Getting up this Earth Day to a beautiful sunny morning. I had many mixed feelings about the day. My original thought several months ago was to host a big event at Skydome in Toronto to celebrate the 11th Anniversary of the launching of the Vision Changer Project. I remember that day very well. We had seventeen students join us before a Blue Jay Base Ball game. Standing on second base and watching our 2 minute commercial playing on the world's largest television screen. It was a great moment in life.
Now eleven years later we have moved the Vision Changer program and component parts into many aspects of civil society around the world. It is almost in the language of corporations as Mission Statements are now accompanied by Vision Statements. Most areas of Civil Society today use the concept of visioning to accomplish their goals. Based upon the philosophy of many educators around the world, it is clear that the development of a vision before action is a preferred method of achieving anything of value.
So I prepared myself to go down to the Skydome this day, to do a ceremony, just by myself. Without large fanfare, but in the right way. As I was deciding, for some reason I changed my mind. I decided to go to the Peace Garden at Toronto City Hall instead. It felt more appropriate. Doing the Ceremony at Skydome held little appeal for me. So, I packed up my drums, and my ritual altar and set off for City Hall.
It was a beautiful sunny day, and I chose to walk down Yonge Street. During my walk many thoughts came through my mind, each one playing little tricks on my mind. What was I doing walking down Yonge Street in the first place? What thoughts should my mind be on? It was immediate. Father Sun. I felt the sun on my forehead, and then remembered my visits with Master Hunbatz Men who calls me by the name Solar Brother Mitch. His fascination with the sun caused me to think deeply about the message that the sun sends to us on Earth Day. The sun is burning our skin. I can only stay so long in the sun and then I get burned. It is worse today than when I was a child. This is not a matter of age, but rather of the condition of the planet, and the depletion in the earths' protection layer from UVB rays - whatever they are - but they do burn. We know too that we have to plant trees to help heal the ozone layer - at least that is what the teachers are teaching today. The thought that came to me was that this is an absurd situation.
We have to listen to Father Sun. Stop with the silly band-aids and pay attention to what is really happening.
As I walked I wondered what thought I should think deeply upon this day. Who are my teachers? Is Father Sun my teacher? is Master Hunbatz Men my teacher? That was when the idea came to me. Who are your teachers? and what is their message to you? are you listening to them? Are you accountable to your teachers?
My friend Bill says people that cannot do - teach. Those that cannot teach - teach teachers. I thought about this idea. Bills thoughts have some merit, but when contemplating deeply one quickly sees the fault in that notion. Good Teachers do not exist. Good learners exist. It is how one chooses to learn that makes for a good teacher. One cannot teach anyone anything. One CAN teach someone HOW to learn. That is the value of a teacher. It is important to know that we are all teachers and we are all learners. It is just important to know which role we are playing and when. It is in this process of learning that we understand the value of our teacher. I am sometimes a teacher of teachers - and it is true maybe that I do not know how to teach - I know how to open the door so that teachers may learn. So it is not necessary to be a teacher. It is better to be a learner.
So as these thoughts entered my mind, I arrived at the City Hall square to
find that there was a major event being planned there today, and I could do
my little ceremony just the way I prefer it. I smudged the area with sweetgrass,
lighting the grass from the Peace flame. I did my ceremony only to be interrupted
on the third round by Security officers who informed me that I needed a permit
to play my drum. I told them my drum was a sacred drum in the First Nation
tradition that it did not require permission, and that I wanted to see the
by-law, as I was with the people holding the event in the civic centre square
- the big sign said: All humankind is one. Written is Punjabi and English.
The event that I was joining was a celebration of the birthday of Khalsa -
in the Sikh tradition this was the Birthday (302) of the tenth disciple.
The officers left me and I finished my drumming and prayers to the four directions.
When I was finished four children came by to talk with me. All dressed in
their finest clothes. Without knowing what I was doing or who I was one of
the little girls said that she wanted to be a Peacemaker when she grows up.
It is amazing that these little vignettes in life happen. I took out my camera,
and asked her to express herself to the video camera. I have a lovely interview
with these four children - peacemakers all.
I went to the organizers and offered my drum to them, and was treated to some food and drink - as were all who visited City Hall square that day. Over 20,000 people attended this day, with a large parade and guest speakers and music and celebration.
What a wonderful Earth Day.
Oh yes. What happened with our schools who were going to drum for Peace on April 20th? I do not know. The co-ordinators have not reported to me. The schools went on strike. Nothing for the students. Nothing for the Earth, Nothing for the people. What waste.
So much for the education system in Toronto where we launched the Vision Changer Project 11 years ago. The system obviously does not get it yet. Maybe they will participate in the next UN day celebration.
May peace prevail on Earth.