Fayetteville, Arkansas

Stone 21: Sandstone

I was walking outside, behind my workplace, contemplating connectedness when I noticed a little rock outcropping on the hillside. I walked up to it and gazed down upon an entire little, self contained universe in action on the surface of the rock. Ants, rollie-pollies, butterfly, dead leaves and wilted flowers all around. All the critters seemed to have a function and a directed purpose. They seemed content. They were directed. “Purposeful.” Had undivided attention. I thought about how quickly I could become more self-aware if functioned in a manner similar to these creatures with a clear ideal and image. I reached over, touched the rock, and this little piece fell into my hand. --Shawn Smith, Fayetteville, AR

Hawaii

Stone 22: Coral

From the big island of Hawaii. This is white coral. The interesting thing about this is that they write with these stones. Most of the island is black volcanic ash and rock. Natives use the white coral to leave messages. They find a hill and spell out words of celebration and greetings with the white coral. You can see it from the highways as you drive by. It is like graphitti, but it is all kind thoughts. Only natives do this type of writing. --Marjorie Rissler, Rochester, Honegye Falls, New York

Takiyama, Japan

Stone 23: Quartz

When I was a very young woman I lived in Japan for two years. That time in my life it was a very mind-opening experience. I loved the people and the culture. The Eastern philosophy was shown to me for the very first time. As a twenty-two year old I was left with a sense of how very different their culture is from ours. From the time I was twenty-two, it was a part of me, it changed me. Twenty-five years later I got a chance to return to Japan. I felt like I was returning home. I felt comfortable there, like I had never left. This rock come form Takiyama. There is a huge shrine. The alter was a fish tank that stretched 60 ft. We entered and sat at pews. There was a large gold statue. Is is the headquarters of the Sukyo Mahikari religion. --Marjorie Rissler, Rochester, Honegye Falls, NY

Rio Grande River, New Mexico

Stone 24: Limestone and Calcite

This rock is a crystal from the Rio Grande River in New Mexico. My father patiently waited on the side of the road as I waded in the river to retrieve this rock, one summer in New Mexico. --
Dee Cooling, Dallas, TX

Encinitas, California

Stone 25: Sandstone

This shimmery rock came from “Swami Beach” in Encinitas, California. This beach is just down from the Self Realization Fellowship meditation gardens. If you turn it just right, the rock reflects the light much like the entire beach does as the sun shines upon it. It’s like walking on a golden beach. The entire vibration of this area is crisp, clear, and entraining- very healing. --Ivy, Norris, Indianapolis, Indiana

Ashland, Kentucky

Stone 26: Dolestone

This rock is from the Henty Clay estate in Ashland, KY. Henry Clay was a congressman, senator, diplomat and peace commissioner. He was a lawyer and professor of law who served the public as Speaker of the House and as Secretary of State. He was also nominated to the Presidency. Henry Clas was instrumental in peace settlements in his 50 years of practice of public service. He served as commissioner to the joint American-British peace negotiations in Ghent, Belgium in 1814, following the was the War of 1812. He is know as “The Great Compromiser because he negotiated the Missouri Compromise of 1820 and the Great Compromise of 1850. --Dr. Laurel Clark, Windyville, MO

Sydney, South Wales, Australia

Stones 27: All three are Sandstone

This rock was found on Coogee Beach by Tom Vilt, a student of the School of Metaphysics through correspondence, during a business trip to Australia.-- Tom Vilt, Nashville, TN

Hawaii

Stone 28: Coral

Kazuya Edwards, a student attending the School of Metaphysics in Dallas and a flight attendant for United Airlines picked this rock up for the healing wall while on a layover on her way to Japan. --Kazuya Edwards, Dallas, Texas

Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Stone 29: Quartz

This stone is a memento of my husband’s first view of the beach at age thirty-five. He never wanted to forget how powerful his energy was or how awestruck he was by it’s beauty. -- Joellen Cooper, Rochester, NY

NW Ontario, Canada

Stone 30: Serpentine

My parents gave me the gift of Canada...now I give it to you. Let me tell you about how my love affair with this wild and beautiful place began.

I first set out for Canada in 1955. My parents, sister, and I headed north to Iowana Packwash Camp, Ontario, Canada in August. Our car was a 1949 Ford. Dad customized it by painting the emerging “fins” pale lime green and installing seat belts. Mom accessorized it by purchasing red and blue (Nancy was the “blue” sibling, I, the “red”) plastic motorcycles that we could race around the back ledge. She completed our entertainment package with rubberized Mickey and Minnie Mouse that could pose in a thousand positions.

Our annual trips to Canada taught me about big cities and self reliance--we showered in make-shift buildings that housed ice-cold lake water, caught our dinner each day from the lake, and chopped wood for our fires at night. It taught me to embrace adventure, love nature, and appreciate the sound of silence. It was there I first studied peace.

I have returned to this sacred place for nearly fifty years and still I find serenity. The rock I bring to you is from Mark Lake in NW Ontario. I picked it up on a late September afternoon. It was near the path that connects Mark to Washigomis. When you pick it up, notice how it seems sculpted to perfectly fit your hand. Think how it could be used equally well as a weapon against the world or as a tool to create. To me it symbolizes our choice as conscious beings. I choose to use it as a tool to create peace. I give it to you with love for the dedication of the SOM Peace Dome. --Karen Ackley, Des Moines, Iowa

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