In this profound conversation, Denise and Charles delve into the sacred nature of existence, drawing deeply from the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh worldview and the insights of philosopher Iain McGilchrist. The discussion centers on the idea of attunement with the sacred—not as something set apart, but as an existential condition woven into the fabric of life, particularly its precarious and mysterious nature.
Denise shares her personal journey, informed by their dissertation writing process and Squamish teachings, realizing that this relationship with the universe is fundamentally sacred. They contrast the modern inclination to dominate and control in the face of fear with the indigenous approach of reverence and responsibility to one another and the planet.
Key topics include:
- Iain McGilchrist’s work on the Sacred (specifically “The Matter with Things”).
- The role of Contemplative Practices (like spirit bathing) in cultivating the ability to perceive the sacred.
- How the Squamish worldview defines the sacred as being in all things—where mountains are ancestors and all beings are agentic elders.
- Connecting with the sacred as a means to embrace suffering and cultivate inner strength
- The function of ceremony and ritual in renewing relationships with the things that make our existence possible, as discussed by Leroy Little Bear.
This discussion is a powerful call to pause, become more permeable, and reconnect with the vast mystery that makes us truly human.