Lessons of the Wolf

I would be remiss if I entered the New year without honouring the wolf, my companion, my teacher, my friend, sometimes, the master of my destruction, yet always leading me along the path, propelling inquiries, discoveries, engaging me in a global conversation and purpose I never intended and, of course, encouraging new levels of thought, of trust, faith. Yet, I cannot contain the smile!

Indeed, the wolf and I have done many battles--the most severe nearly every winter, reaching life threatening levels and harrowing depths. Yet, within the heart of each and every one of them, was embedded a lesson, a beacon, something that pulled me and saved me, despite the Arctic battleground.

At other times, it has rescued me and, inexplicably, allowed me to rest my head on its white paws and rest within the archway of her breast and abdomen.

Standing upon the cliff above, she has often served as a wake up call, summoning me on more than one occasion, somehow foreshadowing the impending danger if I turned and walked the other way.

Yet, one winter some years ago, war-torn and weary, as I struggled to maintain every breath, every heartbeat, fully engaged in meditation, I listened to the call and followed the path of her steps, consciously unaware of the course ahead. After ascending the cliff above, I exhausted my energy. An Arctic storm arose and she dragged me, literally. Nearly lifeless in this world and the next, she dragged me into the ice. Within it, I felt warm.

Nestled midst her cubs, I did not understand. Resting amid them and under them, she stood watch before settling in herself.
It was here, as I opened my eyes for a second or two at a time that I saw the Northern lights brightly streaming through the ice above, gentling filling the den with wondrous light, surrounding the cubs and highlighting the outline of each of them.

It was here within the den, that she nudged me and the sacred pact was made, beneath the twilight of the Northern lights, I found myself making promises, agreeing to tend to the wolf cubs, to nurture them, sustain and protect them along the unknown course. Little did I know we would be leaving so soon and that the next leg of the journey hastened.

Then within the den's opening appeared the dark wolf, her mate. Fearing it was the wolf who had previously attacked me, she assured me he was not the same. I stilled to watch and wait, tempering courage with trust. As he neared, i felt his spirit, stared into his eyes and instantly knew. Yet, he arrived with a warning.

Together we left the den and traveled for a while- the pack. Danger impended. Days later, my lovely wolf guardians ventured on, leaving me in charge. The wolf cubs and I tread along. Need I say, the path has never been the same?

I did not understand the depth or gravity of this shamanic journey then but I embraced it anyway. Do we ever fully know anything anyway?

It has been many years since then and I share the stories and their nuances freely, shamanic in nature, indeed. I could never have known where this would lead--that the wolfprints would lead me through lands and culture, across time and space, on a seemingly eternal quest, almost always requiring more than my personal best. It is the journey that is the reward, for it has encouraged and propelled me along to people and places beyond imagination to hearts and souls, experience and compassion and to seeing the world through eyes other than my own.

S'ung Manitu Tanka, I honour you for your strength and wisdom. It is with a sincere, awakened heart and mind that I express profound eternal gratitude for saving me, refining and carving me along the way. Wolfprints...wolfprints in my soul...we travel on to meet more people, touch more lives. Happy 2008!

Namaste,

湘君

Where the Heart Leads.......

Where the heart leads when there is no payoff?

Recently a friend shared this within a rather string of appreciations on http://www.dailyappreciations.net/

Immediately, it led my mind to ponder......

For days it entered my mind. The answer was always the same-
to heal bodies, spirits and minds and bridge divides- HEAL WORLDS

I realize that many persons believe this is too simple.
Perhaps, it is. Yet, I see so many connections. Midst my quest for healing, the discovery
of so many intertwining practices, belief systems and the links extending from antiquity through to present day, I see the invisible, intangible strings of healing and continuity illuminate across time, space and culture. Of course, I realize that technology and methods of production and interventions have also transformed, but more importantly realize that the basic needs of man are constant.

Illness is a journey of the soul. Any illness, whether it is a cold, flu, chronic or acute greatly affects levels of social participation, restorative methods, interactions, beliefs and associated rituals embedded within everyday living. Whether you live in the developed world or lesser developed states, illness is a human experience.

In some respects, I think it has often been my greatest teacher. It has led my mind to ponder the multifaceted, interdependent existence of life. It often turns my thoughts to mutual reciprocity not only as a sacred contract between and among men but also with Mother Nature and the Universe. Then, of course, spirituality resonates within this sacred pact. It plays a significant role of the human existence, of discerning the world relatively unforseeable and unknown to us, of mediating the divide between the tangible and the mysterious and ways of knowing. For many, faith is the light of hope, of love, and of acceptance. it is that which shields, which heals. It is, inexplicably, part of the equation of ways in which we are human.

True healing, as I have learned through my varied studies of traditional healing methods, especially Chinese medicine, zhong yi, perhaps more fully highlights this. It realizes the interactive nature of life, of change and the role of one's constitution/genetics. It explains and understands these changes in ways modern medicine cannot yet express. Yet, I have hope that one day, the marriage of medicines will occur and both the life cultivating, life restorative practices and the doctors who engage them will be equally valued and engaged accordingly.

In my heart of hearts, anyone who knows me, truly knows this. I wish I could alleviate all suffering with the wave of a hand or the magic wand, but alas, I lost that ability long ago. (grin) If any of my experience, however, saves one person undue suffering or levels of illness, then my life has had meaning.

I wish for 2008, a year of more fully engaged True Healing, the networking of healers and appreciation of each other, more fully engaged conversations and exchanges, yielding collective knowledge and valued expertise. I wish more people would listen to the universe and honour the sacred contracts granted with each life. Much more than this, I wish all those afflicted and/or affected by chronic, acute and temporary illnesses realize they are loved, valued and appreciated, and perhaps, even blessed with the journey of illness and quest for recovery. I wish you happiness and health- True healing now and always! I treasure each and every one of you! Namaste

With that, I pass on a New Year's Wish from Dr. Amit K Saiya, an amazing doctor of energy healing in India, wishing you these blessings in 2008 and always :

"May you find eternal peace of mind, prosperity through the year, happiness that multiplies, health for you and yours, fun around every corner, energy to chase your dreams, joy to fill your holiday".

Hugs and love to all of you!
湘君