Odyssey of the 8th FIre

"A human being is a part of a whole, called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest...a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness.

"This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty."

- Albert Einstein

Day 124 - Tuesday, October 24, 1995 - The Sunbow walkers took a day of rest at the Whispering Pines Bed & Breakfast. Some did laundry, and some engaged in a last minute scramble to find suitable accommodations for the group while it is in Oklahoma City.

Tuesday afternoon Ned Paschene built a Metachan (Sweat Lodge), and in the evening the walkers gathered inside to cleanse themselves and pray.

"I sat in there for all four doors (endurances)," Grandfather Commanda said. "I got young again, but I also remembered that I am very old."

Sweat Lodge frame - The frame is fashioned of saplings, then covered with blankets or tarps. Rocks heated in the fire are brought into the lodge, and the ceremonial leader pours water on them to raise steam. The purification lodge -- a reflection of the sacred universe -- is one of the oldest Medicine traditions on Turtle Island (North America).

The sky was clear and filled with stars when everyone emerged from the lodge, dripping and steaming. Later, though, after they had all bedded down for the night in their tents, it rained – always a sign that Sweet Medicine has been worked.

◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊

Charlotte Kitchen had just about worn completely through her old walking sneakers. Today two seperate gifts were delivered to her, thanks to participants in the Sunbow Internet circles.

Jenny Kendall sent Charlotte a pair of walking shoes; Mike Murdock sent her a pair of hiking boots. Both the shoes and the boots arrived today.

"I appreciate this so much," Charlotte said. "I was really struggling to keep walking in my old sneakers, and now I have two pairs that I can switch off. I want to thank the people very much. I will pray for them while I walk."

◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊

The four Rainbow Walkers called me to report that they have walked as far west as Oklahoma City as of today.

They have already visited the site of the bombed-out Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building to pray. They plan to spend Wednesday getting the last of the supplies they need for winter, and then on Thursday they will head on down the road west toward Texas and beyond. They have no plans to meet or to walk with the larger Sunbow group.

◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊

Read Day 125 -- Odyssey of the 8th Fire