Comments on: Sacred Justice, Part 1

By: Ayla

Ayla — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 20:34:12 +0000

Really enjoyed this. Has anyone read “Touching Spirit Bear”? It is a book for teenagers and is beautiful and powerful in the healing that is delivered through this other way. It feels like the much anticipated way you may be writing about. It is a tribal way, up in Canada I believe. To comment to Sigaar, the Q’ero people of Peru need teachers. The only way to teach is to live with them and learn their language. There are not many villages of them, 5 with maybe 300 people total (someone correct me if I am wrong), they are master light body healers….and then there are the Shipibo Conibo in the Amazon who are the master herbalists of Peru. You will meet them going on trips down there, but you can also ask Spirit to guide you to the ones you need to meet and buy a ticket! They will find you if you are meant to work with them…research them first so you know where they are, etc. Just a thought! I am a Shaman in Richmond, VA.

By: Sigaar

Sigaar — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 20:15:47 +0000

I am not sure if I will get a answer, but here goes.
I want to apprentice a shaman somewhere in the Amazon.
I have absolutely no idea of how to go about this at all.
I am a young 20 yr old guy with absolutely nothing to loose at all.
No kids, no girlfriend, no job, etc.
This is my time to explore now and see the world and grow spiritually.
I Know that this is something that I should do, but need help with it.
I know that naturally, I am a Healer. I just need to and would like to put that to use for anyone who wants that help. I don’t care about living conditions, or money, or fancy stuff at all. I would just like to learn more about being one with Mother Nature and listening to what she has to say and teach me. Right now I am currently in college, but its not what I want to be doing now, its just something convenient so I can have a place to stay. Id drop it in a heartbeat to learn the ways of the shaman.
Can you give me any insight or advice on what I should do?

By: Chuntaro

Chuntaro — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 05:12:41 +0000

Congratulations on the new site!
I hope everything is going well with your trip.

By: Willis

Willis — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 10:47:19 +0000

Steve,
Wonderful essay. I can’t wait for part 2. As a young teacher, I struggle daily with the punitive culture in society. I have to admit, that sometimes the punishment you describe is often the most pragmatic, especially since it is congruous with the behavior of our society as a whole. What I wonder, sometimes, is how can we also re-teach our students and children a new culture, since often they are the most eager to see this punishment meted out on a peer.

Hope you are well!

By: InnerWhale

InnerWhale — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 01:10:28 +0000

I would add an historical observation to the subject: form Natufians, approx 12,000 b.c., to Sumerians, approx 3100 b.c. there is’nt the faintest trace of warfare or violence. In the very moment where archeological records shows the sign of the existence of a “king”, a “high priest” and an anthropomoohic deity (Inanna-Ishtar), well, we find the first destruction by fire of collectives structures in Uruk, South Iraq, replaced by a unique huge vertical mound with a temple on top. From that moment on it’s all warfare and blood. The relationship btw central concentrated hierarchical powers and abuse and warfare is more than a theory: it’s archeological evidence….
Thanks for your always intersiting topics Steve.

By: Marco

Marco — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:22:17 +0000

I totally agree with part 1. Anticipating a little on part 2, there has been a revival all over the world of the other kind, the one you call sacred justice. The results speak for themselves. If only those who are perpetuating the punitive system could make a rational cost-and-benefits assessment… but what we are dealing with here is compulsive behavior, a.k.a. insanity, not deliberate choice.

Just imagine: what would life be like if all your circumstances were determined by the worst thing you ever did? That’s the definition of prison.

By: Steve Beyer

Steve Beyer — Tue, 26 May 2009 19:17:31 +0000

Thank you for your kind comments.

I have been away because sometimes I just run out of things to say. That is the spirits’ way of telling me I need to get a life. :-)

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 26 May 2009 17:26:54 +0000

Great to have you back Steve! I´m one of probably many who browse your blog on a daily basis, and consider it one of the most interesting. Thank You for these wonderful posts!
/ a reader

By: jaguarshaman

jaguarshaman — Tue, 26 May 2009 00:00:49 +0000

What wonderful commentary! I agree totally. Steve, I am so horrified by our so-called justice system that I refuse to do jury duty. I cannot and will not be a party to placing another human being in one of the medieval hell-holes we call prisons. Some even think it’s funny that men rape other men in these places. If the human race survives long enough, our descendents will look back on the American prison system and shake their heads that their forefathers could have been such barbarians. I am looking forward eagerly to part 2.

By: Steve Beyer

Steve Beyer — Mon, 25 May 2009 20:39:52 +0000

This is a good example of a hierarchical and punitive culture writ large, like Plato's city. It is equally important to scale back down, I think, and see how these values — and the myth of redemptive violence — inform our everyday interactions with each other. Here is how I sometimes put it. What am I willing to give up to live in sacred justice — hierarchy? control? power? righteousness? ego? dignity?

Here is one of my favorite stories, which comes from the Talmud. There was once a rabbi named Baruqa, who liked to visit the marketplace. One day, in the market, he saw the prophet Elijah. He hurried over to the prophet and asked, “Of all these people, who will have a share in the World-to-Come?” Elijah shook his head sadly and said, “None.” Later, two men came into the marketplace, and Rabbi Baruqa asked them who they were and what they did. The replied, “We are clowns. When we see people who are sad, we cheer them up. When we see two people in conflict, we help them make peace.” And Elijah said to Rabbi Baruqa, “Those two will have a share in the World-to-Come.”

So: Am I willing to be a clown for peace?