| Part 1 | Next | Part 4 | Part 5 |
| Table of Contents |

I decided this part of the conversation also had come to an end. I remembered something that Beth had mentioned during our discussion.

"Beth indicated you had come into disfavor with various Native Associations," I said. Then, feeling my comments, were too vague, I added: "She said it had something to do with their belief you had turned your back on Native spiritual traditions."

He seemed to be waiting to see if there was something more that I wanted to say. Suddenly, I felt embarrassed for having broached the subject.

Somewhat hesitatingly and apologetically, I tried to reverse directions. "Perhaps, I should not have brought the matter up. Maybe, you would rather not speak about it."

When I had completed my retreat, he dismissed my concerns of having committed a faux pas of some sort. "There's nothing secret or private in the differences which have arisen.

"Before prison, I had given quite a few talks on certain subjects through a variety of different venues, some involving Native audiences and some before non-Native groups."

He began to expand on his answer in a way which he felt might be more familiar to me, and, therefore, easier for me to understand. "When Jesus was spreading the word of God in the Holy Land, he was very clear, at least in the accounts which have been passed down through the ages, that his mission was not to negate Judaism or the teachings of Moses.

"Jesus said he had come to confirm what had been sent previously from God to the Jews. At the same time, part of his Divinely given task also was to add to those prior teachings."

As he spoke, he seemed to be watching me for any signs of puzzlement. Or, maybe his gaze was just an expression of his earnestness and desire to communicate with me.

Brian continued on. "Despite the words of Jesus to the contrary, some facets of the Jewish community felt threatened by his presence. Consequently, for whatever reasons, they failed to understand that Jesus was not an enemy to the spirit of Judaism. He was its ally. He was merely giving expression to a variation on the same Divine truths in which Judaism is rooted."

In a teasing way he asked me: "Is the unbeliever with me on all of this?"

I gave him the thumbs up sign backed up by a facial expression of affirmation. He nodded his approval.

Brian was quiet for a moment as he readied himself to present the next aspect of his explanation concerning the differences between him and various Native associations. Finally, he said: "The issue you are inquiring about, David, is somewhat analogous to the situation that existed between Jesus and some of the people in the Jewish community which I outlined just a few moments ago."

At this point, Brian raised the index finger of his right hand and placed it about six inches in front of his nose. It was a sort of cautionary gesture. At the same time, he engaged my eyes in a way that suggested I should pay special attention to what he said next.

"David," he said, "I'm not saying I am a Jesus-like figure. You must be clear about this." He held my eyes with his until he felt confident I had accepted his disclaimer.

Then, he spoke further. "What I'm trying to say is this: just as there were certain factions within the Jewish community in the time of Jesus who perceived him to be a subversive threat to Judaism, despite his statements to the contrary, so, too, there are people in the Native community who perceive me to be out to undermine and deny the authenticity of Native spirituality, despite my statements to the contrary."

I stroked my chin a few times, placed my right elbow on the table and, then, rested my chin on the palm of my hand. I said: "Your general point is clear enough, but a few details concerning the specifics of your problem would be helpful."

"If," Brian began, "we strip away all the particularized features of various Native spiritual traditions, we are left, I believe, with a number of common elements. For instance, virtually every Native tradition of which I am aware emphasizes the importance of: (1) various processes of purification; (2) healing, both individual and communal, as well as spiritual and physical; (3) gratitude to the Creator; (4) petitionary prayers on behalf of creation; (5) reverence for, and harmonizing with, Mother Earth and all her creatures; (6) a seeking of guidance through visions; (7) singing, dancing and drumming as ways of coming into resonance with different dimensions of reality; and, finally, (8) ceremonies of spiritual etiquette concerning planting, and/or fishing and/or hunting."

Brian paused for ten seconds or so before proceeding, perhaps in order to give me a breather. "There are, of course other commonalities with respect to the general aspects of spiritual practices concerning life transitions of birth, death, marriage and coming of age. For the sake of argument, however, let's just limit ourselves to the eight areas mentioned earlier.

"Permit me, for the moment, to play, in relation to my community, a role broadly like that which Jesus had with the Jewish community, but keeping in mind my earlier disclaimer. The previously mentioned eight areas of spiritual activity are, in their own way, comparable to the aspects of Judaic tradition which Jesus, as well as I in my similar role, would have confirmed as authentic expressions of Divine guidance. Nothing is being rejected or denied."

He interrupted his explanation once again to check on my progress. "Are you still with the program, David?" Again, he said it in a gentle, teasing fashion.

I responded with mock indignation. "I think I've managed to grasp some of the subtleties of your position. I'm getting somewhat impatient, however, to hear what happens next."

"Well, laddie, listen carefully," Brian gently warned, "because this is where the story becomes interesting." As if to belie his statement, Brian yawned at this point.

Brian's manner became serious again. "The crux of the matter," he said, "revolves about whether or not Native spirituality, as it is presently practiced and understood, exhausts the possibilities of spiritual potential within human beings.

"One can accept all of the foregoing eight areas of spiritual activity as encompassing, and giving expression to, very, very important truths. Nevertheless, such an acknowledgment does not preclude one from raising the issue of potential. More specifically, are there spiritual possibilities that lie beyond the horizons of those eight areas of spiritual activity and, yet, which are still accessible to human beings under the right circumstances?"

Brian tugged on his right ear lobe a few times with his hand. Shortly afterwards, he scratched the nape of his neck.

He started talking while he finished scratching his neck. "There were quite a few Native groups who took exception to my raising this question about spiritual potential.

"They seemed to feel my raising such an issue constituted a denial of the authenticity of Native spiritual traditions. However, I don't see it that way, anymore than Jesus believed he was denying Judaism through the act of adding, by God's leave, to the tradition which Jesus already had confirmed."

Brian looked at me in a strange sort of way. I couldn't fathom the significance of the look.

The expression disappeared almost as quickly as it had arrived."You know, David," he began, "given your philosophical orientation, what I'm about to tell you, may be of little significance to you, but it should be said because it helps complete the story."

He took out a handkerchief and blew his nose. He folded the handkerchief and returned it to his pocket.

Brian started speaking again. "Even a very profound knowledge of the powers and spirits inhabiting the realms of minerals, plants and animals will not tell a human being what she or he needs to know about true identity or essential spiritual capacity. Furthermore, as sacred and as important as Mother Earth is, and as much as we have a duty to struggle to protect and preserve her, Mother Earth and the realms over which she has dominion is only a very small part of the story of spirituality.

"Unfortunately, thanks to the legacy of cultural and spiritual imperialism that has been inflicted on Native peoples by other cultures and religious traditions, many Native people are very resistant to the idea of exploring beyond their own tradition. This is even more true these days in the wake of a revival of interest among many Native peoples in their own spiritual heritage. For a variety of reasons, they believe the only viable and reliable source of purpose, meaning, direction, guidance, identity and self-esteem will be found within Native spiritual traditions."

| Part 1 | Next | Part 4 | Part 5 |
| Table of Contents |