The Traveler\u2019s visit to Strasbourg, France, in September 2022, lasted for three full days and was \u2018a tremendous blessing\u2019 according to one participant. John Morton and Leigh Taylor-Young Morton had visited us for the first time in July 2017, with a Q&A for Ministers and Initiates as well as an Open Workshop facilitated by Leigh, “Introduction to the Sound Current.”<\/p>\n
This year, our little group represented several countries: Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, Iran, Spain, Switzerland and the US. On Friday, the appointments with Vincent for Services and Initiations, as well as for Ministerial Counselings with John and Leigh, took place and those of us who were available had lunch together in a bistro close to the building housing the headquarters of the European Parliament.<\/p>\n
At the European Parliament, once the security check was passed, we had the place almost to ourselves – a very unusual occurrence.\u00a0 The Traveler did a Light invocation in the middle of the large circular courtyard. A participant was asked to speak about the significance of the institution, another pointed to an episode of WWII that could still use some Light for the highest good. We entered the building – named after Louise Weiss – and as we freely explored the expansive space inside, the atmosphere was very subdued and peaceful.\u00a0 We could even sit and do Spiritual Exercises together inside the voting chamber, called the \u2018H\u00e9micycle\u2019 in French. The life of Louis Weiss – related on exhibited panels – resonated intimately with Leigh.\u00a0 Louis Weiss was an inspiring woman way ahead of her time who relentlessly advocated peace and women\u2019s rights after surviving WW I.<\/p>\n
On Saturday, more Services took place with Vincent and we were also blessed with two Ordinations. We took part in a two-hour Open Workshop, “Peace is Present” in English with French translation, facilitated by John Morton. Three\u00a0people came who were entirely new to such an event. After a short pause, only Ministers were present in the room and an excerpt of a poem written by a Persian Traveler was translated into French and English, then beautifully sung in Persian by a participant, as an ancient Light invocation. The Q&A meeting for Ministers and Initiates lasted for a couple of hours, it was facilitated by John Morton and translated into French.\u00a0The day ended with a friendly meal in the restaurant located in the hotel venue. Fortunately, the French chef passed the test of no onion, garlic or pork.<\/p>\n
On Sunday, we were graced with perfect weather for a leisurely walk with John & Leigh through the German-medieval and French-18th century sections of the city. We spotted John Morton\u2019s name engraved at the base of a Gutenberg\u2019s statue, next to Benjamin Franklin\u2019s; we smiled at \u2018Maison Jean Roger\u2019 (\u2018Jean\u2019 in French means \u2018John\u2019) in bold letters on a building facing Gutenberg\u2019s statue. And when the Traveler asked a participant to do a planetary blessing in front of St Thomas church where Mozart had given a concert, its bells suddenly started to ring. We ended the afternoon at the top of the Vauban fortifications – one of 14 defensive walls of the city – overlooking Strasbourg with its numerous waterways.\u00a0Then we walked back together to the seminar location and parted company.<\/p>\n
The Traveler had been invited to come with a focus on peace, and his presence of Light inside the European Parliament filled me with total gratitude.\u00a0My experience was that he may also have been doing the continuation of Spirit\u2019s work with the Sound Current started in 2017 because of numerous occurrences and references to music, sound and the beauty of it during his visit.<\/p>\n
For some of us, gathering together physically as a group was experienced as \u2018incredibly harmonious\u2019 and even of \u2018one accord\u2019. There was also an experience of \u2018profound yet light loving energy that lifted the whole group\u2019. Walking the streets was\u00a0experienced as \u2018clearing karma\u2019. There is so much gratitude for John\u2019s \u2018powerful and magnificent presence\u2019 as the Traveler. Leigh\u2019s presence among us was \u2018treasured\u2019 and Jsu\u2019s unique contribution was received as a \u2018beautiful gift to the group.\u2019<\/p>\n
To conclude, I would like to express my appreciation to John Morton, the Traveler, for his high level of cooperation and flexibility with was what being presented to him and as things kept shifting – at least in my perception.<\/p>\n
Christine Garnon, native of Strasbourg, France<\/p>\n