Speaking to the Water with Pat McCabe

Summary

This narrative explores the profound connection between the speaker and water, drawing from the Lakota belief that water is both life and alive, with consciousness. As the speaker faces a flooding crisis, they enter into a dialogue with the water, learning it carries prayers and intentions across space and time. The speaker reflects on the interconnectedness of all life through water, emphasizing its sacredness and the unity it creates between past, present, and future. The story highlights the importance of respecting and listening to nature, revealing the magic and mystery in everyday elements.

Takeaways

• 😀 Water is sacred and alive, holding consciousness and the ability to communicate.
• 😀 The Lakota belief that 'water is life' emphasizes water's vital role in all forms of existence.
• 😀 The speaker had a personal experience with water rising from the ground, leading to a deepened relationship with this natural element.
• 😀 Water is seen not just as a resource, but as an entity with its own needs, which can engage in dialogue with humans.
• 😀 The speaker offered their home to the water, indicating a willingness to respect and accommodate its force and needs.
• 😀 Water can carry prayers and intentions across space and time, intensifying the power of those prayers through the water cycle.
• 😀 Prayers directed into water can travel through the clouds, carrying intentions far beyond their origin, affecting distant places and people.
• 😀 The interconnectedness of all life is highlighted by the idea that all humans, past and present, have drunk from the same water.
• 😀 Water's movement and existence are part of a closed system, meaning the same water has always circulated the Earth, binding all beings together.
• 😀 The teachings from water encourage both reverence for the element and an appreciation for the magic and mystery in life.
• 😀 The story reflects a call for respect and awareness of nature, urging us to listen deeply to the earth and its elements.

Q & A

What does 'water is life' mean in the Lakota way of prayer?

In the Lakota way of prayer, 'water is life' signifies that water is not only essential for life, but it is also considered a living entity with consciousness. It is alive and listens to us.

How did the speaker first encounter the phenomenon of water rising from the ground?

The speaker noticed water unexpectedly rising from the ground at a rate of 8 gallons per minute. This led to a deep concern about flooding the house and prompted a new relationship with the water.

What was the speaker's initial concern about the rising water?

The speaker was initially concerned that the rising water would flood the house, causing damage and disruption.

How did the speaker approach the water during this crisis?

The speaker approached the water as if it were a conscious being. They communicated with it, asking it to flow in ways that wouldn't cause harm and offering to let it take the house if necessary.

What solution did the water find to address the issue?

The water split into two directions, flowing into the earth instead of flooding the house. This was its solution to the problem.

What teaching did the water give the speaker during the prayer at the lake?

The water taught the speaker that praying into water amplifies the prayer. As water evaporates and travels through the clouds, the prayer and intention can reach distant places and even travel through time.

How does the water amplify prayers according to the speaker's experience?

The water amplifies prayers by absorbing the intentions and carrying them through evaporation. The water travels through the clouds, allowing the prayer to spread across space and time.

What did the water convey about the interconnectedness of all people through water?

The water conveyed that all people are connected through water, as the same water that we drink today was also consumed by our ancestors. This highlights the unity of all life on Earth through this shared resource.

What does the speaker believe is the significance of water in the larger context of life on Earth?

The speaker views water as a sacred and extraordinary force, full of mystery and magic. Water is not only essential for life but is a living entity that ties all life together, transcending both space and time.

How does the speaker suggest we should view and treat water?

The speaker encourages us to treat water with respect, recognizing its sacredness. Water should be celebrated, as it plays a crucial role in life, unity, and spiritual connection.