On Healing, Heyokas and Ceremonial Purification

Chief Phillip Aaron Crazybull dons the Mask that Heals 90’s Heyoka-style

We threw our monthly Wopila last week, a great celebration of Life in the center of the center of another short but wildly successful Way of The Contrary weekend overnight retreat. Bookended by lunch Saturday at noon and a casual Sunday morning breakfast, we studied — from the workshop descriptor — the Contrarian concept of human healing and energetic renewal drawn from traditional cultures of the American Plains. “Bad was turned to good, seemingly negative to positive, with fear, anxiety, depression and other mental ills soothed by mind-training techniques and Ceremonial purification.” Boom. This is indigenous America’s and one of planet earth’s most powerful teachings and techniques for restoring mental well-being. And Kevin and Sara, Carter and Lauren, Janine and myself can all attest to the energetic uplift, renewed life vitality and tangible tranquility that follow one back into daily life.

Over the weekend, we discussed how the practices of earth’s ancient peoples are coming around full circle to assist residents of the modern world in solving a novel set of contemporary problems. We then shared a direct experience of how the power of mindfulness coupled with a rite of purification can send us leaping and bounding toward new vistas of personal power and unconditional happiness. Or at least give us a glimpse. Given that following through on one’s prayer is a principle we encourage, Heyoka or contrarian teachings aren’t part of our modern day American culture and thus not even conceived of by modern day psychology. At least until now, opening the (back) door to a new tier of wholeness and healing. Boom Boom (Lightning Flash). The (crooked) bottom line? The unhealable no longer presenting itself as so. From Wickipedia: the heyoka (heyókȟa, also spelled “haokah”, “heyokha”) is a kind of sacred clown in the culture of the Great Plains of North America… a contrarian, jester, (or) satirist who speaks, moves and responds in opposite fashion to the people around them. Only those having visions of the thunder beings of the West, the Wakinyan, and who are recognized as such by the community, can take on the Ceremonial role of the Heyoka.” Good one (Boom Boom Boom ~ Thunder rumble n’ roll).

 There’s a lot more to be said on the subject. Or not.  I do uphold the strong belief that allowing others to tell the story of their visit from their own perspective is a worthwhile approach to understanding, as we all share similar fears as well as hopes of breaking through. Here’s Carter’s take: “When I first heard about The Way of The Contrary weekend it peaked my interest and I was intrigued. At the same time, taking part in the sweat made me feel hesitant and apprehensive. It can be intimidating, when you think about participating in such an ancient, sacred Ceremony. But boy, was I surprised. Paul did a wonderful job making all the particpants feel comfortable — even a beginner like myself. To me, the sweat was very grounding and it allowed me a new perspective on my daily challenges and problems through a different scope. I will be back, as it was truly a Divine experience.”

If your interest is peaked and you’re intrigued by the prospect of taking part in a spiritual practice and ancient rite calling all the powers of the universe into play — earth and the things of the earth, water, fire, rocks, and also the sky, the nations of stars and celestial dwellers — that then lays them at your feet for a transformative experience, ultimately affording a new, more positive take on life, take a look at our December pre-Holiday Happenings. See you out at our Wednesday Noon Meditation class, our Friday December 13th Workshop at Yoga Life in St. Joe, or the same retreat that Carter experienced with our December 14th-15th Overnight, all with a (third) eye towards making 2020 the Happiest of New Years.   One Heart, One Mind, One Voice, One Chanupa. Aho Matakuye O’yasin! (#@$%&!!!)

A Gathering of Shields

Rain-In-The-Face (Lakota Ite Omagazu) - the shielded Hunkpapa Lakota War Chief

The Story of a Well-Made shield

Now in the dawn before it dies, the eagle swings low and wide in a great arc, curving downward to the Place of Origin. There is no wind, but there is a long roaring in the air. It is like the wind—nor is it like wind—but more powerful.

In its basic form the Plains shield is round and made of durable materials. It is relatively small and light in weight. A diameter of 24-inches is close to the average. The manufacture consists of hide and adornments. The hide is thick and dried to a remarkable hardness; it is most often the hide of a bison. Only in a limited sense can the shield rightly be considered armor, although it is strong enough to dispel missiles, stones and clubs certainly, but also arrows and even balls and bullets shot from firearms, especially if the blow is glancing. But first and above all, the shield is Medicine.

The Plains’ shield reflects the character of the Plains’ culture, also known as the Horse culture or Centaur culture. It evidences a nomadic society and warrior ideal. Those who carried shields were hunters and fighters whose purpose it was to raid, to capture, and to demonstrate extraordinary bravery.

The aesthetic aspect of the Plains shield is pronounced; the shield is a unique work art. Without exception great care is given to the decoration of a proper shield. The artwork on many Plains’ shield is highly evolved in terms of proportion, design, symmetry, color, and imagination. Plains shield art is the equal of the great ledger book drawings of the nineteenth century, which in turn have been compared to Archaic Greek vase painting. It is an art of high order and singular accomplishment.

The shield bears a remarkable relationship to the individual to whom it belongs. Indeed the relationship is so immediate, so intimate as to be impossible to define. In a real sense the Plains warrior is his shield. It is his personal flag, the realization of his vision and his name, the object of his holiest quest, the tangible expression of his deepest being. In bearing his shield he says, “ My shelf stands for me, and I stand for my shield. I am, and I am my shield!”

The shield is involved in story; the shield is its own story. When the shield is made visible it means: Here is the story. Enter into it and be created. The story tells of your real being. The shield is a mask. The mask is an appearance that discloses reality beyond appearance. Like other masks, it bespeaks sacred mystery. The shield is what you see, believes the Plains’ warrior. It reflects your own reality, as it does mine, he says. It reveals to you the essence of your self. It charms you, frightens you, disarms you, renders you helpless. You behold my shield and you are transfixed or transformed, perhaps inspired beyond your own imagining. Nothing will ever be the same again, for you have entered into the presence of my power. Oh my enemy! Behold my shield! — N. Scott Momaday, In The Presence of The Sun

Our Fall Comprehensive Spiritual Development Retreat

The reds, yellows and L’orange of The Higher Haven’s wooded backyard backwoods trails make Fall the season of the Soul.

“Although I was born in April”, said Peggy Horton in Stop The World and Get Off, “I’m quite certain I was not fully awake until October.” We know the feeling, and believe it similarly shared by attendees of this weekend’s Fall Comprehensive Spiritual Development Retreat. Yoga practice, meditation instruction, healthy farm to table meals, an ancient healing purification ritual and extended time exploring nature were all a part of the agenda, with a focus on relaxation, rejuvenation and renewal. Kelly Girl Kelly came through and helped lead us in healing and restorative yoga practices, with extended nurturing in a lovely Sunday morning Yin class. And Wild Heart Guide J. Scott Campbell was on hand to lead us in a Forest Therapy Walk, a Sunday afternoon slowdown where we were we invited to take part in some very simple, very original sensory connectivity activities that had us adopting nature’s pace and relating to ourselves, others, and the outer world in new and inspired ways. 

 Forest Therapy is actually the research-based framework for supporting healing and wellness through immersion in forests and other natural environments inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku, translating to "forest bathing”. Studies have demonstrated a wide array of health benefits, especially in the cardiovascular and immune systems, and for stabilizing and improving mood and mental cognition. And the walk participants can attest to the energy of the child-like, wildly-creative-adventure-vibe inspired during the shared session. “The forest is the therapist,” said Amos Clifford, one of the leading voices for Shinrin-Yoku-inspired Forest Therapy in the United States. “The guide opens the doors.” That said, we’re fortunate to have a backwoods best with Scott’s intuitive guidance, training drawing on the latest medical research, new developments in the field of nature connection, and ancient traditions of mindfulness and wellness promotion, felt deeply by all present.

 If you’re feeling it (or hoping to) and want to come out and experience the warm embrace & crisp connectivity of this Fall’s retreat season, check out our upcoming Pre-Holiday Female Empowerment Weekend with Henry Winia November 15th-17th or one of our monthly Ceremonial overnights, next up Nov. 9th-10th & Dec. 15th-16th. Toksha Matakuye O’yasin