South Dakota International Black Hills Survival Gathering

Vicki and I were going to the South Dakota International Black Hills Survival Gathering  At the end of our ten day Buddhist meditation retreat, we knew we had to go. In Buddhism, the fourth noble truth shows us how to end individual and global suffering. Buddha taught that ignorance, greed, attachment and hatred are torments of the minds. These poisons were at cause in the Lakota people being denied safe water. 

The Black Hills Alliance and Lakota people of Pine Ridge Reservation discovered cancers, spontaneous abortions, and birth defects in 1980. In the WARN report (Women of All Red Nations) a biochemist documented that radioactive materials were in the water.

Those born into our western culture are conditioned to be at war with nature. Not accustomed to "sharing territory" we fight over it. As scarcity thinkers, we feel that we lack stuff: money, land, yachts, villas, glamor, being good enough. We feel empty, believing we need external reality to fill us with stuff. It keeps us at war. We feel inadequate. Without the time or ability to care for our resources...or our stuff. 

Vicki and I were ripe with this knowing. Flying commercially at this point made no sense. Neither did driving 1,374 miles. We returned to work and met early a few days later at a small-craft Oakland airport. We had a tent, sleeping bags and essentials. Our plan: hitchhike with pilots seeking company.

After six declines, we flew to Bakersfield, CA. We loved the blue sky so close to us and the pilot loved our company. After a long wait in searing summer heat, we hopped a ride to Tucson, Arizona. The pilot flew in close to the mountains. (Wow.)

From Tucson, we caught a flight to Albuquerque, New Mexico. For the next three hours, we hiked the long dusty road with 110 degree temperatures burning down our necks. With frayed nerves, we rested in the shade at the next airport, waiting for a plane to land for refueling. 

At twilight, we walked to Albuquerque International Sunport to ride standby. No luck: I slumped in a chair to sleep. Vicki stretched out under the chairs. At 5:00 am, security woke us. Grumpy, we hiked back to the small-craft airport. A small Leer jet was just landing. With my heart in my throat, I asked his destination: "South Dakota near the Black Hills." (Wow.)

"Can we catch a ride?" 

South Dakota International Black Hills Survival Gathering John Trudel opened the Gathering saying: "I would like to talk tonight in honor of all of us in the struggle who have lost our relations to the Spirit world." Later, Vicki and I hiked into the foothills to meditate with Mother Earth. We felt renewed by the mountains for the days ahead. 

When disconnected, we forget to love ourselves and each other. When our cups are full, we share territory. Within each of us lies an ability to connect with ENOUGH stuff: LOVE and NOURISHMENT. By letting go of baggage (our scarcity beliefs), we can open into abundance. We are nourished there. Refreshed, we will want everyone to eat, have shelter and good water.  

We can release poverty consciousness. We can let go of our conditioned ways. 

This past weekend I joined my family to empower my niece to pursue her dreams, moving to a new life and home, letting go of fears. 

Affirm: "I am enough. I am good enough. I succeed in my endeavors. I am grateful for Father Sun, Sister Moon, the stars, and water. I am satisfied. I am full." 

Reader, are you ready to embrace prosperity and release the old ways? Are you ready to embrace Gaia?