More Cherokee and a Poem

If the Universe (or whatever you call it) repeatedly sends things your way, I suppose it means, "Pay attention!" Right? This past weekend, I heard about and attended a short--and FREE!--teaching circle given by a Cherokee man in a nearby town. Even though I live not far from ancestral Cherokee land, we don't get that many here in the big city. You may remember that, back in September, I actually went to Cherokee, NC, and attended a workshop there. (Didn't blog much about it, but maybe it's better that way.)

So, again, Cherokee stuff. I was curious to compare what this man said with the teachings I received in September. Well, their teachings both had in common the same tone--and I'm still digesting everything I heard. Having now listened to 2 different Cherokee teachers, they were both very indirect, just offering what they had and letting it help whomever it was designed to help. (What--no Powerpoints?) So I don't have much to say except that I'm keeping it mainly to myself. I'm feeling more and more that some spiritual teachings aren't meant to be shared right away. I did enjoy the ritual as well as the drumming and the short "dreaming" that the teacher led (what I would call my shamanic journey or meditation).

The second repetition was this: The teacher read a poem by Oriah Mountain Dreamer, a Canadian woman (not of Native descent) who is a writer and storyteller. The poem is titled "The Invitation," and I first discovered just a few months ago while researching readings for one of the weddings. When I first read it, I cried because it expressed so well many of the emotions I felt for my partner. With all the changes that we've been through, things will never be the same for us--even if we do reunite. This poem said so many of the things I longed to say but didn't know how. So I sent him a copy. And then this Cherokee man reads it this past Friday to start our teaching circle--and my partner was with me! I asked him about the poem, what he thought of it. He's a man of few words now; he said he liked it but that he would have to ask me more about it later. And that's his way, which is fine. Spirit moved me to send it, so I did.

Thought I'd reprint it here. "The Invitation":

It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living.
I want to know what you ache for,
and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing.

It doesn’t interest me how old you are.
I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love,
for your dream, for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn’t interest me what planets are squaring your moon.
I want to know if you have touched the centre of your own sorrow,
if you have been opened by life’s betrayals,
or have become shriveled and closed from fear of further pain.

I want to know if you can sit with pain,
mine or your own,
without moving to hide it or fade it or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy,
mine or your own,
if you can dance with wildness, and let the ecstasy fill you 

to the tips of your fingers and toes,
without cautioning us to be careful,
to be realistic, 

to remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn’t interest me if the story you are telling me is true.
I want to know if you can disappoint another
to be true to yourself.
If you can bear the accusation of betrayal
and not betray your own soul.
If you can be faithless
and therefore trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see Beauty
even when it is not pretty, every day.
And if you can source your own life from its presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure,
yours and mine,
and still stand at the edge of the lake
and shout to the silver of the full moon,
“Yes.”

It doesn’t interest me to know where you live
or how much money you have.
I want to know if you can get up after the night of grief and despair,
weary and bruised to the bone,
and do what needs to be done to feed the children.

It doesn’t interest me who you know
or how you came to be here.
I want to know if you will stand in the centre of the fire with me
and not shrink back.

It doesn’t interest me where or what or with whom you have studied.
I want to know what sustains you from the inside,
when all else falls away.

I want to knowif you can be alone with yourself,
and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments.

More Cherokee and a Poem

If the Universe (or whatever you call it) repeatedly sends things your way, I suppose it means, "Pay attention!" Right? This past weekend, I heard about and attended a short--and FREE!--teaching circle given by a Cherokee man in a nearby town. Even though I live not far from ancestral Cherokee land, we don't get that many here in the big city. You may remember that, back in September, I actually went to Cherokee, NC, and attended a workshop there. (Didn't blog much about it, but maybe it's better that way.)

So, again, Cherokee stuff. I was curious to compare what this man said with the teachings I received in September. Well, their teachings both had in common the same tone--and I'm still digesting everything I heard. Having now listened to 2 different Cherokee teachers, they were both very indirect, just offering what they had and letting it help whomever it was designed to help. (What--no Powerpoints?) So I don't have much to say except that I'm keeping it mainly to myself. I'm feeling more and more that some spiritual teachings aren't meant to be shared right away. I did enjoy the ritual as well as the drumming and the short "dreaming" that the teacher led (what I would call my shamanic journey or meditation).

The second repetition was this: The teacher read a poem by Oriah Mountain Dreamer, a Canadian woman (not of Native descent) who is a writer and storyteller. The poem is titled "The Invitation," and I first discovered just a few months ago while researching readings for one of the weddings. When I first read it, I cried because it expressed so well many of the emotions I felt for my partner. With all the changes that we've been through, things will never be the same for us--even if we do reunite. This poem said so many of the things I longed to say but didn't know how. So I sent him a copy. And then this Cherokee man reads it this past Friday to start our teaching circle--and my partner was with me! I asked him about the poem, what he thought of it. He's a man of few words now; he said he liked it but that he would have to ask me more about it later. And that's his way, which is fine. Spirit moved me to send it, so I did.

Thought I'd reprint it here. "The Invitation":

It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living.
I want to know what you ache for,
and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing.

It doesn’t interest me how old you are.
I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love,
for your dream, for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn’t interest me what planets are squaring your moon.
I want to know if you have touched the centre of your own sorrow,
if you have been opened by life’s betrayals,
or have become shriveled and closed from fear of further pain.

I want to know if you can sit with pain,
mine or your own,
without moving to hide it or fade it or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy,
mine or your own,
if you can dance with wildness, and let the ecstasy fill you 

to the tips of your fingers and toes,
without cautioning us to be careful,
to be realistic, 

to remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn’t interest me if the story you are telling me is true.
I want to know if you can disappoint another
to be true to yourself.
If you can bear the accusation of betrayal
and not betray your own soul.
If you can be faithless
and therefore trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see Beauty
even when it is not pretty, every day.
And if you can source your own life from its presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure,
yours and mine,
and still stand at the edge of the lake
and shout to the silver of the full moon,
“Yes.”

It doesn’t interest me to know where you live
or how much money you have.
I want to know if you can get up after the night of grief and despair,
weary and bruised to the bone,
and do what needs to be done to feed the children.

It doesn’t interest me who you know
or how you came to be here.
I want to know if you will stand in the centre of the fire with me
and not shrink back.

It doesn’t interest me where or what or with whom you have studied.
I want to know what sustains you from the inside,
when all else falls away.

I want to knowif you can be alone with yourself,
and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments.

Bears Roam Freely in Cherokee!

Well, sorta. You might get lucky and glimpse a real bear, but these are just a few of the 15 painted bears placed throughout Cherokee as a way to highlight tribal artists.

This first one honors Sequoyah, the man who transformed the Cherokee language into a written syllabary. There's a famous portrait of Sequoyah showing him with a pipe and turban-like hat, so that's why the bear is shown in this manner. Some characters from the syllabary are also shown on the bear.

I just liked the design on this second bear, but I'm not sure if there's any special representation.

And last, I love the mountain scene painted on this bear. Beautiful colors.

Click here to see more bears and read about the art project. More Cherokee info and pics to come!

Bears Roam Freely in Cherokee!

Well, sorta. You might get lucky and glimpse a real bear, but these are just a few of the 15 painted bears placed throughout Cherokee as a way to highlight tribal artists.

This first one honors Sequoyah, the man who transformed the Cherokee language into a written syllabary. There's a famous portrait of Sequoyah showing him with a pipe and turban-like hat, so that's why the bear is shown in this manner. Some characters from the syllabary are also shown on the bear.

I just liked the design on this second bear, but I'm not sure if there's any special representation.

And last, I love the mountain scene painted on this bear. Beautiful colors.

Click here to see more bears and read about the art project. More Cherokee info and pics to come!

An Evening with Krishna

I'm woefully ignorant on the Hindu faith--but last night, I did learn a little more. A local yoga studio was presenting an event featuring a Hindu swami, plus music and dancing. What else was I going to do? I wasn't all that interested in listening to the swami--until he began to speak. He only talked for maybe 20 minutes, but here was so much wisdom crammed into those minutes, my head was spinning. He talked about attachments here in this world, about ego and the identities we create and cling to, about sitting and simply being, and about how we each already have all we need. It wasn't anything I hadn't heard before, but he talked so simply, clearly and succinctly--it was a breath of fresh air that I've desperately needed. And it reminds me a little of what that Cherokee medicine man said to me last weekend--and I have yet to post on that--sorry!

The swami told us more about Krishna--in fact, the entire evening was centered around this god, whom the swami called "the expressive heart of Hinduism." The talk was then followed by some beautiful traditional Indian dance called bharata natyam. There was one performance called the "Dance of Peace and Light," featuring 2 women in a darkened studio holding votive candles in each hand. It truly did create an atmosphere of peace and light--and it would be great at a wedding. I looked for a sample video but couldn't find anything.The evening ended with a performance of the Mayapuris, a group of young men and women who chant and drum in the sacred kirtan tradition. It was quite mesmerizing at first, but--then the group wouldn't stop chanting: "Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna, Krishna, Hare, Hare, Rama, Rama, Hare, Hare." They just kept going and going and going. Yeah, it got old fast--so I left. I'm all for religious devotion--and I know the mantra is supposed to induce a state of God-consciousness--but it was starting to get creepy and cultish!

Still, an interesting and inspiring evening. Which is great, considering today completely sucks! My motorcycle won't start, I'm all emotional over the break-up still, and my Internet is STILL not hooked up in the apartment (I'll spare you the long, tragic story--I'm sure I'll laugh at one day). I'm sure Krishna is looking down on all of this and laughing himself...

An Evening with Krishna

I'm woefully ignorant on the Hindu faith--but last night, I did learn a little more. A local yoga studio was presenting an event featuring a Hindu swami, plus music and dancing. What else was I going to do? I wasn't all that interested in listening to the swami--until he began to speak. He only talked for maybe 20 minutes, but here was so much wisdom crammed into those minutes, my head was spinning. He talked about attachments here in this world, about ego and the identities we create and cling to, about sitting and simply being, and about how we each already have all we need. It wasn't anything I hadn't heard before, but he talked so simply, clearly and succinctly--it was a breath of fresh air that I've desperately needed. And it reminds me a little of what that Cherokee medicine man said to me last weekend--and I have yet to post on that--sorry!

The swami told us more about Krishna--in fact, the entire evening was centered around this god, whom the swami called "the expressive heart of Hinduism." The talk was then followed by some beautiful traditional Indian dance called bharata natyam. There was one performance called the "Dance of Peace and Light," featuring 2 women in a darkened studio holding votive candles in each hand. It truly did create an atmosphere of peace and light--and it would be great at a wedding. I looked for a sample video but couldn't find anything.The evening ended with a performance of the Mayapuris, a group of young men and women who chant and drum in the sacred kirtan tradition. It was quite mesmerizing at first, but--then the group wouldn't stop chanting: "Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna, Krishna, Hare, Hare, Rama, Rama, Hare, Hare." They just kept going and going and going. Yeah, it got old fast--so I left. I'm all for religious devotion--and I know the mantra is supposed to induce a state of God-consciousness--but it was starting to get creepy and cultish!

Still, an interesting and inspiring evening. Which is great, considering today completely sucks! My motorcycle won't start, I'm all emotional over the break-up still, and my Internet is STILL not hooked up in the apartment (I'll spare you the long, tragic story--I'm sure I'll laugh at one day). I'm sure Krishna is looking down on all of this and laughing himself...

Is It Friday Yet?

I'm actually at my office job and having a bitch of a time coming up with a headline for an article--so, screw it, I'm blogging!

First, my weekend in Cherokee, NC, was ... well, many things. I saw clouds embrace the mountaintops and dipped my hands in the cold, rushing mountain streams. It was also fun, and I learned a lot. Parts were insightful and inspiring as well as horribly dull and irritating. Frightening, too. What do I mean by that? Imagine looking into the coal-black eyes of a modern Cherokee medicine man and feeling the tender underbelly of your soul laid bare. More on that!

When I returned home yesterday, I was surprised by yet MORE roses from my partner! I could get used to this...

Last, I've decided to try an little experiment--I'm going without a TV! Now that I've moved, I really can't afford the kind of TV I'd like. Sure, I can buy a fairly cheap one, but it got me to thinking. Why do I even really need one? Most shows you can now view online, and frankly, it would be nice to do without the distraction. Seriously, who says we need a TV? Nothing wrong with it, per se, but it's that cultural expectation that you must have the biggest screen around, watch all the shows ('cause the advertisers want your $$) and then talk about it with your friends. It's all fine--unless it takes over your life, which is exactly what TV tends to do. So, wish me luck and maybe I'll blog about my progress.

Ok, now back to that damned headline...

Is It Friday Yet?

I'm actually at my office job and having a bitch of a time coming up with a headline for an article--so, screw it, I'm blogging!

First, my weekend in Cherokee, NC, was ... well, many things. I saw clouds embrace the mountaintops and dipped my hands in the cold, rushing mountain streams. It was also fun, and I learned a lot. Parts were insightful and inspiring as well as horribly dull and irritating. Frightening, too. What do I mean by that? Imagine looking into the coal-black eyes of a modern Cherokee medicine man and feeling the tender underbelly of your soul laid bare. More on that!

When I returned home yesterday, I was surprised by yet MORE roses from my partner! I could get used to this...

Last, I've decided to try an little experiment--I'm going without a TV! Now that I've moved, I really can't afford the kind of TV I'd like. Sure, I can buy a fairly cheap one, but it got me to thinking. Why do I even really need one? Most shows you can now view online, and frankly, it would be nice to do without the distraction. Seriously, who says we need a TV? Nothing wrong with it, per se, but it's that cultural expectation that you must have the biggest screen around, watch all the shows ('cause the advertisers want your $$) and then talk about it with your friends. It's all fine--unless it takes over your life, which is exactly what TV tends to do. So, wish me luck and maybe I'll blog about my progress.

Ok, now back to that damned headline...

Pics from the "New" Grove

 Finally had a chance to snap a few in my new surroundings! Again, it's right on the edge of downtown, but there's a park setting and a creek.

The park is pretty large, and the city has done a nice job with wildflower plantings and erosion control. I was concerned that city critters would be rather dull after the country cousins I was used to. No, I probably won't see many deer or vultures, but I did hear a few unfamiliar bird calls the other day. And I've already found some new plants to identify.

See you next week as I'm off to Cherokee!

Pics from the "New" Grove

 Finally had a chance to snap a few in my new surroundings! Again, it's right on the edge of downtown, but there's a park setting and a creek.

The park is pretty large, and the city has done a nice job with wildflower plantings and erosion control. I was concerned that city critters would be rather dull after the country cousins I was used to. No, I probably won't see many deer or vultures, but I did hear a few unfamiliar bird calls the other day. And I've already found some new plants to identify.

See you next week as I'm off to Cherokee!

Be Back in a Few...

I'm going to have to take a break, dear readers. Lots to accomplish this week, so I gotta prioritize--especially if I'm going to avoid another meltdown like I had last week! Also, I'm getting ready for my weekend in Cherokee, NC, and I'm very excited about that. If I'm not back before then, I'll be sure to take lots of notes!

Best to all who wander by.

Be Back in a Few...

I'm going to have to take a break, dear readers. Lots to accomplish this week, so I gotta prioritize--especially if I'm going to avoid another meltdown like I had last week! Also, I'm getting ready for my weekend in Cherokee, NC, and I'm very excited about that. If I'm not back before then, I'll be sure to take lots of notes!

Best to all who wander by.

Bob Barker Tussles with Cherokee Over Captive Bears

Yet MORE Cherokee stuff! This was on the national news last night. Apparently, former "The Price Is Right" host and animal rights activist Bob Barker (remember, he always closed the show by reminding us to have our pets spayed or neutered!) and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals are not happy with how 3 businesses in Cherokee, NC, treat its captive bears. They claim that the concrete pits in which the bears are kept are unsuitable and inhumane. And they're calling for a complete tourism boycott of the reservation!

The 3 zoos are privately owned and include Santa's Land, Cherokee Bear Zoo and Chief Saunooke's Bear Park. Reservation and business leaders are not happy about the negative attention, and have told Barker and PETA to stay away and mind their own business. They claim the bears are well cared for, and their facilities are regularly inspected by federal officials to comply with the Animal Welfare Act. But apparently, there's an NC state law that says captive bears must have at least 1 acre of natural habitat--and the Cherokee reservation is exempt from that law. Hmmm, so I guess the Cherokee have to comply with federal laws but not state laws? I've never understood how all that works.

I'm torn on this. I'd prefer to see bears wandering in a natural habitat--but who's to say that's any more humane than a concrete pit? Seriously--how do we know what the bears think about this? Maybe it just makes us humans feel better about keeping them in captivity?

Well, I'm afraid I won't be joining Barker's boycott (I have that conference in September), but what do you think about concrete pits vs. natural habitats??

Bob Barker Tussles with Cherokee Over Captive Bears

Yet MORE Cherokee stuff! This was on the national news last night. Apparently, former "The Price Is Right" host and animal rights activist Bob Barker (remember, he always closed the show by reminding us to have our pets spayed or neutered!) and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals are not happy with how 3 businesses in Cherokee, NC, treat its captive bears. They claim that the concrete pits in which the bears are kept are unsuitable and inhumane. And they're calling for a complete tourism boycott of the reservation!

The 3 zoos are privately owned and include Santa's Land, Cherokee Bear Zoo and Chief Saunooke's Bear Park. Reservation and business leaders are not happy about the negative attention, and have told Barker and PETA to stay away and mind their own business. They claim the bears are well cared for, and their facilities are regularly inspected by federal officials to comply with the Animal Welfare Act. But apparently, there's an NC state law that says captive bears must have at least 1 acre of natural habitat--and the Cherokee reservation is exempt from that law. Hmmm, so I guess the Cherokee have to comply with federal laws but not state laws? I've never understood how all that works.

I'm torn on this. I'd prefer to see bears wandering in a natural habitat--but who's to say that's any more humane than a concrete pit? Seriously--how do we know what the bears think about this? Maybe it just makes us humans feel better about keeping them in captivity?

Well, I'm afraid I won't be joining Barker's boycott (I have that conference in September), but what do you think about concrete pits vs. natural habitats??

A Good Dose of Turtle Medicine

By medicine, I'm obviously referring to the symbolic qualities of the turtle and what these fascinating creatures can teach us. Turns out turtles have been showing up quite a bit lately in my life. The other week on my walk around the lake, I spied 2 large turtles foraging around in the mud. I stood and watched them for a long time, although I wasn't close enough to identify them. A day or so later, I spotted a box turtle on a path very close to my home. And over the weekend, I spotted another box turtle not far from the main road.

Then I thought, "maybe the turtles are talking to me!" Because I recalled that the theme for the upcoming Fall session of the Cherokee Full Circle workshop is--turtle medicine! I'm still planning to attend, and the entire workshop is based around the symbolism of turtles in the Cherokee tradition.

Funny how these things come together. So I've been reading up on turtle symbolism and taking notes. If you'd like to know more, just google "turtle totem" and you can read for days. But here's what stood out to me.

• Because of their longevity and slow mannerisms, turtles can teach us new perspectives on time and our relationship to it. It may be time to slow down and and go with the flow of life rather than against it.
  
• The turtle's shell has lots of symbolism. It may indicate we should withdraw to nurture our ideas until they're ready for expression. Or it may signal that we need to set up boundaries for personal protection from situations or persons.
  
• Turtles often symbolize the Earth itself, and some traditions even once believed the Earth sat on top of a turtle's shell. It can be a call to ground yourself more closely to the Earth, to the basics, to nature, and to tune into the Earth's energies rather than your own to better navigate life.
• Since turtles can live on land or in the water, they are often seen as a symbolic bridge between this world and the Faerie realm (not exactly sure how that works--but it sounds fun!).
  

So be alert and aware, and see what nature is trying to tell you out there!

A Good Dose of Turtle Medicine

By medicine, I'm obviously referring to the symbolic qualities of the turtle and what these fascinating creatures can teach us. Turns out turtles have been showing up quite a bit lately in my life. The other week on my walk around the lake, I spied 2 large turtles foraging around in the mud. I stood and watched them for a long time, although I wasn't close enough to identify them. A day or so later, I spotted a box turtle on a path very close to my home. And over the weekend, I spotted another box turtle not far from the main road.

Then I thought, "maybe the turtles are talking to me!" Because I recalled that the theme for the upcoming Fall session of the Cherokee Full Circle workshop is--turtle medicine! I'm still planning to attend, and the entire workshop is based around the symbolism of turtles in the Cherokee tradition.

Funny how these things come together. So I've been reading up on turtle symbolism and taking notes. If you'd like to know more, just google "turtle totem" and you can read for days. But here's what stood out to me.

• Because of their longevity and slow mannerisms, turtles can teach us new perspectives on time and our relationship to it. It may be time to slow down and and go with the flow of life rather than against it.
  
• The turtle's shell has lots of symbolism. It may indicate we should withdraw to nurture our ideas until they're ready for expression. Or it may signal that we need to set up boundaries for personal protection from situations or persons.
  
• Turtles often symbolize the Earth itself, and some traditions even once believed the Earth sat on top of a turtle's shell. It can be a call to ground yourself more closely to the Earth, to the basics, to nature, and to tune into the Earth's energies rather than your own to better navigate life.
• Since turtles can live on land or in the water, they are often seen as a symbolic bridge between this world and the Faerie realm (not exactly sure how that works--but it sounds fun!).
  

So be alert and aware, and see what nature is trying to tell you out there!

Being Led to Cherokee

With all the emotional turmoil in my life right now, I'm trying to focus on the good things I want. One of those would be a trip to Cherokee, NC. I just love this beautiful pic of a Cherokee dancer. And it seems I'm being led there by some mysterious unseen force!

Turns out there is a spiritual retreat of sorts coming up in September that lets you study Native American/Cherokee traditions. It's explained as "finding the right way of relationship with the Earth"--and I certainly want to study this more deeply. A few of the people from my shaman mystery school may travel there. It's not too far from home, and they say it's a great experience.

I start thinking about going, and then a friend gives me a necklace made from a bear claw that she bought! I should take a photo--it's beautiful, and it was quite unexpected. Where did she get it? Near Cherokee!

Next, a friend who runs a travel web site posts some recent photos of a festival held in--Cherokee!

Then just the other day, I'm browsing on the Huffington Post when up pops an ad for a sweepstakes to visit--Cherokee! Of course I entered right away!

Ok, I don't need a brick to hit me over the head (well, sometimes...)! I've been doing some research and there are all kinds of cool things in Cherokee--an outdoor drama about the Trail of Tears, a recreated Cherokee village, museums and crafts. And the town is located right at the National Forest, so I'm sure there's great hiking, too. I'll keep you posted!

Being Led to Cherokee

With all the emotional turmoil in my life right now, I'm trying to focus on the good things I want. One of those would be a trip to Cherokee, NC. I just love this beautiful pic of a Cherokee dancer. And it seems I'm being led there by some mysterious unseen force!

Turns out there is a spiritual retreat of sorts coming up in September that lets you study Native American/Cherokee traditions. It's explained as "finding the right way of relationship with the Earth"--and I certainly want to study this more deeply. A few of the people from my shaman mystery school may travel there. It's not too far from home, and they say it's a great experience.

I start thinking about going, and then a friend gives me a necklace made from a bear claw that she bought! I should take a photo--it's beautiful, and it was quite unexpected. Where did she get it? Near Cherokee!

Next, a friend who runs a travel web site posts some recent photos of a festival held in--Cherokee!

Then just the other day, I'm browsing on the Huffington Post when up pops an ad for a sweepstakes to visit--Cherokee! Of course I entered right away!

Ok, I don't need a brick to hit me over the head (well, sometimes...)! I've been doing some research and there are all kinds of cool things in Cherokee--an outdoor drama about the Trail of Tears, a recreated Cherokee village, museums and crafts. And the town is located right at the National Forest, so I'm sure there's great hiking, too. I'll keep you posted!