Life is a talking circle
When we are immersed in the wilderness — vulnerable, aware, mindful, and seeking the meanings of things — we realize that the world is filled with persons — not only our human companions, but also the plants, trees, animals, spirits, stars, thunder, stones. We sit with all these persons, whether we know it or not, in a great talking circle. The goal is for us to pass our talking stick back and forth, speak to these others honestly from our hearts, and listen devoutly with our hearts to what they seek to teach us. To sit in this great talking circle with humility and gratitude is our common and most profound human heritage.