The Sacred Passage, Infinity on the Medicine Wheel
Reprinted from the Summer 2011 Thunder Valley Drums NewsletterThe Medicine Wheel is rooted deeply in antiquity, its presence evident in most every ancient culture, though it is known by many names. The symbol of a circle which comprises the Medicine Wheel carries great power and mystery, from microcosm to the macrocosm. The paths of protons/neutrons, of planets and galaxies, the shape of unity (as with a wedding ring) or of destruction (as with a tornado)—few symbols can match such complexity.
But when it comes to discovering the holiness of the Medicine Wheel, one approach among many such rituals of the circle comes with what I call the Sacred Passage. I thank the late British shaman Kenneth Meadows for inspiring my thoughts about this.
There are many ways to traverse the Wheel, but this is intended as one of many paths open to a spiritual warrior. And as with the warrior’s plight, the journey begins in the North, the place of battle.
For this short piece, not meant to be the end all of discussions on the subject, let us concentrate on this direction in terms of the ego. If we truly wish to be in harmony—and, after all, all warriors would rather have harmony than war—we must understand the importance of sublimating the ego in favor of healing and service. It’s not an easy task, for sure, nor quickly accomplished. And sometimes, it does seem like a battle.
For now, let us be content with beginning in the North and simply acknowledging that we may have to return here often to face the battle with our own ego, prejudices, angers and other emotions which require attention.
When we are both strong yet humble with the heart, we can overcome the negative energies and perhaps even defeat them, if even temporarily. When we do this, or even when we may need some help to do so, we move around the circle to the West, the place of change and transition. Often associated with death, the direction marks the end of things, closure. It is a relief when we can move the battle here, for we will be empowered to let go of the negative and allow for positive change, if we are open.
To fully integrate the change, though, we must move to the East, the place of fresh new beginnings.
That will move us through the Center, a most holy place long known in Celtic lands to represent the “King’s” position, or the “sovereign center.” Other traditions know this space as Wakan Tanka, Great Spirit, Mother/Father, God, or the “sacred center.” More on that in a minute.
Arriving at the East, we watch the rise of the bright light of promise and the start of a new way of being. And if we nurture it, we soon find ourselves moving to the South, the position of creation, expression and abundance. Such a lovely place to be! But life seldom remains the same, and before we know it, we may find ourselves being drawn around the circle to the West once again, where change awaits.
This time, the change may be the falling away of things we would rather hold on to, but we must recognize the lesson inherent in such circumstance. If we do so, we move once again through the Center and back to the East where, inevitably, the promise of something new awaits. Should we remain open, perhaps we will grow. If not, and if we choose fear or become confused as to what to do next, we will once again find ourselves returning to the North, where we renew the battle.
Life has a way, as do our choices, of moving us around the Wheel and of teaching us these wonderful, if sometimes perplexing lessons. And throughout our journey, we do occasionally find ourselves in the Center, the place where we are in union with All That Is. It is a great irony that although the Center is our true nature, who we are, we seldom feel worthy of staying there. 
Then again, if we feel overly worthy via our ego, we cannot occupy that place, no matter how hard we try or may desire to. Thus, to “find one’s center,” one must actually not look for it! You will simply know when you are there. And that it the place where healing occurs, where the warrior comes to know peace and discovers a higher purpose in service to others.
Then again, if we feel overly worthy via our ego, we cannot occupy that place, no matter how hard we try or may desire to. Thus, to “find one’s center,” one must actually not look for it! You will simply know when you are there. And that it the place where healing occurs, where the warrior comes to know peace and discovers a higher purpose in service to others.All together, these travels over our lifetimes form the shape of a figure eight, the sacred symbol of infinity. No beginning or end. It is the sublime symbol of existence that we carve while making our Sacred Passage.
Posted by Bob at Tuesday, June 07, 2011 3:04 AM 
Categories: Shaman Share Essays Videos And More
Tags: sacred passage sacred directions Medicine Wheel Thunder Valley Drums Kenneth Meadows spiritual warrior Wakan Tanka
Categories: Shaman Share Essays Videos And More
Tags: sacred passage sacred directions Medicine Wheel Thunder Valley Drums Kenneth Meadows spiritual warrior Wakan Tanka
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