Chapter 6: The Migration

[The following is an excerpt from Chapter 6 of The Gospel of the Stone]

"When you begin any migration, you must open yourself up to the new experiences you will encounter. This can be done only if you leave all of your old impressions behind and become like a newborn child entering into a new world of wonders and sensations. New migrations may be long or short .... It does not matter. Your journey may carry you over great mountains and across untrodded valleys, or perhaps it may be as short as a journey around the lodges of the village. The length of it does not matter, as long as you remember to experience the journey with your Inner Sensations. To do this, you must learn to look for Great Spirit in every tree and shadow, and to see his face in every plant and rock along the way. Listen for the silent sounds of the clouds as they slowly pass overhead and wave their billowy arms to the Earth below. Feel the breeze on your face and the Earth at your feet; and remember that you too are a part of Creation's Plan. And wherever you go, always remember to leave the best of yourself behind. Sing a Song to the Land, touch each blossom in gratitude for their blooming, and share your joy with the birds and creatures as you pass by. Build Altars of Stone or Altars of Love wherever you go, so that all who follow will know that you have walked this way before."

The sun dipped low over the western rim of the ocean, and the tree shadows lengthened far beyond the limits of the grove. Aiyana appeared at the edge of the circle with a blanket on her arm and slowly made her way to the empty space directly in back of old Shumavi. Placing one hand upon his shoulder, she bent forward and softly whispered in his ear:

"Perhaps you should rest now, my husband. It's getting late. Soon it will be the time of sunset, and I know that you will want your prayer blanket."

As she placed the blanket over his shoulder, Shumavi's hand reached up and caressed her weathered face in a gesture of love and gratitude. Slowly lifting himself, he stood by her side and held her hand as he introduced her to the new visitors in the group:

"This is Aiyana—The Eternal Bloom—who became my wife over 50 summers ago; and she is still more beautiful to me than all of the sunsets we have shared together."

Silently and respectfully, everyone gathered up their possessions and started down the trail to the cove where the campsite was located. The young man with the question was the last to leave. Hesitantly, he and his wife approached with their daughter at their side and stood silently until Shumavi turned towards them and acknowledged their presence.

"We thank you, Grandfather. Your words have renewed our strength and brought peace to our hearts."

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