A few days ago some visitors came into our camp, admiring all the different shelters and crafts. We reminded them that while those are an important aspect of our life here, there is a lot of “invisible” work going on. I thought it may be good to mention these here too since it’s easy to write about crafts and skills – writing about the “qualitative” aspects is a different story. Much of that needs to be experienced firsthand in order to be truly understood.
In fact, the majority of our energy goes into these qualitative skills – building relationships with our human and nonhuman circle, listening to our dreams and inner guiding voices, healing the wounds and trauma we carry within us from a lifetime of separation… And really discovering who we are as people and how we can develop the unique gift we bring with us for the benefit of not just ourselves or our closest human relations, but for the benefit of all the relations and the generations to come.
Thomas
Do you find that working on the crafts and skills leads to deeper relationship? Could you be developing the qualitative skills without the crafts? What if you were living in a city, do you feel you could still develope deeper relationships and awareness?
We’re on our dead-moon visit. A big hug to you Justin!
I think so.. but they would be different, and less. In a city, I can learn to identify trees, and maybe harvest their berries and nuts once in a while, when I have the time and whim.
In the forest, I have a NEED to learn how trees grow, where they grow, when they flower and fruit. I am aware at all times, because if I am not my back will be sore from lack of boughs for cushioning, my belly will be empty from lack of fruit and nuts and leaves and animals that I will not find because I will look in the wrong place, I will not have willow and birchbark to make baskets for gathering and storage, wood for traps and shelters, etc etc etc.
When I live in the wilderness, everything is interconnected, interrelated. I am a part of it. And I need to pay attention at all times. So the crafts put us in relationship with the land – we are given food and tools, shelter and water – but it’s not served up on a platter. By being actively engaged through craftwork, we in turn give as well – and feel the connection in the heart (as opposed to the indirect, relationshipless giving that most people accomplish through “jobs” and “work”)