The Undeniable Chi of Smokey

Though it's been commonly agreed that there are more than 200,000 words in the English language, there are many things that are difficult to explain with words. Some things you have to feel to know. Like truth, for example, or love, or a stubbed toe.

So when people say to me, "Hey Liz, Why did you move from Bemidji to International Falls?", there really aren't sufficient words to adequately answer. The best way to respond is by using words illustratively; a story. Every summer for 12 years my parents packed up our bus--our Wenzel Klondike Vacation Lodge 9 tent that my dad picked up for $40 at the "slightly defective" days sale at Noble's hunting and fishing store, 10 sleeping bags (there are 7 in my family but we learned, over time, to expect unexpected guests for a night or two), Coleman stoves and coolers (my brother Mo almost lost his right pinky in the metal clasp), canvas duffle bags, collapsible plastic water jugs, kerosene lanterns--and road-tripped from Bemidji to Zippel Bay, stopping mid-way in International Falls.

It was here in the park, sitting cross-legged in the grass eating my cream cheese and Welch's grape jelly sandwich, in the literal shadow of Smokey the Bear that I felt the energy shift inside me. It could have been all the fritos but I prefer not to think that. I was about 7 or 8 years old and when I looked up at Smokey's calm, knowing face, I began to understand my destiny. It was at that moment when I noticed the most obvious sign. Smokey clearly displays the stylized Buddhist hand gesture of Abhaya Mudra; open right hand, palm out, fingers (or in this case paw pads) pointed toward the sky, representing fearlessness and enlightenment. Though typically a Bodhisattva with right hand in Abhaya also has left hand in Varada Mudra, arm down, palm facing forward. Smokey, however, has his left hand firmly gripped on his shovel shaft signifying, I guess, some sort of manual exercise.

For all the summers to follow, the stop at the park was calming and meaningful and I knew that one day I would return to live here. Some of you may be familiar with the biblical metaphor of "the right hand of God", the place of honor. For me, my yogic and meditative path began in easy seated pose on the left paw of Smokey.

Shanti, Liz