So, I’m going to move to Alaska. Following my heart. I fell in love with her when I was 21. First time I’ve ever been abroad, first place outside my country I ever set foot on. I was right out of my military service at the IDF – armed with sarcasm and distrust, and very militant. Alaska ripped my armor open with unconditional love, which was my inner secret language that I so vigorously tried to hide. I was left exposed, defenseless and forever in love with the one place open heart in public was allowed. I thought maybe that’s the way all foreign countries are – she was my first. But as I came to the next one I realized it was not so, and have been missing my first love-country ever since.
Every time I felt this world had no place for me, I heard in me a whisper: Alaska… Longing. She was calling my Jewish heart to come back from exile to her, my private promised land.
My exile took less than 2000 years. She sent a messenger. Kuuyux, an Unangan (Aleut) bearer of ancient knowledge into modern times. A native man from the Pribilof islands in its Bering sea. I saw him in a video talking openly about things I only shared with a handful of friends; things I have felt during pregnancies and when giving birth: about the womb at the center of the universe, about the masculine imbalance, about how women and females are sacred, about everyone and everything being your (out) other self, about synchronizing with nature, about the connectedness, and about letting go of the mind and landing in the heart that’s been waiting for you to come back to it from far long exile…
(And here’s that video, the beginning of which I’ve missed because my child woke up, so I didn’t even know he’s from Alaska till i looked up his name to ask him if I may translate…)
I asked him to let me translate it. As we were working on the translation, we went deeper and deeper into the teachings, into our hearts, finding there deep echoing understanding and connection, until we no longer knew if it was the Unangan culture, or Alaska, or our souls – it all became one, it all became love.
And so we’re moving – me and my two girls – to live with him in Alaska. When he suggested we get married – I told him again that I’m against marriages. Love is such a private thing! Why would I want formal authorities giving me or denying me papers that are supposed to determine if we belong to each other? That’s our business, and ours only. But he said: “Look, the paper doesn’t really determine anything, besides some financial rights you’ll have by being married. Because this is a patriarchal system. It’s the patriarchy’s way to know that which we already do: that we are together anyway, you are going to live here anyway, we are going to work together; and that going to happen anyway. So you have no argument to what they are saying. Why resist to a piece of paper, thus making everything you want – harder if not impossible?” And I had to ask myself do I want the resistance, or the togetherness?
And I remembered the Elders that we work with say: “Let go of all attachments.” And I released my attachment to not marrying, realizing that it was just as stagnant as clinging to the idea of marriage.
And then I said: We do ceremonies anyway – to the water (the picture here if from a water ceremony at the Sea of Galilee), to mother Earth, to healing – and this day, this rare occasion of giving focus to our true love, we’re just going to sign some papers? No, let’s pour some meaning into it. Let’s turn it into a celebration of the heart.
And so we’re on the home stretch for a fiancée visa. And we’re going to marry in several weeks/months. Any ideas, tips, thoughts, suggestions?
Dear other self, Kuuyux is coming to visit from Alaska, and here’s where you can meet him:
We are happy to invite you to Jump head first to the heart and come listen, feel and be a part of This, By joining any , or all or part of these events and become a part of Kuuyux‘s journey in Israel:
May 17th, 2019 Workshop: from the Mind to the Heart at Wadi Atir project, 09:00-12:00 * Special early-bird price until May 13th for details click here.
May 20th, 2019 Kuuyux Ilarion (Larry) Merculieff will give a talk of Ancient Wisdom in Modern Times Kibbutz Giv’at Brenner, 21:00. Length: about 90 min. To attend click here.
May 28th, 2019 !!!!! – a Gathering about Elders at at “Lev Hofshi” in Kiryat Tivon Address: 56 Izrael st, Kiryat Tivon 11:00am – 02:00pm = 11:00 – 14:00. To attend click here… Or… If you are a Senior Citizen – you deserve a discount for this gathering about Elders! If so – please go to this link, read and follow the instructions. https://secure.cardcom.solutions/e/aFP/
May 29-30, 2019 a Retreat in Gania: of Heart and Balance (Made of two mini-retreats:) Listening to the Heart and Two Wings: the Masculine & the Feminine Special early-bird price for the full retreat until May 13th… Details here.
Wednesday May 29th, 2019 – mini-retreat Listening to the Heart (Families are also welcome to take part in this day. Free admission for children) Hello my other self workshop Break, Reconnecting to the Heart – a double workshop with some heartfelt surprises. . . To attend click here.
Thursday May 30th, 2019 – mini retreat Two Wings: the Masculine & the Feminine [Please no Children at the workshops and circles on this day]. One communal opening Gathering for Women&Men Break, Separate intense Circles: Men with Kuuyux, Women with Yael Break, Unity Gathering for Women&Men To attend click here.
* Please be sure to bring a bottle of water per person per event *
** Purchasing food is optional on location You could also bring your own and eat during breaks **
*** All events will be simultaneously translated to Hebrew by Yael *** ,because due to feedbacks from last time, it helps the content to sink in and also, according to Kuuyux .language resonates the land it is spoken in, into the hearts of its people
The videos were spreading out in social media, and there quite a buzz around them in Israel. So Yael told Kuuyux she feels he should consider coming to Israel. After two years of delicate persuasions, he finally agreed, and arrived in Israel on May 2018.
Kuuyux held several ceremonies and gatherings in the Sea of Salt (A.K.A Dead Sea), Jordan River, and the Sea of Galilee; where hundreds of people came. During his stay he was contacted and interviewed by Ayelet Shani from “Ha-Aretz” newspaper,
All this while Kuuyux and Yael are continuously working together,
… and so Kuuyux is to come again to Israel this May of 2019.
This time his heart told him to listen to yours.
So, people have released wishes in his direction, by email or commenting here, and let go. Some of these wishes will come true when he gets to Israel; others may find themselves enjoying someone else’s dream.
Dreams are already beginning to come true! To see which ones, where and when – Please click here. During May 2019 there will be Workshops and talks about: ** Hello My Other Self; ** Reconnecting to the Heart; ** Creating the Space for a Child; ** Two Wings: the Feminine and the Masculine ** and more…
30 years ago, Ilarion (Larry) Merculieff held positions such as: Commissioner of the
Alaska Department of Commerce and Economic Development; Vice-chair of the
Alaska Industrial Development and Export Committee, Deputy Director of the
Alaska Native Science Commission; Chairman and/or board member in 17
corporations and organizations.
One day, he decides to drop all that, jump head
first into his heart, and go back to the traditional role he was given, at the
age of four, on a small island in the Bering sea of Alaska. Merculieff was
traced then by the former “Kuuyux”, who felt that his day to finish
visiting this world was coming, and went out searching for next
“Kuuyux” of his people – the Unangan (or “Aleuts”, as their
white oppressors called them).
“Kuuyux” in the Unangan tradition means: to be an arm extended out of
the body, a messenger, a bridge, a mediator between cultures, carrier of ancient
wisdom into modern times. And according to the Unangan ways there’s one Kuuyux
for every lifetime. One summer, during his searches, the old Kuuyux came to the
magical island of St. Paul in the Bering sea, where there were 2.5 million sea
birds, 1.2 million seals, 1,000 reindeer and 450 Unangan people, amongst which
he found 4 year old Ilarion Merculieff (A.K.A Larry), and immediately
recognized the boy to be his Heir and gave the boy his traditional Unangan
name: “Kuuyux”.
Merculieff got a fully intact traditional upbringing: he spent two consecutive
years at his grandfather’s side 24/7, learning from him his life’s wisdom, and
respect for the Elders. According to the Unangan, there is a great spiritual
and emotional connection between the younger generation and the older one.
The young Kuuyux had to spend equal time between: the men of the tribe, the
women of the tribe, the Elders and his peers.
He also had an Aacha – a spiritual mentor, who taught him, as Merculieff says:
“My Aacha taught me everything I know about relationship to self and to
others, be it women, other human beings, nature and all creation; in short, to
be ‘the real human being’ – – as Native peoples in Alaska call it. He taught me
all this beginning at age five until I was 13, with no more than 200 words.”
According to the Unangan, words are limited and limiting, and so are not to be
used unless necessary.
Being an Unangan, the boy was sent to correctional boarding school for the “socially and culturally challenged” by the government. Only, he was found to be gifted by his teacher, and was sent to a better boarding school, where he passed with flying colors, and was awarded for his accomplishments. He said, “I was elected by the girls at the school to be the first male of the girls dormitory!” Then he went on to the University of Washington, and on to major roles in the “normal” western society, till he decided to jump, drop into his heart, and live his legacy as a Kuuyux.
Ever since then he has been traveling, spreading the words, messages and ancient wisdom of the Unangan and other traditions at the request of Elders he encounters in his travels, who have asked him to carry the messages on their behalf as well.
Kuuyux continues to roam the world, seeking to meet other Elders and share Unangan wisdom and their wisdom with any open heart in any corner of the world the massages may reach.
This blog is a part of this quest. .
And this coming May 2019 Kuuyux is coming to visit Israel again!!
“But so why not today? – The girls and I are going to leave Alaska in two weeks,” I told the man – Kuuyux Ilarion (Larry) Merculieff – that which he knew only to well , “So why ‘perhaps’? Why don’t we schedule forwhenever is convenient for them this week for sure? Please, can we do that?Please-please-please….?”
“It doesn’t work like this,” he replied. “You don’t just set a time and date with an Elder.”
– Why?
– They need to feel it out. They will tell us when (and if) it is right.”
– Oh, you mean due to their age and health and that?”
– Well, I told you I’ve met a 5 year old Elder, so it’s not necessarily a matter of age and health. Not just that.
– Well, what, then?
The ways of the Elders
– Elders need to start their day, and see if it’s right. That is the way of the Elders.
– You mean… beyond themselves? right for us? for the world? for their companions?
His smile said: ‘All of the above‘… His lips added: “You know how when you’re not feeling well, and you put something in your mouth – your body will immediately tell if it’s right for you? – Well the Elders don’t need to be sick, nor do they need stuff to reach a physical level, to tell.”
Now I was even more fascinated with the notion of humans, who live in such loyalty to nature around and within, and can be that tuned-into themselves and their any other self.
It sounded like what I had felt watching the video he showed me of theWisdomWeavers: an Elders’ gatheringthat was in November 2017 in Hawaii.
— The next day there was no word from them.
The Elders say: “Let go of all expectations.” So I released my wish to see them, letting go of it into the world, and went on to go berry picking instead. —
The day after, Kuuyux had a Zoom interview in the morning, and I slept in, when he woke me up in a haste: The grandmas sent a message when he was being interviewed, so we didn’t see it! They’ve invited us for breakfast, but that was 40 minutes ago, and by the time we get ready and get there – it could be too late!
“Go-go-go, Girls!“ I rushed my kids, brushing their hair while they’re putting on cloths, wrapping coats around them while they’re putting on shoes. “What’s going on, Ma? Why is it so urgently-important that we meet some old ladies?“
“You’ll see,” I answered, hoping I’m right.
—
Getting there
When we got there, I was a coil of excitement and awe to meet Grandmas Rita Blumenstein, along side Marie Meade, and healer Dr. Melissa Nelson, who were all a part of and/or have worked with a group of Elders called: the
So, how do such great souls live? (- in very simple houses); What do they wear? (-normal cloths); What do they have for breakfast? (- homemade simple nutritious native foods); How do they speak? (-like ordinary people),
But,
Elders in da house !
The unordinary thing about them – is the Love.
Seeing Elders with each other, is so pure, so clean, so gentle and natural and simple and loving – that it could only resemble watching very young children smiling at each other, sharing Gibberish and joy and playfulness, and sweet energy, that you cannot but smile at, even if you are merely a bystander, and even though none of this is aimed at you or for you. So, Elders are much like small children.
Yes. But they carry ancient knowledge. And wisdom. And the essence of good that still exist. Even in times like these, when it often seems hidden – if you go to them, it is so present that it cannot be questioned. And when they look at you, they see that good – in you. They see the core of you; the beauty that was in you as a child, and that you still carry, even if you don’t know it; even if those around you have forgotten it. And they reflect it; just like in a person’s pupils you can see your small self, if you look closely enough.
And it’s funny how ego unnoticeably dissolves with that gaze. Just like when you see small children. And you are not in competitions with them. They don’t threaten you, or you them. They don’t take anything from you, and you don’t want anything from them. Just that they go-on reminding you of this sweet forgotten possibility of just being happy and loved.
Elderhood as virtuoso acrobatic Loving
Because the most amazing thing these Elders have – is the ability to love. unconditionally, free of judgement, expectations, manners or mannerism. Simply love . Being with them was like watching virtuoso master-acrobat-musicians of love.They were passing it to each other, playing with it, throwing it in the air, on the floor and at into the veins, with every word – big or small, with little silences, with shared food, space and time. Seemingly – so little has happened; under the surface, they were creating growing kaleidoscopic-Love-energy that bathes you, and colors your heart and soul, until you’re not just there witnessing it – you become a part of that love.
To show you what I’m trying to describe – here in this video is some of that demonstrated on me by Grandma Rita Blumenstein.
Kuuyux (Larry Merculieff), Yael, Rita Blumenstein, Melissa Nelson and Marie Meade
As for Grandma Rita Blumenstein – I’ve put “her” here on the video for you to get some of the experience, because she couldn’t join us in body. The ones whose energy you could experience for yourself are: (Press on any of the names to see more information about the person) Marie Meade – who’s also on this video (the long haired lady) – a Yup’ik Elder and award winning teacher, long time companion and helper for Grandmother Rita Blumenstein. Susanne Swibold – an award winning film maker and artist, and the first “white” (Caucasian) who was ever invited to a native gathering as an Elder – at the Wisdom Weavers of the World who gathered in Hawaii. Where she was also with: Grandmother Mona Polacca – who was in Israel this autumn, facilitating gatherings and ceremonies, and has been traveling the world to do her work for years. Here she is at a video of the 13 Indigenous Grandmothers at their first meeting.
Marie Meade
Mona Polacca
Kuuyux Ilarion (Larry) Merculieff
Susanne Swibold
Kuuyux suggested to these three, and they have agreed that the time is right and ripe to give a Webinar for the world, and specifically for Israel. They will be joining us on our ‘Words of Elders’ webinar on Thursday, Jan 24th 2019, at 21:00 Israel time = Jan 24th 10:00AM Alaska time, (check your local time here).
To join us, to feel the live energy, and take part by typing in comments etc, – please click this here.
*Recordings of the webinar are not likelyto be available to the publicthis time.
For further reading on Elderhood as I encountered it – please proceedtothis post.
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