The Spiritual UFO

I am about as European as one can be, lacking any identifiable Native American ancestry, although my maternal great-grandmother claimed otherwise. If one entertains the idea of reincarnation, perhaps we are not bound to a single race or even species. I have always been captivated by the wisdom of Native American traditions, often bemused that many others do not share my admiration for their philosophies and histories. Today, I present two intriguing artifacts that evoke both fear and hope. Shall we gather in a circle of peace?

Native American narratives were the wisdom tales I sought long before Yoda imparted his insights in The Empire Strikes Back. I am drawn to this wisdom, whether it emerges from Persian poets, shamans, or contemporary myth-makers in films like Dances With Wolves, Little Big Man, or Avatar.

One story I frequently share involves two wolves within a person: one embodies goodness, the other evil. Which wolf thrives? The one you nourish. Another tale, which I believe originates from Buddhist tradition, tells of two monks returning home after a rain. They encountered an elderly woman struggling to cross a swollen river. Despite their vow not to touch women, one monk displayed compassion and carried her across, setting her down safely. Upon returning to his companion, the other monk exclaimed, “I can’t believe you picked up that woman!”

The first monk replied, “I set her down. Why are you still carrying her?”

Every culture has wisdom deserving of our attention. The Hopi speak of the Ant People, who rescued them during significant Earth changes. Whether myth or reality, does it matter if such stories provide us with insights for better living?

> Global Climate Change: The Earth Has Shifted, Say Inuit Elders. A new warning has reached NASA from the Inuit, indicating that climate changes stem not merely from global warming but from a slight shift in the Earth itself.

This is intriguing. Even a minor shift could alter who receives direct sunlight. The tropics might cease to exist as we know them. If this is accurate, perhaps we could apply lessons from the orange peel experiment to transform the new tropics into rainforests. Nature, when left to its own devices, often knows how to restore balance.

Why does it seem that modern society often disregards the wisdom of its elders? Even if their language is unfamiliar, does it not provide valuable insights? If the First World is so attuned to reality, why do its inhabitants experience higher rates of depression and isolation compared to those in the Third World? Why is there a relentless drive to undermine all cultures?

Who is truly at odds with whom? If the First World represents the Empire, why do we seem intent on suppressing the Ewoks? I borrow this language from my myths. Star Trek or Star Wars? Which wolf will you nurture? Why does it appear that the First World is erasing its own narratives?

The categorization of worlds is fascinating: First Worlds, Third Worlds, the world of the white man, the People’s Nation. Can’t we simply be Earth’s inhabitants? Can the elders from all tribes unite in one circle?

But, I suppose, we would need to identify suitable elders.

Has the Earth Shifted or Shaken?

Long before the internet existed, Native American shamans envisioned a web that would facilitate communication across the globe. If even a fraction of that belief holds true, doesn’t it warrant consideration?

Anansi the Spider, the trickster and keeper of the world’s stories, embodies the idea that webs and communication might be older than we realize. This concept aligns with astronomy; all visible matter seems to align along unseen filaments. The neural connections in our brains reflect the universal structures around us. Can we engage with the Great Spirit? Are we ever disconnected from the Great Spirit?

Sometimes, archetypes serve as metaphors, while at other times, structures indicate actual functions. We exist within a web of life. Severing all connections would leave little for life to hold onto.

The video below, from the 1986 Continental Indigenous Council, titled Unbelievable Predictions, underscores the reverence once given to predictions in various cultures. Yet, there also exists a time in every culture when such predictions are met with skepticism. Gaining understanding often requires patience and the wisdom of elders, allowing time for clarity. There is a time for birth, action, rest, and a return to purpose.

If we are to act, must we not have a purpose? Is a vision of peace a noble enough cause to champion?

A healthy planet and liberated people—this is a vision worth sharing.

I am white. I am human. I have a tendency to see wonders and miracles. As my hearing has diminished, I’ve learned to listen more attentively. I have been fortunate to maintain reasonable vision and a heart that remains open. While I don’t always express myself rationally, this reflects the difference between emotion and reason. This is why we form circles of friends, peers, and family—people who help us see.

I could benefit from more individuals in my circle. Perhaps this is the Great Spirit’s invitation to allow those with deeper insights to assist me in seeing and hearing.

No single individual perceives everything. Specialists and generalists each offer valuable perspectives. Balance lies somewhere in between. Yet, there are more than just two cardinal directions; there are four winds, and I believe there are even more peoples. We must also consider vertical dimensions and the spacetime continuum we have yet to comprehend. Are heart and spirit additional dimensions?

We are beginning to understand a crucial truth about trees: cutting down elder trees can compromise the immunity of vast forest areas. If only we could learn from the tree people by listening to them. We are only now realizing that they produce sounds and even self-medicate in times of distress.

The fact that plants can feel pain and heal themselves renders them human-like in my view. Our inability to perceive reality stems from forgetting our true nature. Some scientists are uncovering this truth, as illustrated in the TED Talk below: Do We See Reality as It Is? You don’t need to be an Australian beetle to grasp this concept. If you’re confused, I encourage you to watch the video. Our collective vision is 20/20.

It’s said we exist on the shoulders of giants. If those giants are trees, then our survival is intertwined with theirs. We aren’t meant to roam the Earth alone and unadorned. We are clothed in the life of this planet, its waters, winds, and stars.

We inhabit a world that craves elders. To have elders, we need children. To have children, we require parents capable of fulfilling that role! The family unit has fractured, and communities have disbanded. There are individuals wandering without tribes or connections. If it’s not too late, perhaps some elders would take in us lost souls.

We need genuine elders and shamans. We could become a remarkable people. Perhaps we are either lost or exactly where we should be, if only we could hear and see what the elders want us to be aware of.

The elders hold truths that can only be understood through their tribal lenses, not to diminish the wisdom of other tribes. If we are all blind, grappling with different parts of an elephant, then our collective understanding is necessary for grasping the reality we share. Listening to the predictions of the people tells only half the story; the other half belongs to the white community. Now that both perspectives have converged to unveil greater truths, we can collaboratively forge a better path forward.

We cannot truly share unless we first listen.

I heard these words today, and they stirred something within me. I wonder if you feel similarly provoked by them.

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