I have visited Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
and Alaska, USA 5-6 times over the last 25 years. My lasting impression is of
the beauty of not only the mountains, ocean and wilderness, but also of the
rich culture and religious traditions. In addition over the years my
favorite topic of work in education has been the theme of transformation. Just
two years ago I came across the symbol of transformation from the Pacific
Northwest Indians and Eskimo religions (Haida) traditions - the Raven. The Raven
is the topic of this article, but do not expect simply a discussion of
transformation and change, the Raven's nickname is also the
"trickster".
Within the traditions of Pacific Northwest Indians
religions, Eskimo (Haida) traditions, and related legends, spiritual
guides transform themselves into animal forms in order to communicate and
assist humanity. Join me in reading this version of one of the famous Raven
spirit guide stories from Haida traditions:
A long time ago, a woman was
crying because all her children were still born. Heron came to her and advised
her to go to the beach, find a smooth stone and place it into a fire. When it
was hot and blackened, she was instructed to swallow it. She followed Heron's
instructions and later gave birth to Raven. As Raven was growing up, he had a
difficult childhood, always attracting disasters. A tree fell on him. A canoe
snapped shut on him. He fell into a fire pit, and he was boiled in a kettle.
Using his supernatural powers, he survived all of these incidents.
The world at that time was without a sun. It was
only dimly lit by an unnamed light source, inhabited by a few semi-humans and
mostly devoid of life. Raven is restless, curious, and to an intense degree,
easily bored. He is always looking for excitement and adventure. His voracious
appetite for both food and sexual delights are legendary and cause many of his
problems. (Canadian First Nations Art, 2002)
The religious and cultural
symbol and stories of Raven are a favorite among this community. An unusual
twist in his profile is that the Raven's character and personality as a
spiritual guide and transforming figure is that he is predictably,
unpredictable! In this case, Raven is the great "trickster" and is known
for playing practical jokes on humans.
However at the root of many of
these ruses are two fundamental abilities of Raven (Hull, 2004). One,
Raven is able to turn himself into whatever he wants. Thereby Raven creates much
confusion, misfortune and hilarity for the humans in the fables. Two, the
legends result in lessons for the participants and listeners. Therefore the
raven's dominant additional titles in the folklore of the Indians of the
Northwest include Transformer and Teacher.
The Raven symbol and
character ascribe multiple dimensions to what could otherwise be dry
philosophical theory of beliefs of origin, purpose and theory. Instead, this
social and religious community has a vital symbolic icon and
"personality" to commemorate, interpret and celebrate. The Raven
vibrantly brings the related principles and theory of transformation to life and
remembrance.
From the pathway of sainthood in Buddhism, to sagehood in
Confucianism, the five Pillars of Islam, freedom from bias in Humanism, and
moral codes in Judeo-Christian religions, people across the globe continually
seek to find meaning beyond their daily needs. Across the ages, humanity
develops or receives systems of reasoning and histories to explain the great
questions of life and the moral decisions of living.
In the book that I
have been finishing writing and editing this summer, Comparative Adult
Education Around the Globe, I have been researching the vastly different
forms of adult learning that are in action across the world. Amazingly we not
only have such different constant areas of learning, but we have such different
approaches and philosophies, and such different conditions and restraints in
which educators and administrators have to work, and in which learners have to
try to learn. What ties together such disparate purposes, needs and
conditions? How can we make sense and find hope in these
situations?
I am reading reports of students climbing in classroom
windows in order to try to get a seat in crowded classrooms. I see accounts of
political, religious and public education systems, which blatantly or subtly
conflict among each other. I read of nations with 40+% literacy rates among
the adults. And I wonder is there a pattern cross the globe? Is there a way
to link the efforts? How do we see these pieces as part of a greater
whole?
Enter the Raven. If we consider the Haida tradition's of the
Raven, we might think in terms of a spirit guide. The spirit guide can embody
and communicate a vibrant, creative power and vision of the global future of
adult education.
The many forms of learning and religious practice across
the world can demonstrate the variety of changes we experience. In fact the
development and change within adult learning is being shaped and informed across
the globe by communities and histories and at the same time that it is being
luminously created by their synergies.
What an amazing, and yet
humbling, opportunity we have to be part of creating this future. However
communication among these efforts, organizations, departments, and individuals
is vital. Otherwise it could be that the Raven is serving as the
trickster.
We encourage you to find your spirit guide, to reach out
to those who will support your work of discovery and to press at boundaries
of understanding. We need your to create your future in your work. If you are in
teaching in learning, broadcasting, community development, corporate training,
or informal education, create your future.
Technology provides one of
the possibilities for creating these synergies - through blogs, websites,
podcasting, online networks, and social networking you can have your voice
heard, find others who have different views and thereby grow in understanding.
Take a larger view of how your views and work fit together with the world and
allow it to be transformed into new shapes and forms as you work with
others.
Learning and technology provide rich opportunities for global
collaboration. However synergy is an essential element. Synergy is the
foundation of vibrant and transforming collaboration in a spirit of mutual
respect and understanding which changes from the inside out and takes the
larger view and seeks to create the future
together.
Reference:
Canadian First Nations Art, EuroConnect 2000.
(2002)
Culture & Traditions: Raven. Retrieved from July 22, 2006 http://www.euroconnect3000.com/english/culture_traditions/cultures_traditions.html#traditions
King, K. & Wang, V. (Eds.). (In press)
Comparative Adult Education Around the Globe
New York: Springer and
Hangzhou, PR China: Zhejiang University Press.
About the Author
(C) Copyright 2006, Dr.
Kathleen P. King
Dr. Kathleen P. King is a professor and director of the RETC for Professional Development at Fordham University in New York City. She is also the co-host of Podcast for Teachers a podcast featuring lively conversations about technology and education with leaders in the field, and "Adventures in Transformative Learning", a podcast about lifelong learning. She has also been an educational and technical consultant since 1990. The emphasis of her work is Changing Lives and Learning through Outreach.
Fordham University, RETC - http://www.retc.fordham.edu
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