| Buffalo rubbing stones are one of the interesting | | | | matter how old or young the owner. The key to |
| natural phenomena around Calgary. During the last ice | | | | wisdom lies in understanding your perceptions and their |
| age this entire area was covered with glaciers. As | | | | underlying beliefs. And also understanding that no other |
| these glaciers receded, they dragged with them large | | | | human will see something the same way you do. |
| boulders and rocks. When a rock became too heavy | | | | Sometimes this is refreshing and sometimes downright |
| to for the glacier to drag, it found a new home. Some | | | | annoying. Maybe this is the birth of compassion. |
| of these rocks were carried for hundreds of miles and | | | | Human beings usually assign great wisdom to beings |
| some were the size of a car or truck. | | | | of great age. Our stories are full of them. Think of |
| Later, when herds of buffalo roamed through this area, | | | | Merlin, Gandalf, the wizard and the Ents, tree-herders |
| they loved to rub along these rocks, especially in the | | | | from the ancient Fangorn forest in "The Lord of the |
| spring when they were shedding heavy winter coats. | | | | Rings." |
| The buffalo are no longer here in the great numbers of | | | | We have within our minds many layers of |
| the past, but people are. | | | | consciousness and/or perception. One of these layers |
| Calgary grew up and around a number of these | | | | offers a connection to great knowledge and wisdom. |
| stones. People are attracted to them almost as much | | | | Carl Jung called this the "collective unconscious." I call it |
| as the buffalo. Many of them are popular tourist | | | | my "inner wise one." |
| attractions. A relatively small buffalo rubbing stone lives | | | | If I have a problem or question that I feel needs the |
| in a park in my neighborhood. It is tucked along side a | | | | input of deep inner wisdom or knowing, I go into a |
| small grove of quaking aspens and is surrounded by | | | | meditative state, quiet my mind and ask my inner wise |
| honeysuckle bushes, sage and wild asters. As the | | | | one to come forward. If my mind is quiet enough, I will |
| area was developed, this park was untouched and set | | | | feel its presence. Then I will ask my question, clear my |
| aside as natural prairie land. | | | | mind and listen. If I receive an answer (usually the first |
| The neighborhood school regularly takes children on | | | | thoughts that come into my mind), it is still my choice to |
| field trips to the stone as part of their study of the | | | | decide whether or not to follow it. |
| natural history of this area. I remember my own | | | | Since the ancient buffalo rubbing stone in our park |
| children coming home quite excited about this stone | | | | reminds me so much of my inner wise one, I thought I |
| and sharing stories of buffalo hair found in the rock | | | | would have some fun one day and create the |
| long after buffalo disappeared. | | | | perception of introducing them to each other. I offer |
| The stone has the look and feel of great age, being | | | | this perception to you for your enjoyment. |
| covered with lichen and some moss. It stands about | | | | Leaning against the stone, I connected to my inner |
| shoulder high to me and is about six feet long and | | | | wise one and asked what kind of wisdom would a |
| three feet wide. This rock almost demands reverence. | | | | buffalo rubbing stone share if it could speak. I cleared |
| I find it interesting that it has been untouched by the | | | | my mind, pen and paper in hand and this is what I |
| youth of the area, while another smaller stone about | | | | heard. "Ancient is only a frame of mind, as is wisdom. |
| fifty feet away in the woods is covered with graffiti | | | | Wisdom and knowledge are available for all no matter |
| and paint. | | | | what the age. I have seen many ages come and go |
| So, what does a buffalo rubbing stone have to do with | | | | and people do not change. Their minds do. Where is |
| wisdom? What is a wisdom? The human mind has | | | | your mind now? Does it serve you? Wise humans are |
| been a great mystery to philosophy and science for | | | | a gift to each other and I encourage each of you to |
| eons. Our entire experience of life is created by our | | | | find the wisdom within. How will you know true |
| perceptions and our perceptions are colored by our | | | | wisdom? It supports all life. I am as old as the ages |
| beliefs. No two human beings will perceive the same | | | | and never have I seen anything shine as bright as a |
| event in exactly the same way. It's a miracle we even | | | | wise human. Know that you are loved beyond |
| get along with each other at all. | | | | measure by your planet and its beings. |
| To me, a wise mind uses its perceptions well, no | | | | |