I’ve had my share of what you’d call ‘mystical’ experiences. They transcend the ordinary and intrigue the psyche on so many levels.
Even though I’m wrapped in my own space I’m aware that the space takes me beyond what I know to be true. These moments are when we meet creativity and it meets us — no boundaries.
I just let go and don’t question the truth of these spaces. They are the times that leave footprints behind in my memory to a trail that is as fresh as if I’d travelled it yesterday.
A wintery wake-up call
One morning in the middle of a crisp Northern Ontario winter in 1992, I headed off to work earlier than usual. It was cold and the sun hadn’t yet risen. Street lights cast frigid shadows on the snow that squeaked under foot and my breath blew wispy fingers that beckoned me forward.
The cold wrapped itself around me from all directions, poking at me to wake. Course, I simply withdrew further into my heavy parka. While standing at the bus stop alone and shivering, I found myself reflecting on what I’d learned about the Native American Medicine Wheel:
excerpt by Jutlia Atli…
“The Wheel basically represents the sacred directions of the cosmos and the religious beliefs and beings associated with them, it represents us at the center and then illustrates that all worlds, states, beings, etcetera are greatly affected by the myriad of forces all around and within us….”
The names of the gatekeepers of the Cherokee medicine wheel are Awahili, the Eagle (East/Truth), Waya, the Wolf (South/Family), Yona, the Bear (West/Introspection) and Yunsai, the White Buffalo (North/Renewal). As we move with the different seasons each year, so do we move with the different seasons of each day.
I had begun the practice of saying a prayer at each stage of the day that represented sunrise, high noon, sunset and midnight, to give thanks to these forces, or gatekeepers if you will; acknowledging them and establishing a connection with where I was in the cycle of my day. The practice encouraged respect for life and each and every step taken.
The vision of a new day
While standing there in those predawn moments, cowering from the cold in my parka, cheeks stinging and toes tingling, my state of being wandered. I drifted deep into thoughts that landed me in a mystical place where the imagination beckoned warmly. I gave silent acknowledgment to Awahili, the Eagle, in appreciation of the sun that was just about to rise.
I suddenly found myself hearing distant music in my thoughts; faint sounds of a travelling band. Trumpets, trombones, beating drums and other sounds of a parade advancing; saw the stepping rhythm of a marching band, batons twirling and crazily dressed, striped and spotted clowns with raggedy orange hair and red knobby noses. Tall men on stilts. Majestic floats adorned with smiling, waving passengers, decorated with a myriad of colourful flowers and such, inched forward through time; arching towards the sky.
I was dreaming and yet I was awake. I was cold and yet as I tuned into this vision; this celebratory moment, I stepped outside of the cold. The vision of the parade was marching towards me from behind, from the southeast.
I changed position and my awareness and still, I could hear the marching band from inside my thoughts. I was mesmerized. Why? Because I don’t even like parades and yet, here I was stepping into an imaginary one in the middle of winter of all things. It was not one of my own design, that was certain.
I turned to see that the sun had just risen, casting beautiful, enlightening yellow rays upwards, like open arms raised towards the sky. Awahili, the gatekeeper of the east had opened a new day in a celebratory way.
Where are you standing, right now?
What are you listening to?
Photo Credit: Vieux bandit
Pete Goumas
Hilary
Julie Walraven
simply stephen
Mike Goad
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Beautiful… even to a skeptic like myself.
.-= vered | blogger for hire´s last blog ..Be Kind To Your Behind =-.
So interesting that North is renewal. Then why do so many folks head to Florida for R&R? :)
where I stand right now is actually lying down with a touch of insomnia and at least one mosquito trying to make a munch of me.
Waiting for sunrise, which is still 2 hours away.
Pondering coffee.
Feeling grateful for all the angels in my life, like you.
Keeping time to a lone snare drum as we get to a sparse part in the crowd, left left, left right left, left left, left right left, past the parade judges with a ludricously big grin, my baton the pride of the batallion of twirlers.
:)
xo
.-= Jannie Funster´s last blog ..Even More Bigger =-.
Davina,
Wonderful story of really being in that moment.
Right now…I stand at the edge of a place of deeper understanding. Sometimes I’m ready to “see” what’s there…and other times…I hold myself back. Perhaps it’s time to really embrace this place in which I stand…
.-= Lance´s last blog ..Sunday Thought For The Day =-.
Davina, that was fascinating. The Life Wheel is something I’ve read about before, and the concept has always struck a primal chord in me, a half remembered beginning that my mind can’t quite touch somehow. Does that make sense?
As for where I stand right now… it’s on the cusp of something. Do I go this way or stay where I am? I don’t know which will be the right choice until I’ve lived it awhile. Ain’t that always the way?
I’m listening to Alela Diane’s most recent CD right now. The song is Every Path, and (quite eerily) she’s singing a particular line right now: “Every path has led me back to you.” Unsettling. Does this refer to my Life Wheel? My originator? The One who made me?
Okay, gotta put on some less thinky music now! :P
Davina, what a lovely moment of clairvoyance and clairaudience. The celebratory parade was for more than just the sunrise, I’m thinking. :) As for the ceremonial reminder for prayer, thank you for sharing it. The similarity to other peoples’ ways is remarkable, and it comes the morning after I was contemplating this, myself. Love that!
.-= Julie´s last blog ..The Only Thing That Matters =-.
Davina,
I love parades…today I’m parading forward into healthier eating habits which some days my ego tries to convince me I’m missing out on “fun food.”
I’m also listening to my body scream for strength training. The only way I can get through it is to do my video first think in the morning and then stay in the present moment while doing each exercise. Augghh!
.-= Tess The Bold Life´s last blog ..Dayz of Summer Fun… =-.
Lovely writing and I could sense the parade and music vividly. Thank you.
I have several friends who follow the medicine wheel with their prayers and journeys.
Every New Year’s Eve, I read my children’s medicine card to help them find a spirit guide for the new year. My guide this year was spider: the spirit of writing.
I am standing in the neutral zone of transition…working on the present moment and what will come next. Focus on the present moment tones down the fear of the unknown and helps me prepare for the new beginnings to come.
Thank you for sharing.
.-= patricia´s last blog ..Graduation =-.
Davina,
Beautiful!! Thank you for sharing..I’m not familiar with the medicine wheel, but I have incorporated the practice of daily mandala creation..I work more on it some days than others, but the flow is amazing!
I am standing in the power of the moonbeams..with an overflowing heart…embracing this wonder filled, joy filled world exactly as it is…
.-= Joy´s last blog ..Fearless Fun Friday- Summer-Time Adjectives… =-.
Hi skeptic… er, Vered :-)
Glad you enjoyed this.
Hi Jannie.
Lol… maybe they *really* go to Florida to collect or find themselves again; to get away from the distractions that stretch them every which way? Whereas to me, personally, the North is more about renewing and expanding on the understanding of what you already know. It also symbolizes letting go of life as you know it… setting the spirit free.
Some soft drumming music might lull you to sleep. I remember those days lying there in the dark with a mosquito buzzing round the room. As soon as you turn on the light the buzzing stops. Buggers! Hard to drift off knowing they’re out there.
Hi Lance.
When I read your comment I wondered why we do that? Why, we hold ourselves back from “seeing” what is there? Is it because we imagine something unfavourable, or that we’re afraid we might actually get what we want? You also made me think that what IS there is just the starting place of what more is there, and to see it all we have to start somewhere. How deep is that, eh? :-)
Hi Tony.
You’re fun! I like how you juice up the heaviest topics with such light heartedness. I have a feeling that you mean “unsettling” in a good hair-standing-up-on-the-arm tingly way, right? It’s neat to recognize when you are on the cusp of something; bet you feel more alert and curious than you have in a while. Maybe even more creative, hey? (Not that you’re lacking in that dept.) Hmm… I wonder which way you’ll go.
Hi Julie.
You just gave me shivers. Literally as I typed that I shivered again and all the hairs stood up on my arms! Too funny. Your appreciation for the reminder of ceremonial prayer has reminded me of how important it had been back then. So, we’re on the same wavelength. Are you gonna? :)
Tess,
What do you like about parades? Tell me, because I feel like I’m missing out on something. Maybe you can visualize yourself tossing around a baton with weights on it while strength training. Or, bench pressing an elephant or two :-) What’s fun food for you?
Patricia,
You’re welcome. Spider is the spirit of writing eh? How is that playing out for you this year? How is the writing going? Sounds like you are on the cusp of something just like Tony. I wonder what’s next for you? Being in the moment is a good place to start… as long as you’re not taking refuge in the moment ;-)
Hi Joy.
You’re welcome. :) I know what you mean about *that* flow. It defies description, really. That’s what I love about working with symbols, words and art. They find a way to package the unspeakable.
What a moment! I’ve never experienced such a thing, but nature has supplied me with numerous transcendent moments filled, often at dawn.
Love this! “That’s what I love about working with symbols, words and art. They find a way to package the unspeakable.”
I’m standing at the moment when fire and ice collide in a quiet storm of heart and mind.
.-= Lori Hoeck´s last blog ..Self defense and narcissism ebooks downloaded 1-000 times =-.
Hi Lori.
*smile* I’m REALLY enjoying reading about where people are standing. :-) You are in a lively place! Wow. Things are happening. I should have added “working with nature” to express the unspeakable, too. You sure have done that with your metaphor.
Davina,
The Life Wheel is awesome and I think I’m going to look more into it. I am standing in the transition of organizing my ideas and putting it to work. Connecting the dots and getting it down can be such a pain sometimes.. Thank you for sharing such a powerful post.
Hi Davina,
What a beautiful story. I was not aware of the meaning of the medicine wheel and all it represents. Thank you for sharing your story of how living in the present can expose us to more than we could ever imagine.
.-= Barbara Swafford´s last blog ..Who Am I To Tell You How To Blog =-.
Well now. Again, I apologize because my brain works in a very practical and prosaic way. I’m wondering about the purpose of this parade vision? Just to celebrate the morning? I mean, everyone is right, it’s a lovely recounting, but I’d kind of hoped that there was purpose behind this sort of stuff.
Hi Justin.
Oh, I’ve been there! Connecting the dots and getting it all down. It’s fun, but… I suspect it’s a pain because you are so far ahead of yourself and can see how you want things to look. Having to hang back and build the foundation for it all frustrates you because you just want to blast off with it. A little attention to the big picture, a little attention to the here and now details — one day at a time. Don’t forget to step *out* of it to breathe ;-)
Hi Barbara.
You’re welcome. There are fond memories from those days. The Medicine Wheel is sacred to the Native Americans. What attracts me to it is the symbolic connection with nature, the patterns, the circle formation and how focusing on the mere idea of it (for me, anyway) settles the busyness of the mind and lends a feeling of nurture. There’s the whole spirituality connection too.
Hi XUP.
Well now… Hold on… must Google “prosaic” :-P *simulating Jeopardy music* Please stand by…
Okay — Prosaic — “Matter-of-fact; straightforward. Lacking in imagination and spirit; dull.” Is that prosaic enough? :-) You’re definitely not dull!
The purpose to this? I’d like to hear what your mind makes of this. My imagination plays with the idea that the parade was symbolically representing the opening of the east gate. I mean, *tongue in cheek* what else could it mean? Either that, or I was borderline hypothermic. :-)
Wow Davina – That is awesome. I have had some strange experiences and dreams but I have never experienced anything like you just described. And it stopped you from feeling cold too – I wonder if that was the purpose of the parade, or just a bonus?
.-= Cath Lawson´s last blog ..Is Your Fear Of Sales Suffocating Your Business =-.
Cath, it was pretty neat and kind of hard to explain.
The sound was not ‘heard’ like you normally would hear with your ears; nor was it actually sound coming from the outside. It was resonating inside and the parade was a “feeling” that translated as an image of a parade. You know the feeling that someone is walking up behind you before you turn around? It was like that.
And yes, I forgot about the cold for a short time. Course, this all happened pretty quickly, but it was one of those times when time seemed to stand still. Have you experienced that before? I did once when my boyfriend and I were driving in freezing rain. The car spun out and we seemed to spin in slow motion.
I’m curious to hear about your experiences and dreams. Pajama party! :-D
Davina,
After reading this post, I read through all the comments. It was interesting to read people’s reactions to your parade and the Medicine Wheel.
I like the idea of it being a celebration in your life, which is reflected by the sunrise. I also like the how you trusted this process and were willing to step into that space and let it enfold you.
p.s. If this a way to deal with hypothermia, I think I want to move NORTH:~)
.-= Sara´s last blog ..Story Photo- Journey Train =-.
Oh, Davina. This is breathtaking. Thank you.
.-= Chania Girl´s last blog ..The Joy List 27 June 2010 =-.
I usually sleep well. Kelly had 3 friends over that night, and they’s woke me up twice, and I could not get back to sleep.
The true North strong and free, I miss home today.
See you later!
xo
Sara,
LOL, we’ll trade; how about it? You move north and I’ll move south to Florida… we’ll switch during winter time. :-D It’s interesting about trusting this process… these kinds of things somehow sneak up on you before your mind has a chance to analyze or make a judgment. What I loved about this one is that the mind doesn’t even care to try to figure out what it was all about.
Chania Girl,
You’re welcome. :) I’m glad you enjoyed this.
Jannie girl,
That’s good. You and I… we need our beauty sleep at our age. :) Is home North?
This is the realm where you live, isn’t it, Davina? I think I felt your distinctiveness most strongly when I read this post. Looking forward to the divine eagle bringing us more such gifts, clutched in its ethereal talons. :)
It is said composers are inspired by the sounds of heaven that not everyone permits their conditioned senses to discern. It is also said that inventors and creative souls draw inspiration from dreams where they are visited by entities with no Earthly name. To awaken is to be open to the indescribable at any moment, to allow energy and answers to flow freely through you. In truth, everyone is everything. Separation is an illusion. One feels divine inspiration through the heart centre as one remembers one is all that ever is.
.-= Liara Covert´s last blog ..Remember to see through the self =-.
Hi Chris.
LOL, Yes this IS the realm where I live — very perceptive. :) I LOVE that you used that metaphor of the eagle. What realm do you live in?
Hi Liara.
Thanks — :) I LOVE this line, “be open to the indescribable at any moment”. We get so hung up on having to describe everything and put it in its place, name it and own it. This was beautiful because it just flowed. Feeling divine inspiration through the heart centre is where we see no ego or… the illusion of ego, that is.
Hi Davina .. that was great and what a wonderful memory and story .. I’d read about the Medicine Wheel and thought it would be an interesting post to do – in my own inimitable mix .. but it’s still resting quietly in Word!
However your explanation has really enlightened me and I found it fascinating .. and will obviously be receptive to more information as and when it comes my way.
I am sitting! and have been rushing around doing some things so my house can be sorted a little more!! .. but it’s bliss the warm zephyr gently touches me through the open window .. the sun is coming round .. the coffee is good! & I’m enjoying this post – good second or third start to the day .. lots already happened!
Loved this – and ever since I came out to Vancouver Island and saw a little of the Eskimo and Indian cultures .. it’s opened my eyes to more .. and now being here with blogging friends .. even more, so much – its an incredible place to be ..
Cowichan is part of the transition initiative/movement! I recognise the name as that’s where Mum’s cousin, Jenny, who visited recently lives ..
Byeeee .. and enjoy tomorrow .. Hilary
.-= Hilary´s last blog ..Lazy- Hazy- Mazey Days of Summer – two approaches to revitalising town life in the 21st century =-.
Davina, I want to have a mystical experience like this! Please take me along on your next one. And so interesting that Chris picked up that this is the realm where you live. What a place of depth and adventure. I have actually had two slight mystical experiences – one while hiking in the woods, the other while swimming – so if that’s any indication, I need to spend more time doing those things. Oh wait, I just remembered something else. An experience of active imagination a few years ago that was much like a mystical experience. Yes, that’s the place for me to be standing for such experiences: poised at the gate of imagination.
.-= Patty – Why Not Start Now?´s last blog ..Meaning Mondays- A Simple Philosophy Emerges =-.
Hilary,
You’re also writing about the Medicine Wheel? That’s cool. I can’t wait to see what you come up with. Bet I’ll learn something new… like I always do with your posts. :) One thing there’s no shortage of around here (besides rain) is Eskimo and Indian culture. I’ve always enjoyed seeing totem poles.
Sounds like you’re having a great day with the warm zephyr and the coffee. Sit a little longer :-)
Patty,
Lol. Okay. :-) Nature really brings us closer to these experiences — I’d love to hear yours. Maybe you’ll share? You know, sometimes I wonder just how much is *really* imagination.
I needed to be reminded that life is full of little celebrations, so thank you for sharing this experience. Your writing is beautiful!
.-= Claire -Gratitude Connection´s last blog ..Today Im grateful for =-.
Hi Davina!
Your parade is so descriptive, I felt I was there. There were so many parades when I was a kid in southern Ontario. Hardly any more parades now, anywhere?
I have had a very special experience with the native culture (First Nations in Canada).
During a documentary with Peter Coyote (actor) and Wallace Black Elk (Native elder and Shaman). I was the driver for them and their equipment. We always talked a lot and they both asked if they could carve a ceremonial drum in my driveway. Well of course!
I was honored with a smudging of my house by Black Elk and Peter Coyote.
Some people called Black Elk “grandpa”. I was curious about this, and asked Peter why?
Peter told me, if Black Elk asked me to call him grandpa, I would understand.
After a lot of conservations over a week with Black Elk, one night he put his hand on my shoulder and said “Jim, from now on you call me Grandpa”. I felt honored and puzzled.
I asked Grandpa why I could call him Grandpa now.” Well Jim you respect nature and you will pass on your beliefs to your children and friends I have adopted you as a grandchild for these reasons” One of the most rewarding experiences in my life.
Unfortunately Grandpa has passed on now, but he shared his wisdom for the future generations.
Davina,
I love your description of the Life Wheel and the picture was breathtaking.
It reminded me of one of my favorite books. If you haven’t read it, I believe you would enjoy it. It’s called “The Four-Fold Way, Walking the Path of the Warrior, Teacher, Healer and Visionary” by Angeles Arrien, PH.D.
What a wonderful post to read with my morning coffee. Thank you!
.-= Wendi Kelly-Life’s Little Inspirations´s last blog ..A Life Worth Living =-.
Claire,
You’re very welcome. Thanks for your comment. :)
Jim,
I bet there are just as many parades now (if not more). It’s just you don’t pay attention because you’ve outgrown them. :) That’s a beautiful story about Black Elk — Grandpa. I don’t recall that you’ve ever told me that one. You must have been so honoured. Did they play that drum for you, too?
Wendi,
You’re welcome. I’m glad you enjoyed this. Over morning coffee, too… now *that’s* a sacred time of day. :-) I love the picture — the colours are so vibrant. I haven’t heard of that book before but it sounds like something I would be interested in. Anything to do with visionaries and walking paths catches my interest. Thanks for the recommendation.
There are times when we do have an epiphany, like we’ve just woken up and understood the truth. In such times, it is God Himself who approaches us and clears away the cobwebs that dimmed our eyes. ;)
.-= Joyce at What Would You Do In Heaven?´s last blog ..A Poem of Joy- =-.
> cheeks stinging and toes tingling
I know what those days feel like. It sounds like you turned yours into a great experience … powerful and lasting.
.-= J.D. Meier´s last blog ..Create or Predict Explosive Change =-.
Joyce,
Yes, I appreciate those moments. The ones where things are understood without trying to make sense of them, or label them.
JD,
Yeah. Frozen in time :-D
LOL Davina – a lot of my experiences are about feelings I pick up about a place. I can sense that bad things are happening somewhere before I actually know.
And some of my nightmares have been so awful and bizarre lately that I prayed to God tonight to protect me from evil spirits, because it feels like that’s what they are.
I have experienced the spinning car thing though and as you say, it was like time was standing still. I once span mine on the motorway and I really thought I was going to die – it was like it took forever to stop.
.-= Cath Lawson´s last blog ..4 Stupid Bucket List Mistakes To Avoid =-.
Cath,
For consolation… “Dreamspeaker, dreamspeaker… walk with me into the other worlds.” A friend shared these words with me a while back. It feels comforting to say them, when I remember that is. Sweet dreams tonight. I said so! :)
Wow, that would have been scary spinning out on a highway — we were lucky because we were the only nut cases out driving in that weather. Even luckier to not end up in a snowbank.
Was a strange feeling when the time seemed to stand still, wasn’t it? I wonder if it’s because our mind speeds up with all those thoughts and makes it seem like time is standing still. That’s a cool concept.
Just to follow up, I never heard the drum unfortunately.
Grandpa and Peter went to the northern part of Vancouver Island to pick out the perfect tree. Then get a special permit to cut down the tree.
Then get a horse hide from Calgary. It took a lot of time to do this.
We just did a rough cut and carving of the drum. Peter had to get back to the states to read a script and Grandpa was very tired. So the drum went with them back to Grandpa’s house.
Hi Davina .. I realised the Medicine Wheel wasn’t something I was qualified or felt able (even) to write about .. once I’d met the friends who are way more knowledgeable than I am .. so it rests quietly – I may utilise it sometime in the future – but your post has definitely enlightened me.
Hi Jim – what a wonderful venture to have been involved with .. that must have been amazing .. that’s an interesting thought .. that we don’t use in western culture .. the ‘ongoing adoption’ of a child/person .. who respects the environment, cultures and traditions, and life itself and then ‘annoint’ them to carry those beliefs forward to the future generations – perhaps it’s something we should consider doing …
I’m glad you elaborated a bit more Jim – what a pity that the story sort of peters/fades out .. by chance are you in touch with Peter still .. and did the film get made .. or anything?! What an amazing journey … Calgary to the north of Vancouver Island is a long way .. when was this? Was the hide shipped across the Rockies, or did you go to Calgary to select it?
Really interesting story .. thanks Jim and Davina .. enjoy the rest of the week .. Hilary
.-= Hilary´s last blog ..Lazy- Hazy- Mazey Days of Summer – two approaches to revitalising town life in the 21st century =-.
Jim,
That’s really interesting to hear the process that they underwent even just to prepare to make this drum. It sure makes you stop to think about how the drum came to be and to appreciate its history. Thanks for sharing the story.
Hilary,
I’m glad this has enlightened you. Happy to “drum” up some inspiration for you. :)
Stunning! I have not had an experience like this but if I could, I most certainly would, also with music. What a gift!
Hi Hilary,
I am not in touch with Peter anymore, since he is a quite a famous actor and a very busy man. The documentary did not get finished because of money issues. One day I hope it does. The filming was in the summer of 2003 and Grandpa passed on in January 2004.
I was really impressed with how down to earth these people are. Peter is extremely proud of being an ex trucker and taught me his favorite knot (Trucker’s Hitch Knott). I still have a dent in the roof of my jeep, from Peter climbing up to help load the jeep.
Grandpa called First Nations elders in Calgary, to get the horse hide.
Grandpa asked for any horse that died of natural causes or had to be put down for medical reasons. “He said that is the perfect hide that the creator is willing to give for the ceremonial drum”. The hide was shipped from Calgary.
I still feel very privileged to have been invited into their culture.
Belinda,
I have an afterthought that this is the space of consciousness we go to when we dream… only I was awake. I truly believe we all can have these experiences.
Jim,
Thanks for sharing this information. I’ve sent off your pictures to Hilary.
Hilary,
You should know that Jim is not a typist, lol. He says he feels like he just wrote a blog post to you. :-)
Hi Davina and Jim – well .. you are definitely becoming a good typist! Thanks for letting us have some more of your experience and knowledge .. it’s been really interesting .. was it a Douglas fir .. or some other sort of tree?
I really appreciate you sending me the pictures of the making of the drum .. and it’s a pity that you’ve lost contact with Peter and that Grandpa died .. perhaps the film will be completed sometime .. there seem to be many more of these sort of films being made ..
But what an experience that you’ve shared with us .. many thanks -
Have great days .. Hilary
.-= Hilary´s last blog ..Hotspur- the Duchess and The Poison Garden =-.
The wood for the drum was yellow cedar. It was about six feet in diameter and two and a half feet tall. It weight about 1500 pounds.
I feel, I just hijacked you post Davina :)
Cheers to you Hilary :) I’m having fun connecting you and Jim.
Jim,
Don’t worry about hijacking my blog. This is one of the most lively comment threads my blog has ever seen.
Hi Davina .. great to know about the yellow cedar .. I’ve just looked up in Wiki for today .. and found something interesting .. but also that the Alaska yellow cedar is a cypress .. and was so named because it was found onthe First Nation’s land .. on Vancouver Island ..
If you go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page today 8 July ..
You’ll see a picture of one of our local churches .. a family connection to the village ..
Great to know more about the tree, the weight .. adn the size .. amazing size .. I wonder what it would have weighed once made up and finished – quite some drum ..
Is it static once made .. ie put into a special place .. not carted around like we do with our instruments now-a-days?
Just realised where carted came from .. of course .. old cart movements .. we use it for carrying or porting .. another word .. must go ..byeeee Hilary
.-= Hilary´s last blog ..Hotspur- the Duchess and The Poison Garden =-.
The medicine wheel intrigues as does much of the culture of the Native American tribes. There is wisdom within the different cultures that seems to be missing from every day life/society. The way you described the experience was wonderful – I was right there. It reminded me, a little, of the book Running with Wolves – connecting to something beyond…
I am currently standing in a place I have not experienced before. Professionally I have a desire to use skills and yet I am excited about so many directions I could turn while I love the flexibility and freedom of where I sit. I have just returned from Europe where I remembered that part of me lives there – a part that I want to know better and yet I have a desire to move and a need to stay for family etc. I am more open to life and how it unfolds than I have been in the past – so many opportunities and possibilities…
.-= The Exception´s last blog ..July =-.
Hi Hilary.
Nice church. Thanks for link — that picture was taken on a beautiful day. I don’t imagine that the drum would have been too portable, but it probably would have been moved to be taken ceremonies perhaps.
Yeah, those trees are huge. I visited Cathedral Grove near Port Alberni on Vancouver Island and they were huge, but I know there are trees even bigger than those.
The Exception,
Welcome back :) I understand what you mean by the wisdoms that are missing from everyday life. I just finished proofreading a thesis on the topic of introducing Talking Circles to the government to encourage better communication between Native Peoples and the Government. I don’t things will always be this way… I hope.
Sounds like you’re on the edge of a new frontier :) Exciting changes if you’re all stirred up. If you imagine you are standing in the centre of a circle and close your eyes, assuming that the choices in front of you are at different locations around the circle, I wonder which direction you might find yourself drawn to.
That is an interesting paper. At one point my professional desire was to invite more openness to policy making, removing ethnocentricity form the process thus minimizing the potential for conflict etc. There is part of me that wonders if my future lies there still as the world might be more ready for such a move than it has been in the past…
Now that is an exciting thought… stand in the circle and see which direction I take. This morning I found myself talking to my daughter, telling her to respond to the corrections offered by her ballet instructors with gratitude over her usual resistance… just say “thank you” in your head and let it go… there is definitely a shift in my heart and my way of life right now that I am enjoying. I am not sure which part of the circle I would be drawn to as each direction is exciting and offers something… different (and thus we have one of the challenges of my life… everything has a gift…)
.-= The Exception´s last blog ..July =-.
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