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I have been dedicated to a life of spiritual pursuits for more than fifty years. The later sixteen of those have had a primary focus in Shamanism and Mysticism, but please understand that I do not consider myself a shaman. As my teacher said, “Never trust a shaman under the age of eighty.” Perhaps one day I will earn that title, but for now, I am a serious student that uses shamanic tools and techniques. This book recounts a few of my early experiences along the path. I started writing this more than ten years ago and recently discovered it among some old files. I guess it is like a good cup of tea, it needed to be steeped before drinking.
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The River Song The river runs The river walks The river sings The river talks Let me live Let me be Like the river Flowing free
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Teachers
A few years ago I came to an understanding of life on this planet as a schoolhouse; living is learning, with each personal existence as a custom course. To me the world’s form is best understood as a textbook and Life as a field trip. I am very grateful to all the people appearing in my life as teachers. They have been bosses, mentors, lovers, parents, merchants, and passersby. I am likewise grateful to the things and places that have provided lessons; they are plants, rocks, clouds, winds, animals, spirits, caves, beaches, mountains and streams.
One of the teachers I am most thankful for is the Kern River. It was and is a significant place of my learning and transformation. While sitting along the banks I learned songs; in the middle of the flow I discovered a voice that drowned reality. I sensed the rush of life blood as it fell from the mountains. I felt the loneliness as it emptied into a field, being a river without a sea. Its purpose is not joining a pool. This river exists only to flow. As a schoolmaster it brings life in addition to carrying death. It is also known as the Killer Kern. Merle Haggard gave a tribute to that designation in his song Kern River, “Well it’s not deep nor wide, but it’s a mean piece of water my friend. I may cross on the highway, but I’ll never swim Kern River again.”
