Fable of the lamp

From antiquity the first people sent us their living stories. It was predetermined they would send us legends and they would pass them on for generations; from father to son and to grandson.

  In this way the first people have given us the knowledge of both the spiritual and physical worlds thry have instructed us about their ways of living, both the traditional and inspirational - even unto our modern age.

  But so much has changed. Everything in our modern world! We must understand that both the past and the future are immutable. The future's roots reach deep to antiquity. And it is known that through the roots the whole is nourished.

  So from its roots the future receives the whole of knowledge and the whole of inspiration. This truth comes to us from every spirit, both human and animal, both living and dead.

  Time has frozen Paradise. But now it survives forever! Like a living fossil. This spiritual place is known by many names and co-exists forever in both the future and in the past. It only lacks permanent existence in the fleeting moment of the present.

  The power that sustains this place is the power of the spirit. The power of those who desire a belief in a place suspended inside the heartbeat and of the moment that stretches out forever and ever.

  This power comes inside our genetic makeup. The chemical makeup that creates human out of unseen forces. It is written in the strings of coiled code from the moment our species came about. The truth is imbedded inside our DNA! It cannot be removed from the mind and heart of humankind!

  Is not it the belief of a spiritual place that sooths the heart from our struggles? Does not belief give us relief from our daily trials? Doesn't belief smooth the sharpened edge of hardship that is our days and is our lives? Belief is the destiny of nations and of people. Is not hope for all the people of the Earth?

  Again! The bison roams the plains of tall grass; as they have and as they will. Didn't the Sprit Dance ordain this? Hasn't this been predicated by the desires of the first people?

  And in this place the hills are made of colorful stones; the most desirable flints! The sky is crystal-clear obsidian, as clear as the still water that rises from the earth. The sky is laced with wispy clouds of the finest stone. From the rich soil of the Earth the Camas plant, the Arrow plant, and the Acorn tree grow in great abundance.

  The rivers are filled with fish! The deer and bison wait for the hunt. Willingly they give their skins for the need of the people. They give their skins for dwellings, clothes, and charms; and for leather to protect the runner's feet.

  The bison and the antlered deer wait for the hunt in anticipation. Their gift is received by the Great Spirit, the spirit that is the whole consciousness of the Earth and all that is in it. This spirit is in the plants and trees and in all that swim and all those that fly; either at night or in the day. Their gift is acceptable! Their spirit returns again. The hunt is always successful and none go hungry!

  In that place the trees reach to the heights of the mountains. The tallest mountains! The tall mountain the chief's son climbs for the sake of his father. The trees touch the stars in the night sky, the Bear and the Star that remains still as the sky turns about.

  And from the trees fall a bounty of arrowheads that grow from its branches and leaves. They fall to the Earth for the needs of the people. Scrapers grow from the trunks of the trees and from the roots of mighty trees ax heads are found.

  And from the clouds and mountain tops bird points and spear points fall for the hunt. They fall like rain!

  In those days the bones of the fish are always be returned to the rivers. The chief's worriers are proud and brave. They never grow weary! They never suffer shame. The shaman of the tribe is wise and always divines the truth.

  And through all seasons the ceremonies never fail to be held at the appointed times.

The chief's sons play at the open door of his tent. All the women have a child on their bosom and a small child that holds her skirt. Her eldest is brave and well respected!

  The pipe is passed from elder to elder and the smoke always rises from the bowl and it never goes out.

  The Raven sets on a branch of the mighty tree. He rests on the top branch of the tree that contains his nest. And from the steep rocks the Coyote looks down and watches. He never sleeps!