A Report On 12 Years of Pilgrimage
To Mt. Shasta
by Tomás (Tom Pinkson)

One of the richest and enduring gifts that I received from my time with my Huichol teachers of Mexico, which began in 1981 and continues to this day, is the teaching that all life - including what western culture considers to be inanimate, Is part of an ongoing, interwoven, interconnected, interdependent network of relationships con taining all the forces and
manifestations of creation. Living a good life entails living in good relationship with this web of connectedness, I.e., what indigenous peoples worldwide refer to as a "Sacred Circle". For truly, we are all related and what we give or do to another, ultimately we give to ourselves. As the above chant states, we are here to find our place in this circle of life, and then to live it out in a way that promotes harmony and balance with"all our relations".

This includes good relationship with an abstraction I call "power", without which a good life is impossible. Without power of self discipline, for example, one is at the mercy of internal and external forces and can be battered around like a leaf in a storm. Without power of attention, receptivity and observation, there is no growth or evolution towards greater wisdom. The greatest power comes from opening to the power that creates and sustains the universe, one not based on personal ego and identity, and allowing it to work through you. It is this power that has the creative wisdom and ability to make all that we see and know, and so much more that lies in unseen mystery.

My Huichol teachers and other indigenous healers and medicine people I have worked with around the world, all speak to the point that each human being has the potential to become a conduit for that power - both receiving and sharing of its infinite gifts of goodness. This takes intention, concentration, sustained effort and will. For as Bear Heart, a Muskogee
Medicine Man, was told by one of his elders, "It's one thing to live a long time--its another thing to learn something in that space of time. You've been given the gift of life--don't just become an old man, learn something".

Indeed, what is more important in life than to learn how to have good relationships? Healthy relationships and a good life, rather than unhealthy ones based on fear and manipulation, depend on constantly cultivating attributes of respect, caring, sharing, kindness, honesty,
trust, love, strength, courage, stamina, wisdom, faith and humility with all aspects of creation.

In his book, The Wind is my Mother, Bear Heart offers the wise counsel that, "We are nothing until that nothing becomes so dedicated that it is like a vessel through which good things can move.", and the reminder that When you have a good purpose and reach for that purpose, it makes life worthwhile to live ".

I feel a great debt to my many Huichol Teachers and otherwise. Some, like Guadalupe de la Cruz, Rolling Thunder, and Hopi Elder Grandfather David Monongye are now in the Spirit World. I feel a debt to them all , to help preserve that which has been entrusted in my care, and that which makes my life worthwhile. I feel a responsibility as a caretaker of sacred knowledge for the medicine teachings of my teachers. Today as I head towards my sixties and toward becoming a grandparent for the first time this fall, I feel and see this responsibility more clearly than ever. In particular, I want to address this responsibility by sharing some teachings of right relationship to power located in a specific geographic locality, i.e., a place of power. These teachings come from a cycle of twelve years of intimate communion through pilgrimage to Mt.Shasta in Northern California with fellow pilgrims dedicated to being with this immense power in a respectful way.

Participants in each cycle made a year long commitment to pray for each member of the group everyday, and to meeting monthly at which time one individual in the group made a shamanic journey - supported by the rest of us, acting as midwives, to help them birth through their highest intention. Each year's work culminated with the pilgrimage to Mt. Shasta - "Akoo Yet" to the Pit River People who live near the mountain. For thousands of
years the Pit River People have been doing ceremonial work with its powerful spirit, known by them as " Mis Misa ". Mis Misa works to balance the universe with the earth, and the earth with the universe, by singing. When people come to her in respectful silence, listening for her singing, Mis Misa is supported in what she is doing. When people come and do not listen in respectful silence ,and take without giving anything back, Mis Misa is weakened in her efforts. If the disrespect continues long enough, say the Pit River People, Mis Misa will go away throwing the world into chaos and imbalance, a condition some say we are rapidly approaching today.

Respectful listening is critical to supporting this work of balance. Participants in the group spend the year exercising their "listening muscles" with themselves, with each other, and with mystery, all in preparation for going to the mountain and listening to her singing spirit.
The recent pilgrimage of June 2-6, 2001 completed an assignment from Great Spirit to take others willing to open themselves humbly to the possibility they could have a living relationship with the consciousness of a mountain. Twelve years of exploring this possibility are now ending. The number 12 is significant to the Huichol notion of apprenticeship, which entails 12 journeys to their sacred holy land, Wiricuta. Six "going up" the pyramid of learning and transformation" and six years of "coming down" the pyramid so what has been learned can be grounded in daily life. In this writing I seek to deepen my own grounding process for the teachings that have been given to me over this twelve year period.

During this time I have come to see that each pilgrim is used by the Mystery, acting through the power of the mountain, as a rung on a ladder. A ladder of prayer, that we collectively put up as high as we can to the altar that exists at the far northern end of the summit plateau. We no longer ever go to the very top, even if we are able, for that, we have learned from our indigenous teachers, would be disrespectful to the Great Spirit and Mis Misa. For only the Creator goes to the top. The rest of us stop, or are stopped by one thing or another--altitude sickness, a sprained ankle, a back pain, blisters, exhaustion, etc., where ever power wants us to be - to learn the lessons that are there for us at that particular place.

Each pilgrim carries a prayer arrow of wood, colored yarn and feathers that they have made and imbued with prayers for their life, family, community, and with the prayers of loved ones and friends who have taken advantage of their offer to carry their prayers to a "holy place of power". These arrows are not left on the mountain, for that we have been taught, would
also be disrespectful. So we release the prayers of the arrows to whatever height we reach, and then, when finished with the pilgrimage, bring the arrows back home to help us continue our relationship with the power of Mt.Shasta in our daily lives. The arrows also contain prayers of thanksgiving to Mis Misa for the work she is doing, and prayers for the health and protection of the mountain from development and disrespectful, exploitive relationships that only take and give nothing back. As we pray for the health of all the animals, ancestor spirits and forces of the mountain, we are seeking to give something back from our hearts to say "thank you' for gifts given, and thus promote cooperative, respectful right relationship.

Each year's pilgrimage has been unique: Different participants in various states of mental, physical, emotional and spiritual well-being; Different numbers of people at basecamp, and also how many went up further; Different snow and weather conditions and different heights gained, to name but a few. But one aspect has always been consistent - the power, immensity and awesomeness of the mountain itself. Mis Misa has sung every year, and pilgrims have endeavored to hear her singing in all the myriad ways she is capable of manifesting her teachings - through her fierce winds, the incredible cloud formations that swirl around the summit, the tinkling bell-like sound of a slow moving river of melting ice flowing down from one of the five permanent glaciers that "live" on the mountain's heights, through a dream incubated while camping on the mountain; a song, chant or mantra heard by a climber as they struggled to keep going upwards, at times in freezing howling winds, rain or snowstorm, or perhaps while they descended, glissading down 3000 foot Avalanche Gulch or sliding down scree when there wasn't much snow due to 100 degree temperatures which turned the whole experience into an ordeal of searing heat like being in a blast oven. It is from this singing that a series of teachings has come forth.

One, "Love everyone".
Two, ."Enjoy each step".
Three, "Walk on a good heart path".
Four, "Don't try to climb on your power. Tune in to MY power - the power of Mountain - and I will help you climb. For I have what you don't--infinite power to help you do whatever you need to do so long as you come in a respectful manner, trusting that where I bring you and the others, is the perfect place for you to get the medicine I have cooked up for you". (Hence the chant, "I don't have it - but you do!"

These teachings were drummed into my body, mind and soul over and over again with repeated regularity over the years. I have been with them in mindfulness--meditation of two steps up, rest, two steps up, rest, sometimes for 16 hour days in which they worked their way deeper and deeper in to my being. They condense into simple instructions for both climbing mountains and living life, emphasizing the process of the climb, not just getting to the top or the outcome of an action. They speak to finding a way to enjoy the struggle - the demands of a situation, whatever they may be - so that the actual process of trying to get there, to do what needs to be done, is one that you are present for and enjoy while doing.

For the last pilgrimage of the cycle, the 12th, I had hoped to be able to gain the wondrous summit plateau and personally take prayers to the rock altar that sits on the far end of the plateau beneath the approach to the actual summit. As had been my custom, I drew three Tarot cards the morning before I left, asking that I receive guidance that would help me
attune my awareness to what was most important for me to pay attention to in order to help insure a safe and successful venture for us all. The first card hit me like a slap in the face. "Disappointment". I pulled back in dismay. But then I listened deeper to its wisdom guidance and saw that it spoke to me about letting go of attachment to outcome. Instead of
judging success as getting up to the summit plateau, I should instead be open to whatever placement on the mountain was for my greatest good and to let the power of Akoo Yet and Mis Misa decide where that was to be. The second card was "Compassion". It advised me to be kind with myself and all the other pilgrims. "Be kind and compassionate to all. Let go of
judgements and instead be loving." The third card was the "Learner", reminding me that the whole experience was opportunity to learn something of significance for my life. So with this guidance I went fore-armed with good counsel and tried to apply it to what came up.

The first night at basecamp I did a drum journey where all the pilgrims called in one of their power animals and sent it up into the heart of Akoo Yet to give thanks and to ask for guidance for the climb to come. I called in the Deer Spirit, guardian ally of the Huichol People and one of my power allies since my first quest for vision in 1972 in the High Sierra
of Yosemite. The deer picked me up on its back and flew me directly in to the heart of Mis Misa who then gave me three words--"Patience, Perseverance and Power. Not yours, but mine", it said. Little did I know the worth of this guidance as I bedded down for the night in cozy comfy inside my warm sleeping bag.

The following day we hiked with our full packs up to the second base camp at 8,000 foot elevation. We went to bed early that night, arouse at 12:30 am, readied ourselves for the climb, then joined in a circle to do a prayer before heading out. The night was just gorgeous. The fierce wind had stopped, the sky was clear and with a moon that was almost full, we
didn't even need a headlamp to see where to go. Everything was perfect. Almost.

Just as I started the prayer, I began to feel nauseous, pukey, dizzy, weak and that I could pitch forward and pass out at any minute! But it was time to go and this was the last year so, hey, I had to go for it. As we started hiking I knew immediately that I could not make it more than ten feet from camp. A surge of disappointment came over me as I thought about
the prospect of not even being able to get started. Then I remembered the guidance from the drum journey. "Patience". To me that meant trusting what was showing up, I.e. feeling sick. "Trust the intelligence of it even though you don't like it or want it." I thought to myself. "Have faith that somehow it is part of your medicine for this pilgrimage. Don't fight
against it with judgements. Just find a way to work with it" .

"Well", I thought, "All I can do is try to go the ten feet I feel I have in me. Remember the Tarot card guidance about disappointment. Let go of expectations, desires and any attachment to how far up I get. Have compassion for myself and be kind", I reminded myself. So I went forward for ten steps, then had to stop. I told the others I was feeling sick and that they should go on with out me. Slowly they set out as I called on the second guidance input from Mis Misa - "Perserverance". "I'll just go for another ten feet and then see what I can do after another rest" I mumbled to the others as they set out in the moon light. "All I can do is give it my best shot without attachment to results" I said softly to myself. So I set off again, only this time I put into practice the third piece of guidance--and the one that connected with many previous years teachings as well: "Do not try to climb this mountain on your own power. Use its's power". I prayed - "Please, Sacred Mountain, give me
your strength". With each step I gave thanks to Akoo Yet for its beauty shimmering in the moonlight and asked Mis Misa to give me her strength to make another step. "Thank you Mis Misa" .. Another step upward. Again - "Thank you for your strength Mis Misa". And so it went.One breath, one slow step at a time. On into the light of predawn, when I found myself up at 11,000 and ready to pass out.

"That's it" I said to myself. "I can't go any further without burning out the small reserve left to get me safely back down to base camp where I can finally collapse". Two other climbers were ready to come down at that point as well, so we descended together, supported by the comraderie we shared and by the full beauty of the mountain now revealed by the rising
sun as her rays began to reach the upper heights.

What a gift, this beautiful, clear morning we were blessed to a part of. It is truly breathtaking. You can see out across the valley over a hundred miles away - to far distant mountains, the lights of the town just waking up below us, and the incredible colors ... Ice and snow twinkling like stars in the sunlight pouring forth amplified rainbow rays in every
direction like a magical kaleidoscope. It is magnificent and I felt so blessed, so privileged to be there. Even though my body felt miserable, my heart and my soul soared. I knew with every fibre of my being that each step up the mountain úhad been a gift, a sacred blessing. I was so thankful that I had been able to make it as far as I did. I knew the prayers of my family, fellow pilgrims and relatives from the Wakan community supported our efforts and had a lot to do with the energy that helped carry me as far as I could go.

With each step of the descent I gushed out thankfulness to all my compadres, my family, Mis Misa, ancestors and to the Deer Spirit for all their help, love and support. I could see our prayer ladder stretching out all the way from San Diego - where one of our pilgrims had to go for health reasons just prior to the journey and was not able to join us physically -- all the way up to the summit plateau where two of our party finally made it to the altar and ceremonially released the prayers. I saw once again, as I had on previous years, how each pilgrim was an equally important rung of the ladder without whom no one could ascend if each person didn't do their job just exactly where they were "placed" by Mis Misa. I felt blissfully at one with everyone and everything.

Hours later I made it safely back down to base camp and collapsed for the rest of the afternoon. By evening, and just before a threatening storm front came in that brought fresh snow to the upper reaches of the mountain, all our pilgrims returned safely and I could drop into sleep feeling grateful for the good medicine of our collective journeys. I dozed off reflecting on how my medicine teachings had to do with showing up and giving it my best effort, while letting go of attachment to outcome. Opening up to the gifts of the effort itself - even when it was tough going. As I released my last attachments to reaching the summit plateau, I felt a deep letting go . It had something to do with allowing the next generation of younger pilgrims to be the ones gaining the heights now. My joy came in seeing their joy, and that of the others' - enjoying the glow of their accomplishments. "Ah yes" I thought, "this is the path of growing into elderhood, where one supports, counsels, prays for and enjoys the successes of the ones coming up from below". A warmth flowed out of my heart as my eyes closed. Outside the wind howled fiercely, but I slept peacefully through the entire night.

Several days later as we gathered by the headwaters of the Sacramento River to do our closing circle, one of the women of our group suddenly appeared with a six week old baby. The baby's father was taking fresh water from the river and entrusted her to our care while doing so. What a treat it was to sit there on the soft, green grass listening to Mis Misa singing in the gushing waters and look in to the face of pure innocence as the baby
lay there sleeping. I reflected on the twelve years of pilgrimage, and on the tobacco prayers we had just dropped in to the river to be carried downstream past our homes back in the Bay Area, when suddenly I "heard" the baby ask us all a question which gave, in delightful fashion, the focus of our closing ritual.

"This little teacher of trust is asking each of us what kind of world we will leave her. So let's go around our circle and answer her. Then, when we get home, it is up to us to live out our answers. It's not enough to just say them and leave them here as pretty words. We have to plant them in the garden of our lives and live them out each day, no matter what kind of mountains we are climbing ", I said with gusto spurred on by the child's innocence.

Halfway through the circle the little baby woke up and watched intently as each person spoke. In that moment I heard Mis Misa sing out again -- "Love everyone. Enjoy each step, even if part of you is suffering. Walk on a good heart path, with patience and perserverance. Give it your best shot but don't be attached to an outcome. And don't try to make the climb by yourself. Call on My power through right relationship with me, and you'll get what you need to bring through what is for your greatest good. Go for what calls you and use My power. Enjoy the climb." I smiled at the baby. Her face lit up and she smiled right back. The next cycle of pilgrimage began in that moment. It is the pilgrimage back home - to the heart, which is the true summit of all mountains and all pilgrimages..

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