Sunday, September 2, 2012

Higher Education

Good Mornin'

And, a very nice one, it is. Read a nice native story yesterday, see if I can cut and paste it.

By Sharron John, Creek

"Long ago the Creator looked out over the perfect world he had made, at the oceans, mountains, plains, deserts, lakes and rivers and he was pleased. He looked upon the plants and trees and was happy at what he saw. Still he felt there was something missing.

There was no movement, nothing to enjoy the beauty he had created. So he created the animals, birds, creepers, and fish. He made them in all sizes, forms, colors and shapes. As he watched them roam over Mother Earth, enjoying the beauty of his creations he was pleased with all that he had done. Life continued on Mother Earth in perfect balance and harmony.

Many moons passed and one day the animals, birds, creepers, and fish called out to their Creator: "We thank you for all that you have given us, for all the beauty that surrounds us; however, everything is so plentiful that we have nothing to do but wander here and there, with no purpose to our lives.

The Creator gave great thought to their request. After a while he showed himself again to his creations. He told them he would give them a weaker creature to take care of, to look after and teach. This creature would not be so perfect as his other creations. It would come upon Mother Earth weak, small, and knowing nothing.

So the Creator made man and woman and all his other creations were happy. Now they truly had a purpose in life: to care for these helpless humans; to teach them how to find food and shelter, and to show them the healing herbs.

The humans under the care of all, multiplied and grew to be many. Still the animals, birds, creepers, and fish took care of them. As the humans became stronger, they demanded more and more from their brothers. Finally there came a day when a human man demanded more food than he needed, and the animal would not grant him his request. The man in great anger, picked up a rock and killed the animal. From the dead animal the man discovered that he could use the meat to feed himself and the skin to cover his body. The bones, claws, and teeth would be his trophys to show the other humans that now he was as smart as the animals.

When he showed these things to the other humans, in their greed to have all that he had, they started killing all of their animal brothers around them.

The Creator watched them all: humans, animals, birds, creepers, and fish. Finally he called the remaining animals, birds, creepers, and fish to him. The Creator told them that he had decided to take them all to his spirit home and leave the humans to rule over Mother Earth for a period of time; until they recognized the error of their ways.

The animals knowing that the humans could not survive without them, begged the Creator to take pity on their human brothers and sisters.

Because the animals showed compassion and pity for ones weaker and less wise then theirselves, the Creator listened to their pleas. Because you are good and have followed my ways I will grant you your prayer. In order to protect you I will no longer allow you to speak with humans or guide and protect them. I will make you afraid of them so that you will no longer approach them. I will create a spirit animal to represent each of you and to this spirit animal I will grant one gift that he may use. If a human lives in a good and kind way and follows my path, they may ask me for one of my spirit animals to guide and keep them on my path. This spirit animal will only come to humans who have a good heart.

And so today we seek our spirit keepers to learn how to be as kind and wise as our animal brothers. In seeking them we wish to learn how to please the Creator, as the animals did before us.

***

Thought about it afterwards and wondered how I might could do that. Then, a course, this mornin' it hit me, how Creator is generally four ta five miles ahead of us, understatin' the question, by some ex-ponential factor, and thought about the horses, I've known since I first could walk and likely before. My great happiness, when I could go down to the barn all by myself and the horses, aware of my happiness with them, started to show me, how things work.

Then I got sent to school and I wouldn't say that went so well; by contrast, pre-historic, backwards or somethin'. But then, there was the "Christmas Play" and they made me a shepherd. I reckin' that iced the cake; beginnin' of the end of my dance with "education".

Still and all, unbelievable all we, sometimes, have to go through, years and trouble upon trouble, to understand, what we were shown, pretty much day one.

So, maybe, like they say, better late than never and today is, the first day, rest of my life.

Have a nice one!

Best,

jeune

3 comments:

  1. Beautiful story. Thanks for sharing it. I've always like "origin" stories because they reveal so much about the mindset of a culture.

    The problem comes with the interpreters, those who try to turn the stories to their own purpose by telling others how to interpret or think about them. That's how some are doing today, with their stomp on the poor, give more to the rich philosophy - all while pretending to follow teachings that preach exactly the opposite.

    Unlike you, they are divorced from their hearts, listening only to greed, anger, and fear. How fortunate that you are able to live (and learn) every day with the critters. And yes, every single day is a new beginning, a new opportunity for good.

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  2. I like that, Cut to the Chase ... "divorced from the hearts." I see it all over up here, and then I see the ones who "know" all over up here. Amazing place to observe life. I read this today:

    ".....begin to understand that the Universe is based on inclusion and not separation."

    Why do adults still preach separation and the one who dies with the most toys wins? I'm haunted by the pictures of the Somalia children's skeletons in their mothers' arms when there is plenty. Even animals help their own.

    I can work on my corner of the world ... if we all do that, and it spreads, we'll reach the ends of the Earth. Maybe sitting on a horse is "Higher" Education. :) Sometime like that can connect you to everything.

    Blessings,
    Peaceful

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    Replies
    1. Sorry, "divorced from their hearts."

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