"Standing
Up Alive" Men's Gathering-
.......The Power Of Spirit.......
PAGE
3
On
the eve before
the last day, some men were blessed to witness
our
gatherings
journey reflected in the dance of two snakes. It was back in the
camp
area which was a a trail of tents
and tipis along a a track
and
tucked
away in the bush of to each side.
One
fella had noticed
one then another snake as he
came back into camp, a
Yellow
bellied black snake and a Bandy bandy snake which is black and white in
bands.
One grabbed the other and a
monumentous journey begun,
and before
long
both of them each, had the others neck in their mouth. A group of
fellas
watched these two snakes
tussle and hold each other right through
the
night. There was a time when it looked like the black snake would
succuumb the Bandy Bandy snake. But
it stayed strong
and present and committed to
life.
The number of fellas dropping of as the night wore on
until one fella
remained
as the dawn approached. All of a sudden as if a place of peace was
found,
they released each other, and there was no more venom in their being
so
to speak. They calmly, in almost an acknowledging way went on their way
and
slithered slowly of, as if nothing had happened.
This
story was brought to the circle in the morning reflecting so much the
journey
we had been on. It was blessing that everyone felt.
The
last day was here and the closing ceremony involved coming out into the
wider
community again and being greeted by the women and children and
friends.
110 men coming out of the bush after a week of mens business was
impacting
for
both men and women.
The
build up , the build up, the
process,
the sound, the chanting, the feelings, the sight , the ceremony it
brought
many to tears. We
met by a river not far from camp and we ate and
talked
and laughed in a shady grove that was idealic. What a time. Swimming,
sharing
and celebrating.
That
evening the Yolngu folk were to put on a performance in Byron Bay ( the
easternmost
point of Oz and
the capital of alternative and beach culture)
as
a part of celebrating and completion; so we all
moved on and out into
the
world. Seeing cars again, driving,
people everywhere and lots of
beautiful
women, it was a culture shock
Hey when I say beautiful women I'm
not
just talking exteriors. Yes a week with just fellas and yes it helps us
appreciate
the fairer sex. And Byron Bay well it was
almost overwhelming.
It
was in so many special ways . Byron Bay is so spirit, there's so much
happening
there, so many people enjoying being there, it is uplifting. It
was
the perfect place to come to. We set up camp in a camping ground,
showered,
ohh the luxury, and then out to town for a feed. We
took our feed
and
sat down by the ocean.
The beach is integrated into the town in away
that
somehow still holds onto a spirit of non exploitation. Byron bay fought
Mc
Donalds and kept them out and despite money
and values going through the
roof, the surfers and the alternates are still integral and continue to
remain.
They are
what made Byron what it is.
At
some point through the gathering
someone spoke of rains blessing ; and
that
before and after a gathering of importance, rain
is a powerful
reflection
of spirits blessing. We've had drought up this way for 8 months,
full
on, sunny day after sunny day. Very few cloudy days and little rain.
The
rain that preceded the gathering was a shift. The cloudy soft weather of
the
last
couple of days also was similar. When we rocked into the outdoor
ampitheatre
where the performance was to be, hundreds of people filled the
place,
sitting on the grass in front of the stage which was a truckload of
sand
brought in for the dancers. The rain started to come down. Many people
dashed
for cover. Many folk
stayed and lapt it up. After being in nature
so
strongly for
the week and feeling the gift of this rain, us fellas
weren't
running for cover. The rain was not too heavy and before long it
eased,
then stopped. During the
the performance
it sprinkled again for a
short
while but it remained clear. It brought its blessing.
The
Yolngu mob as with all of us, were in high spirits and it showed in
their
song and dance. It was powerful and present and shared their love of
culture.
Their
dance is in every cell of their body, its not practiced,
its
lived and
the applause was full after every dance. There was
acknowledgment
of the local Bundjalung elders , custodians of the local area,
and
thanks
from SUA organisers to the Yolngu mob and from the Yolngu mob
to
SUA and to the people of Byron Bay.Timmy, a Yolngu fella spoke
to the
audience
of how much he loved
Byron Bay and all the people he
and his
people
have
connected with in visiting. Once again the teary eyes were felt
as
heart felt acknowledgments were offered back and forth. This was history,
this
was cultures coming together, this was healing and heart. White and
Black
finding a way to journey in richness, Yolngu as strong culture finding
ways
to support other tribes who had lost their culture. Timmy finished
his
short but so powerful sharing by saying," ....we came here to help build
a
bridge of our common unity" Yoh!
Afterwords
folk milled around and met
and celebrated the eve. I came up to
Samuel
at one point to thank him and
as
we met face to face his eyes and
faces
light up and we embrace. I didn't expect it , I was one of hundreds
of
folk there, touched by their
sharing, song and dance but he remembered
our
journey over the week and he laid open his love
and excitement as to
the
evening. He was touched and so happy to be there. No words needed. At 84
his
spirit is so young. He and Djalu and Alfred and the rest of the mob
afterwords
went onto
to another gig where they danced into the night. They
ended
up performing again. The night ended for them after 3.30 am. and in a
few
hours time they were to get on one of three planes back to Arnhem Land.
An
unforgettable time. I camped with a few fellas in Byron that night and
the
following day we very slowly moved homewards. It took till 1 pm to be
able
to drive out of Byron. We had a special morning.
The
power of Spirit was the name of the gathering. Interestingly I started
to
type
this name for another reason. The power of Spirit works in magical
and
powerful ways.
I'd like to share a syncronistic or power story that
ties
in with this journey and
didgeridoo.
Over ten years
I've made
and
played
didgeridoo, I've never felt it was my place to paint a
crocodile on
a didg. The croc
doesn't come from my land, I'd said to myself. The thought
came
in along the way but it never felt right. I've had didgs come through
that
others had painted or carved but not me, no.
A
few weeks before
the gathering a didg came
through that I made , that
had
a
shaping on it that looked like a crocodile. Funny though, I didn't
feel
any concern anymore ,it just came in and I felt clear and fine. I felt
its
time and I did a painting of a crocodile that felt
special and
powerful.
Just
before I left for the gathering I sold it over the web and another
person
in liking it and wanting to buy it too, I said I'd do another, which
is
now nearly complete. Funny enough the person who wanted it,
in the first
place
chose another didg and I now have two didgs here right now, one that
reflects
the beginning of a journey that I was unaware of , as
to its
connectedness,
and one that is nearly complete.
I see this writing that I
now
pour out now
three days after the gathering, as being part of a the
completion
of a journey and the planting of a seed.
As
this writing comes together the
crocodile yidaki will be completed and
the
seed planted.
What
is the seed? It is the intent that Timmy shared, to build a bridge of
common
unity.
How
can we do this? Theres
endless ways and
each of us has a calling if we
listen
to our heart. For me I
come home with a clear vision to
work with
our
local mens groups and local Goories
(aboriginals) towards grounding
shared
rituals. We all have our own way. It can be as simple as sharing our
love
and light
in our dailly work , life and family, or giving service
and
connecting
with others in need whether indigenous or not. Its not the
content
as much as the intent and
space it comes from. The seed is,
the
sharing
and the promptings from the Yolngu men. What we do with it is up to
us.
Its moved me greatly.
When
I
got home
some books I'd ordered had arrived for the shop. Voices of the
First
day- Awakening in the Aboriginal Dreamtime. by Robert Lawlor. I was
sharing
with a brother
who I'd shared
the week with, about this book and
how
it was such a powerful book for helping further instill the juice of
aboriginal
culture in a way us westerners can drink in. In opening the book
a
line jumped out of the page. It was ...When the last of the Tasmanian
tribal
Aborigines were told they were to be exiled to an island
reservation,
they replied in resignation. " We will surely die on that
island,
but sometime in the future we will pop up again as white men"
We
often look to others for answers,
whether indigenous or an elder or a
wise
or seemingly successful individual. This is important, it is essential
we
remain open and drink in wisdom where we find it. The Yolnga people is
one
of the most profound sources I have come across. I
am deeply thankful.
But
I must also, take the challenge to heart and remember I too am
indigenous
of this earth and in my very being and soul also lies strength
and
wisdom. In doing so I respect
the Yolngu people, by honouring their
example.
Its time to honour these people, like the
native peoples in
the
Amazon
and all around
the world where tiny pockets just hang on to the
richness
of culture, by doing all we can to respect culture and rebuild
culture.
A
friend that
helps facilitate mens circles walked in a few minutes back
and
we talked for awhile. We ended our conversation on a powerful note. he
said......
"yeh, ...theres a bush fire burning out there" referring to men
and
people hurting inside and calling out for help but not knowing how to
get
it.
I
felt
this calling,
in the week together and I feel it in walking and
talking
with brothers and sisters now. Its time to walk our talk even more,
and
come from a place of power and
heart.
I
pass on through this writing, the blessing
received from Djalu
for us to
share
our
heart song through yidaki- didgeridoo. It is
a blessing and
carries
spirit forth into the world. Lets remember to put aside our ego and
be
heart centred
in our playing. Through this we send love and thanks to
its
birthplace
and to whoever and wherever spirit needs to be.
And
as Yothu Yindi the aboriginal rock band
show us, there are many ways
to
sing love songs to the land.
We too will find our
way and it is
equally
important and powerful as
anothers.
All
power, courage and heart to each and
everyone of us. Much thanks to the
Yolnga
mob and the richness
of their generosity.
Much
thanks also to John Allan, SUA main facilitator, a humble generous
man
whose
courage and presence, was just what was needed to navigate a very
difficult
and powerful journey. Thanks also to all the others who backed him
up.
Thanks Rob Fleetwood for handling the power of the practical $'s realm
and
dealing with all
that it brings up.
Thanks Harry for bringing the
Yolngu
people down.
Thanks also to the Bundjalung elder Mick and fellas who
came
to the gathering and the other elders who came to the performance.
Thanks
for your embracing of the journey. May it be a blessing to your
people.
Tynon
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