Whole Life Magazine

April / May 2018

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What is the smallest vessel that can hold a human being? Certainly it is more than the skin and bones that contain the pulsing of the individual life within; one human cannot forever stand alone and separate. Even the wise woman who lives in the forest apart from others serves as the wise woman for those others. The smallest vessel that can hold a human being must include at least one other human being. But two humans together cannot forever stand alone and separate. They need young ones to raise and teach, to help with the daily chores, and, fi nally, to take charge and carry on as the elders grow old, their bodies dying releasing their starlight and becoming stardust once again. The smallest vessel that can hold a human being must include at least the family. But the family cannot forever stand alone and separate. It needs others to help in the gathering of food, the building of shelter, and in caring for those who are sick or hurt, just as it helps others in their own time of need. The family needs others to bind together with in times of catastrophe, of want, and of war, as well as to rejoice with in times of plenty, and of peace. It needs others to share in the knowledge of Earth's gifts, and to learn the ways of the wise old ones. The smallest vessel that can hold a human being must include at least the clan. But the clan cannot long survive alone. It needs oxygen to breathe, food to eat, and waters to quench its thirst. It needs medicines to heal those who are sick. It needs insects to pollinate and clean the forests, savannas, deserts, and prairies. It needs jaguars, hawks, elk, sparrows, trees, fl owers, vines, and all manner of animals and plants both seen and unseen to teach the wordless songs of the Infi nite. The smallest vessel that can hold a human being must include at least the whole of the Web of Life. But the Web of Life cannot long survive alone. It needs a Mother, willing to share her fl esh: air, water, the makings of soil, and the mixing together of life-giving elements, so that the Web of Life might form itself out of her own body. The Smallest Vessel A Story from The Seeker and The Sage by David Christopher

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