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ENCAMPMENT
VISION pages
1 2 3 4 5 <6> 7
The Vision continued...
The
rest of the people, whether they came for a few days, a few
weeks, or longer, were here to learn, to observe and to practice
the many skills so wonderfully demonstrated here such as skills
for basic survival and for living self-sufficiently off the
land. These shorter-term residents were also put to work according
to their skills and talents and their desire to learn. Every
man, woman, and child old enough to work had an assignment and
was happy and busy at their duties. They might be tending the
gardens and the animals, hunting or fishing, preparing meals
or doing the clean up, bringing wood in for fires, maintaining
buildings and pathways, caring for younger children, helping
set up camps, or otherwise performing the many tasks necessary
for the daily maintenance of the Encampment. The seasons naturally
dictated many of these assigned duties as well as the kinds
of classes offered.
When not performing duties or attending classes or workshops,
people rested or played or worked on handicraft projects. Many
wandered through the camp, meeting and chatting with others.
Young and old, families and singles, everyone mingled joyfully
together. Some relaxed on beautiful handmade hammocks hung from
trees. Drums beat softly in the background and singers sang
songs of praise to God, our Creator. The songs were so uplifting
that some joined in with dancing.
On the southwest corner of the Encampment the ground sloped
gently down toward a river which flowed serenly through the
forest. Trees had been cleared here for an amphitheater which
was under construction. Rows of logs for seating were being
placed in semi-circle fashion facing a platform of split logs
for a stage which stood at the bottom of the slope. I knew that
some of the greatest teachers and spiritual leaders of the day
would visit here to share their spiritual insights and great
knowledge of nature and Creation. I imagined the amphitheater
filled with a listening audience of, not only those currently
staying at the Encampment, but also many who would travel for
hours and perhaps days to hear the words of respected elders
and teachers. This was also a perfect setting for evening firelight
performances by musicians, actors, dancers and storytellers.
To the east of the amphitheater and on the south side of the
Encampment, a path led through the woods to a secluded area
where stood a Native Sweat Lodge. Built in the traditional manner,
it was dug part way into the ground and had a domed roof made
of poles and skins. Here, ceremonies and rites of purification
were carried out for those who walked the Sacred Path. Farther
still to the east in a large circular clearing was a Sundance
Lodge for higher rites of sacrifice and healing.
All these areas of the Encampment were orderly and beautifully
maintained, the design of each perfectly suited to its purpose.
The Encampment as a whole lay easily on the land, respecting
and even complimenting the natural forest surrounding it, as
if it had always belonged. This was indeed a perfect place to
experience God as our Creator and to learn of the earth as our
Mother and how she was divinely created to provide for us. |
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