I am interested in the lore of the American Native Indian. It seems that there were different initiations that a young boy had to pass to prove that he was a man. Some of the initiations had to do with proving that the young boy was accomplished in overcoming fear, or showing bravery. This is one such story.
Perception of truth and events
A young lad was taken into the deep woods by his father. He was told that he had to spend the night alone and also spend this night blindfolded.
It seems that the father found a clearing with a perfect tree stump suitable for sitting. Night was approaching and the boy sat on the tree stump and the father placed the blindfold securely over his son's eyes and said that he could take the blindfold off and come home when he felt the warmth of the morning sun. Then he left the young lad.
The boy strained his senses; finally feeling the quiet of the night and its coolness closing around him. Sounds that the boy understood and accepted from the safety of his home and the comfort of his family now seemed foreign and frightening.
He heard the hooting of an owl nearby and the answer of its mate further away. He wondered what else was out there in the stillness of the night. Was the sound of the owl warning its mate of a menacing intruder such as a bear, or was it just the chatter of two affectionate birds?
What caused the rustling of leaves? Was it a night animal such as a mountain cougar or just the breeze wending its way through the forest?
Even though the night was cool, the boy could feel the heat building in his belly as the pangs of fear increased as each sound came into his perception. The blindfold seemed heavier as each hour passed and the night seemed endless. The boy thought of his family and how he loved them and wondered how his father could do this to him.
Sadly he felt anger arise from the pit of his stomach reaching a tightly closed throat so that it seemed to choke him. He labored under the thought that his father left him to his own devices in a world that now seemed threatening. How could his father abandon him to the dangers of the forest and why didn't his mother dissuade him from this unjust treatment?
After a time that seemed endless, he picked up a subtle change in the night sounds as now birds began chirping their morning songs. The boy eagerly took off the blindfold as he finally felt the warmth of the morning sun.
"Father", he cried, as he quickly ran to the embrace of the one who had been quietly keeping guard with him throughout the night.
In the boy's perception, he was alone and abandoned. In truth, he was not. How often are our perceptions like those of the young Indian boy?
Defending our perceptions
Rightly or wrongly, we are defined by our perceptions. Our perceptions are defined by our beliefs and we are contained within our belief system as if it were a box that has no escape UNLESS we are willing to examine our thoughts and the conclusions they bring. Unless we are willing to do this work, our spiritual journey, our journey to find the truth of ourselves and of life itself will lead us nowhere.
It seems that life is a journey and it is the intentions of our journey that makes the trip worthwhile. It is the inner nobility that is important and not AGREEING with those perceptions that others hold as truth.
Growth is the willingness to explore and accept the definition of truth as we experience it, but we must also be willing to read the signposts that point us to a different direction, even if it seems in opposition to what we believe and hold to be truth.
Perceptions of self - The Battle of Thermopylae
Topography
At the time, the pass of Thermopylae consisted of a track along the shore of the Malian Gulf so narrow that only one chariot could pass through at a time. On the southern side of the track stood the cliffs that overlooked the pass, and on the North side was the Malian Gulf situated along the shoreline of Greece. Along the path itself was a series of three constrictions, or "gates" and at the center gate was a short wall. This was the only road by which the massive Persian army could pass to reach their goal.
Battle
In 480 BC Xerxes I of Persia invaded Greece with the intention of conquering the entire country. Ancient sources alleged the Persian army to have been numbered in the millions. The numbers might be in dispute but certainly they outnumbered the small force of 300 Spartans led by King Leonidas I who defended the pass. This battle is considered one of history's most famous last stands.
The Greeks held off the Persians for seven days in total (including three of battle) before they were finally annihilated. During two full days of battle, the Spartans were successful in blocking the road and killing a large number of their attackers; Herodotus claims 20,000. After the second day of battle a local resident named Ephialtes betrayed the Greeks by revealing a small path that led behind the pass and the Greeks were finally outflanked and annihilated.
Herodotus says:
"Here they defended themselves to the last, those who still had swords using them, and the others resisting with their hands and teeth."
The legend of Thermopylae, as told by Herodotus, has it that the Spartans consulted the Oracle at Delphi earlier in the year. The Oracle is said to have made the following prophecy:
O ye men who dwell in the streets of broad Lacedaemon!
Either your glorious town shall be sacked by the children of Perseus,
Or, in exchange, must all through the whole Laconian country
Mourn for the loss of a King, descendant of great Heracles.
Herodotus tells us that Leonidas, in line with the prophecy, was convinced he was going to certain death since his forces were not adequate for a victory, and so he selected only Spartans with living sons, so the family line would be sustained.
Leonidas' wife Gorgo asked what she should do if he did not return; to which Leonidas replied, "Marry a good man and have good children."
Herodotus also describes the reception of a Persian emissary by Leonidas. The ambassador told Leonidas that Xerxes would offer him the kingship of all Greece if he joined with Xerxes. Leonidas answered: "If you had any knowledge of the noble things of life you would refrain from coveting others' possessions: but for me to die for Greece is better than to be the sole ruler over the people of my race. Then the ambassador asked him more forcefully to surrender their arms. To this Leonidas gave his famous answer, "Come and get them."
Herodotus writes that when Dienekes, a Spartan soldier, was informed the Persian arrows would be so numerous as "to block out the sun," he retorted, unconcerned; "So much the better... then we shall fight our battle in the shade."
It is reported that, upon arriving at Thermopylae, the Persian sent a mounted scout to reconnoiter. The Greeks allowed him to come up to the camp, observe them, and depart. When the scout reported to Xerxes the size of the Greek force and that the Spartans were indulging in calisthenics and combing their long hair, Xerxes found the reports laughable. Seeking the counsel of Demaratus, an exiled Spartan King in his retinue, Xerxes was told that, "The Spartans are preparing for battle and it was their custom to adorn their hair when they were about to risk their lives."
Both ancient and modern writers have used the Battle of Thermopylae as an example of the power of a patriotic army of freemen defending native soil. The performance of the defenders of the battle of Thermopylae is also used as an example of the advantages of training, equipment, and good use of terrain as force multipliers and has become a symbol of courage against overwhelming odds.
In their honor, the name of every individual Spartan who died at Thermopylae was remembered for as long as ancient Sparta endured. They were engraved on a stone tablet in Sparta that could still be read over seven centuries later.
A monument was set up on the mound of the last stand. It has long since disappeared, but the recorded epitaph survives. One translation reads:
Go, stranger, and to the Spartans tell
That here, obedient to their laws, we fell
The fame of Thermopylae is thus principally derived, not from its effect on the outcome of the war, but for the inspirational example it set and because of the heroism of the doomed men who, facing certain death remained at the pass.
Each stood in their own perception of themselves
To me this is a fascinating story. Xerxes, of course, represents the tyrant who wishes to control and subjugate all that is possible; Ephialtes who betrays his countrymen for money and privilege, and those who in honor and bravery laid down their lives for their country. Each understood who they were and stood in their perception of themselves until the very end. It is this that has made this great battle resonate down through history.
What does this mean to us?
I was thinking of spiritual perception when I thought of these two stories. Will we consider that perhaps our perceptions are not accurate regarding necessary preparations for 2012; simply accepting what others believe? Or will we stop and listen to our inner intuition, our inner guidance about what is needed and what awaits us? Will we examine our beliefs and look for the truth or will we go blindly on?
What will you do?
More at Counterpoint Article Library.
Carolyn Evers is a messenger for the spiritual hierarchy. She has written six books and a course, Journey To The Other Side. Carolyn believes that there is a connection between spirituality and science, and she endeavors to incorporate scientific research along with what she receives from spirit. For an introduction to Carolyn and her journey to becoming an extraordinary voice for the Masters on the other side of the veil that isolates humanity, download her free eBook "For the Sake of Love." Her work can be found at CarolynEvers.com and you can email Carolyn here. She has two radio shows with BBS Radio, The Message and The Messenger. Call in for healings and readings from the Akashic Records USA Toll Free 1-877-876-5227, Canada Toll Free 1-888-815-9756. Dr. Richard Presser works closely with Carolyn and is the author of The Coming Golden Age and How to Prepare for it.
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