| V.
Conclusions and Lessons
There are several principles that emerge from this work. They are as follows:
1. The importance of non-attachment to outcome. Consistently, I have found that the way these conflicts work their way out is unique and often unexpected. Ethically, there are concerns to not misuse power or cause harm to different parties. The range of resolutions can be from a simple shift in the perceptions of how the conflicted parties perceive the issues to major miracles: the "bolts out of the blue."
2. The importance of stepping into the shoes of each party in order to have full understanding and compassion for what is involved. I think of shamans who wear the clothes of their clients in order to understand more fully their illness. In other words, it is necessary to understand the truths of each position.
3. The fact that in every conflict the issues are much deeper than they appear on the surface. There is a spiritual field that influences the conflicting parties. Hidden from our normal way of perceiving, a complexity of issues calling for healing emerges. Every conflict has its own unique configuration. Some of these are personal issues calling for healing, such as soul retrieval, power retrieval, or extraction. Some are the influences of history and the ancestors: issues left behind or in the history of a place, waiting for spiritual resolution. Ultimately, none of these issues are personal, but rather relational in a spiritual context. Recognizing the patterns of connection and what is needed to restore balance and harmony is the work that needs to be done.
4. The importance of language in doing this work. I am bridging this work into a linear world with people who do not understand different ways of perceiving reality. In part, the impasse caused by frustration opens up the possibility of bringing "new" healing approaches to these issues. What I sometimes say in these situations to the people involved is that there are "some issues so overwhelming to what we know how to do, that we pray to God for a miracle to happen, and maybe that is what we need here. I take care to say that I don't know what the new balance or harmony might look like and state that I am not attached to how these things work out.
I leave you with the guiding prophecy of the Waitaha people.
Walk in the shadows, hide in the waters, move in the mists, step behind the rainbow to save the taonga (treasure). Protect our ancestors. Hold the truth close and warm it with brave hearts, for pain will consume the land and the circle of our dreams will be broken. And it will seem lost beyond recall.
KiaKoha! Be Strong! And the day will come when the taonga will be revealed once more. And we will walk tall with the knowledge in the kete (woven basket) and find joy in the colours of the rainbow. And the fires of truth will burn into the hearts of all the people of the land. And they will find the trail of gentleness and peace. Kahuri te Ao — the world turns. And the circle of our dreamtime takes a new shape for a new dawn. And the people of all colours join to bind what was broken and live in hope.13 |