Peace People

[H2O Man]

“I set before you life and death, blessings and curses; therefore choose life, so that you and your children may live.”
-- Deuteronomy 30:19


There are a number of good OP/threads on DU:GDP regarding the bird that attended the Bernie Sanders’s campaign event. I would like to add something a little bit different, that I hope members of the Sanders revolution might enjoy. It’s kind of the flip side of the post I put up earlier today, “War Children.” In that essay, I addressed my concerns about a specific e-mail from one presidential contender that promotes death.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12511579697

That bird was wonderful. And I don’t say that as a “New Age” person -- though I have high regard for those who are -- but rather, as an “Old Age” practitioner. The bird incident reminded me of a couple of Onondaga Nation’s Chief Paul Waterman’s answers to my questions in a couple of interviews.

This first one was from August 14, 2000. On that day, we had a ceremony near the jail in Jamesville, NY. Decades before, archaeologists had removed 122 human burials; Paul and I had recovered 77 of them for re-burial. Paul had opened the ceremony to the public -- a first in traditional society -- and hundreds of people attended.

I asked Paul if any of the archaeologists involved in removing the human remains were there for the re-burial? No, he answered: “It’s impossible for a person who still justifies digging graves to grasp the spiritual concepts here.”

I asked about those concepts. Paul said, “This morning, there was a lot of thunder and rain. Some people wanted to postpone the ceremony. But I said no, this is the Thunder People, carrying on their duties, to speak for the Creator.

“Then when I burned the tobacco during the reburial, three hawks appeared in the sky. A feather dropped from one, and landed near us. A lady watched it fall, and she gave it to me. All she could say was, ‘Wow!’ “

The second part is from my last interview with Paul to be published. It took place a short time after 9/11. In answer to a question, part of Paul’s response was, “What we sometimes miss is the song of the smallest bird. We do not listen closely enough. But that song of the smallest bird is the prettiest. It lifts the Creator’s spirit to hear her song. Now that is the ‘divine intervention’ that people overlook every day.”

That’s the type of message that people who are connected with the Natural World understand. Some of those who are disconnected will be convinced they understand; still others mock it, and falsely attribute it to magical thinking. That, of course, is the mentality of those who advocate for hydro-fracturing for gas, for temporary financial gain, while poisoning the water supply.

I hope that Sanders’s supporters enjoy Paul’s teachings.

Peace,
H2O Man

[haikugal]

1. Thank you for this post!!

Peace.

[H2O Man]

2. Thank you!

It's a Good Day!

[haikugal]

4. Yes it is!

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. I always enjoy the connection of all things big and small

yesterday I was talking to a friend and how the smallest of birds are symbols of hope and life across multiple traditions. You just added one more.

These small birds are seen as those who chose the sainted or holy among us.

And the fact that it was good Friday, and as Idda Briggs reminded us, the end of Purim, there are symbols attached to all this, I say this as the most skeptical of people you have ever met. It was a beautiful and yes, even magical moment. We should appreciate these moments as a connection to the nature we pretend to be above off.

[H2O Man]

5. Thanks!

I think it is very difficult for our friends who inhabit the plastic of the corporate world to appreciate the Natural World.

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. Very true

one of the most magical moments for me was hanging from a thread (rapelling) breaking and looking around. It was amazing, since a few red tail haws flew close, wondering likely what the hell was I doing there?

[H2O Man]

7. In an hour,

some old friends will arrive. We'll head out towards my pond, to listen to the song of the "peepers."

It's three freezes into the tiny frogs' arrival that marks spring being here.

I'll be heading out soon, filling the bird-feeders, and starting the fire.

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. Cool enjoy

as you go, AK has been called

[riderinthestorm]

8. Bernie's incredible extemporaneous reaction! Joy, laughter

and the ability to really "see" the moment for exactly what it was.

I'm an open atheist and even I was stunned at the birds appearance. I'm outdoors every day, all day - a keen observer of nature - and the appearance of that small finch just can't be easily explained away. They simply don't do what that small house finch did.

Just an amazing moment and wherever Bernie ends up in this, it's clear he's being looked after by the gods...

[H2O Man]

11. Thank you.

I think we view it the same way!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

10. Thank you, my dear H20 Man...

I am enjoying Paul's teachings very much.

That little bird spoke to so many of us...

[H2O Man]

12. Thanks!

And I agree that a lot of us heard that wonderful little bird!

[Mother Of Four]

13. Thank you for this

Saving it to show my grownkids, they'll enjoy it.

[H2O Man]

19. Thank you!

I hope they do!

[Matariki]

14. The world talks to us all the time

if we listen to it.

[H2O Man]

20. Exactly!

Thank you!

[Matariki]

24. Your OP is beautiful H2O Man. And much appreciated.

thanks.

[H2O Man]

27. Some of my

favorite memories are of sitting next to a number of streams and rivers with Paul. Sometimes, his lesson was to just sit quietly for extended periods, and listen to the voice of the water. (And I know that, were he around today, he would be supporting Bernie.)

[suffragette]

15. Gives new meaning to "a little bird told me"

K&R

[H2O Man]

21. Very good!

Thanks.

[democrank]

16. First thing that came to mind when I saw that little bird....

It was the sole representative of a very powerful force, just like Bernie Sanders. It was a peace bird, an equality bird, an economic and social justice bird. It was a bird of the people, all people, and you couldn`t buy that bird if your life depended on it. That was a sweet, powerful moment at Bernie`s rally. I felt sorry for those who ridiculed the symbolism.

Shortly after my beloved Vietnam Vet passed away, he sent a male and female cardinal to our place. Their songs are beautiful and comforting. He and I had seen the male before, but never with a mate. Almost at the same time, he sent a pair to his daughter`s place. This isn`t about unicorns, it`s about believing.

Bernie`s bird....our bird....a symbol of the power of love and peace.

[H2O Man]

28. That's right.

It was both a bird and a powerful symbol. Some people get it. Others kind of do. Still others don't at all. It's kind of like what Paul said about grasping certain concepts. I like that you and others here get it.

Thanks!

[Gregorian]

17. Thank you so much..

It is very important to me to hear Chief Waterman's words. They help support me. I have spent much of my life spending time watching the intervention. Listening. I did hear the new small birds a few days ago. They arrived, and with them their complicated song. It is all I feel I really have. It brings me freedom and happiness. This is why I suffer. This is also why I am voting for a candidate who shares the sensitivity and sentiment towards the natural world.

I do have issues with the wild turkeys. They chase other birds around, and eat their food. And me and the crows have it all worked out. So when the gypsy troop comes through right about this time of year, all hell breaks loose, for me. The crows are just entertained.

[H2O Man]

29. I know that we

have talked about the crows several times over the years. They are characters! Around here, a community of crows visits daily to dine on dog food and corn. One of my grandfathers had a pet crow.

[VulgarPoet]

18. This brought the most welcome peace to my heart, and a much needed smile to my face. nt

[H2O Man]

30. Oh, thank you!

I'm glad that you enjoyed it.

[shraby]

22. Beautiful lesson. Thank you

[H2O Man]

31. Thanks, Buddy!

[felix_numinous]

23. K&R

[H2O Man]

32. Thanks!

[marions ghost]

25. K&R

Nice.

[H2O Man]

33. Thank you!

[7wo7rees]

26. Thank you. n/t

[H2O Man]

34. Thanks!

[7wo7rees]

35. Honestly you are the best. You are an elder with much wisdom

to share. We are enriched by you and we are thankful for everything you share.

Always!

[H2O Man]

36. That is really nice!

I'm honored to be on the team here, with people like you.

I learned a lot from my years with Paul. And he wanted me to pass it down to everyone who was interested. So it is my pleasure.

[7wo7rees]

39. Thank you again. Honestly.

Every post you make is rich. Full of truth. You make our heart be glad.

[2banon]

37. what a lovely and inspiring gift you shared with us, thank you H2O Man!

Very special gift indeed.

[H2O Man]

38. Thanks!

Knowing Paul was a great gift. He and I had some adventures.

[Wilms]

40. Yep.

Thanks for the note.

[H2O Man]

42. Thanks!

[Scuba]

41. K&R

[H2O Man]

43. Pretty impressive numbers

yesterday, eh?

[malthaussen]

44. Speaking of bird omens...

... I was at a powwow with my brother some years ago when the then principle chief of the Lenni Lenape was in the hospital dying. We were working in the kitchen and had just stepped out for a smoke break when the news came that the old chief had died. At that precise instant, an eagle took off from his roost in a tree, circled the camp, and flew away.

Still gives me chills, and I'm not into New Age stuff, either.

-- Mal

[H2O Man]

45. Nice.

I have some owl stories, too. True stories. And, like with eagles, hawks, and finches, they are birds. Citizens of the Natural World.

Sometimes, when children would go "missing" in NYS, a few BCI Investigators would come to Onondaga, to ask for the Old Men's knowledge and insights. Those investigators were not "New Age," either.

[Sensitive soul]

46. When I saw the video

Of the bird landing on Bernie Sanders Podium it gave me chills. I love the teachings of Paul and how you related it to that instant. Thank you Mr. H2O man! Loved it.

[H2O Man]

47. Thank you.

Paul was an amazing human being. I was lucky to have him for a mentor (and sometimes tormentor). A day hasn't gone by since he passed that I haven't thought about him.

[kgnu_fan]

48. Thank you again...

[hootinholler]

49. Have you written Chief Waterman's Biography?

I know you've done some interview based articles and now I wonder if you have thought of doing a biography. It would be sad to lose his insights.

I am always thankful when you point them out.