A long time ago, back in 1990, I traveled to the Rosebud Reservation. There began a very different period of my life that continues to this day. First began my introspective time of coming to understand myself and my place in the world in a completely new light. Second, began my introduction to spirituality and deep connection. Third, ten years later I was led by a Lakota ‘medicine man’ to become one myself (Yuwipi Man). And fourth, back in 1990 until this day I have been introduced to and have worked with ‘medicine men and women’ from around the world.
That said, one of the most influential elders I met during this time was the late Bobby McLeod. Bobby was a Yuin elder from Wreck Bay Village, Jervis Bay Territory. In 2002 Bobby lived in my home as we co-taught a class at WPI in Worcester, MA titled, Indigenous Wisdom and Modern Technology. It was during this time Bobby McLeod taught me Life Lore and Dead Law.
It is this Life Lore and Dead Law, what I now believe to be the essence of the Canon of the Black Madonna, that is vital to teach young men (and women) if we are to mitigate the violence perpetrated upon the feminine, women, the two-spirited and Mother Nature. It is my belief, experience and knowing that we must all come to deeply understand and then live the tenants of Life Lore. If we don’t, Dead Law will sweep us into the throes of The Climate Crisis, The Sixth Extinction and even nuclear war.
Bobby began by explaining to me the diagram you see above. Bobby explained that when we are very young we have not been taught Life Lore and we really aren’t aware yet that we are connected to all things. As children we are close to nature but we are pretty self-centered … that too is natural as we develop our identity. Bobby called that first phase, dis/dis, we are disconnected from being deeply connected to all things and we are disconnected to the point of not having and inkling that there is something more.
But at some point in our development our awareness of the world grows and changes. To include a world beyond what we can see, touch, hear, taste, and smell. We find ourselves saying, “There has to be something more to life than this. or asking, “How do I bring meaning to my life?” Bobby referred to this as being, dis/con, or still being disconnected from being deeply connected to all things but connectING to the possibility that there is something more. Bobby noted that at this vital stage of life young people MUST be introduced to Life Lore and Dead Law. This is the stuff of returning to the old traditions and to the Canon of Mary. If the young person is ONLY introduced to the Dreams Society has for Them, or is left to their own devices, then the young person will most likely move into Dead Law.
Dead Law is, from what I now have come to understand, the Canon of Peter. The Canon of Peter/Dead Law is the philosophy that males are more important than females (that on their wedding day women even need to apologize to White Mary for not remaining a virgin) and the feminine, and the two-spirited and nature. Dead Law is defined by greed, violence, power, lying, stealing, hoarding and lust. Dead Law is witnessed in the unbalanced man, toxic masculinity and all that we see happening on our earth. Dead Lore seeks the death of all things and thus blinds the violators right up until their very own demise. Which, by then is too late for the person to change their behavior. The damage has been done.
The teaching of Life Lore and Dead Law is The Tree in the center of the diagram. It is when the elders, the community, the spirit world teach the young person the philosophy of Life Lore. It is when the skills of living Life Lore are taught. This is NOT just a simple ceremony, a slap on the cheek at confirmation nor joining the military and becoming a man. It is an extended time when the young person examines their life, learns about themself, understands the importance of ALL things and the inter-connection (the inter-are-ness) of all things. The young person learns about feminine and masculine tones, about values, begins to formulate their creed and what they stand for. The young person learns that men and women, feminine and masculine, the two-spirited and nature work in a circle of inter-connectivity NOT a hierarchy of power. The young person learns how to create and not destroy.
Once the elders have determined the young person can safely re-enter society (safe to themselves, others and nature) a ceremony takes places. Ceremonies vary by culture but the purpose is the same. The young person now IS holistically connected to all things and cannot be disconnected again. AND, the person knows what it means and what it takes to ACT in a connected manner. They are now fully conscious of Life Lore and Dead Law. In the ceremony the young person declares their new wisdom and makes a promise to live Life Lore for the good of all things.
In the third stage, the stage right after the Tree in the diagram above, the young person (or newly educated person of any age) IS CONNECTED but can still act in a DISCONNECTED manner. The difference is, they know what is right and what is wrong. They are not ignorant as to the consequences of their behavior.
In the fourth stage the person is, of course, connected. And, they act connected. This is the ultimate goal of the Canon of Mary and of the initiation process of teaching Life Lore…. that humans live in balance with themselves, others and nature. It is possible. It is what I believe must be re-instituted in our society, in colleges for example, if we are to live
with a sense of connection, a sense of liberty and justice for all, a sense that we are simply part of a greater whole.
The wisdom of the Black Madonna, of Life Lore and Dead Law, is what I will share in upcoming posts. I hope you will read and consider what I teach here. I hope you will ask questions. I hope you will share this with people around the world. We are nearly out of time.
You said people (men) from all ages will act connected when life lore and dead law is inherited. How will they act?