Photos (by me) of the river in question. Article by Sha'Tara.
Lessons from the River - On Observing
[voice from the Other Side - Sha'Tara]
I have the power to curse
I have the power to bless
I have the greater power to choose
Which shall it be?
I would never curse myself
therefore I chose not to curse at all
I would always bless myself
therefore I chose to bless all...
[Chronicles of the WindWalkers]
The following is an observation, or part of a series of observations.
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As I look over the vast expanses of sand, gravel, drying mud and shrubs from which the River has withdrawn more than usual due to this summer's drought, I notice how much has changed here over the years. Gone are the miles of smooth, naked sand dunes that graced the flats, washed away and replaced by mounds of muddy gravel covered in horsetails, coarse grasses, willows and cottonwoods. New streams have cut channels away from the main River, creating "instant" islands surrounded by rapidly flowing waters. So now there is new music to listen to, besides the wind.
This change reminds me that observing a thing changes a thing. And this brings me into the realm of so-called miracles - those happenings that have no natural explanations yet appear real by observation.
In the first Star Wars movie series, Luke Skywalker finds the old Jedi master Yoda on some swampy, watery world. As luck would have it, his X-wing fighter sinks in a swamp. Yoda teaches Luke the power of thought by lifting the machine from the swamp with the wave of his hand after Luke had given up.
"I tried" he said. "I can't do it." And Yoda replies, "There is no try. Do, or do not."
Observing a thing is a very difficult thing to do. Being a spectator has nothing to do with observation. We are not looking at something but interacting with it with our spirit-mind-heart. When we observe, we engage all our thinking faculties with the observed. We remain focused and committed to the observation until it yields whatever results we hoped for, or until we are satisfied it will not.
Observing would be hard enough if we were alone. But obviously we are not the only observers of reality! Most times, reality does not respond to our desires. That's not because reality can't be changed. Reality lives for change! But if we observe unaware, we do not see we are pitting our observations against those of others who may have a serious stake in preventing the change we are intending, or creating change that blocks our lesser attempts. It would seem that the change-agents of Earth are still very much at the apprentice stage!
Left to its own ways, reality will follow a kind of chaos/order/chaos/back to order pattern we call nature. A powerful observer can change the nature of things; can break their pattern and create new ones. A powerful observer not only changes a thing observed, but re-shapes it according to some thought.
Over the decades I spent canoeing, kayaking and walking the changing courses and shores of the River I seldom spent time engaging her changes in that way. I accepted them and adapted to them, mostly unaware I had the power to mould the change. Even now, knowing I do, I haven't decided whether I want to get involved. Selfishly, yes, I'd like to see the dunes return. But what does the River want? Need? Is this new face her way of returning to another time, shaking off the legacy of strip logging; of mining and farming and the cancerous spread of roadways and cities that forced so much negative change upon the waterways of this beautiful land?
On the subject of observation, there is one other point to consider: while we are absorbed observing a thing, a process, it is good to remember that we too are being observed by someone/something else with a mind of its own whose purpose may well be diametrically opposite to ours; may even be injurious. That we may be "changed" by such observation can be easily verified: how many times have we done things which our own nature would normally condemn in others for which we had to invent some lame justification? How many times have we encountered problems of circumstance or health that have no natural or logical explanation?
Remember, "As below, so above." Only the very foolish would believe that whatever lies outside their ken is serendipitous. If we are not self-empowered and utterly detached we are always open to being moved, rarely to some great purpose; more often forced into situations detrimental to ourselves, loved ones and environment. This we see everyday.
When I go out on the River it is usually in a passive state. I know the Watchers are out here and that I am being observed. I know also that such observation has caused great change in me simply because I invite it. I feel safe in allowing these forces to mould me, trusting the unassailable memories of thousands of years of past experiences or "past lives."
Where is the "good" in all of this? Where is the "bad"? Life is neither. From the River I have learned to see life as a non-competitive power struggle. Change is both cause and effect of this endless struggle. Each struggle is a full-fledged "fairy tale" from which one must honestly remove the word "happily" in the closing line to read... "and they live ever after." Another way of putting it is that life is an endless series of sequels. And as we know so well from movies, sequels often leave much to be desired when compared to an original work... How do we ensure our sequel will be of a higher caliber?
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Love TinkaSweets
My very best to you this day
Thank you for this one....
Chris
Be safe,
Karen
Peace,
Dan
Reg, this is an extremely thought-provoking article. Based on what you’ve written, I would speculate that we think alike on how we view life.
Kathy
Great
Georg
George
"Many things seeing, you will.....changing them, you will not."
Walt
We just need to learn from the lessons of life
But this is a very good question
How do we ensure our sequel will be of a higher caliber?
Well Reg your article gave this reader lots to ponder
You always have very interesting
Philosophical article of rights and wrongs
Love Peace and many hugssss....Yolie
Beautiful photographs, first of all, the River, always changing, always flowing. Deeply thought provoking, excellently penned.
(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.
WE do have power of mind, if only we can learn to use it for good.
Where Was All Good (Done) In This Life,i.e. Sadly You (All) Are Going To Find Out How Bad (Holy Hell) It(Really) Is...
You're Consistent Regis...
TRASK
By Faith and Faith alone!
I really feel your mind digging, searching, wondering, questioning...with changes before our eyes, a blink can create surprise!
Awesome pics!
Love and Peace~
Kimmy~
Best regards,
Leland
wonderful write Regis...
John
"How do we ensure our sequel will be of a higher caliber?"
One would hope that enlightened people who will make a difference, will be able to change the way our world exists in the near future and in the distant future. I pray that I am alive to see this change take place. We are destined to make a difference, it is our calling and we must enter the new age with the proper equipment of emotional, physical and universal light and energy.
Wow, you made me go deep inside for this answer.
As usual I just love your depth and amazing lightness.
Peace, love, and Light,
Amber "V"
Love,
Susan
Reality Does Know Its Own Purpose & Direction.
Love & Hugs
Vickie
Larry
One sentence caught my attention: "We remain focused and committed to the observation until it yields whatever results we hoped for, or until we are satisfied it will not."
This statement seems to confirm the concept that man is individualist inasmuch as his perception is much like a fingerprint--no one else has one just like him; thus, what he observes and what he gains from his observation will be different from anyone else. (This imposes a case for linguistics and communication.)
Nice job, Regis.
Yes happily should stay out.
Did I serve my purpose? Should I serve a purpose.
My purpose is to be kind and help others plus myself.
Anymore I don't help those who don't help themselves.
Thanks for your insight Regis....
Wonderful write Regis.
Love,
annie