Breaking Trail

IS THIS THING ON? (thump thump thump....)

2010 is a year of many new beginnings for me. Creator has done a lot. New friendships (and sadly old ones ending) New opportunities. New networks.

For many years I worked more or less behind the scenes moderating an online community in support of Native American spiritual leaders. Focused on that and, my only real vice, World of Warcraft!

 Now, understand that being something of a Cyberhermit can have advantages. Saving money on breath mints for instance. Not worrying about bad hair days.

On the other hand it's people that really matter in life and the more people I can consider friends, the richer I am. And perhaps the more people who are true friends with each other, the better place the world becomes.

Now, I'm a story teller at heart so let me tell a story. Mainly because it's what's on my mind at the moment. If it works for you, thank you.

There once lived a man who only knew one thing for sure: he wanted to help people gain understanding. Understanding of themselves. Understanding of Creator. Understanding of creation. Understanding of the path to walk in their lives.

So he thought about how to do this. He prayed to Creator to show him how to help others develop understanding. So fervent was his desire that Creator answered his prayer. He came down Himself and lifted the man up to a high plateau. The man looked around and instantly fell in love with the place. There was already a small longhouse and a solid fire pit. Food was sufficient. He felt right at home and knew contentment he'd not known before.

Creator spoke, in a voice that was at once like a butterfly's whisper and roaring waters, "This is your refuge, the place where the gift I give you will help you gain understanding. Where you can see how that understanding can help others."

So the man looked out and could see what seemed to be the entire world. If he looked closely enough, he could see each person he knew, their lives, past present and even the future. He could see how their lives were woven together like a fine wampum belt, how no one thing that anyone said or did stood alone. It was all tied together. He thanked Creator for such a good gift and promised he would use it to help people.

So he sat and watched for a while, learning what he could, feeling his heart grow tender toward even his enemies as he realized why they were the way they were. It was beause they all felt disconnected, they lacked understanding. They didn't know that they were closer together than they were far apart, and were afraid. That fear made them do things they wouldn't do if they understood.

Delighted with this knowledge, the man came down from the plateau to give people the good news. He came to a village. Entering he greeted the people warmly and said "I have something wonderful to tell you. Will you take a moment to listen?" Yet everyone seemed to say the same thing "Only if you tell us what we want to hear!"

The man wanted to help, so he asked "What do you want to hear?" They gave the same answer: they wanted to hear how to be happy, how to be free from fear, how to live a better life. The man rejoiced at this, because he knew the answer.

"It's simple," he said, " all you need to do is gain understanding. Understanding to see how you are not alone, how everything you do effects others, and how what others do effects you. Listen to Creator and he will help you understand".

"BAH" grunted the people. "We don't want to hear that. We want you to tell us our future. You are a seer, are you not? Tell us what will be so we can be confident in our lives. Tell us how we can make our lives better by knowing what to do."

The man was dismayed, "But, I just did. You don't need to know the future, you just need to know how to live right today."

"Don't tell us what we NEED to hear! Tell us what we WANT to hear." The people grew angry and began gathering stones and switches to drive the man out of their village. He stumbled back, still trying to tell them his message of understanding. He finally fled from the village, bruised and bleeding, and made his way back to the plateau.

As the man approached his simple longhouse, he saw Creator tending the fire. He could smell corn porridge cooking and realized how hungry he was. Creator handed him a bowl as he sat down.

For a long time it was quiet. The man was eating in silence, waiting for Creator to speak. Creator just watched the fire, occasionally glancing up at the man to watch him eat.

Finally the man finished his meal and looked up at Creator, searching for the words to ask his question. Before he could speak, Creator sighed and looked at him, "What happened is what always happens, what must happen. It is the way people are. But that doesn't make the message any less important, just because they don't listen."

The man shook his head, "Why don't they want the real answer?" He looked at Creator hopefully, but He just closed His eyes and bowed His head.

Then the man's shoulders sagged as he felt very tired. " I can't go back. Not only am I bruised and scarred in my body, but my soul aches."

Creator looked at the man with eyes full of love. "This is your home, and you can stay here as long as you need. When you can answer that question for yourself, you will be ready to return to the village."

With that, Creator disappeared, leaving the man to listen to the crackling of the fire and the sound of the insects in the bushes. Tears welled up in his eyes as he looked out upon the lives he saw before him, at how simple the answer was if people would just listen.

Then he sighed and went into his longhouse to rest.