Trackers PDX Blog

3 Comments

Tracking and Coffee was actually an attempt at humor. Though I can see where it would not be everyone's cup of tea... or coffee. "At first I thought it was a parody meant for adults, and mocking the tracking community." You were right the first time:)

Wow, so much for paragraphs... Hope you can sort them out - they were automatically removed. :)

I found this post via FaceBook and I am glad to see you are on the path to teach youth and adults a stronger connection to the world they live in. I hope you are successfull in opening the eyes of many, to the pace, rule, and harmony of nature. There is a strong and current need for this form of education. Everyone living at the pace and values of our modern, man-made society feels it within themselves if they stop to listen to their heart; something is not right, something must change. The current popularity of the movie Avatar has helped reveal this truth to many that were previously oblivious. In teaching primitive skills, the impact must be carefully balanced with the society we live in. It is easy to teach someone about nature and have them never want to return to our current man-made system. Many who experience the simple joy and truth of living in harmony with nature wish to remain in such a state, but this escape can not happen for long. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know that joy and truth, must return to the confines of the currnet system; not out of preference for it, but to teach, open, expand, and bless others with the opportunity to learn what we have. We end up walking a fine line. Knowing what can be, we must carry nature with us back into the confines of the cities to share with others. We can not retreat permanantly to nature, for doing so would be a great disservice to all of our brothers and sisters, and to nature and the Earth its self. We do not do this to "save the Earth". The Earth will be here long after we are gone. We do this to save ourselves. Our lessons, the lessons of nature, must be heard. Like any lesson they must be taught with love and carring, with understanding of where the student is at mentally and emotionally, and with language the student will understand and be comfortable with. We must blend the ways of nature with a message that can be heard by the masses of our modern society. Our lessons must be carefully worded to avoid confusion or alienation of the students; if a teacher's presentation does the opposite, their presentation should be reconstructed. Our lessons must bring people to a greater understanding, inspire them, and uplift them; if a lesson does the opposite of any of these things it should not be taught. I just watched your video "Tracking with Coffee" and was saddened. At first I thought it was a parody meant for adults, and mocking the tracking community. Then I slowly realized it was not. I now believe it was a serious attempt at an educational tracking video. I also believe somone had a great idea that could help others and introduce them to tracking; an idea that would represent your programs, and give strangers an insight into what you do and the programs you run. Unfortunately the final product shows one earnest person trying to uncover the mysteries of nature, and one apathetic person who swears a lot and would rather be anywhere else but in the woods. Based on this video, I would not want to learn from this person, and I would NEVER send my child out with them [Parent:"What did you do today Jonny?" Child:"Nothing." Parent:"Really? Nothing?" Child:"Well, we did see hobo tracks and some $#!^ that went with the tracks... and there was some big @$$ seeds in the $#!^ too." -- I think you get my point.] What we do, connecting people with nature, reestablishes a sacred connection. It should be treated as such. Humor should uplift, and people should feel excited about learning more after watching your video. With these thoughts, I urge you to remove your video "Tracking with Coffee", reshoot it, and give us all a fresh first episode for your "new morning show". If your trackers can't be awake and inspiring early in the morning, shoot it later in the day or get different trackers, or have a tracker to consult with off camera and actors that can be the "face" of the show. You want your message to be heard; I want your message to be heard; we need your message to be heard. Peace and Blessings, Brett Lewis, M.S.A., L.Ac., Wilderness Awareness School student and past employee Tracker School student Earthwalk Northwest apprentice