Singing Stone

I must tell you at the beginning of this story, you may find it difficult to follow, due to all of the Symbolism . Also the importance of “four” within my culture, do not be confused at the concept that each day is separate into four parts on this Young Mans’ Journey.
This Story is about one Young Man seeking to know himself, who he is.
This Teaching Story told to me as a boy of seven Seasons, the year by the modern calendar is 1942.
To help you to separate the Story from the Symbolic Teaching I will separate these by using the symbols, ****. I pray this teaching will help you along your Life Path, understand Your Seeking and not be confused. As I have found many people have difficulty with Symbolism.

The Story – Searching for Singing Stone

The Grandfather speaks:

“Sands blow endlessly into the Rivers, yet they never fill up,” the Grandfather said quietly.

The Young Men who sat across from him watched the Fire.

“Winds great and small bring the sand. The small ones dance for your eyes, but the great ones are so vast that we can only feel part of them. We experience them as the Winds of Change,” the Grandfather went on without looking up. “And so it is with our understanding.”

“But why has the Creator chosen to Teach us in this Way?” one of the Young Men asked. “If the Creator is so all Knowing. Why then does he not just speak to us in a simple Way that we can all understand?”

The Fire illuminated the Grandfather’s White Braids. The Old Man sat quietly and unmoving.

The Young Men watched him intently.

“There is a smile within your eyes, Little Brother,” the Grandfather said softly, “because you think my silence is trickery.”

“You understood my question, did you not?” the Young Man asked. “I did not wish my question to stake you down, but I have wondered for a long time about this. How is it that we are taught by the Creator in this manner?”

“Place your hand over the Fire, Little Brother, and feel the heat,” the Grandfather answered.

The Young Man placed his hand over the Fire. He felt the heat grow within it, until he was forced to pull his hand away again. Then the Grandfather spoke once more.

“All that you Feel and See, are the Flowers these things open in your Mind, are the answers,” the Grandfather said. “The Fire of Life. It is warm, glowing with color, surrounded by the night, yet speaking of the day. It is promising, painful, dangerous, harmonious, visible at this moment, then moving into invisibility, alive, consuming, changing and finally disappearing into death. We ourselves are another Fire upon this Earth. We are part Fire, part Dream. We are the Physical Mirroring of the Creator, the total Universe, upon this Earth, our Mother. We are here to experience. We are but a movement of a hand within millions of Seasons, a wink of touching within millions and millions of Sun Fires.”

“And the Whirlwinds?” the Young Man asked. “Is this the Teaching Voice? If it is, I have found it silent.”

“The Wind is the Spirit of these things,” the Grandfather answered, looking up. “The force of the Natural Things of this World are brought together within the Whirlwind. Each tiny grain of sand is separate from the next, but they are all one thing within the Whirlwind. Some People bite their own lips in anger when the Whirlwind blows sand into their eyes. Others stand in awe or fear of these swirls of Wind and sand. Children run among them, and a few learn from them. We too are of this Earth, and we too are brought together within the Whirlwinds, these turning wheels. These Teachers speak loudly to those of us who listen, not only with their ears, but with the Heart and Spirit also”.

“Your Teachings leaves me torn with confusion,” the Young Man said. “If these Voices Speak so loudly, how is it that I cannot hear them?”

“A Story speaks softly, yet it can reflect for you many of the Ways within these Whirlwinds that you may hear them sing. Would you have a Story Painted for you?” asked the Grandfather.

“Yes,” answered the Young Man. “What is the Story?”

“It is the Story of Singing Stone,” the Grandfather began.
****
One day a Young man approached his Grand-father and sat with him.

“Grandfather,” the Young Man said, “I heard that there exists a Singing Stone, and that when it is found, it will hold great Medicine for the finder. Is this true?”

“It is true,” answered his Grandfather. “Go to the North and you will find it.
****
Everything within this Story, Singing Stone, is a Teaching of discovering One’s Self, I shall unfold some of the Petals of this Flower.

The Young Man in this Story goes to his Grandfather and asks him about a Singing Stone. This Grandfather is the Symbol of the Six Directions, the North, South, East, West, and the Sky and the Earth. And he is, of course, also a Symbol of the Teacher inside the Young Man. The Young Man begins to speak with this Teacher, which is himself.

“Go to the North,” his Grandfather tells the Young Man in the Story. The Teaching here is that you must first look for those things that you seek within Wisdom. North is the Direction of Wisdom.
****
At the next Sunrise the Young Man began his Journey to the North. It was his first day. He had not gone far before he saw what appeared to be Smoke in the distance.

“It is a Fire!” the Young Man thought. “I will be burned!” He was afraid.

But he was determined to go on. That evening he saw that the Smoke was the Rainbow Mist of the Sacred Mountains. That night he rested.
****
The Story then speaks of the Young Man’s Sunrise and his first day. Both of these Symbols represent New Illumination, New Beginnings, or New Questions.

The Fire in the Story represents the Spirit of the People.

Evening means the time of rest and Dreams. It is also the entrance to the Introspective Way, the looking within. Rainbows and Rainbow Mist Symbolize the Myths that you create upon the Earth.
****
His second day he walked among the Pines of the Sacred Mountains until he came into a broad Circle that was green and bright with the Sun. The Pines completely circled this wonderful place except to the East, which was left open. The Young Man walked with the Sun all that day to cross this place. That night he slept.
****
On the Young Man’s second day, he walks across the place of the Pines. This place of Pines, and the broad Circle within it, are Symbolic of the Special Place within you that is the Lodge of all of your Feeling, Thoughts, Fantasies and Dreams.
****
His third day the Young Man came to a very beautiful Lake. Everything of the World was mirrored in this Lake. The Flowers, Trees, Beings of the Meadow, the Lodges of the People, the Mountains, the Day and Night Sky and the Sun were all reflected there. This was the Medicine Lake. He drank the sweet Water from the Lake and refreshed himself. Then he rested.
****
On his third day, the Young Man comes to a beautiful Lake. This Lake is a Symbol of the Mirror of Totality, or Wholeness. Some People perceive this Totality to be the Creator, but this is only one of many reflections within the Mirror.
****
His fourth day the Young Man saw his Grandfather sitting upon a Stone waiting for him.

“Welcome, Grandson,” his Grandfather said.

The Old Man’s Hair was white, and his Braids touched the Ground. The Old Man fed his Grandson Elk meat, Roots and Berries of the Meadow, and other wonderful tasting food. After the Young Man had finished his meal, his Grandfather offered him a Gift.

“Here are my Braids,” his Grandfather said, cutting his Braids and offering them to the Young Man.

But the Young Man could not keep the Braids upon his own head, even when he tried to tie them there.

“Your Braids will not stay upon my head,” the Young Man said.

“Then tie them to your waist,” his Grandfather answered.

The Young Man did this. Then he said, “I have come for Singing Stone.”

“Singing Stone is not to the North,” his Grandfather answered. “It is to the South.”

The Young Man returned to his camp and rested. This was the end of his first day.
****
On the Young Man’s fourth day, he meets his reflection, his Grandfather, again. The meal the Young Man eats with his Teacher is the Food of Learning, or Information.

His Grandfather’s Braids are Symbols of Experience. The fact that his Braids touch the Ground means that his experience touches the Natural Law of the Mother Earth. His white Braids represents Experience within Wisdom. His Grandfather’s Braids would not stay upon the Young Man’s head, here Symbolizing the Young Man’s lack of Wisdom within Experience.

This is the end of the Young man’s first day. Within this day there have been four Symbolic days representing the Four Great Directions, or the Circle of Life. The Young Man in this Story has now visited each of these Four Directions within Wisdom, in order to find Balance within the Way of the North, WISDOM.

The Young Man in the Story enters the Lodge of Wisdom by first experiencing the place of the South, INNOCENCE and TRUTH, within WISDOM. That is his first day, his first Illumination. On his second day he visits the West, INTROSPECTION, the looking within, within WISDOM, and on his third day he visits the North. On his fourth and finial day within WISDOM he visits the East, the place of ILLUMINATION within WISDOM.

He has come Full Circle within the North and is Illuminated by visiting all of its Four Directions, and experiencing their Balance within WISDOM.
****
The next morning he began his Journey South.

His first day he met Mother Fox and her Kit Foxes. They played with the Young Man and walked with him.

“Where are you going?” the Kit Foxes asked him.

“I am going to find Singing Stone,” the Young Man answered. “Can you help me?”

“Yes!” the Kit Foxes answered. “Follow the River and you will find Singing Stone.”

That night the Young Man Slept.
****
The next morning in the Story is the Young Man’s first day of the second day of his Seeking. Mother Fox and her Kit Foxes in this Story are Symbolic of your Peer Group.
****
His second day the Young Man met Turtle. Turtle walked with him all that day and sang him four Songs.
****
The Turtle he meets on his second day is Symbolic of the Traditions of the Earth. The four Harmonies, or Songs, the Songs Turtle sings to him reflect the Four Directions, and also four of the many Harmonies that exist within Tradition.
****
His third day the Young Man was walking along the River and suddenly found that he could go no further.

“Now what will I do?” the Young Man asked himself.

“I will help you,” answered Raccoon. “Just follow me.”

Now the Young Man could see Raccoon, and he followed him onto the Meadow. But soon the Trail Raccoon led the Young Man upon crossed and re-crossed and ran off in every direction.

“You have tricked me!” the Young Man exclaimed.

“No,” answered Raccoon, I have not tricked you. The River is right over there.” The Young Man saw that it was. That night the Young Man slept.
****
On his third day, Raccoon leads him from the River to the Meadow. The Meadow is a Symbol of Everyday Life, and the River is a Symbol of the Spirit of Life.

Raccoon , as you have learned, is Symbolic of the Be’er, the gentle trickster. He represents all those things that trick you into learning.
****
His forth day the Young Man set out again. He soon becomes confused and discouraged.

“Nowhere can I see Singing Stone!” the Young Man said, “all that I can see here are the Mountains, the Meadow, Sky, Sun, Trees and Beings of this place.” He becomes very angry.

Then the Young Man heard a Voice saying, “Look at me!” It was a beautiful many colored Dragonfly. It was balanced above the moving Waters of the River.

And the Young Man leaned far out over the River to see his beautiful Brother more closely.

The Young Man was held within Wonder at the beauty he saw reflected there.

Then he lost his balance and fell into the River. He became afraid and thought he would drown.

“You have tricked me!” he cried angrily.

“No, Little Brother,” answered Dragonfly. “I have not tricked you. You have only fallen into the River. Singing Stone is not to the South, it is to the West.”

The Young Man returned to his camp and rested. This was the end of his second day.
****
On the Young Man’s forth day he meets Dragonfly. Dragonfly is Symbolic of the many things in your Life that hypnotize you, or cause you to fixate upon something.

Even as I unfold some of the Teachings within this Story, you may possibly become fixated upon one particular Understanding of a Symbol that reflects many Meanings. It is for you to move these Symbols within your own experience so that you may learn. As you fall into the Symbolic River of Life you to may become frightened. Entering the Unknown, the hesitation, the fear of the Unknown can only be overcome by boldly taking that first step upon a new adventure, trusting your INNER VOICES.

This is the end of the Young Man’s second Day. As you can see, his second Circle upon the Mirror of the Circle of Life is in the South. The South, your place of TRUST and INNOCENCE, is also Balanced now within the Four Great Direction.
****
The next day he began his Journey West.

His first day walking West the Young Man met a She Dog and her Pups. They walked with him all that day. The Young Man played with the Pups and found comfort with them. That night he rested.
****
On his third day the Young Man meets a She Dog with her Pups. This She Dog and her Pups are the Symbol of Philosophy. The Dog also represents the servants among People, trust and friendship.
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His second day he found a place of Cedar. It took him one full day to cross it, and that night he slept.
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Cedar is the Earth Symbol or Mother Symbol. It is burned for incense and used with Prayers. Within this Story, Cedar Symbolizes that these things of the Earth are within your experience.
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His third day he met Great Elk with Lighting painted on his shoulders and in his Antlers. Great Elk walked with the Young Man all that day, and Sang him four Songs. That night the Young Man rested.
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Lightning Elk is the Symbol of ILLUMINATION within INTROSPECTION, and also of death and the Power of rebirth. The Antlers of Great Elk Symbolize Lightning. The four Songs of Lightning Elk Symbolize the ILLUMINATION within the Four Great Directions of the Circle of Life.
****
His fourth day the Young Man saw Mouse, and Mouse saw the Young Man. Mouse began to run and the Young Man chased him all day. He chased Mouse into a cave. The cave becomes smaller and smaller until it was only big enough for Mouse. Mouse stopped, turned around and spoke to the Young Man.

“Why are you chasing me?” asked Mouse.

“I am seeking Singing Stone,” the Young Man answered.

“This is a Mouse Cave,” Mouse said to the Young Man, “Singing Stone is not to the West, It is to the East.”

The Young Man went back to his camp and rested. This was the end of the Young Man’s third day.
****
Mouse, as you remember, perceives only what-ever is very close to him. The Teaching here is that when you look too closely within, you may set too much within the Circle of Yourself to perceive anything clearly. To perceive the Circle of the West, you must first move outside of it.

Now, as you can see, the Young Man has visited the third Circle of his Quest. This Circle is within the West, and it is also Balanced within the Four Directions.
****
The next morning was the beginning of his Journey East.

His first day he had not walked very far before be saw a beautiful Lodge in the distance. An Old Woman met him at that Lodge and fed him a great meal which they ate together.

“What is this wonderful Lodge, Grandmother?” the Young Man asked.

This is the Lodge of Gambling, Grandson,” answered the Old Woman. He rested that night with the Old Woman.
****
The East is the Young Man’s fourth and final Way. It is the place of NEW QUESTIONING, or ILLUMINATION. Whenever you experience the ILLUMINATION of the East, You will always have NEW QUESTIONS.

The Lodge of Gambling represents the many Gambles within the reality of your daily Life.
****
His second day after he left that Lodge he saw another Lodge in the distance. It was even more beautiful than the first, and it was glowing brightly. It was painted with all the colors.

An Old Man came out and greeted the Young Man.

“Welcome my Grandson,” the Old Man said, taking the Young Man into his Lodge. “I have been expecting you. Here, come sit with me and eat this fine Elk meat. It is my Gift to you.”

After they had eaten, the Young Man asked the Old Man about the Painted Lodge.

“This is the Lodge of the Sacred Fire,” the Old Man answered.

The Young Man slept there that night.
****
The Lodge of the Sacred Fires is the Lodge of the Great Mirrors. It Symbolizes the Heart of the People, and the Songs of the Life Circle itself. The Lodge of the Sacred Fires also Symbolizes the Lodge of the Common Fire of the People.

Within each of your own separate Lodges, deep within yourself, there is also part of the Great Medicine Fire of the People. The question you are always asking yourself is, “WHO AM I,” or “WHO IS THIS LIVING SPIRIT, THIS FIRE?” The questioning of this mystery is the beginning of your search for Understanding of your FIRE OF SELF, and it is a Circle that always leads you back to the Great Medicine Fire, Symbolized by the Lodge of the Sacred Fires.

This Great Fire and this Lodge are Songs that are reflected within the sound of the Drum inside the many colored Rainbows that have been painted. These Rainbows are the Myths within the Sacred Mountains, and they are Mirrored for you in the Sacred Fires. As you experience the Sacred Fires, you will come into Understanding of the Fire within you through the Balance of the Four Great Directions.
****
His third day, the Young Man comes to a very wide River. He looks up and down its banks for a place to cross, but he could find none. Then he listened closely to his own heartbeat, and he felt his Heart say, ‘There is always a place for Children to cross the River.’ So he crossed, and as he did so the Water never came above his knees. That night he rested.
****
Now you hear this Drum clearly within you, Symbolizing your Heart. It speaks of your crossing the Great River, Symbolizing the Universal Spirit. The Children Symbolize the Child within, your INNOCENCE.
****
His fourth day, the Young Man sat upon a hill. He saw in the distance a strange Village. He got to his feet and walked toward the Village. He became very afraid because the Signs on the Lodges were strange to him, and he could not recognize them. The closer he came to the Lodges, the more he felt the Bow of tension pulled within him. But he was determined to go on.

He stepped into the Circle of Lodges. Then all his relatives came out to greet him, saying, “Welcome to our Council Fire, Singing Stone.”

“And that ends the Story,” the Grandfather said as he reached for his Pipe.
****
You too now sit upon the Hill in your Quest, like the Young Man in the Story of Singing Stone. Both he and you are beginning your Quest, the Quest to perceive yourself within the Harmony of the Four Balances or Directions.

And will you also perceive your own camps to be strange, as this Young Man does? Why will this be so? And why will you be unable to recognize your People? Why will the Signs that are upon the Lodges of the People appear so strange to you? Will it be because they have suddenly changed, or will it be because it is your own PERCEPTION that has changed?

The Sacred Fire within is a Mirror of this TEACHING WAY. It will reflect YOUR learning within YOUR search of SELF, within the Greater Life Circle.
End of This Story
****
The Grandfather and I sat under the Apple Tree within my Grandmothers yard. It was full of bright red Apples. The surrounding Mountains all dressed out in their many colors of the Autumn Leaves, the winds cool, coming out of the North, expecting Snow any day now. I knew with Winter coming the times The Grandfather visits, Stories and lessons would now be fewer than in the warmer Seasons. With a mix of sadness and joy we end this day with a meal my Grandmother had prepared, good conversation much laughter and setting next to the fire in the evening, hopefully more Stories from The Grandfather and My Grandmother into the night. Because I knew in the Morning The Grandfather was leaving.

With this new Story, “Singing Stone”, I would have much to think about, pondering the symbolism as I was also searching for Who I AM.

White Crow October 1942