THE DANCE OF THE PEOPLE Windwalker and I sat quietly by the small campfire. We came to the forest to share some quiet time with one another. I watched as Windwalker made small circles in the dirt near the smoking embers. He said nothing. It would be this way. Now, after many hours sitting silently, I sensed Windwalker was ready to speak. Windwalker said softly, "I feel weary when I walk now. I feel a sense of uneasiness and my spirit is pulled to my earth mother. She is ready to communicate with me. As I sit upon my earth mother, I feel her warmth and love cradle me. I am her child. I know I am a child of the forest, and I belong to her." "My spirit is calm and safe for I feel the gentle loving hug of her spirit to mine. She gentle whispers to me, and acknowledges the four sacred directions and winds, for it is a gift to hear the voices of the earth and sky. I feel my senses become keener. I hear her soft voice speaking to me. 'I am here mother,' I say. 'I am eager to hear your words, to learn your wisdom, to experience life from your eyes, so that I may walk without shame on my path in the circle of life that my Grandfather has chosen for me.'" Windwalker peered into the inky sky and held up his hand high above his head. I could see that his eyes were closed. "Earth mother speaks to me. She says, 'Child, my son, hear my words, for your Grandfather speaks through me to you. Carry what I am about to say with you always in your heart and live by these principles. Turn away from the lies as you would from the fire when its smoke billows into your eyes. Lies lead to the death of the spirit. A man of honor would no more tell a lie than chop off his hand with a tomahawk." I sat quietly watching my friend. He was unaware of me now. I was enchanted and just happy to be a part of his life. He continued, "Be trustworthy, Windwalker. Always do what you say you are going to do even if it causes you pain or difficulty. In your trustworthiness, also be humble, as the earth mother. She gives you everything you need and still lets you walk all over her. These are my words to you, my son, which I give to you through the earth, your mother. I have given you many brothers and sisters. Open your spirit to them. I give you the moon, your godmother. I give you the sun, your father. I give you the four winds and the four sacred directions. I give you the four-legged and winged creatures, who are also your brothers and sisters. I, your grandfather, give to you and all the People, my spirit, life, and the beauty of all creation, of which I am the creator." Windwalker stopped for a long period of time. The fire burned slowly until only small embers remained. He didn't feed the fire. It was now the color of a setting sun in late October. I waited in silence. Time passed like geese through gray November clouds. I listened to their passing waiting for my friend to begin once again. "I give to you, Windwalker, the gift of free will, and two paths to follow. Let not your heart and mind battle. Let your heart lead for this is where you will find the answers to all of your questions. If you are willing to seek and find, you will find it within you where I dwell. In you, I've given the beat and rhythm of all life. Dance as the spirit dictates, and you shall find what causes the conflict within you. As I have said, 'I give you two paths, one which is the Red Road and one is the Dark Road.' Hear and feel the dance of the spirit within you and you will know what path to take. It is your journey to walk upon the one true path in the circle of life, the one which has been chosen for you." Windwalker's hand gently placed a few dried twigs on the embers. In a moment they flamed up and the light reflected upon his face. He was transfixed. His eyes shone like a wolf's. After a time, he continued, "You see through the eyes of the eagle, who is my messenger of prayer, the giver of hope, strength, and freedom to the one who believes. You possess the spirit of the cougar, which is patience, the one who knows when to be still and when to pounce upon its prey. You own the spirit of the wolf, the one who can survive on its own or can work with the pack to survive as a whole. You move with the grace of the bear, the symbol of strength, wisdom, and healing. Ah, and you speak with the spirit of the owl, the sentinel of the night, the one who fears nothing in the silence of darkness." I listened but heard no hooting owl. All around us the spring peepers serenaded us. Windwalker stared into the darkness. Somewhere out there the eyes of the night were watching us. Finally, Windwalker stood up and held both his hands up to the dark sky. He intoned, "The choice is yours. The dance of life and spirit is yours. Respect all life and creation for these have done you no harm. Dance, my child, and choose wisely. I, your grandfather, will always be with you. Open your heart to all the life forces of creation. To be a warrior is not just hunting and going on warpaths. To be one of spirit is not all loneliness and sadness. I, your grandfather, bestow upon you the spirit of creation. This dance is for you, but not for you alone. It's for all people, for all creation. Dance for all creation, for all life, for your brothers and sisters. I know of you, child, my son, whose spirit is alive in the eagle, the wolf, the bear, and the owl. I know your name. It is Windwalker, one of the Seneca People, and brother in spirit to all, The path you choose to follow is yours alone. Which do you follow?" Windwalker began to dance and sing. "Grandfather, I am he who is called, Windwalker. I have traveled the path of the warrior. I know the dark road. Through you I live; through me I die. I am Windwalker, whose spirit is the eagle, the wolf, the bear, and the owl. I choose the path of the Red Road. I know I am a guest of the earth mother. I, Windwalker, of the Seneca People, choose the way of the Shaman. I choose this to defeat the greatest enemy I'll ever face, me. I thank you, Grandfather, for all that you've given me, small and great, the pain and serenity, for through these trials I've become a true human being." He continued to dance around the fire, his feet gently touching the earth. He chanted, "I am Windwalker, a human being, a Seneca, a child of the Creator, whom I call, my Grandfather. I accept all that I am and know this is more than I deserve, but through my Grandfather, I accept all that I am, and for this I thank you, Grandfather." Into the darkness, Windwalker danced, and I could hear him rustling in the dry grass near the campfire. His chant grew faint. I tried to concentrate but it was too difficult. I wanted to follow him but I had no energy. My eyes closed and I dreamt of bears, wolves, and owls. I awoke chilled to the bone. The fire was out. Windwalker was bathing in the stream nearby. All I could see was his head because the rest of him was emersed in the spring water. I was stiff and sore all over. I stood up and stretched to work out the kinks in my body. The sun shone brightly above me and I let it soak into my body. I wondered for a moment if I was dreaming. A mosquito bit me and I knew then that I was alive, and what took place the night before was no dream.