Reflections On The Sunray Peace Village,
"Odali Utugi"

Venerable Dhyani Ywahoo, Spiritual Director of Sunray and Chief of the Green Mountain Band of the Aniyunwiwa (Cherokee) interviewed by Paul Gustafson

PG:  Dhyani, what inspired you to establish the Peace Village?

Dhyani: The Peace Village was basically established through the direction of my grandparents.  They had a vision that at a certain time my generation would leave the city, New York City, where many had come during the Second World War, and we would again return to the high mountain places.  Part of our family responsibility is to make prayers in high mountain places. In particular, the Appalachian mountains are those for which we have a certain responsibility.  By doing ceremonies and prayers in these places we can help to heal the whole planet.  This is what my grandparents believed, and I also believe this is based on fact and particular results.

My grandparents said, "Go to Vermont to an old campsite, an old ceremonial site where every seven years indigenous people of many nations would come." Sometimes they said those who would gather at this place were our distant cousins who shared the same grandfather language as the Cherokee, the Algonquin language. Sometimes when they spoke of it they gave the impression that even beings from other dimensions would come. So, with their instruction we came to Vermont. In fact, the first time I was invited to give teaching in Vermont actually took place right on Lincoln Gap. After we had been here about five years,  archaeologists discovered ancient campsites, which were transitional sites not living sites. This campsite supports my grandparents view of this area being a place where medicine people of many traditions would meet in a seven year cycle.   What brings us to Vermont is the spiritual duty to make prayers and ceremony in the quiet mountain places that will alleviate suffering. These ceremonies also keep the winds stable, and the earth’s spinning stable, because we always think we are interconnected with the earth. We came to Vermont so that my generation might come back to remembering their traditional way of living; so that we could preserve our culture and maintain some of the ceremonies.

PG: Why is the Peace Village called "Odali Utugi", and what is the significance of this name?

Dhyani: We call the Peace Village "Odali Utugi" or "Hope Mountain", so that people will have hope in their hearts to know that peace is possible. In a traditional sense, by coming to a "peace village," people can correct attitudes of mind and behavior which create suffering. The Peace Village assists each individual to come again to right relationship. The Peace Village is also like a dimensional doorway for people’s continued prayer. It is a generator of energy for many beings. On the Peace Village, the past, the present and the future can be revealed, especially in the Arbor.

 When people come here, they have the chance to give thanks for the gift of life, and pray for the removal of suffering and illness. Remarkable teachers come here, people who are very rare and extraordinary. They really feel the pulse of the land and they very generously energize the manifestation of the Peace Village by their very presence and their support over so many years.

PG: What kind of things would you like to see developed?

Dhyani: First of all, I would like to see community members work together to grow some food and create their own kind of banking system so that 20% of the food that’s grown, and whatever people earn, is put aside for community needs in the future. These resources would be available in case someone is ill, or in case we want to have a big ceremony or gathering. A real sense of community comes when people pool some of their resources, their time and their energy, and are accountable to each other. The Peace Village is a symbol of what a real village is; a community of like-minded people who are willing to work together in a cooperative way.

Among indigenous people the most important thing you have is your word. It is important that people are accountable and say, "I will do this. I will follow through." For non-native people, to come to understand the importance of the word is a process. I talk about these principles in greater detail in "Voices of Our Ancestors."

PG: So, as a community we need to view our word and action as inseparable?

Dhyani: Yes. This is really the growing edge for people who are involved; to make that transition so that thought, word and action are consistent—that people really walk their talk. Everyone who’s part of our community, everyone who walks the Earth, has a responsibility to return things. This is the growing edge for people to understand.
  PG: So the Peace Village returns energy to the Earth?

Dhyani: The Peace Village returns energy to the whole universe. During some of the ceremonies you can actually see the webs of light growing all around. It’s amazing.

PG: How does the Peace Village effect peacemaking in far away places where there’s a lot of war, like Bosnia or Africa?

Dhyani: One way our activities reach out to the international community is through direct consultancy, sharing methods of peacemaking with communities throughout the world. But, the most significant way we benefit the Earth is through the medicine. Through the lay lines of the earth, through the atmosphere, we directly impact the energy of the environment through our prayerful activity.

If someone wants to test the idea that their thoughts have a connection to the environment, they can experiment at home with two plants. Tell one plant you love it and are thankful for it, and tell another plant it's ugly. See what happens.

PG: What do the dragonflies signify?

Dhyani: The dragonfly is traditionally a messenger of the Peacemaker, who is a very special teacher who walked the Americas a few hundred years before Christ. One way we know our prayers are effective is by the response of the creatures.

PG: At the beginning of the Summer when we dedicated the Peace Village and put prayer posts in the four directions, a song bird landed right in front of us as we made the prayer and smoke offering. This bird’s song resonated through the whole atmosphere. It felt like we were in a pure land.

Dhyani: Those are the signs that things are going well.

PG: We didn't even have to think of it as a sign.

Dhyani: They're so inseparable, the realization of what is. That's the essence of the Peace Village; to recognize the beauteous realms are co-existent with this and every realm.

PG: What kind of benefit do you see for people who come to the Peace Village?

Dhyani: I notice a change in people from when they first come and when they leave. Their skin tone changes, and the clarity of their eyes and light in their faces becomes really apparent.

PG: What are the primary rules of conduct for the Peace Village? What should visitors be mindful of in their stay?

Dhyani: The main principle to adhere to on the Peace Village is to cause no harm. Through our thought, word and action, we energize the wisdom potential within ourselves and others. Each one who has a human body and has found their way here has merit and is therefore worthy of maintaining peace in their heart and in their lives. It is most important to know that how we think of ourselves and others can be heard.

People should be mindful of their speech and speak no harm; this means to make no gossip, or divisive speech, or to say, "so and so is not doing this right." On the land, it is important to honor the sacred places and the codes of our people, like being careful not to throw trash in the sacred fire area or in the pond. Women on their moon should realize the specialness of that time, and bless the earth by sitting in the women's moon area.

PG: How would you like to see the Peace Village grow?

Dhyani: Basically, I wish to see the Roundhouse completed. When the Roundhouse is completed, we will have a ceremonial meeting place which will allow the ceremonies to be kept year-round. We also need to build some small places for people to stay who will work on the Village as well as some places for people to stay for retreat. I would like to see a place for Elders to live built nearby, because the community really does need its Elders. We really need to have a place for the wisdom from many families to be preserved and passed on. It is a wise practitioner who remembers the spiritual responsibility of caretaking their own family. Some two-family houses could be built. Elders could live downstairs, and younger people could live upstairs. They could help with the shopping and just keep good company for the Elders.

Also, it is also important for the community to create a mound for the ashes of those who have passed on, so that we recognize the past, present and the future. All this is part of the dream. And, all of these things can only come from the community of people willing to do it. So it's time for people to really apply their skills. I look forward to people awakening to their ability and applying the skillful methods they've been taught.

PG: I have found that the experience of working there brings me energy. Do you have any thought about this feeling?

Dhyani: Certainly there is a strong sense of what I call "bio-resonant coupling" that occurs on the Peace Village grounds. Whatever we do there really energizes and radiates. Actually, I feel it throughout this whole valley. When giving teachings on the Village, I notice an intensified feed-back loop. The energy is vital and quickens one's awareness. This also makes apparent places in one’s mind where there is something to polish. So there's a double-edged sword in just walking onto the Peace Village.

PG: So patterns come up?

Dhyani: I think habits are just revealed. Whatever obscures the source of one's suffering moves away so people can see more clearly the sources of their own feeling, state of mind and life condition.

PG: So when people come to the land, they can expect that process to happen?

Dhyani: Definitely. That's one of the purposes of the Peace Village. As things arise, notice, "so this is what's happening," and then consider the antidote. That's the mind of a person willing to see things as they are.

PG: For someone who comes to the Village for the weekend, what is the most effective way to get in touch with the land and feel its blessing?

Dhyani: For the person who visits the land and wants to reconnect with the Earth, the first thing to do is just to really breathe very deeply, inhale and exhale. Really feel the quality of the land's energy, take in its grace. Know you have entered a sacred space. Notice how it smells. Take time to walk in the woods and lean against a tree. Be thankful for the gift of life and the fact that you're able to come here.

As you listen to the teachings, consider, "how will this benefit my family, my co-workers, all the people I know? Is this suitable for me finding more peace in my life?" Really test and evaluate. We do not seek to create believers or followers; the teachings are really about participating in one’s life as conscious human being and being responsible for one's own actions.

PG: Are there any other thought you'd like to share?

Dhyani: I think the most significant thought to share is that basically, from beginningless time, the nature of people's mind is Light; ignorance arises from grasping or pushing. These are very crucial changing times. It is wise to apply antidotes to whatever poisons of ignorance, hate, or despair that show up in our lives.

© Sunray and Venerable Dhyani Ywahoo