Walking through Life

Indian Prayer

"Great Spirit,
Grant that I
may not
criticize my
neighbor
Until I have
walked a
mile
in his moccasins."


Two nights ago a restless sleep pushed itself upon me. I filled that space with thoughts of a story from Kitchen Table Wisdom about a man who used a visualization technique to help ward off his illness. Together with that story, I reflected back to a class. The teacher took us through a guided imagery to find our power animals. She turned off the lights; many of us took to the floors, laid down, made ourselves comfortable; others stayed in their chairs. It was a small class of no more than twelve. She put on a CD of drums and began guiding us with her voice. First we were to ground ourselves, knowing that we were grounded by the tree, then we were instructed to go down–down, down, down that trunk in search of our power animal. "It will come," she said. And if it doesn't, that's ok. Don't force it, just be." The drums beckoned us. The drum. A heartbeat. A familiar and enticing call.

My animal didn't come. I imagined a dolphin, but I forced it. Dolphin didn't come of her own accord.

Two nights ago a restless sleep came upon me and these moments connected their dots. I didn't force, rather I asked gently, for my power animal to come to me. Two appeared. First a crow, which was not a surprise. But the second: A unicorn. That was a very pleasant surprise. When I saw these two beautiful creatures, the space of restlessness grew into peace. I imagined these two: crow and unicorn there by my side to help me continue in my own healing and offering their guidance to me on my journey.

The quote above has been with me a long time, but today it wanted to come forth. I try to keep it close to my heart as I walk through life, one step–one breath at a time–open to all the wonders and differences of life.