Four Fold Way = simpler life.
Angeles Arrien says that life will be simple if we follow the four-fold way counselled by indigenous peoples:
1. Show up, being present with all four mental, emotional, physical and spiritual intelligences.
2. Pay attention to what has heart and meaning.
3. Tell the truth without blame or judgment.
4. Be open to outcome, not attached to outcome.
Despite being a highly educated member of a sophisticated western, and modern, society, I have a lot of time for study of the ways and wisdom of indigenous peoples. I have discovered that we can learn a great deal from them. One of the reasons for this is that they are more often than not more “connected” with humanity’s original roots than most people.
Most of us ‘modern city slickers’ have been ‘pickled’ in a variety of religious, spiritual, governmental and societal archetypes which are not helpful. Because we have been ‘pickled’ in them since birth it can be very difficult for us to see the error of our ways. I use the word pickled because it is an apt metaphor for what happens to us. Our societal ways, culture, religiosity, spirituality and other aspects can permeate our deep being in such a way that we are significantly warped – very different from the ideal.
Angeles Arrien’s comments are very profound and are actually key to good psychological/mental health.
A key problem we can also have is racism. Many people are racist and don’t even realize it. Racism blocks our understanding and receiving of certain types of wisdom. For example, some people would read what Angeles Arrien had to say and home in, subconsciously or otherwise, on the word indigenous. Words have power and the word indigenous affects many people in a very negative way. Besides the obvious, it can conjure up impressions of defeated, backward peoples for example::: “so how I can learn anything from them?”
Personally, I object to the increasingly common way that religion is mixed up with racism. So many people these days, official bodies and governments included, define objections to religious thought as being racist. This is actually illogical. Let me explain:
Racism is apparently defined by the United Nations as follows:
the term “racial discrimination” shall mean any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin which has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal footing, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural or any other field of public life. Source.
If a racist was lying by the road bleeding to death, unable to help themself and a black paramedic arrived I wonder how racist the injured person would be? I expect most racists would be very pleased to see the black paramedic. Funny that!
What really matters in life is how people think. Not their race or skin color. How can you tell how people think from their race or skin color? You can’t.
Thoughts cause behavior. Thinking and actions are the key criteria by which to assess a situation. Over the years I have known many wonderful Asians, Africans, Chinese, and so on. In fact, many years ago when I was very poor and in bad shape, black African people helped me when white people would not. It is what people do that matters. White parents abuse their children, white thugs mug white old ladies – skin color makes no person better than another. Of course, there are bad people of every race. It is the badness that is the problem, not the race.
Many years ago I was a racist. I was an idiot for thinking that way. And no, I was not saved by a black paramedic but I think you get my point. Racism is illogical and idiotic. When people think in racist ways they are, to use a computer metaphor, running a mind virus that spews out garbage…and then they often do stupid and even evil things.
Religious thought has nothing to do with race – one reason (proof) is because people of a particular ethnic group can have a variety of religions – being of the same race does not mean they will all have the same religion. Religion has down the centuries been a key driver for all sorts of unspeakably vile acts against others of a differing ‘point of view‘. Basic decency means that it is right to oppose certain religious dogma. Unfortunately these days, the politically correct and goody two shoes brigades tend to label such opposition to religious dogma as racism. This is illogical and one of the perhaps obscure effects is that such people undermine their credibility in the minds of the populace because a lot of people instinctively realize this innate illogicality.
Personally, in my life’s journey (I was once a Christian minister) I have discovered that Shamanism is humanity’s original spirituality. It goes back, way back 40,000 years or more – as borne out by ancient rock art. Ironically, even modern science is now starting to reveal connections between Shamanism and truth. For example; around 6 months ago I came across some information that scientists has discovered that DNA, which is a basic building block of life with an inherent healing tendency, can be stimulated to heal by imagery, and that the effects are enhanced if the imagery is associated with powerful emotion. I can’t recall the reference (and if anyone can provide it please do so) and the report did not mention Shamanism, however imagery, and imagery associated with emotion are key aspects of shamanism, and of shamanic healing in particular. Imagery is a basic human trait. In other words, Shamanism is built in to every human being. I will be writing much more about this subject, and Shamanism in general. Shamanism is ‘indigenous’ yes, but it is also human, and normal.
Related posts:
Alex Webley
Shaman Hawk
Kenn Day
Martin Day
Ronny
Thank you.