Welcome to members of the DKos Sangha* and all interested visitors who happen by.
Each of us has our own path; we come here by way of many different traditions, and of no particular tradition. While the language we use may differ depending on the traditions, teachers, practices, and teachings that have shaped our journeys, we find in common, generally, a search for who we truly are, our true nature, and to bring the peace and compassion born of that search into the greater world of which we area part. If you wish to share, or if you seek support, or if you simply want to say hello, please do, as this space is for you.
When I worked at a state mental hospital (1972-1981), we had regular staff meetings to assess persons charged with various crimes. Their lawyers had asked the Court to send their clients for a mental evaluation in order to determine if the defendant was competent to stand trial, and if they were criminally responsible for their actions. All staff meetings were attended by senior psychiatrists, trained in forensic psychiatry. Most of the psychiatrists had many years, even decades, of experience assessing various mental illnesses for legal purposes.
One afternoon, a defendant was brought in for a panel interview in front of the assembled psychiatric staff. He was a young man in his mid-twenties. He came from one of the Dakotas. He was a very handsome man, dark skinned, and had long straight black hair. He was clearly of Native American ancestry. He was charged with some relatively minor offense, IIRC, he had taken some money from the Poor Box at a church. The priest had him arrested for petty theft despite his protestations that he was hungry and simply wanted some change so he could buy a sandwich. Subsequently, his Public Defender asked he be evaluated for mental competency.
During his psychiatric interview, the doctor asked him if he ever heard voices. The young man volunteered that he often spoke to plants, rocks, and animals. He said he had been doing that all his life, because the spirits of the four parts of Earth helped him as spirit guides. He went on to explain that if one listened, you could hear the fire, wind, water, and rocks speak. His spirit animal gave him instructions on how to live a correct life.
The assembled psychiatrists shook their collective heads, some muttering under their breaths.
I took the occasion to ask if he had trained as a Shaman. He brightened and smiled. “My grandmother,” he said.
He went on to tell me that he had been taught by some of the elders, but his grandmother had the greatest influence on him, because she was a powerful medicine woman.
After the interview and the defendant left the room, the most senior psychiatrist leaned back in his chair, saying, “Obviously, he is schizophrenic, because he hallucinates voices and has delusions about speaking to animals and inanimate objects.
Despite me being the junior-most staff member, outranked by everyone, I exploded. I seldom lose my temper, but I did that day. I told the doctors they had no idea what they were talking about, and not all religions look like Southern Baptists. This young man was a hell of a lot closer to our planet Earth than they were, and who was to say he was wrong and they were always right.
The vote was to return him to Court with the notation that the staff determined he was a paranoid schizophrenic, with one dissenting vote...mine.
Native American spiritual practices are profoundly holy in their own way. One of the most noteworthy creators of spiritual Native American music is flutist R. Carlos Nakai. This is his Grand Canyon Trilogy.
I have the Grand Canyon Trilogy on CD, and often use it for late night meditation and to play while we sleep. It is one hour and fifteen minutes long.
Nemaste
Peace this day, and every day.
This is an open thread. Please add your thoughts, meditations, and reflections as you wish.
*Attribution: Creator of Dkos Sangha Weekly Thread, Brother “davehouck”.