Working With The Land
Originally published June 6, 2018
I am surrounded by the natural beauty of Montana. I look to one side of the house and see the gentle slopes of the hills of the mountain on which I live. From the other side I see the beautiful Blue Mountain Range, which is the first thing I see every morning when I wake. The land here is my kin, and we are building a deeper relationship every day.
So what's that got to do with animal communication and shamanism, you ask. Plenty! I've been spending a lot of time lately building up the shamanic side of my business - thinking about what I want to bring into the world and what is MY responsibility to bring into the world. I am realizing that not everything is my job to do, which is a huge relief. However, knowing that, it's critical that I recognize what my job is, do it, and not get distracted by everything else. Right now that means sifting through which new programs are ready to be shared with the world, which programs still want to be in hibermation and which programs are saying we're not a good match, thank you very much.
As I'm going through the sifting process, it's easy for me to get caught up in the "yah buts, what ifs and shoulds" of life - those vampiric, soul sucking enticements of Ego. What brings me back to myself when that happens?
The land. The land I live on. All I have to do is look at it, breathe in its unique aromas, become aware of its natural beauty, tune in to it's individual and reassuring ecorhythms. Recognize the mutual beneficial relationship we are slowly developing over time and as we get to know each other better.
A Reciprocal Relationship
Does that sound like some kind of magical, mystical shamanic thing to you? Nope, it's not. It's animism. Animism is awareness of what is beyound ourselves, the belief that everything has a soul, is connected and because of that connection we can communicate with each other.
Naturally, when I say the land brings me back to myself, I do not mean that is the end of the story. It can't be the end, can it, because we have a reciprocal relationship. So for my part in the relationship, I ask the land what it needs, what I can do for it. I listen to the response and then carry into action what has been requested of me.
One specific request I have had is to save my tea leaves and sprinkle them on the land as I walk on it. I've done that numerous times and as a matter of fact I have a jar of used tea leaves in my kitchen right now, waiting to be sprinkled.
Are you ready to build relationship with the land you're on? Try this for yourself. Next time you're out and about, focus on only one of your senses and see what experiences you have. If it's sound, what sounds are you hearing? If smell, what aromas are coming to you? It's amazing how that focused connection can help you develop right relationship with the land and the world around you.
