My Elder is better than your Elder

Page 5

It seems that in the simple world of Eldership, there is a hierarchy that I was not aware existed. This came to my attention recently when I was involved in a conversation about this certain Elder that will remain nameless, for reasons that will soon become apparent.

This one individual openly scoffed that this person would be considered a wise and respected Elder, citing the fact that he once was a raging alcoholic.

"He was the worst drunk in the village!" this person said with conviction.

Now, it's no surprise to anyone how your past experiences and mistakes can follow you for the rest of your life... Elders are no different. Mistakes are buoys on the river of life. They can help you navigate the river or send you up the creek without a paddle.

But I didn't realize those mistakes can also negate the positive achievements a person could accomplish during the remaining years of his or her existence. I was truly surprised to find out that only those who have never had a drink in their lives, never lied, never abused tobacco, never swore, walked counter-clockwise at a clock-wise ceremony, or, in other words, were never human, could be considered the only real Elders. I learn something new every day.

I guess priests and nuns who hear the call late in life can't really become true priests or nuns, since more than likely, sometime in their past, they've taken the Lord's name in vein or had sex with a Protestant, or sampled some Devil's Food Cake. Maybe all three at once.

It's also no secret that the best drug and alcohol counselors are usually those people who have lived on the dark side of life and know from what they speak. Otherwise it would be like learning to waterski from somebody who's afraid of the water. You can read all you want, take as many workshops as you'd like, but unless you've wrestled with those demons yourself, there's only so much you can bring to the job.

That's why I'm puzzled by this reaction to Elders who had a life before they became Elders. Handsome Lake, a Seneca of the late 1700s, is considered by many Iroquois to be the second great messenger, after the Peacemaker himself, sent to his people by the Creator to teach the wisdom of the Great Peace, part of the Iroquois philosophy and belief system. However his visions came to him during a four-day coma induced by a rather severe bought of drinking. The point being made here is that Handsome Lake cleaned up his act and became a very well respected orator and teacher.

Gandhi, a very different type of Indian, but I'm fairly certain he can still be included in the classification of "wise Elder", was a lawyer before he became THE GANDHI. Now that's a hell of a bigger obstacle to overcome than alcoholism if you want to be a holy man.

Buddha was a spoiled prince before he saw the light, walked his path of wisdom and developed his big belly.

Perhaps it was Nietzsche, who may or may not be considered an Elder, who said it best when he wrote "that which does not destroy us, makes us stronger." Maybe Nietzsche was an Elder because it certainly sounds like many an Elder's story I've heard.

The fortitude of many Elders can sometimes only be forged from experience and pain.

I believe it was William Blake who coined the term "The palace of wisdom lies on the road of excess." Wisdom comes from experience. Experience comes from trial and error. And sometimes error means waking up one morning in a place you don't know, and realizing you might not have many more mornings left to wake up. You have to travel before you know the countryside.

Several years ago, I attended an Elders conference. There were a bunch of us in a large room waiting to be filled with knowledge by this visiting Elder whose name, I'm ashamed to say, I have forgotten. Several young people took out their pens and paper, ready to take notes. But this method of learning was not to be. The Elder quietly asked them to put their note pads away.

"Writing something down is permissionto forget it" was what he said, and it made sense.

Not more than a few days ago, I came across a quote in a newspaper. The newspaper was misplaced in the madness of Christmas but I think the quote was from Plato, that ancient Greek philosopher-dude from 2,500 years ago. And it said, "Writing is the instrument of forgetfulness." Sound familiar? Two wise individuals from primarily oral cultures. It seems that great minds do think alike.

What is an Elder? How do you define one? I don't know. Some say you can't be one until you are a grandfather. Others say it has to be bestowed on you by the community, not merely by self-identifying. I've heard some people say there is an inner glow that you recognize. But perhaps the more important question is who has the authority to say somebody isn't an Elder?

Let ye who is without wisdom, cast the first doubt.