Magic in the Meadow

The Legend of Panther Meadow

Last weekend I spent a glorious four days co-leading a retreat with my friend Donna Hale at Mount Shasta in northern California. Legend has it that Mount Shasta was the last refuge of the survivors of the lost continent of Lemuria. There are many stories of spiritual sightings, and perhaps the most intriguing is the one experienced by Mr. Guy Ballard, who founded the I AM spiritual group in 1934 following an experience he had in Panther Meadow in 1930.
An engineer, Ballard had been sent on business to the little town of Shasta by the Government. In his book, Unveiled Mysteries, he describes how he set out one morning at dawn in a vague sort of way, asking God to direct his path. Around lunchtime, he found himself in the meadow. Bending down to drink from the spring, he felt a strong electrical current pass through his body. He turned to see a young man, who at first glance appeared to be a hiker. Ballard soon realized he was no ordinary person.
The man gave him a cup of an elixir to drink, which immediately vivified him. "’That which you drank,’ the stranger explained, ‘comes directly from the Universal Supply…for it exists everywhere about us. It is subject to our conscious control and direction, willingly obedient, when we Love enough, because all the Universe obeys the behest of Love."
The stranger explained to Guy Ballard that in order to manifest, it is important to be free from selfishness and the fascination of phenomena.
"When leaving home this morning, you thought you were coming on a hike, that is, so far as the outer activity of your mind was concerned. In the deeper larger sense you were really following the urge of your Inner God Self that led to the person, place, and condition wherein your most intense desire could be fulfilled….The more intense the ‘feeling’ within the desire, the more quickly it will be attained."
The stranger speaking to Ballard then proceeded to reveal his identity as the Master St. Germain. St. Germain is reputed to be a being, perhaps immortal, who reappears in different eras of time to guide and teach humanity.
A few days later, Ballard was to meet St. Germain again in the meadow. Instead, as he sat waiting, a panther emerged and slowly approached him. Even though he was immobilized with fear and panic, a feeling of love swept over him and went out like a ray of light directly to the panther. The fear went away. The panther rubbed against his leg and rolled over like a pet. Suddenly, St Germain appeared. He told Ballard that, although he did not have anything to do with the appearance of the panther, it had served as a test to demonstrate how Ballard had been able to conquer his own fear by sending out love. "Now that you have passed the test of courage," he said, "It is possible for me to give much greater assistance. Each day you will become stronger, happier, and express much greater freedom." Thus was named Panther Meadow.

Less Guardedness More Guidance

The main teachings I glean from this story are:

1) When we ask that our path be directed by God, we are guided appropriately;

2) When we are fearful, we can find a way to send out love somewhere in our life, and ask that a door be opened;

3) When we are less focused on fear and anxiety, our spiritual guides are better able to reach through to us; and

4) When we are less influenced by fearfulness, we are literally stronger.

5) The stream of good things coming to us is.

6) Sincere and intense desire (prayer) brings forth our next good.


Is there a meadow near you? Even walking barefoot in your house connects you to the earth, and stimulates your energy points! Next month: Another epiphany in the meadow—seventy years later.