How do we normally deal with problems and challenges? Is it not often done through stubborn determination as dictated by our mind? And what about an alternative way ....
As westerners we usually get deep into the nitty gritty of the issue and try to figure out how to solve it. By doing so we get sucked into its energy in a downward spiral often leading to frustration and depletion of energy – having solved nothing. We use our minds for solving the problem and get aggressive with controlling the outcome trying hard to find a solution.
If we are in tune to Nature we can learn a better way of dealing with problems. Shamans know very well how to tap into the archetypes of animals and plants to read between the lines of what these can teach us.
Take for example the panther - a fast runner but it instinctively knows when to slow down when need be. When searching for prey such as a deer what does it do? It is expert at shape shifting itself into a trunk, blending with it so that it could be inconspicuous and ready for action when appropriate. It can walk slowly if its prey is a slow animal and at the right time is able to run fast after it. The panther does not force itself into controlling the situation and is ready to take its time as long as need be. It knows that in the dark reality changes from that in the light and it uses this fact also to get its prey.
From this we can learn that the universe is more fluid, nothing is fixed as we think it to be. Like the panther, our psyche can expand and contract accordingly and be able to see a problem from a different aspect. Every problem has an exception to the usual patterns and we can appreciate this fact to deal with it, knowing that it is not a fixed entity needing force to crack it down.
We lost the skill of adaptation due to thinking that our mind needs to get in the way. Like the panther we need to be aware that reality is fluid and not fixed (as when seen through dark or light) - like the panther we can shape shift to what is required - and like the panther we can integrate with an environment making it less hostile and more manageable.
Article and Photo by Mary Attard
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