Put down that bag of potato chips,
that white bread, that bottle of pop.
Turn off that cellphone, computer,
and remote control.
Open the door, then close it behind you.
Take a breath offered by friendly winds.
They travel the earth gathering essences
of plants to clean.
Give it back with gratitude.
If you sing it will give your spirit lift
to fly to the stars’ ears and back.
Acknowledge this earth who has cared for
you since you were a dream planting itself
precisely within your parents’ desire.
Let your moccasin feet take you to the
encampment of the guardians who have
known you before time, who will be
there after time. They sit before the fire
that has been there without time.
Let the earth stabilize your postcolonial
insecure jitters.
Be respectful of the small insects, birds
and animal people who accompany you.
Ask their forgiveness for the harm we
humans have brought down upon them.
Don’t worry.
The heart knows the way though there may
be high-rises, interstates, checkpoints, armed
soldiers, massacres, wars, and those who will
despise you because they despise themselves.
The journey might take you a few hours,
a day, a year, a few years, a hundred, a
thousand or even more.
Watch your mind. Without training it might
run away and leave your heart for the
immense human feast set by the thieves of time.
Do not hold regrets.
When you find your way to the circle, to the
fire kept burning by the keepers of your soul,
you will be welcomed.
You must clean yourself with cedar, sage,
or other healing plant.
Cut the ties you have to failure and shame.
Let go the pain you are holding in your
mind, your shoulders, your heart, all the way
to your feet. Let go the pain of your ancestors
to make way for those who are heading in
our direction.
Ask for forgiveness.
Call upon the help of those who love you.
These helpers take many forms: animal,
element, bird, angel, saint, stone, or ancestor.
Call your spirit back. It may be caught in
corners and creases of shame, judgment, and
human abuse.
You must call in a way that your spirit will
want to return.
Speak to it as you would to a beloved child.
Welcome your spirit back from its wandering.
It may return in pieces, in tatters. Gather them
together. They will be happy to be found after
being lost for so long.
Your spirit will need to sleep awhile after it is
bathed and given clean clothes.
Now you can have a party. Invite everyone
you know who loves and supports you. Keep
room for those who have no place else to go.
Make a giveaway, and remember,
keep the speeches short.
Then, you must do this: help the next person
find their way through the dark.
Joy Harjo, Conflict Resolution for Holy Beings
