About two weeks ago I learned a neat story from some Native American teachings. It was from the work of Don Coyhis and The White Bison Society. Don uses the Medicine Wheel teachings along with the twelve steps of Alcoholic's Anonymous, but taught in a culturally relevant manner. Don and the White Bison Society teaches Wellbriety. Some very deep teachings.
Don teaches that we have two viewpoints from which to lead our lives. One is the mouses'. The other, the eagles'.
The Mouse is low to the ground and can only see so far into the distance. Even short grass can seem like a formidable jungle to a mouse. A mouse's life is reactive and comes from a sense of fear, insecurity and worry. A mouse is always running in fear of being caught.
An Eagle soars above the earth. The Eagle can see vast distances and has a very large perspective on what is happening. An Eagle's life is one of vision, faith and freedom. An Eagle is one with the sky...flying in joy.
We as humans have the ability to see the world from both viewpoints. Some of us live as mice. Some of us live as Eagles. It is important to understand that we can actually choose which viewpoint from which to live. Which do you prefer?
Hands palm to palm,
Shinzen
