If one wants to change ones behavior and move towards healing the soul, one of the key steps in this process is deep reflection. We must look at not only the good things we have done, but most important, the bad things we have done. Things we are ashamed of, things we just rather not think about because it may give us too much pain, or discomfort. It is easier to be just in denial.
This process also applies to the healing of a country, and its people. The US, Canada, Australia as with other countries who have committed genocide against indigenous cultures in lands they believed were theirs for the taking despite the fact that the original people had lived on these lands for thousands of years. If we choose to be in denial about these truths we will never wake up to this false reality we have chosen to live in. If we choose to open our hearts to these truths, then maybe we will have a chance to live in a world where we can all live together in peace and respect and appreciate the many diverse cultures that are living on this very small planet of ours.
When I began learning about indigenous cultures both in the past and present, I began having a deep and profound respect for these cultures who live in their traditional ways. Their understanding and deep respect and reverence for the natural world is what most of us are lacking and is the reason the planet is in so much trouble environmentally as well as socially. We can relearn so much from these cultures if we just listen from an open heart and begin to heal ourselves and the planet.
We cannot deal with climate change effectively until we change our relationship with the natural world. If we do not see and feel a deep connection to all life, a oneness with all things, we, the human race will continue to create the same outcome.
As I have written many times, we can learn this deep connection and relationship, this deep reverence for all life by learning from the indigenous peoples and their wisdom’s of Nature.
We must go deep within ourselves to see the shear beauty and awe inspiring wonders in Nature. We must experience the sacredness in all life.
And this is not happening because we are not willing to make the changes from within to create a better world.
We must love, deeply love our planet and all life before we can see real change for the betterment of a healthier world. Be a seeker of a better life, for all life.
We cannot create the lasting change if we are not willing to change who we think we are, and find our true self.
Be grateful for all that the Earth provides to us – life.
Where the winds roar through the branches of the Sitka Spruce that runs along the coastline of the Pacific Ocean, the constant and seemingly endless falling of raindrops, the hail pounding on the roof of my tent where no other sounds can be heard.
Where the ocean’s untamed surf crashes against the erect and jagged rock monuments—the guarding sentries of the coastline that rises from the ocean floor.
Where the swift surge of the wild sea erodes away the cliff’s lines in natures course.
Where the roaring thunder announces its presence in the clouds above and beyond to the distant horizon, where the clouds and ocean meets and blends into one another in a gray void.
Where the presence of never-ending clouds threatening more wind, more rain, and more hail, never showing the possibility of the daylight and warmth of the sun nor the blue sky—only teasing us that there might be more than a brief glimpse of hope–hoping, hoping, please no more rain.
And then, in a moment of delight, the winds, rain, and hail have ceased to exist, replacing this winter storm with blue skies and sun giving us a refreshed insight and calm with the lull of the ocean—soothing our soul.
Where the birds once again rejoice in song as a new morning, a new day begins.
A brief moment to behold until the next storm comes to visit.
Where the cold air, and brisk breeze of winter can still be felt. And a constant reminder that nature is running the show.
For me, it is not just about being able to survive in the wilderness, or in learning bushcraft skills, thus becoming proficient in them that I can apply while in the wilderness—although this Art of primitive living highly interests me and drives me to want to learn more—it is much more than that. Being in the wilderness is truly about living in and being totally immersed in the experience, with the magnificence Nature provides to us when we open up to her, and allowing her to teach us. And of course, sharing this grand journey with my dog and my best friend, Shiloh.
~ Rick Theile
Shiloh at our camp at Kennedy Lake, Emigrant Wilderness.
This is my story, just one of many untold stories by millions of Americans—a story about the cause and effect of a failed system created and fed by the insatiable appetite for greed, and I am sure, some corruption mixed into the broth, that effected the lower and middle classes of men, women, and children, and creating very uncertain times for so many. In part, it is a story of struggle and hardship for many, and it is a story about a man and his dog finding peace during these turbulent times. These times were later referred to as the Great Recession of 2007. It is a time where a man and his canine companion were in search of a new life, a new purpose, and meaning that was found spending time in the wilderness and in Nature in the Sierra Nevada mountains. And creating a strong bond of companionship, a deep friendship, and love with his dog, Shiloh.
The devastating economic condition of our country was taking a huge toll on my very survival, as it had for so many Americans. I had friends who had lost their homes. With very little work to be had in the beginnings of the collapse of the building industry, I would find myself living one day at a time, wondering how I would survive, where I would live and how I would feed myself and my dog.
In March of 2009, I was being evicted from my apartment after living there for some six years. It was a difficult blow to deal with and I felt a lot of anger towards our government and for the greed, corruption, and irresponsibility of our financial institutions that were the root cause of this economic disaster that impacted the whole world as well as devastating the lower and middle classes of America.
During this period, I had very little money, and very little work in my Home Design business, no place to live, and wondering what will happen to Shiloh and I. I was looking at the real possibility of being homeless. I began going through my options and thought about the possibility of camping for two to three months and during that time maybe things would change, and work would start picking up for me once again.
The idea of camping was becoming more of a reality the more I thought about it. I looked at different areas where we lived in the San Francisco Bay Area where they had campgrounds that provided the necessities like showers and being somewhat close to where I do most of my work. This new direction we were about to embark on, actually began sounding like a great experience and adventure for Shiloh and I. We had no idea what it would bring, and I thought it would be a short term camping excursion. Little did I know, it would change my life in very profound, and unexpected ways. In the back of my mind I was always thinking, “things have to get better soon, work and the economy had to pick up soon.” I didn’t realize it would take six to eight years for the recovery of the Building Industry to take hold again and get back on track in the Residential Building sector in California.
In preparing to live in the woods, a friend of mine who I have not seen for a couple of years offered Shiloh and I a place to stay at his unfinished house. And it was unfinished. Five years before, I did the design, and Architectural Construction Documents (Working Drawings for Construction) for my friend on a major room addition and remodel of his house. Five years later, the house was framed out, the exterior siding enclosed the wall framing, windows in, and roofing material installed. But not much more then that had been done. At least it was weather tight. From the exterior, you could not tell any work was being done, but the interior was another matter. About ninety percent of the house in the interior living space was unfinished. It did have a one and a half bathroom that was finished, and a laundry room. It had no kitchen and much of the rest of the house did not have any insulation, or interior sheetrock, and no heat or AC in the house. In the interior, it was a skeleton of a house.
I couldn’t refuse my friends offer and he allowed me to have a space where I could set up a small office where I could work if and when I did get work. He charged me $600 per month vs. $2,500 per month that I was paying at my apartment.
But my mind was still set on camping, and we would still camp for at least a month and use his house as a backup if we did need a place to stay and work.
When I was telling some friends what I was planning on doing for a couple of months they were both concerned for me and Shiloh and thought I was a little crazy for wanting to camp out for a month or two in park campgrounds.
For most that would seem to be considered homeless, but for me, it was an exciting prospect being able to live in nature. I imagined doing something few would imagine doing and to follow in the foot steps of such people as Henry David Thoreau, John Muir, Henry Beston and others. Like them, I was being called to Nature. I saw myself as a born again Naturalist with my trusted friend and companion, Shiloh by my side.
In the original 4th draft of this manuscript I wrote in this story, and talked in a little more detail about what occurred prior to the events in 2009, and 2010 in Nature. In this blog, I will briefly touch on those times before 2009 just to give you a perspective of what lead up to this time period.
In the early 90’s I had experienced financial hardship due to the economic recession during the Gulf War that impacted the Building Industry, as well as starting over after my brother and I went different way from the Architectural business we had for 7 years together.
With very little money during the slow down of the economy in the early 90’s, scraping for work for rent and one meal a day at a Smorgasbord Restaurant just up the street from where I was living with three other roommates, I decided I wanted to make an impact in the world. So I began working with the Anthony Robbins Basket Brigade, a part of the Anthony Robbins Foundation, that was a nonprofit organizations. I organized an adopt-a-family program in my community to help the less fortunate for Thanksgiving. I did this for nine years, and fed over one thousand families with the great help of the volunteers. It was hard work but I enjoyed every second doing it. Unexpectedly I began to experience the emotions of joy, love, compassion, empathy, non-judgment, no expectations, and the wonderful gift of giving. I was hooked on giving to others. I looked forward to every year for the nine years I had done it. On the 9th years, I was done. I wanted to go into a different direction. I wasn’t sure what though.
During the mid 90’s I had experienced a number of unexpected awakenings that became a major spiritual transformations that completely changed my life 180 degrees. A reality I did not know existed, nor did I think I was even worthy of, nor was I even interested in. I was slowly and yet gently being pulled to this sacred place. I had an inner sense that something was saying, “Just look.” I pondered on why me? Why was I chosen for this gift? I did welcome this gift of awakening, and I was excited to learn more, much more of this sacred realm. It was a time of learning and experiencing what our outside reality could not teach, nor give.
One of those moments was around the latter part of the 90’s during a frustrating time playing golf. I wanted to excel in my game, but was stuck shooting a score average in the low 90’s for 18 holes. I knew I was much better then that. I just couldn’t get past that mental block.
I had an experience I was not proud of and I was ready to quit the game I loved. I decided to let go of what was holding me back and just enjoy this wonderful game with my friends. At that moment, I believe I experienced a small shift in consciousness. The next game I played, I was able to completely let go of any expectations, any thoughts, too experience the game in silence, and to play in the present moment. I also did not keep score. During the full 18 holes, I had become the observer or watcher of myself and myself playing the game. I was totally detached from the experience and yet one with the experience. After about three and a half month I drastically reduced my score and was shooting in the low 70’s. My best score was 73 for 18 holes.
The low scoring was just an after thought. It was totally unexpected, nor did it really matter. What mattered to me was just being one with the game, in non-attachment to the game. I believe, I know, I could not have done this without help from a source outside of me who was guiding me on this path of awakening. It was all about awakening to a new reality, and not about playing good golf.
Back in 2006 I was planning on heading into the wilderness with my four horses (Missouri Foxtrotters) and my two dogs (Native American Indian Dogs) for a planned five year journey throughout the western United States and possibly Canada. This trip had been in the planning and preparing stages for five year. A few months prior to my planned departure, one of my horses got sick and that postpone my trip for a year and then in 2007 just a couple of months before departure, things began falling apart for the trip. One thing lead to another and once again I had to delay the trip. Work at that time was becoming difficult to come by because the Contractors I worked with thought I was leaving for this adventure. The money I had saved for the trip slowly began dwindling down with no money or very little coming in.
Lacy Girl on left and Cheyenne on right.
I had dreamed when I was a young child to have horses. I watched the many westerns on TV, and movies. When I was planning my trip to pack into the wilderness on horseback. I needed horses. My first horse was an 11 year old Missouri Foxtrotter, a sorrel mare. She was beautiful and had an attitude. She tested me and taught me how to ride her. She had a kind heart, and. she also intimidated me. But once we felt connected to each other, she began to showed me her beautiful gate. She was as smooth a glass and a joy riding her. Lacy was her name, (also known as Crazy Lacy). She had taught me so much, and especially for the love and respect of horses. She had changed my life and was truly a gift.
During this period of time I had also started a non-profit in July of 2007 called, Indigenous Peoples International, focused on human rights and land rights of indigenous peoples and it would also be involved in issues on the preservation of our natural environment. I thought both these issues of humans rights of the indigenous cultures and the natural environment worked hand in hand with each other and my interests were very high in both. Having the non-profit was a long time dream of mine and it seemed it was becoming a reality for me. I chose to focus on indigenous cultures once I learned of the atrocities and genocides that had occurred to many indigenous cultures around the world in the past and continues in current day. It allowed me to focus in a new direction in my hopes of making a difference in the world.
Then the worst happened, my savings were gone, work was almost non-existent, I began falling behind with my financial responsibilities and then, I was forced to begin the process of selling my horses in 2008 because I could no longer support having them any longer. It not only became a very difficult time financially, but also losing my horses that had become a big part of my life. Losing them was a very painful experience for me. It also meant the trip I was planning was delayed indefinitely. Soon after I sold most of the horses, my female dog, Shawnee got sick and I had to put her down. She was only four and that was extremely devastating for me losing her. Everything seemed to be falling apart in my life. As the stock market was crashing, so was my life. It was now just me and Shiloh and one horse named Joey.
Throughout this time and even in the late nineties I had been thinking and dreaming about being in and living in the wilderness. The whole idea of getting back into Nature and living in Nature was always with me, always a part of me on some deeper level. After my dream of my horse packing journey became only a shattered image in my mind, I began focusing on survival skills or for another name, bushcraft skills, which had interested me for many years. The whole idea of knowing these skills was to be able to survive and to have self-reliance in the wilderness with very few supplies and using the natural resources around me for shelter, food and tools had always excited me. I began studying this lost art and dove into books, on survival skills, bushcraft skills, wild edible, and medicinal plants as well as DVD’s on survival and I began to immerse myself in the subject matter. The more I read, the more excited I became of the prospect of living in the wilderness and being able to survive in it if needed. One of the movies I had was called, “Alone In The Wilderness,” it was about a fifty year old man who left his job to retire and to live in the wilderness in the rugged territory of Alaska. He built a log cabin in an area called Twin Lakes and lived there alone for thirty years. Due to the harsh winters, he had to leave his home in the wilderness at the age of eighty. A pretty incredible story for people who love the wilderness.
During the major part of the nineties and into the new millennium, I began looking at life in a totally different way. I spent a lot of time reading and searching for the meaning of life and I had experienced a transformation in my life—a way of seeing life and the world like I had never seen it before. Things that were important to me growing up were now meaningless ideas. I realized the direction I was living my life had no meaning, it had no purpose, only an illusion of what I had thought life should be, dictated by family, our society through television, movies, government, schools and of course in advertisements.
I asked the question, “Why would I want to move away from the materialistic, the synthetic world I have lived in all my life?” As one friend asked me, “why would you want to move backwards?” I suppose for many, they would see it as a major step back in time. Some would perceive it as moving back into the Stone Age. And for most it would be nearly impossible, unless forced too, to give up all the niceties, conveniences, comforts and materialism we have in America and that we have become accustom too. For me reconnecting with nature is far more important than living in a world of consumerism, in having a lot of stuff, and thus becoming part of the problem in the devastating impact we are having on our planet through the pollution of our air, water and land, the rapid depletion of our natural resources, and overpopulation. Having all the stuff, the new fancy car, the big house, all the stuff to fill the house with, no longer had any meaning to me. Living in Nature and with the natural world has far more appeal to me than having a lot of stuff with short term gratification, usually just sits in a closet or in storage, or in the garage. It is not really about stepping back in time, but connecting deeply with the natural world, and the amazing beauty and wondrous creation of all life. We live on a very special planet.
When I think of traveling to new places or new countries now, I don’t think about staying in four and five star hotels or doing all the touristy things most people usually do when traveling. It is not that I was once one of those people who enjoyed the good life. I just now see myself rather spending time with traditional indigenous people who still live in the their traditional ways, so I can learn those skills and be with people who really live, experience and survive from the land and who respect the land for all it provides them on a more spiritual level. This was another dream of mine that I would love to experience.
And now, I am ready to explore nature once again with Shiloh, a Native American Indian Dog who is 5 years old now. And I will find that it will be an experience by me on a much deeper level than I could have ever thought or imagined. I decided to redirect that energy on still being in the wilderness, but not on horseback.
Shiloh relaxing at camp
On April 1st I got everything moved in and got my office stuff put into the unfinished Living Room at my friend’s house. For the month of April I was going to be spending a month and a half camping at a regional park about a half hour away from my new temporary home at my friend’s house. I made reservations to camp at Del Valle Reservoir Regional Park from April 1st to May 14th. This was to be our new home for forty-two days.
This is our story about rediscovering, and reconnecting with Nature, and the wilderness with Shiloh and I.
I once saw a sign at the beginning of a trailhead that read, May your search through Nature lead you to yourself.
This sign is a great idea to provoke thought and awareness while taking those first steps into Nature, but in reality, how many people grasp this possibility of reaching some awakening into finding who they truly are, in finding a deeper meaning in life, and connecting to Nature on a much deeper spiritual level. Many people in today’s world are looking for some spiritual connection that is outside themselves and they may go into Nature or travel to some exotic spiritual place thinking they will find the meaning of life, but very few ever do. Because they are always looking for it in the wrong direction. Instead of looking outward, they will only find this place within themselves by looking inward where the answers lies.
Most people that experience time in Nature are usually with other people or may be walking their dog or may actually be reflecting on life, but finding answers through nature I believe it can only be done alone without distractions by others. And it could take many weeks or months or even years in the wilderness to experience any real sense of connection with oneself and to all of creation, or it can be experienced in a moment, through deep awakening. Most of us bring mental garbage into nature with us and are hoping to leave oriesit behind somewhere else besides in our memories. As with anything it is a process that usually cannot be rushed. It is a process of being able to silence the mind and experiencing quiet observation and awareness. Being in Nature and appreciating nature is different from truly experiencing and connecting with Nature and experiencing a deep profound awakening experience with Nature in Nature.
“Wilderness is not only a haven for native plants and animals but it is also a refuge from society. Its a place to go to hear the wind and little else, see the stars and the galaxies, smell the pine trees, feel the cold water, touch the sky and the ground at the same time, listen to coyotes, eat the fresh snow, walk across the desert sands, and realize why its good to go outside of the city and the suburbs. Fortunately, there is wilderness just outside the limits of the cities and the suburbs in most of the United States, especially in the West.”
The silent voices are those voices we choose not to hear. They are the cries, the prayers, the ceremonies for healing, the horrors and the atrocities of indigenous peoples and their cultures all around the world who have been ignored, shunned and demonized by the rest of the world because they believe and choose to live their ancient traditional ways. For many indigenous peoples, their lands, their traditions, their cultures, their ceremonies, their languages taken away and strip them of their very souls – stolen by outsiders. When their sacred lands are forever violated by others, no one cares or listens when they try to speak for their lands and what makes them who they are. The governments and churches have tried to silence their voices by forces assimilation, punishment, death and genocide. One famous saying in America was, “Kill The Indian, Save The Man.” How barbaric is such an idea? Who gives anyone such a right against another culture or people? As Americans we were taught about democracy and the rights for all men and yet we did to the Native People what Hitler did to the Jews and worse. Hitler, a man most despised for his brutality against the Jews and Gypsies by most people in the world has forgotten that this very thing Hitler had done, has been done to indigenous peoples throughout the world by our governments and the Christian church. Hitler got the idea of concentration camps from America – reading about the Indian Reservations. In fairly recent times, multi-national corporations have contributed to the brutality of indigenous peoples. Even when we are aware of it now through the information on the internet or from human rights groups who want to protect the rights of these peoples, we still choose to cover our ears, to ignore their voices. We call ourselves civilized and yet we continue to commit these atrocities against innocent people. Our governments cry to its people that we must fight terrorism, when in reality, we are the terrorist.
What will it take for us to wake up and treat all peoples equally? What will it take to realize human lives are more important than progress or materialism? These Silent Voices are important for our very survival as a peoples because we can learn valuable teachings from these people and cultures. We, the modern day societies have become so disconnected from the very things that give us life – our true connection with all life.
Today, indigenous peoples all around the world have come together to sow an alliance to protect Mother Earth, sacred lands and to protect their cultures and traditions for their children. Some are beginning to listen to them, but most are still blind to the crimes against these peoples and to their ways of life. I do not understand this.
When I think of Canada, I imagine her majestic mountains, her pristine glacial fed lakes, her flowing rivers, her lush green untouched boreal forests stretching across the land and the Northern Lights dancing in the winter night skies. I think about her abundant wildlife and the pure wildness of the land. It is a land I see myself connecting once again with nature. From my early memories I dreamed of riding the Canadian trails on horseback, canoeing the abundant lakes and rivers, and walking the woodlands for wildlife. And one cannot forget about the original peoples of Canada – the First Nations, who’s traditions, cultures and ways of life spurs the imaginations of so many who dream of living with the land as the First Nations have for thousands of years.
Archie Belaney (Grey Owl) was one such person from England and dreamed of living with the Indians of Canada. His dream was fulfilled and eventually became a spokesman for the beaver and conservation. His love and connection with the land was learned from his stay with the Ojibwe People.
I think for the dreamers who dreams of the wilderness, a part of this experience would be to live with the aboriginal people of the land because they know and have the knowledge of the rhythms and flow of nature and our relationship with her. These traditional peoples makes up what Canada truly is. Like the grizzly bear, the black bear, the caribou, the moose, the beaver, the eagles and all that is Canada, so are the First Nations, Canada – as the Native Americans are America, The Native Hawaiians are Hawaii, the Maori are New Zealand, the Australian Aboriginal are Australia and the list continues with all indigenous peoples and their home lands.
Since Europeans arrival in North America, a steady decline has occurred to the original peoples and their traditions through disease, war, genocide, forced assimilation and the taking of their lands. And even today, there is a silent genocide occurring against these indigenous peoples that the majority of people who occupy their lands choose to blindly ignore.
In Northern Alberta in the Athabasca Lake region above the Alberta Tar Sands mines there are First Nations communities consisting of Athabasca Chipewyan, Cree and Metis peoples. These peoples who have been in the region for over 10,000 years and have lived traditionally from the land are still getting their food from Athabasca Lake, Athabasca River and from the forest. Their drinking water also comes from the lake and river. This area was once pristine until the Tar Sands began polluting the river and lake with toxic sludge consisting of high levels of lead, mercury and other toxins and high levels of arsenic in the air. It was soon after high rates of cancer were developing within the Native community. As mentioned, these communities relied on the natural resources for sustenance. Meat from game animals, drinking water and fish from the lakes and rivers, waterfowl, as with other game. They also relied on plants for food and medicines. The toxic poisons from the Tar Sands are in the air, land, water and in the animals, fish and plants, so the people of these communities are being exposed to these toxins daily and in everything they consumed. The oil companies and government are not taking any responsibility for this toxic pollution nor the illnesses and deaths attributed to the high levels of toxins in the environment caused by the Tar Sands. More development and expansion are planned for the Tar Sands that will wipe out these Native communities that have been there for over 10,000 years and making the once pristine waterways, lakes and forests, waste lands, scaring this fragile ecosystem for many years to come.
This is not an isolated event, it is happening in other parts of Canada, in America, impacting the Native Americans, in Hawaii, in Australia, South America, in Africa, and in the rest of the world impacting the indigenous communities who have no voice. Multinational corporations from the oil, gas, mining, logging and chemical industries are killing people, devastating their communities, their cultures and destroying the environment and it seems the rest of the world does not care. These are crimes against humanity by governments and corporations and we better start caring because it could happen to us.
I often go over this question in my mind, and in my heart everyday, when I am searching for answers on how I can contribute to the world. Unfortunately, I seldom find the answers that I am seeking when asking this question.
I read a book a while ago, and in this book a phrase resonated with me. The phrase is “being in service to the planet.” How may I serve the planet? What a beautiful mantra to create a new relationship with our home, our plant, and to all life that we share with on our home, planet Earth. I believe by doing this we will shift our relationship with the planet, with a greater appreciation, and gratitude for all that she provides to us – the beautiful, and wondrous gift of life itself. We can bring a healing to the planet and to ourselves, and for that matter, too all life.
Chief Oren Lyons said in an interview, “we have learned to see the land as a right to use as we see fit, rather than seeing her with reverence and respect.” (very loosely quoted). The “Land,” refers to all life forms in the seen, and unseen.
Having a relationship with our planet gives us a strong, and deep spiritual connection with her and with all life. It will give us a greater purpose in life and the importance in all life. If we destroy our planet with our continued total disconnectedness with her, we will destroy much of the human race, and much of all life that exists today. All because we refused to see, and listen to the voices of Nature. And through our endless and addictive consumption of taking, and taking some more, without seeing the impacts we have on our plant, and to All Life.
We cannot survive without a healthy planet. We all know this, and maybe it is time, right now, to do something about it. If not for us, then for our children and their children.
Many of the traditional people of the world have been trying hard to keep and maintain their strong traditions, and relationship with the natural world, but with the powerful resistance against them by the greed machine, driven by the mighty dollar, always pushing against them. This useless piece of paper for the few, has more power than life itself. They have become lost in their own delusion of what is truly important.
This is my prayer to the Planet and to all of Creation.
How may I be of service to the Creator?
How may I be of service to the Universe?
How may I be of service to the Planet?
How may I be of service to the Human Species?
How may I be of service to the Animal Beings?
How may I be of service to the Trees Beings?
How may I be of service to the Plant Beings?
How may I be of service to All Life?
How may I be of service through unconditional Love, for All Things?
Blogs In Nature 