By James Blue Wolf ? letters to the editor
Mount Konocti, the “breathing mountain,” is up for grabs. It is, of course, not a “thing” that can be simply bought and sold ? though some pretend it to be so. Original peoples recognized it as a “relative” ? like a grandfather or grandmother ? imposing and worthy of respect ? a sacred place that needs its space and solitude to fulfill its responsibilities to the earth. There are other places in the world we recognize as sacred ? Bethlehem, Mecca, Bear Butte, Everest, Stonehenge. Each of these places has its special recognition, protections and agreements for preservation. Each has inspired people with its “sacred” qualities. But people often talk out of both sides of their mouths. Take Everest for example. Every climber that has gone there feels its power and acknowledges it as “sacred.” Yet the mountain of trash left in their personal quest to “conquer it” exposes their primary commitment ? to themselves. The mountain has chosen its co-inhabitants through time. Human beings may have a reason to go there ? but that reason is best known by local native peoples. They understand the restrictions and circumstances that govern the mountain”s relationship with humanity. Before discussions occur to assess any acceptable uses and inevitable abuses, people need to formulate a proposal representing the needs of the mountain. The purposes of humanity and domination have enough spokesmen. Just because we can “open” the mountain does not mean we should. What is the nature of this compulsion to put our footprint upon all of creation? My own opinion is that the mountain is a spiritual leader that needs space and solitude to represent creation for all life forms. As with any living being, any kind of manipulation or domination implies unintended consequences. My wife says it more simply; opening it to the public “is a bad idea!”
James Blue Wolf
Nice
