lotusinthemud

The Wounded Healer

One has to be wounded in order to become a healer. This is the local image of a universal mythological motif, which is described in Eliade's book about the initiation of medicine men and shamans. Nobody becomes either one or the other without first having been wounded, either cut open by the initiator and having certain magical stones inserted into his body, or a spear thrown at his neck, or some such thing. Generally, the experiences are ecstatic – stars or ghost-like demons – hit them or cut them open, but always they have to be pierced or cut apart before they become healers, for that is how they acquire the capacity for healing others.

 

~ Marie-Louise von Franz, The Problem of the Puer Aeternus

"Braiding Sweetgrass"

"Braiding Sweetgrass" by Robin Wall Kimmerer is a profound exploration of indigenous wisdom, ecology, and the interconnectedness of all living beings. Kimmerer, a botanist and member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, weaves together personal narratives, scientific insights, and indigenous teachings to offer a vision of reciprocity and reverence for the natural world.

 

Here are some key lessons from the book

 

1. The Importance of Indigenous Wisdom: Kimmerer highlights the value of indigenous knowledge systems, which are deeply rooted in respect for the land and all its inhabitants. She emphasizes the need to learn from indigenous peoples and incorporate their perspectives into our understanding of ecology and sustainability.

 

2. Reciprocity with the Natural World: Central to Kimmerer's teachings is the concept of reciprocity—the idea that humans should give back to the earth as much as they take. She encourages readers to cultivate a reciprocal relationship with the natural world, honoring and respecting the gifts it provides.

 

3. The Language of Plants: Kimmerer explores the rich language of plants and the ways in which they communicate with each other and with humans. She encourages readers to listen to the wisdom of plants and learn from their teachings.

 

4. Cultivating Gratitude: Gratitude is a recurring theme in the book, with Kimmerer emphasizing the importance of gratitude as a practice for connecting with the earth and fostering a sense of belonging and interconnectedness.

 

5. Honoring Ancestral Knowledge: Kimmerer pays homage to the wisdom of her ancestors and encourages readers to reconnect with their own ancestral knowledge. She suggests that by honoring the wisdom of those who came before us, we can gain insights into living more harmoniously with the earth.

 

6. The Ethics of Gathering: Gathering food and materials from the land is an important part of many indigenous cultures, but Kimmerer stresses the importance of doing so ethically and sustainably. She advocates for practices that respect the land and ensure its health and vitality for future generations.

 

7. Restoring Ecological Balance: Kimmerer discusses the urgent need for humans to play a role in restoring ecological balance and healing the damage caused by human activities. She offers insights into how we can work with nature rather than against it to create a more sustainable future.

 

8. The Power of Storytelling: Throughout the book, Kimmerer uses storytelling as a powerful tool for conveying knowledge and wisdom. She demonstrates the importance of storytelling in indigenous cultures and encourages readers to embrace storytelling as a way of connecting with the land and with each other.

 

9. Finding Beauty in the Natural World: "Braiding Sweetgrass" is filled with descriptions of the beauty and wonder of the natural world. Kimmerer invites readers to slow down, observe the world around them, and find beauty and meaning in the smallest of details.

 

10. Living in Kinship with All Beings: Ultimately, Kimmerer's teachings revolve around the idea of living in kinship with all beings. She encourages readers to cultivate a sense of reverence, responsibility, and reciprocity in their relationships with the earth and all its inhabitants.

 

"Braiding Sweetgrass" is a lyrical and deeply moving book that challenges readers to rethink their relationship with the natural world and embrace a more holistic and interconnected way of living. It offers profound lessons in ecology, spirituality, and indigenous wisdom that are essential for navigating the challenges of the modern world.

 

Book: https://amzn.to/4dpAhv1

You can get the audiobook for FREE by using the same link above when you register on the Audible platform.

10 practical lessons from Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmere

 

10 practical lessons from Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer:

 

1. Cultivate gratitude: Embrace a mindset of gratitude towards nature and the interconnected web of life, recognizing the gifts that the natural world provides.

 

2. Embrace reciprocity: Understand the importance of reciprocity in our relationship with the natural world, acknowledging the need to give back and care for the earth in return for what it provides us.

 

3. Cultivate a deeper connection with nature: Develop a conscious and respectful relationship with the natural world, fostering a sense of interconnectedness and mutual respect.

 

4. Honor indigenous wisdom: Embrace the wisdom of indigenous cultures and their deep understanding of the natural world, recognizing the value of traditional ecological knowledge.

 

5. Foster environmental stewardship: Take proactive steps to care for the environment and advocate for the protection of natural spaces, recognizing our responsibility as stewards of the earth.

 

6. Embrace the teachings of plants: Learn from the wisdom of plants and the natural world, recognizing the valuable lessons they have to offer about resilience, adaptation, and interconnectedness.

 

7. Cultivate a sense of belonging in nature: Foster a deep sense of belonging and connection to the natural world, recognizing that humans are an integral part of the larger ecosystem.

 

8. Practice sustainable living: Embrace sustainable practices and advocate for environmentally conscious living, recognizing the importance of living in harmony with nature.

 

9. Learn from indigenous storytelling: Embrace the power of storytelling as a means of transmitting wisdom, knowledge, and cultural values, recognizing the importance of preserving and sharing indigenous stories.

 

10. Advocate for environmental justice: Stand up for the rights of marginalized communities and the protection of natural resources, recognizing the interconnectedness of social justice and environmental sustainability.

Shamanic Lower World Adventure - free e-book

:: link

CONTENT

1 FINDING THE LOWER-WORLD

What the Lower-World is, how to recognize it, and why the distinction between the three realms more relevant than ever

4 LOWER-WORLD PRACTICES

Axis Mundi & Hollowing-Out
Power Animal Retrieval
Meet your Human Guide (and Tribe!)
The People - Animal, Plant, Standing and Stone Working with Environments
Working with Air, Fire, Water & Earth Healing Power-Loss
Finding Your Soul

5 FIRST-STEPS COURSE

Start your shamanic journey

***

1: FINDING THE LOWER-WORLD

Shamanism tells us that there is another, deeper reality behind this day-to-day, physical one. The physical, everyday reality that we inhabit is made from information that comes from a deeper, shamanic reality that lies behind this surface one.

Whilst shamanic people live with the sense of both ordinary reality and shamanic reality being side-by- side, there are times when they choose to deliberately and temporarily immerse themselves more fully in shamanic reality; to enter one of the shamanic realms and go on a shamanic “journey”.

:: continue reading here

Joanna Macy & Chris Johnstone introduce ACTIVE HOPE

 

 

letting go

Jack Kornfield writes: 

In the stress and complexity of our lives, we may forget our deepest intentions. But when people come to the end of their life and look back, the questions that they most often ask are not usually, “How much is in my bank account?” or “How many books did I write?” or “What did I build?” or the like. If you have the privilege of being with a person who is aware at the time of his or her death, you find the questions such a person asks are very simple: “Did I love well?” “Did I live fully?” “Did I learn to let go?”

These simple questions go to the very center of spiritual life. When we consider loving well and living fully, we can see the ways our attachments and fears have limited us, and we can see the many opportunities for our hearts to open. Have we let ourselves love the people around us, our family, our community, the earth upon which we live? And, did we also learn to let go? Did we learn to live through the changes of life with grace, wisdom, and compassion? Have we learned to forgive and live from the spirit of the heart instead of the spirit of judgment?

Encoded in the darkness is the revelation of the light

Encoded in the darkness is the revelation of the light. Seeing darkness is a form of illumination. As Jung reminds us, we become enlightened by making the darkness conscious. Protecting the abuser, though seemingly in the service of the powers of darkness, is, paradoxically, at the same time potentially revealing the darkness, and hence ultimately an expression of the light. It is as if the light needs the darkness in order to reveal itself, for not only is the darkness revealed through the light, but the light is revealing itself through the darkness.

~ Paul Levy, 'Dispelling Wetiko'

A Dharma of Earthsea

Johnathan writes:

I recently got around to finishing Ursula K. Le Guin’s A Wizard of Earthsea. The novel follows Ged, a talented magic user, as he pursues his dream of becoming a great wizard. Though his aspirations were great, his education was frustrating for him, particularly at the beginning.

His first teacher was a renowned wizard in his own right, known as Ogion the Silent, who was famous for stopping a great earthquake that almost destroyed Ged’s homeland of Gont. As his name implies, he was a very quiet person. “He spoke seldom, ate little, slept less. His eyes and ears were keen. and often there was a listening look on his face.”

:: continue reading here

Dharmavidya's latest book 'Dark Side of the Mirror' - an update

Dharmavidya's latest book on Dogen's Genjo Koan, 'Dark Side of the Mirror' is available to buy via the ITZI site

:: here

Dharmavidya's latest book

My copy has arrived today: