A Purposeful Connection
In my last newsletter contribution, I wrote the fun story, about Heyoke and
finding your hidden power. The time and people I wrote about, come to me
though meditation and thought. But the place does actually exist. I had a few
days off and decided to revisit this sacred place. I wanted to thank my
friend and guide Crazy Eyes for sharing his story with me. I also wanted to
explore more of the back country. Something new always shows itself .
Beyond the ruins is an ancient road. It is now over grown with Juniper,
Pine trees and Sage brush , but if you know what you are looking for, most
of it can still be followed. The ancient road leads to a complex of collapsed
ruins along a cliff edge. I had thought I knew everything about this place, but
these ruins were new to me. Also discovered, as I was hiking, cat tracks in
the mud. To small to be a mountain lion, but perhaps a bobcat. I surprised a
large jackrabbit. It stood still long enough to say hello, but then jumped to
the safety of a thicket.
My goal was to reach a rock ledge that overlooks the confluence of two
canyons. Below the canyon rim , two streams flow into one. I believe this to
be the end of the ancient trail. It is a place of great power. The rock ledge is
bare, with weather worn potholes filled to the brim with water from snow
melt.
As I was preparing myself for a prayer ceremony, I noticed an insect
struggling in one of the water filled potholes. I thought it was sad that this
was to be it’s fate.
But not today.
I scooped it out of the water and placed it on a dry rock. This was an
interesting little bug. It was gray with black striping and looked like a bee. It
wiggled and twisted on the warm rock and began to flutter it’s wings. Within
a minute, it flew away. “Continue your journey little one” I said.
I thought about the bugs purpose. Perhaps it is the only insect that can
pollinate a rare desert flower. And the desert flower’s purpose is to provide
green leaves for the jackrabbit to nibble on. And the purpose of the
jackrabbit is to provide a meal for the bobcat. And the bobcat’s purpose is to
keep the jackrabbit’s population in check, which means more desert flowers,
which fulfills the bee’s purpose. How wonderful. How simple.I thought.
But what was my purpose in all of this?
“Ah, the age old question. What is my purpose?” I heard a voice say
behind me. “ When the answer comes to you,tell me. I would like to know
too.” My friend and guide, Crazy Eyes had appeared .
“We human’s are never happy. We pray for rain and then complain when
the roof is leaking. We always want more.” He said as he sat next to me.
“So, you think you have a purpose in nature?”
“Along time ago, I sat at this very spot, when my students asked that very
same question. And I told them this story.”
So it began. Once there was nothing but floating sparks of Spirit energy.
Creator wanted to bring life to this place and asked the Spirit energy what
they wanted to become. What were their desires?
The first spark of Spirit energy approached and said it wanted to bring a
goodness to all creation. This Spirit became the Sun.
The next came forward and said it’s desire was to flow through all
creation. This Spirit became all of the Water.
The third asked to be one of the most sacred. This Spirit became the Earth
on which we walk.
This went on and on. Nearing the end of all the Spirit energy,
one small voice said, “ The sparks of energy have have made wonderful
choices. And you have created a beautiful world with their choices. But I am
afraid we will drift apart and I will miss my friends. It is my desire that we
each serve a purpose. If ,in someway, we can support, sustain, nourish and
benefit one another, I believe we can stay connected.” Creator and the Spirits
agreed with this wisdom and so it was done. The purposeful connection that
flows throughout the natural world.
All was done but for the last spark of energy. It was known to the others as
being lazy, arrogant and quite the trouble maker. This Spirit approached the
Creator and said, “ It is my desire to have domain over your creation!”
There was a great silence. Then Creator spoke. “ I will grant you this. But
you will be the homeliest, most pitiful of all my creation. You will wander
the Earth, never to find what it is you seek. The worm who lives beneath the
ground will know more about the powers of the universe.
You will live with the name of human.”
Crazy Eyes story was amazing. “So, what does this mean?
I asked.
“When my people left this place, the animals and plants returned. Our
dwellings have fallen in, and the stones are slowly returning to the Earth.
All is as it was. So what purpose did we serve?” He replied.
“But not all is lost” He continued. “Creator did not take away the spark of
our Spirit . When you feel the energy flow from a stone. Or if a snake
crosses your path. Or if the wind calls your name. That is the natural world
wanting to connect with you. But, as far as our purpose. When the answer
comes to you let me know.”
Crazy Eyes drifted back into the forest as I finished my ceremony.
He often speaks in riddles and metaphors. His favorite thing is to talk about
human weaknesses and follies. But this story made me sad and gave me a lot
to think about as I hiked my way back to the parking area.
His creation story may be true. Nature would get along just fine without us
humans. Of coarse, I believe part of our purpose is to support and sustain
each other. Our family and friends. But there must be more. Ah, we always
want more. Yes, of coarse, Crazy Eyes was right.
As I walked, I was watchful of my steps. Carefully avoiding any rare
desert plants. Above me a crow called out. I stopped and returned his
greeting.
I found myself standing on top of a huge mound. The ground is littered with
pot shards. A snow covered mountain is visible in each direction. There I
was, in the center, of this sacred spot. The power circled me with such a
great force, almost lifting me off of the ground. And then, it was gone.
The sparks of Spirit energy had made contact with me.
I think, for one split second, maybe less, everything was clear to me. I
understood. It all made sense. But that too is now gone.
It’s been several months now since I visited this place in the desert. I’ve
pondered the meaning of my experience. Nature, Spirit energy and the
Sacred world is always there. Surrounding us. Talking with us.Yearning for
our response. It is up to us to make the connection. A purposeful connection