Issues:
Bear was fishing in the Great River one sunny afternoon as the salmon were running from the ocean to their high mountain spawning grounds. Once he had satisfied his massive appetite, Bear ambled towards the shore with drowsy thoughts of how good a nap would feel after such a plentiful feast. As he reached the bank, however, he noticed his reflection in an ebbing pool, and somehow it disturbed him.
Bear had often seen himself in the waters of ponds and rivers and his reflection had always inspired thoughts of vanity, grandeur, and big Bear of the northern woods! Today he felt a sense of wonder instead. Why was it he saw his reflection at all? Was this a part of his self? Is it possible his reflection was an apparition to be put in check, or a mimic of his self that should be studied and understood more thoroughly?
As Bear stared at his reflection he tried to consoled himself by rationalizing about his control of the image. When and where he moved, so did the other Bear. If he reached out and touched the water's surface, so did the other Bear. As he climbed up on shore, he could not help but wonder if the other Bear would follow. This disturbed him even more. Of course it followed. Or why would he be able to see it again as soon as he peered into any body of water?
And lo, there was his shadow on the bank of the river! Was this yet another Bear that always followed? Were the two related or one in the same; changing, depending on the elements of Bear's environment? Bear frowned and uttered a low growl at his shadow.
Other questions and thoughts came to Bear's mind. Perhaps he was only in physical control of the other Bears. What about mental control? What about spiritual control? They always knew where he was. They even appeared to share his meals. Was he feeding them? Were they feeding him? Was it really his stomach growling when he felt hungry?
Bear thought deeply about these things as he walked through the dimly lit forest. He tried to distract himself by sniffing at some fresh spring blossoms, but he only became more frustrated for doing so. He no longer even cared about taking an afternoon nap. Bear felt he would probably have nightmares if the issues he had thought of were not better understood.
The more Bear pondered, the more frustrated he became. Are other creatures unaware of these issues? Do they even care? Perhaps they know the answers! Though a pounding headache and a sense of insecurity was taking grip on Bear, he had an inspiration. He would go talk to the forest's wisest creature, his old friend Owl.
Bear did not care to offend his dear friend by asking for advice without paying for services rendered, so he began to concentrate on gifts for Owl. Gifting Owl appropriately would be quite a feat and one which would take much thought. To make it a special gift, Bear considered complementing one of Owl's virtues, supplying a need, lifting Owl spiritually, or all three!
Thoughts of gifting his friend Owl began to make Bear feel better, though the nagging issues he had encountered at the river still pained his mind. If Owl does know about reflections and shadows, Bear thought to himself, his advice would surely help cure him of the confusion and negative feelings that were still building.
The old bird is very self sufficient, thought Bear; yet there is always some way for one creature to help another. Bear knew that the essence of gifting Owl was to show respect and thoughtful consideration. Though the type of gifts were in themselves unimportant, Bear would feel uncomfortable if he gave Owl something Owl could not appreciate.
Bear sat down into his best thinking posture and contemplated on things that grow and exist in the forest and valley that might be used to gift with. Bear thought of honey, fresh flowers and other things he would find pleasing to be gifted with. He then realized he was being self centered and not thinking of Owl at all. Bear began to concentrate on gifts Owl would find pleasure in receiving.
Something finally clicked in Bear's brain and it occurred to him to complement Owl's virtue of cleanliness by including a soapy yucca root in his gifts. Owl would be able to clean his burrow like never before. One thought leading to another, Bear decided to give Owl some fragrances that would make his newly cleaned burrow smell much sweater. The heart of dried cedar limbs, sassafras roots and sage! How perfect! These gifts may even lift the old bird spiritually!
Supplying one of Owls needs would be easy. Bear would eventually return to Great River and catch a large salmon for Owl's supper. This would be the most appropriate gift Bear could give to Owl since Bear's questions would distract Owl from his time of hunting.
The Gifts:Bear looked around and noticed the pines and shrubs and rocks were already leaving long shadows. He knew Owl would awaken just at nightfall, hungry and ready to hunt. With little time to spare, he moved through the forest as a Bear on a mission. While moving along, Bear organized his thoughts about places where he might find the gifts for Owl, how he would package them, and how he would get them to Owl.
Woodpecker often disturbed Bear's naps by drilling for grubs in dead tree trunks. Bear remembered having roared in complaint at Woodpecker just yesterday, as he drilled on an old dead cedar tree. Bear went to where the tree was lying and scratched at several large limbs to make red cedar shavings. Before he left the old tree, he scratched at its trunk to expose several grub nests. Bear then carried the shavings to where some yucca grew and laid them in a neat pile.
There were several types of sages growing in the area, but blue sage was the most fragrant and therefore a favorite hiding place for Cricket. Bear rummaged through the valley's tall grasses, cactuses, and sages listening for Cricket. Cricket's singing would guide him toward the blue sage plants. Bear took only one young branch from each plant so as not to expose or hurt Cricket. The sage was also taken back to the yucca plant and was laid in a neat pile next to the cedar shavings.
Deer, Bear noted to himself, likes chewing sassafras roots after eating nuts, berries and grazing on the tall valley grasses all day. With his sharp hoofs, Deer digs through the hard rocky soils of the hardwood forest until he can get to the roots. Bear went to where he last saw Deer digging into the ground and found some freshly exposed sassafras roots. Using his giant claws, Bear skinned the bitter bark from several large roots, broke them free from each other, and then shredded one root for sassafras root shavings. Bear carried the sassafras shavings to the same yucca plant and laid them in a neat pile next to the sage branches and cedar shavings.
Bear then headed for Great River. He was somewhat proud of his progress and the fact that his plans for gifting Owl were coming together. This progress, however, did not slow his pace. In fact Bear noticed himself running when the paths were broad and clear.
By the time Bear reached the Great River again, the sun was hanging very low in the western turquoise sky. Bear realized his tasks at hand must be finished in short order or he would miss Owl and make all for naught. He lunged into the icy waters but did not take time to ponder his reflection. Instead, he made it his business to seek out a nice plump salmon for Owl's supper.
Bear did not consider the rather large females to be fair game as they were responsible for the spawning of what could be his meal one day. Instead, he clawed into one of many plump males that schooled around him, and flung him toward the shore. After making sure the salmon would be adequate, Bear carried it to the yucca plant and laid it down next to the other components of his present for Owl.
Carefully pawing under the sharp, tough yucca leaves, Bear dug until he could pull a soapy root from the ground. He tore all but a few limp dry leaves from the yucca plant. With the remaining leaves Bear tied the cedar shavings, sage, sassafras roots and salmon together into a large multi-layered present. Though the package Bear had made looked pretty odd, he was satisfied that it would serve its purpose.
The Gathering:Road Runner, who had curiously been watching Bear come and go from the yucca plant, approached him with a simple greeting so as not to startle Bear. Road Runner then asked Bear what in Great Spirit's good world he was doing by making such a strange looking package. Bear, without going into much detail, explained the package contained gifts for Owl, with whom he wished to consult.
Road Runner sighed with relief. He told Bear that many of the forest and valley creatures had been noticing Bear's behavior this afternoon and were fearful that he had gone quite mad! He told Bear about how Woodpecker had found grubbing so easy this evening because of what Bear had done to the dead cedar, about Deer finding several large sassafras roots to chew on, and about a new song that Cricket intended to use near Bear's cave tonight.
Road Runner also told Bear about many other creatures and their having heard of or noticed Bear's weird rituals of the afternoon; all of whom were worried about Bear's condition. Bear smiled upon realizing he had been noticed by so many and had generated so much gossip. Bear told Road Runner to let the others know not to worry about him. He told Road Runner that he had not lost his mind; but, instead, was using it in attempt to better understand his self. He explained that understanding is very important, for it justifies and clarifies one's presence in Great Spirit's scheme of things. Bear also told Road Runner to relate these things to those who had shown concern for him and that Road Runner, as well as the others, were welcome to join him this evening at Owl's burrow for discussions on reflections, and shadows, and such.
Road Runner accepted the invitation and, saying good-bye, departed to find those he had spoken to Bear about. Bear noted that the sun had flown to the other side of the of the great snow capped peaks and that nightfall would soon overtake the forest. He picked up Owl's present and lumbered off towards Owl's burrow.
As he walked along, Bear was joined by many other creatures of the forest and valley. Those who joined him were either sharing in Bear's concerns, nurturing his desire to know self, or simply curious about this gathering. Though some of the parading creatures were usually natural enemies, or generally did not care for each other's presence, a sense of spiritual cooperation had overcome them so they walked and flew together in peace.
Bear related his concerns to the others as they walked and flew along the same pathway. He also listened as they pondered their own observations. Hawk and Eagle told of having seen their shadows and reflections as they soared at high altitudes. Frog noticed he had a reflection on the water's surface that was in the same place as his shadow at the bottom of the pond.
It consoled Bear to know that others were concerned and how they could be as confused as he was about the issues. But these very same things also worried him. Would he be asking too much of Owl? Though Owl may have shared in these concerns, perhaps he knew as little about them as the others. Bear took a deep breath, checked his faith in Owl's wisdom, and then stepped up his pace.
Owl's Burrow:When Bear and his following reached Owl's burrow they were somewhat surprised to find many creatures from all over were already there in anticipation of Bear's meeting with Owl. They were all being very quiet since Owl was still fast asleep. Many whispered discussions based on observations and experiences were taking place about the issues. During their discussions it was generally accepted that Bear, and especially Owl, must not be interrupted; and that the others would have a chance to make input or challenges at some point.
Centipede crawled up the dead pine stump that Owl had long ago made his burrow in. She perched herself next to the burrow's mouth so as to be able to hear Owl flutter upon awakening. Though Owl was not known for snoring or other sounds during sleep, Centipede could tell that Owl was fast asleep due to his shallow breathing. Centipede did not much care for Owl and feared him. He had eaten many of her kind in years past, and had come very close to making a meal of her several times. Tonight, however, these things were not issues to be dealt with or contemplated. Centipede, as did all the other forest and valley creatures, felt the calming presence of Great Spirit. Through all this Bear realized he had raised issues that Great Spirit deemed necessary to help them with.
It was Red Scorpion, or perhaps Porcupine, who first suggested that while waiting for Owl to awaken, the crowd should all take time to meditate and pray for him. Regardless of who first suggested it, all the creatures present felt the urge to meditate about the issues and to pray for Owl. All whispering came to a halt and a silence overcame the crowd. Great Spirit was working in each one of them and their souls were provided with the firmaments of understanding and peace.
As night time overtook the land, creatures prayed for Owl to have guidance and wisdom, and they prayed for Owl to have much strength. Cricket broke the silence with a quiet chanting song, soon to be joined by Tree Frog, then Honey Bee, and then by many others. Bear found himself humming, sort of, more like a moan.
Since she could no longer hear Owl's breathing, Centipede crawled into his burrow to see if he was still sleeping. Owl moved now and then, only slightly, but enough for Centipede to know he was having visions. Owl was communing with Great Spirit. Owl was learning from Great Spirit.
The Meeting:When Owl stopped moving Centipede crawled from his burrow and quietly called to Road Runner. She told Road Runner about Owl having visions, and she told him Owl was now waking up. Road Runner told others who also spread the news that Owl was waking up. The crowd became silent again so as not to frighten Owl or to make his waking a hard one.
Owl fluttered some as he came awake and thought for a moment of the visions he had while asleep. He then walked to the front of his burrow and perched himself at its mouth. Though Owl saw there was a crowd of creatures around his burrow, it did not startle him as it normally would have, yet it was still quite a site and he blinked several times.
Bear had noticed, while meditating, that the moon was flying to the top of some distant mountain peaks. It now glowed with gold and orange hues and its rays of light pierced through the tall pine timbers. This provided enough light for most of the creatures at the gathering to begin seeing each other again. Bear, picking up the present he had made for Owl, stood up on his back feet and legs to subtly gain Owl's attention.
Bear carried the present over to the pine stump and placed it on the ground bellow Owl's burrow. Backing up a few steps, Bear greeted his friend Owl by telling him about the gifts he had placed at the foot of the tree stump. He told Owl that the yucca root he had dug up was to make his burrow cleaning easier. Bear told him that the sage, red cedar shavings and sassafras were prepared for Owl to use in making his burrow smell nicer. Bear also told Owl that he had caught a salmon for Owl's dinner, since Bear wished to ask for advice during Owl's usual hunting period. Then Bear explained to Owl that the other creatures had joined him to hear Owl's advice and how they had meditated, chanted, and prayed.
Owl slowly looked into the eyes of Bear and several of the other creatures, one and then the next, and the next. He mentioned that it was not every day so many creatures find like interests as they all had today. Owl noted to the crowd this meeting was indeed testimony of all creatures sharing a common body in Great Spirit, and that he knew Great Spirit was pleased with them for finding it to be true. Owl told the crowd about having been prepared for them with visions during his sleep; visions, he admitted, that he did not quite understand. Looking down at the present Bear had made for him, Owl told Bear that he was indeed a good friend for being so thoughtful, and that the gifts were gladly accepted.
Bear went back to his former location and sat back down. He no longer felt alone with the issues of interest, as he had at Great River, so he decided to take a hypothetical approach in addressing Owl. Bear told Owl he and the other creatures wished to better understand the presence of reflections upon waters, shadows upon land, and such. He told Owl they were perplexed about these apparitions and how they always seem to be present. Bear told Owl he was worried about the reflections and shadows being a part of self that should be studied for growth, self awareness, and for the betterment of relating to Great Spirit.
Owl told Bear and the other creatures, as he had earlier, he was not in full understanding of the visions he had in his sleep. He suggested more meditation, prayer and clear thinking in his waking hours would help him finish preparing to address the crowd's concerns. Cricket, fast to take the cue, started chanting as if he had not lost the beat for a moment. Others joined in again; this time with more fervor and volume as they were not concerned for Owl's sleep. Hearing the call of Great Spirit, still more creatures came to join the meeting. Some of them from miles away.
Owl noticed the presence of Great Spirit's power was more intense in this camp than he had ever experienced. He knew that the issues at hand were important; but the sincere willingness of the creatures to work so close together allowed Great Spirit to work within them more easily. Owl closed his eyes and concentrated on reflections, and shadows, and such.
The Message:Owl's eyes opened wide, possibly as wide as they ever had. He tried to speak but no words came from his mouth. He tried to leave his perch and tell others of the awesome way that his body felt; but Owl could neither move nor could he utter words. Owl realized Great Spirit had taken hold of him so he rested, he did not struggle, and then he felt his own power. He finally knew when it was time to speak, and he did.
Organizing his thoughts, Owl again looked around the crowd who had come to his burrow in answer to Great Spirit's calling. The crowd became very quiet and still again. Owl cleared his throat and began by saying that the issues at hand revolve around light. And therefore, his lectures would eventually lead up to discussions about light. But first he would discuss shadows and then reflections.
Owl explained to the crowd about shadows being simply made by the physical body; which does not allow light to pass through it. Also how shadows are therefore only present when the body is bathed in the glow of a source of light. He explained that the sun flies over each day and is a physical source of light. One who is bathed by the sunlight casts a shadow upon surfaces on the other side of one's body from the sun. If the clouds fly over the land during the daytime, then they are bathed in the sunlight and cast shadows below them onto the land and waters that darken for lack of light.
Owl went on to explain how when we are bathed in the flow of light from the sun, we reflect this flow of light, and physical bodies are therefore seen by one and another. The moon flies over at night and is much like ourselves, a physical body that reflects light and is therefore seen. Unlike ourselves, however, the moon is very large and powerful in many ways. For these reasons the moon reflects much more light than ourselves and allows us to cast shadows from the sun we can not see. Like the moon, the waters reflect sunlight in such a way as to cause us to make shadows upon the banks of rivers and ponds.
Owl lectured that shadows are only a part of our physical bodies; since our dense solid matter interrupts the flow of sunlight as it travels from the heavens to the earth. The clouds, as the birds amongst us can attest, are not so dense and solid. This is why they do not interrupt all the sunlight and why there is still light passing to the earth on cloudy days. Sometimes, enough sunlight passes to allow us to cast soft shadows upon the earth. Water, like clouds, is also not dense and solid. This is why frog sees his shadow on the bottom of shallow rivers and ponds.
Practical application discussions included words about how our bodies are able to absorb some of the light that we are bathed in. The absorbed light is what we feel when the sun warms our body. This process of absorption is also what allows creatures and plants to grow, and age, and live. Shadows allow us to remember that we are interrupting and absorbing the flow of the sunlight and that this is a part of continual growth.
Owl explained to the crowd again about light reflecting off bodies and how it is why we see those bodies. Changing his discussions to emphasize reflection, Owl chose to talk about water. He discussed the basic properties of water and how it has a sort of skin that flows along its surface. The skin of still water is so smooth that it mirrors some of the light hitting it. The light that it does not mirror passes through the skin and living things within the body of water are allowed to grow.
Owl explained that one can see one's reflection on still water since light is reflecting between the skin of the water and one's own skin. The image of one's body that is cast upon the water is merely proof that bodies do not absorb all light, but reflect some also. He also explained that the image was not alive; but just a reflection of life. Expounding, Owl told the crowd to consider and study their reflections when they see them. They should remember to serve Great Spirit by living this world he has built, not by reflecting or mimicking life by merely reflecting the things we see others doing.
Seeing Light:It became obvious to Owl during his lectures that part of the crowd was beginning to understand the big picture. Owl began his explanation of light with shadows, so he discussed shadows again. He helped the crowd understand there are many types of light and only visible light allows one to cast shadows we can see. He talked about light bodies can not absorb, light which is harmful for bodies to absorb, and light which is good for bodies to absorb.
After the crowd got use to Owl talking about the many sources of light and how many types of light exist, Owl decided to try to help the crowd envision the big picture. He explained to them how, most often, they were able to cast many types of shadows upon the earth and many types of reflections upon still water. Though they were not in total control of all these things, they were definitely responsible for their own shadows and reflections.
Owl told the crowd that in his visions he was visited by Great Spirit. Owl explained how, though Great Spirit stood right before him, Owl could not ever truly see him. Great Spirit is a source of Light like none other. This Light shines on and in our souls if we allow it to, or it does not shine at all.
The Light reflects our faith in Great Spirit. A dark shadow may be cast by our souls when we bath in the Light as we have interrupted its flow from the heavens to the earth. This is either because we reflect the Light from the skin of our souls and do not serve Great Spirit. Or, because we absorb the Light allowing our souls, and the relationships our souls have with others, to grow in His love and in servitude to His will.
Owl then related a message that Great Spirit had placed in his soul. Great Spirit defined a relationship as a bonding of the power of love in us all. Though Centipede does not like me, she looked over me during my time of vision with Great Spirit. To serve Great Spirit, Centipede must find it in herself to love and respect all creatures. She, and the rest of us must be willing to love even those who would eat us for supper; and harder still, those who refuse to serve Great Spirit.
Owl finished his lectures by reminding the crowd where in the absence of love there is only hatred, and how hatred does not serve Great Spirit, it serves one's own demise. We must all find it within our hearts and minds to explore the differences between liking, loving, disliking and hatred. Confusion on these parts of relationships can only lead to pain. True understanding of these things, and the use of that understanding is demanded by any relationship. Such understanding leads us to properly serve our own interests, our selves, and especially Great Spirit.
Separate Paths:A hush was over the crowd as they disbanded from the area where Owl has a burrow in a dead pine tree stump. Though some had come thinking in terms of a great forum where they might share thoughts, there would be no debate tonight. All the animals that had attended the gathering left peacefully with a renewed faith in Great Spirit.
Bear stayed behind and watched as the others departed. Bear asked Owl what it felt like when he was in the presence of Great Spirit. Owl, after many moments of contemplation, looked at Bear and told him that the feeling was one he could not explain; but how it was one he had never experienced before.
Owl explained he felt the presence of all who had honored Great Spirit as they had walked the earthly Red Path, and that now walked the Blue Path. It wasn't like they were all right there in a meeting just for us, but like their power was all represented by Great Spirit. Owl also explained a feeling that he did not have as he met with Great Spirit. Owl was wounded by Scorpion on a night not long ago when Owl had tried to make him supper. This was not a poison wound, just a very painful flesh wound. While in front of Great Spirit, Owl could not feel the wound or any other pain in his elderly body.
Bear was pleased with Owl's explanations and told him he would have been disappointed if Owl had been able to describe what he felt like at the meeting. Then Bear thanked Owl for helping him learn about reflections, and shadows, and his self. Bear also mentioned the others, and how he hoped the lessons would help them too.
Owl, not being modest but merely accurate, reminded Bear of how Great Spirit had helped Owl find the strength, wisdom and words to be able to lecture to others on such deep subjects. Owl told Bear that the truly wise do not always know all, they are just a little better at receiving and transmitting; and honest enough to do both.
Bear dismissed himself with an exchange of simple good-byes and wished Owl a good supper. As Bear lumbered off he tried to think about the days events so as not to forget what Owl and Great Spirit had taught him. He went through each part of the lessons several times over and felt confident he had done well to absorb so much of Great Spirit's Light.
Just before Bear was nodding off to sleep, however, he remembered something that Owl had mentioned but had not expounded on. Owl had mentioned how the moon was very powerful. Though Bear had often looked up at the moon, he had never thought of it as being powerful. Bear wondered what kind of power? Positive power or negative power? Power to be shared or power that takes away?
Bear decided he would get no sleep tonight if he were to keep thinking about the moon's power. Perhaps he would go ask his old friend Owl to tell him about the power of the moon some day. To keep from staying awake, Bear distracted himself with other thoughts. While he imagined himself fishing for trout in the high mountain brooks, Bear fell into a deep sleep and had dreams.
Alan
4-21-96
Revised: 9-26-98
Second Revision 10-15-2000
