I went to this place called the rainbow family national gathering and run into a phenomenal individual.
He wanted me to have sweat lodge with him and eventually I got to jump in and experience everything with a bunch of the elders themselves.
After coming back to Portland Oregon and getting injured my family brought up that I had went to a sweat lodge before and the first question that my relative asked me was if it was a traditional one.
Which actually yes and I'm only interested in a traditional sweat lodge and the authenticity of prayers.
Next thing you know I am getting a ride to another sweat lodge with my Uncle Al telling me all sorts about what we're going to be doing and the reasons behind it.
Later that day I found out I was actually a new apprentice.
It was more like getting to hang out with you're really respected uncle who's really super cool. And then one day he calls me up and tells me that he is going to die shortly and this is the last time we will speak.
He offered me the sacred medicine bundle from his family. Is most prized possession.
I turned it down however I got quite a lecture as well as told I was promoted.
It is really the last time me and him spoke and I really wish I would have listened to him more carefully. Let alone dropped everything I had going to go spend every last minute with him.
Being a medicine man means that I have lost a huge influence in my life. And it's a responsibility to go out and help other people. Even if they don't realize that I'm helping.
My traditional ways fills a void in my beliefs and giving me reasons as well as purposes.
Things may not be great right now however tomorrow I have hope.
Wow, thank you for sharing this with me. I believe that you made that choice for a reason and although you may have regrets you would not be where you are now, if you did. I had no idea you were a medicine man.
Hold onto that hope, I have a lot of it too xxx
It's something like all the other titles and achievements I have. Many think I boast. I'm just citing my experience... Which I do laugh at really when people react that way.
My mentor was the medic at wounded knee in 1973. Original American Indian Movement member. And according to Jim I was his greatest student and success.
Ironically it was a souix teaching a Shoshone. Which I was fine with. Not much teaching as I was raised with traditional ways and protocols.
But yeah alot of regrets over a single conversation...