden of Gethsemane. It was in that place, on that night, when it was necessary for Jesus to vibrationally meet the adversarial forces that were seeking to destroy him. A hedge of support and protection was required for this intense work. His disciples had fallen asleep; the instruction he had given them was not obeyed; there had been no capacity to hold the vigil with Him. His pointed question was aimed straight at the heart of mankind. Those who were the closest to him did not offer their support when it was requested, when it was most needed. Alone, he watched and prayed as his disciples lay sleeping.

The sadness of the Master's words to Peter is profound and can be still felt to this day. This incident echoes in man's deepest memory and has impressed upon some of us the necessity that we remain spiritually awake, even while many are asleep. This question to Peter, “What, could ye not watch with me one hour?” stands as an ageless symbol: for the vigil that never happened, and as a symbol for the vigil that continues to be necessary. It is also a symbol for the invitation that was made by the Master, to mankind, to be awake. That invitation was essentially refused. The story of Gethsemane serves as a reminder that the request is outstanding, the invitation still holds, and that the vigil is still required—a useful metaphor for what is still needed some 2,000 years later.

Down through all the ages something spiritually true has always been held by a few; the vigil has been continued in the world. In 1932 Uranda reintroduced an extraordinary articulation and living example of the Garden consciousness to a number of people he named Emissaries. Since that time the vigil has intensified and has been held. This has included many forms over the years, including services, classes, symposia, attunements, and the personal meditations of the hearts of the many individuals. The vigil has been in progress. The need for further vigilance is natural to us, spiritually embraced in the rhythms of our shared activities.

A steady vigil has been taking place unbroken for many years now. Those who participate are, in fact, being invited to offer their own substance to the Lord, through His Body—that is, through all of us. The Body has responsibility for the administration of the creative cycles for this planet, and this is one way this can be accomplished. Those who are awake to their divine identity make up the conscious aspect of the Lord's Body, and the conscious aspect has a job to do. It can collectively allow a focus of the will of the Lord to move through the consciousness of the collective gathered. In these recent times, we had the opportunity to experience the ease that is present when awakened consciousness uses the full substance at hand. The clear, high place of perspective and power is revealed to the conscious mind in heaven—specifically used to create the spiritual event at hand. The mind required here is the divine, yielded, focused mind. This is what is able to carry the heavenly impulse relating to the cycle, and convey wisdom into creation. The release or blessing that comes from this place is initially invisible; but, unimpeded, it will increasingly come into manifestation.

In this rarefied space there is the perception of heavenly power moving in rhythmic cycles which the mind can then steward. The movement in spirit that is seen is far vaster than the earthly celebrations happening. Heaven is a large and active place! In that clarity it is easy to see the beauty, but also to note the confusions that so often prevent the mind from seeing clearly—the concerns and distractions that have occupied that same space. It becomes evident how painful it is to be out of alignment, out of position. As the true strength of spirit is experienced deeply, the fragile connection between heaven and the earth becomes increasingly obvious. With a strong connection between heaven and earth within individuals, the whole body of mankind is allowed increased connection and increased control, emerging from the wisdom and clarity of heaven.

Such times when we consciously gather and focus the available substance are highly transformative for the individual and for our worlds. This is the time for communion with God, of whom we are all an aspect. Truly we are all connected in this one Body, with visible and invisible flesh, and there is a real circulation between us! In this way the cord between heaven and earth is thickened and strengthened, and a current of life may course through the Body. The opportunities for spiritual communion are vast. Let us not fall asleep when we're so needed. My own prayer is that I be wakeful in the course of my daily living; that I let the vigil be alive in my life; that I be aware that I live in His Body all the time; that I truly see that it is the quality of my living that allows for those times of intensified current, so necessary in the work of transformation.

We are among those who have been awakened and who have committed to staying awake, conscious of being aspects of His continuing Body on earth, and consciously playing the role of intercessor for those still asleep. Through our watchfulness we have seen much revealed to us: both the immense blessings of the Light we have received, as well as the deep darkness that is utterly uncomprehending of that Light. Through our prayer we have continued his vigil so that those who sense our presence, hear our words and choose to awaken are welcomed by us. The Master's call to watch and pray is heard today.