Symbiosis

The following vision arose in a meditation on 4/3/07.
In an ancient desert landscape, a vessel of water is set before me. I do not see the person who sets it down. The vessel is stunning in its detail. It is an unusually shaped, ancient water carrier—tall and cylindrically slim, elegant. It is perhaps two feet tall and six inches in diameter. It is formed of dark brown, treated leather that has been hardened and made waterproof. Around the sides of the vessel, a golden woven-grass fabric has been fused to the leather. A decorative border of the thick brown leather encircles the top and makes a vertical strip up the side. A shoulder strap is attached at each end of the vessel. The opening of the vessel sits on the top, covered by a snug, circular leather plug with a small pull tab attached. The plug is connected to the vessel by a thin strip of leather so that when the vessel is open, the plug hangs down its side. There is no pour spout. To obtain water, one inserts a long, slender dipper. The detail and quality of the workmanship is captivating.

I am handed the dipper that now holds a small, upright green plant with bulbous roots or rhizomes. There is no water in the dipper, simply the plant with its clean, bulbous roots. I am puzzled how such fat roots appear to fit in the small bowl of the dipper. I am instructed that the plant can survive because it is able to sustain itself through the ability of its roots to hold water for long periods of time. However, it must have water eventually. In fact, it flourishes when it has a regular supply of water. The two must work “symbiotically;” The plant needs the water and the water needs to nourish the plant.

The dipper and plant are then lowered together into the vessel and when gently pulled out again, clear water covers the roots in the bowl. Now that the plant has been dipped, the water in the vessel is poured out in a stream that flows into other containers, and a crowd of women suddenly appears, eager and jostling each other for the water.

A man appears. He wants very much to participate in this water pouring and gathering, but he cannot do it. He doesn't have the patience and he quickly erupts into frustration, anger, and panic. Inwardly his heart is crying out to be a part of it, and he is ashamed that he cannot control his behavior or remain peaceful. He doesn't know what to do with the agony rising within him. Suddenly, he turns to face one of the women, and with a large paint brush begins painting furiously on her dress over her heart area. The paint on the brush is thick, but not thick enough for him. He tries sticking chewed chewing gum all over the area to plaster it up. As he does this, the woman stands still and centered. She looks directly at him, sorrowfully, trying to make eye contact. He will not allow the connection, and therefore, cannot receive her compassion.

At this point, only a few women remain and many children appear. They all appear to be developmentally disabled, and agitated. They cannot use language for some reason. They wave their arms wildly at the women and make angry shouting noises and grunts. They gnash their teeth and drool. I am puzzled by this scene; has the development of all children been obstructed, I wonder. The women make no move to comfort the children or defend themselves. They simply stand quietly, holding peace and radiating love.