Terry P. Anderson; 2003, Grand Junction, CO
One day a strange-looking large bird appeared in a tree near our campfire high in the Wind River Mountains of Wyoming. Upon closer inspection, several of us confirmed the bird had all the characteristics of a mature eagle, except it was pure white. Given that it was a chilly, drizzly, cloud-enshrouded day, my companions quickly returned to the warmth of the campfire. I, however, felt compelled and drawn to stay.
Soon thereafter, the white eagle flew past me and landed in a tree only a short distance away. I followed and was able to get very close to it. The white eagle was clearly aware of my approach – observing in a beckoning sort of way. I, on the other hand, was experiencing a deepening feeling of intentionality on its part. This sequence – of it flying a short distance and my following and getting close – was repeated several times. The last time I saw the white eagle fly and land a short distance away, I did not follow. Rather I turned away and wandered slowly down to the campfire, rationalizing to myself: “It is headed for the high peaks that mark the Divide – a rugged, difficult place of no trails… the weather is bad, likely to get worse… I have no provisions… I can’t follow.”
Several times over the next three days, the white eagle appeared when I was alone in a secluded spot. Each time there was silence, and a feeling of beckoning-intentionality. After acknowledging each other’s presence, the white eagle, without my really noticing, would disappear.
A number of months passed. Then I received a postcard from one of my camping companions. On it was a painting of a “spirit eagle.” He wrote, “I think this is the eagle we saw.” Also on the card was a reference to the Shoshone of Wyoming.
Many months later, I traveled to the gravesite of Sacajawea, located in the foothills of the Wind River Mountains, just east of the Divide where we had camped. While standing at her grave, gazing about the Shoshone village, I was overcome with the deepest sense of remorse – from which I found myself uttering, “What have we done!” As my remorse expanded beyond the Shoshone People, to include earth itself, a booming, demanding voice echoed within me: “WHO WILL SPEAK FOR EARTH!” This voice I experienced as that of Chief Joseph. I did not respond.
I left the gravesite to visit the nearby trading post where I wandered into a room near the back. Here, I was welcomed by a young woman I presumed to be Shoshone. It seemed like she had been expecting me. She said she had something to show me, then led me into another room in which was displayed a white buckskin dress decorated with white eagle feathers. She explained this Shoshone ceremonial dress was worn only for very special or sacred occasions.
Some years later, in the middle of the night, I was forcefully aroused from a deep sleep by a very strong intentional presence that accompanied a booming demanding voice, “WHO WILL SPEAK FOR EARTH!” Startled, I sat straight up in bed and, surprising even myself, answered aloud, “I will!”
Finally, one day while being led along a desert path by a young child, we stopped to admire a lizard. With youthful sincerity, he asked, “Is this part of nature?” It was then that I felt compelled to act on my commitment – to act on my “I will!” In a matter of a few days, the understanding, given during my own time in the desert, flowed into written words… words of “Earth Speaking.”
The Living Philosophy of Potential… https://pathofpotential.org
