4 Days of Listening
Here is what I learnt from four days of listening to indigenous elders and lore holders from around Australia.
The Ancient Ones
Ever wondered why the first nations people did not have written word? How could you ever express a universal wisdom older than time itself, into words? They feel deeply, a deep sensory ability that stretches beyond word and is only understood through experience and, well you can’t experience the full reality through words. Their song, dance and ceremony offer a rich wisdom that stretches beyond mental perception. The more I listen to stories of the dreamtime, the more I realise just how real they are, the more I can perceive those ancient beings singing the world into existence and creating the landscape. It seems that the world’s oldest living culture has a profound truth to share with the world, for they are the ancient ones.
Web of Connection
I recognise that the more I cultivate a deeper relationship with nature, the more I feel my connection to the web of life. I also recognise that the wisdom of indigenous culture and elders is what reconnects me in a way that I could not find on my own, and so, the two of these must co-exist to truly experience my connection to the web of life, which I understand to be land, spirit, people and all things living.
Within the words spoken by the elders I really came to understand more profoundly that the only sickness that exists is in disconnection and separation. There was a recognition that what I do to another, I do to myself, and when I harm the Earth, I harm myself. A deep truth, of the natural lore that can never be defied. This calls forth a greater sense of my responsibility to all things living.
The more I listen to indigenous story and culture, the more I really come to appreciate the intricate relationship they have with nature and with each other. This relationship ensures healthy ecosystems for generations to come. Imagine what our world would look like if we returned to living harmoniously with nature and with all beings. It seems that our consumerist society is attempting to dismiss the natural lore. So it is up to us to restore our own relationship to nature, to indigenous people and to all things living. What we do to another we do to ourselves, so perhaps too, we need to rediscover our relationship to ourselves.
One of the comments that struck my western mind the most was this:
“In western society, if someone isolates themselves, you would say… what is wrong with them. In our culture, when someone is isolated we say, what is wrong with us.”
– Chris Tomlins
We are all family
I recognise the Australian indigenous peoples to be my family now. I see this as they see me and reflect what I know to be true in the world. I see them to be my family as they too are a part of nature, the fabric of life. They connect to this land with a depth that I yearn for. They connect to spirit with a clarity that I seek. These elders, are my elders, for the wisdom they behold is the same wisdom I wish to realise within myself. I recognise the first nations people to be my brothers and sisters and with this comes my responsibility to nurture and respect the land and their people as they do, to respect their lore.
So how can we help our indigenous brothers and sisters?
First we need to listen to them. They all carry stories of trauma and of healing. They are the future, for they are the ones that have cared for this country for thousands, if not millions of years. Our bloodlines were responsible, whether knowingly or unknowingly for the unimaginable trauma and displacement caused, and this then holds us responsible for supporting this land and its people back to harmony. And this starts with listening.
Now is the time for action, these people have waited long enough. They have held on to their stories and knowledge and now we need this to reach the next generations. This starts with the indigenous, but it requires all of us.
One of the most influential ways we can support a cultural change in Australia is to stand beside the first nations people on Australia day — the day of invasion. There will be a big movement happening with the tent embassy. Find out more through their page:
https://www.facebook.com/Aboriginal-Tent-Embassy-210730945611610/
and follow the information they share, as they speak the truth and stand for sovereignty.
“Our greatest tool and weapon is the truth.” — Indigenous elder
