THE CONNECTION

Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it. BUDDAH

Last weekend, I attended a gathering at a friend of a friend's house in New England. With all the happenings in our nation, my personal life, and the world at large, my mind was wide open . .

I walked out onto the deck and noticed a German Shepard crouching near a picnic table in the backyard. I'd already met a jubilant young mutt in the house, but this one was silent and cautious. As I approached to make the animal's acquaintance, I sensed fear. My first thought was that she was a rescue or had been abused. I extended one hand, then the other, she kept her eyes on me as she sniffed each individually. After determining I could be trusted, she moved in and allowed me to scratch her back and under her collar. It's important to note that dogs and other pets will be in your debt if you scratch these two inaccessible places. I walked back up the steps to the deck and asked my friend what he knew of the dog. He informed me that "Carmen" was an expert trained guard dog imported from Deutschland several years prior. I looked back out at her and recognized she was studying our every move, crouched to avoid attracting any attention, poised to attack without hesitation if necessary.

Since my earliest memories I've had a close connection with animals, dogs in particular. Before reading about "dark matter," or the space between all things, I was brought closer to nature by forming a kinship with canine. Relationships of back and forth, give and take, with an animal unable to communicate through the English language was a tremendous life lesson, though I didn't know it at the time. I've written of this unspoken connection before, and how it translates to human interaction. For a lifetime I've been able to get a sense of a person's attitude and intentions upon initial contact simply by opening my awareness to the micro-nuances and invisible energy shared between living things. In time it has matured into an awareness allowing me to decipher between reality and fiction in many arenas.

The weekend leading up to this encounter was crucial on several fronts. I had been observing and getting to know a number of new people, friends and family of one of my best friends. The most important connection, the inspiration for this entry, was a six-year-old boy named Keegan. I brought over the Aerobie Skylighter I had given to my friend as a house warming gift, and asked Keegan if he wanted to play catch. We threw back and forth a few dozen times under Carmen's watchful eye, before she finally snapped and engaged. She'd race over and pick up the disc anytime it hit the ground, releasing it upon my request. On the other end, when Keegan couldn't handle a throw and Carmen would scoop in, he would plead and whine for her to drop it. I explained how all he needed to do was to say her name with authority and she would release the disc. I explained how he was the boss and that Carmen was aware of this fact. It wasn't his size, age, or depth of his voice that alerted Carmen of her role; it was the projection of his energy. It was a great feeling watching Keegan's discovery of this inner power over his dog.

After Carmen's relentless pursuit of the flying disc got old, we brought her into the house. While up on the porch, people kept coming and going through the screen door. Naturally, some would pass through without sliding the door shut behind them. Keegan walked up to the doorway and slammed it shut. "I don't know why you people keep leaving this door open. We have an indoor cat that will escape if she gets the chance!" followed by a deep expressive sigh.

This young man had the greatest natural advantage of anyone at the party due to the simple fact that he's had less time on Earth than the rest. His media exposure has been so short, the shaping and manipulation of his mind so limited. His focus remains on what matters here and now. Surely the amount of information he's exposed to through technology dwarfs that of all preceding generations; perhaps dwarfing all preceding generations combined. Yet with such a short conscious time in this life, he remains tuned to nature and the reality that surrounds him. Social status, material goods, local, national, and world "news events" have not yet reached him. His mind is ripe and ready for information when offered by a trusted source, hungry for a greater understanding of how things work. What a world this would be if all children around this age were enlightened with the greatest, most valuable information at this "seed-time" for learning. If the children were made aware of their role in nature, the importance of balance, and how it can be achieved and maintained, they would be more than equipped to face all of the challenges afflicting mankind.

A second lesson was sparked from the interaction between Carmen and Keegan; it came to me in a flash. Carmen was born into this world on German soil two or three years ago. From her first days she was separated from her litter, from her mother, and trained by professionals for a very specific purpose. She is an excellent learner; a programmed animal. She is born from nature and therefore possesses ancient qualities of the heart, having the ability to show affection and loyalty.

She represents the system.

The brilliant, glowing, flying disc, gliding back and fourth across the yard represents liberty and justice. It is the honest, good-intentioned government by and for the people, built on progress, peace, and prosperity.

Keegan represents each of us.

The ultimate decision maker, unaware of his own strengths and abilities. The one with power to affect all human choices. The person who will inherit the Earth.  The boss. 

When the young boy (boss) tells the dog (system) to release what does not belong to her (all the marbles), she listens and obeys. We are responsible for our ruling class; if we no longer elect our leadership, it's our duty to find a way to reconstruct what we call democracy.  If we've lost confidence in our economic system, we have to design and implement a better one.  If we demand that corrupt leaders stand down we must prepare ourselves to fill their positions.

We are constantly reminded of how balance is established and maintained simply by watching the cycles of nature.  From weather, to vegetation, to animals; natural life cycles are constantly at work, wide open for our observation.  These cycles are designed for one purpose: survival.  They have no ego, no vanity, no government, no money, no media, no technology, no distractions, and no excuses.  Our bond with nature is the greatest connection we have.  The less we recognise it, the further we separate ourselves from our living planet, the less chance we have for survival.  Nature does not care if we remain and thrive, or consume ourselves into extinction.  Mankind's impact on Earth has not been a positive one.  Extreme weather conditions are our only competition in disrupting the cycle of life on our planet. 

We must embrace our responsibility and respect the simple laws of natural order.  We have all the tools required; we must find the wisdom to use them.  The fate of the world depends on it.     

Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures & the whole of nature in its beauty. ALBERT EINSTEIN