The Way of the Scout, by Tom Brown
A Native American path to finding spiritual meaning in a physical world. Tom Brown is real trailblazer in today's world. When he was growing up he learned vast amounts of wilderness skills from an Apache Scout named Grandfather. He learned how to survive and live quite comfortably for months or years in any environment (mostly natural such as forest, desert, jungle, even Alaska, but also later applying the methodology to urban and suburban environments) with starting with nothing other than a knife! If he did not have a knife he could make one. If he needed clothes he could catch some rabbits or an occasional deer, and make clothing and moccassins. He could build shelters that would be practically invisible blending in with the setting. He can start a fire from sticks and branches without matches or lighter etc. He could survive quite well in Death Valley or northern Canada. He would go off for a year with nothing into a wilderness and come back after a year or more, ever the wiser for the experience. He says he tried out using a firearm, but he definitely prefers not to bother with it as it does not justify its weight. He is a Tracker, and has successfully found missing people including escaped felons. He can read a footprint and guage how long ago it was made to within 15 minutes. He can read health problems and even emotional attitudes in the footprint by the way it is 'released.' He can do this with animals as well. He is a true wizard on this Earth. His teachings represent the most pure and down-to-earth spiritual path I have seen in 25 years of research. (None of that "whipped cream on sh*" new age mumbo-jumbo) His teachings are Apache Scout but he is aware of the modern context. He says his Apache teacher disclosed some significant quasi-apocalyptic events for the near future but that is another story. Other books by Tom Brown: The Tracker The Vision The Search Tom Brown's Field Guide to Wilderness Survival Tom Brown's Field Guide to Living with the Earth Good Reading to you... Tom Brown Jr's Tracking, Nature, and Wilderness Survival School http://members.aol.com/trackerinc/index.html Wilderness, Tracking, Shamanism and Related Links http://members.aol.com/trackerinc/tracklink.html Wilderness Resource List http://www.ccs.neu.edu/home/smit/wilderness/ Wilderness Schools Home Page http://www.ccs.neu.edu/home/smit/wilderness/schools.html Tracker School's Unofficial Home Page http://www.csee.usf.edu/~gulledge/tracker.html Conniry's Native Skills and Wilderness School (in the San Diego area) http://members.home.net/shadow-scout/

-- Jon (jonmiles@pacbell.net), October 29, 1998

Answers

Jon,

Thank you for this post. Thats the kind of person Id like to travel with when Y2K hits. Over the next day or so, will also check out all your links. Because it has been my experience in disaster scenarios, my focus is on what do you need to remain mobile?

Another series of Native American teachings with survival techniques sprinkled throughout are the books by Mary Summerain. I suspect the teachings would appeal more to women.

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), October 31, 1998.

It would be really exciting to able to spend time with someone like this man you are speaking of. I will look at your links. I read a magazine once called the wilderness way but I have never seen it again.

-- deborah cunningham (dac@ccrtc.com), October 31, 1998.

Diane,

Although it's good to be mobile if you're in a localized disaster situation, it would probably be dangerous to do much travelling in a post-y2k world because the breakdown changes are global. Also by that time, fuel will be expensive, and motor vehicle traffic will probably be regulated or prohibited. It's best to have a safe place where you can stay put. Ideally, this would be a fortified community of like minded people, as self-sufficent as possible, but with good communication links to the internet. At least a neighborhood watch system is needed. You want your neighbers to be your friends, and to drop by from time to time to see how everything is going. If you are going to travel you need to have a good reason to go where you need to go, and it's better if you can select a place where you want to be ahead of time, a place which won't require that you move on. Plan now to avoid travel later. If your community is spread out and you want transportation within it, the Rhoades car (a pedal-driven four- wheeler) is a good choice.

-- Jon (jonmiles@pacbell.net), October 31, 1998.

Basically, I agree Jon.

I am looking for those like-minded communities (next week's project -- any ideas?) This week I've been trying to figure out "Y2K - How big and how bad it it?" Also what are good community contingency plans. Conclusion: Not at all good, and I still don't personally want a gun.

Seems like developing the art of materialization and dematerialization would be a useful capability. (Yes, I do KNOW of some very quiet people who can and do, do it). Folks who dont have that kind of understanding are going to have a field day with that idea! Oh well, onward.

The reason I focus on the Y2K mobility issues -- even for a hidden like-minded community -- is SHIFT HAPPENS.

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), October 31, 1998.

This sounds like a really interesting idea. I've heard of Tom Brown, and even looked into his classes before, but was never able to due to cost (esp. since i'm in california, and he's in NJ), but found a school here in Calif, and have been trying to learn as much as i can-as much for my own interest and desire to learn as much as i can, as for any need. The problem i've had is that it seems that it would be quite beneficial to have people with which to get together and 'practice' with, and have never found a resource for finding like minded people to do this with. I would also interested in finding a group of like minded persons to collaborate with, share ideas/funding/etc with for y2k. Does anyone know of any resources for finding persons who would either be interested in learning more about survival type issues, assisting each other through the coming crises, or a combination of both, i would really appreciate the information.

-- Damian Solorzano (oggy1@webtv.net), November 01, 1998.

Damian, the best place I have seen for this type of information is the Cassandra project. Go to the site below; on the left side of the screen you will find lots of topics. Scroll down to Community Prep. Info, then click on Community Preparedness Groups. Good luck!

http://millennia-bcs.com/casframe.htm

-- Gayla Dunbar (privacy@please.com), November 01, 1998.

Damian,

Here's a link to an on-line registry that's just starting up. I have not done more than look at what they offer. It is a national outfit and may be what you're looking for.

-- Hardliner (searcher@internet.com), November 01, 1998.

Here's the URL for the national registry. The way it works is you simply register your email address and location. Once a month a volunteer coordinator from your State/Province will send you the email addresses of everyone in your area. No names, so privacy is assured. You can connect online and determine for yourself who is like-minded and who isn't. 450 people enrolled during the first month, and the number is expected to grow exponentially:

http://www.webpal.org/list.htm

Good luck!

-- Faith Weaver (faith-weaver@usa.net), November 01, 1998.

Diane, thought you'd go for this post, really its just a wind-up.

-- Richard Dale (rdale@figroup.co.uk), November 02, 1998.

Diane, Damian, et al... if you are in Southern California, Conniry Outdoors has general meetings the first Tuesday of each month ($5) and more detailed training sessions also. Susan Conniry teaches with Tom Beasley who has 10 certificates from Tom Brown's school. They are also familiar with some of the Hopi prophecies of these times.

The native american prophecies have usually included "some number of days of darkness" (usually 3-1/2). Anyone here familiar with the teachings and scenario described by Drunvalo Melchizedek? His info has all electronics malfunctioning, but it was due to a solar blast. I've come across numerous other scenarios that are in alignment with this one. The changes are so radical that the problem of 'roving hungry armed mobs' is not a concern...everyone will have to stay put during the dimensional shift.

-- Jon (jonmiles@pacbell.net), November 02, 1998.

Jon, et. al.; thanx for the advice. I'm in Northern Calif. so the school in SoCal would be difficult. I think what i will do is take a couple more classes at Headwaters Outdoor School. I've taken some of his edible plants classes and the teacher is really good. He's also taken some of Tom Brown's classes, and teaches much of the same things. His school is in Santa Cruz, and they are reasonably priced. That might also be a place to get in touch with people who would be interested in getting together to practice some of these things. I was really hoping that someone would know whether there were any sources for listings of people who would like to get together for this purpose, but in my internet wanderings, i haven't really found anything, so maybe there isn't really anything like this out there. Thanks again for the thoughts....

-- Damian Solorzano (oggy1@webtv.net), November 03, 1998.

Jon,

I am reasonably familiar with the sacred geometry teachings and scenarios described by Drunvalo Melchizedek. I took my first video course in Sedona in 1994, then was trained as a Flower Of Life facilitator in a 10-day training is Austin, TX in June of 1994.

I never became an actual facilitator because it just didnt feel like my path, although I was quite impressed with the knowledge, learning, stories and lessons of the teacher, Dru. Im a little concerned at the direction the Flower Of Life Research group has taken. Their website is: http://www.floweroflife.org.

I prefer to pay attention to the horses mouth, so to speak, rather than the horse. Never know which end is making noise.

I still try to follow Drus updates on his website: http:// www.drunvalo.net/.

I will go on record as saying, I think he is a fine teacher with valuable lessons to teach.

When you read a book, any book, do you judge it by its cover? Do you read it? Do you accept what works for you and ignore the rest? Do you do further research? I do a lot of reading, studying and homework. Helps me understand a whole host of bigger pictures and some better visions.

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), November 03, 1998.

Diane,

I thought I recognized you... I was at the same facilitator training! I was there with Bob Frissel who wrote an account in his book "Nothing in This Book is True, But It's Exactly How Things Are". Although I did assist with facilitating many times, I moved away from the scene due to the politics and ego that creep into most organizations after awhile.

Reconsidering the 'dimensional shift' transition scenarios in light of y2k, solar max 99, and leonids 99, some of the pieces are falling into place. The darkness and electronics failures, the idea of being in low-tech housing, of not going outside, etc. This info was derived from several sources. Part of it was referring to a breakdown of the '3rd-dimensional grid', change in earth's magnetic polarity, and some visuals. Along with this is the idea that thoughts will precipitate reality faster; if one is preocuppied or motivated by fear in the 4th dimension their thoughts will precipitate a frightening reality. It's like in the dream state, where your thought habits will direct the course of your dreams. The objective is to develop a positive mental attitude, have a can-do take-charge approach and avoid the victim consciousness of feeling helpless and defeated. By practicing this attitude every minute of every day, it becomes natural and you can manifest your world the way you want it with grace and ease. You are the producer, stage director, and lead actor in the drama of Your Life. You call the shots. Start with wherever you are and whatever you have.

But the most interesting idea is that we are not the first planet to go through this transition. Even if there's been a conservative estimate of 1000 earth-like civilizations evolving technology to the point of computers, we can figure the y2k problem has happened many times before. To consider the radical idea that earth is like a big petri dish with civilizations being cultivated and monitored, the y2k problem could be a planned part of the experiment, in which case the protocol is unlikely to include intervention by the experimentors. All the world's a stage...

Just tossing this out there to free up the imagination.

p.s. I'm guessing you are also the Diana J. doing the presentation on Egyptian Tantric Alchemy Dance in the Encinitas Yoga Room tomorrow, if so seeya there.

-- Jon (jonmiles@pacbell.net), November 03, 1998.

Didn't Woody Allen have a few things to say about Californians. I suppose on the richest part of the planet, people can find the time to meditate whilst others do the work.

-- Richard Dale (rdale@figroup.co.uk), November 04, 1998.

The Merkaba meditation technique that Drunvalo teaches in the Flower of Life Workshop can be a useful tool for self-preservation during the transition and after. It comes from Drunvalo's 13th dimensional Melchizedek buddies (don't quote me on this, it's on background).

Another good tool for preparing your self is the Vipassana meditation developed by Gotama the Buddha 2500 years ago. See http://www.mahavana.dhamma.org. It has had a great effect in prison systems.

If everybody in the world (except repair people when they're busy) were to do vipassana for the first 10 days of January 2000, there wouldn't be any social disruption.

-- Jon (jonmiles@pacbell.net), November 04, 1998.

Jon,

Greetings Jon. That was a great training! One of my lifes high points.

Dru would be the first person to say that our collective thoughts can change the reality. Also, Im not yet convinced that the darkness Dru was talking about is the one coming up with Y2K. I just cant help feeling that one is closer to the 2012 time frame.

Remember in the training how we thought the whole western coast was going to have major problems that summer? Remember how the group of about 40 of us worked at visualizing a different scenario? I know some of my buddies and I were asking, meditating, praying and visualizing that it would be an emotional earthquake not a physical one. Then remember what happened? O.J. did his thing and emotionally rocked a nation. Who honestly knows if we had any kind of impact (and thats not the kind of scene I would have choosen). I just know that our thoughts DO make some difference.

Diane

(P.S. Im not that Diana J. -- Im up in Silicon valley right now. And dont mind Richard hes probably racing to write another limerick. Californians do their thing and Brits do theirs. Thats why so many of us love the diversity of this world).

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), November 04, 1998.

Didn't OJ get away with murder, The US legal system is an absolute joke. So is the British one now that socialists are passing racist laws.

-- Richard Dale (rdale@figroup.co.uk), November 05, 1998.

I suppose its better than actually taking drugs. One for Deedah!

-- Richard Dale (rdale@figroup.co.uk), November 05, 1998.

Looks like Californians use their right brain at the expense of their left, you need to be balanced.

-- Richard Dale (rdale@figroup.co.uk), November 05, 1998.

Richard,

If you'd find more ways to help this world rather than attack me, I'd be more impressed with your actions.

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), November 05, 1998.

Diane

You must give him some leeway, he is British. They express themselves in ways that seem strange to us Yanks. Don't let him under your skin, he will only burrow deeper.

-- Uncle Deedah (oncebitten@twiceshy.com), November 05, 1998.

Actually Uncle, I am laughing both with and at him.

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), November 05, 1998.

Will anyone provide any evidence that the US legal system is NOT a joke, its obvious why (private courts setting precedents). I can see where Diane repeats now. Have you ever read about tweedle dum and tweedle dee. There's nothing wrong with being right-brained, its better than being hare-brained. In Britain the curious mating habits of hares caused the country folk to believe they were mad. Len Da Vinci was balanced-brained. Convince me about this new age stuff, its a challenge.

-- Richard Dale (rdale@figroup.co.uk), November 06, 1998.

Oops I'm repeating myself again (or is that tautologous) challenge to (laughing) Diane, lets see your (poetic) handiwork. Perhaps we can all have a laugh.

Oops I'm repeating myself again (or is that tautologous) challenge to (laughing) Diane, lets see your (poetic) handiwork. Perhaps we can all have a laugh.

Oops I repeated myself again. Still only following a precedent.

-- Richard Dale (rdale@figroup.co.uk), November 06, 1998.

We have scouts over here (and cubs, guides, brownies - not biscuits) who have jamborees, wear stupid uniforms, go camping and sport badges. Do you have the same over there, something to do with baden powell, I expect they grow up to be mounties.

-- Richard Dale (rdale@figroup.co.uk), November 06, 1998.

Richard,

One of those Boy Scouts grew up to be me.

The Boy Scouts were a major influence in my life. The moral and spiritual values I learned in the scouts have served me well. The woodcraft skills have often provided me with a level of confidence and comfort envied by my companions. Those values and skills are still relevant and appropriate.

As an adult, I was privileged to serve as Scoutmaster of a boy scout troop. So far, that has been the second most rewarding experience of my life.

-- Hardliner (searcher@internet.com), November 06, 1998.

BTW Richard,

The US legal system has indeed become a joke--a terribly obscene one and one that goes light years beyond embarrasment to those of us who are sworn to support and defend our Constitution.

-- Hardliner (searcher@internet.com), November 06, 1998.

OK hardliner, nothing wrong with scouts. I'm glad they're thriving in this day and age.

-- Richard Dale (rdale@figroup.co.uk), November 09, 1998.

I've taken two of Tom Brown's courses so far, with more planned in '99. He's the real thing. It's a bit late to get started with these sorts of courses for Y2K, because this stuff takes a *lot* of practice. My recommendation, if you're interested in this stuff, is to pick up a few of Tom's field guides. His introductory course is mostly lecture anyway, and it's pretty well covered in the guides. It's not the same as having someone show you, but try it and experiment, and you can do it.

One of the most important things you can learn is edible plants. What Tom's school teaches here is simple...get a copy of Peterson's Field Guide to Edible Plants and go to it. Be careful about what books on this subject you rely on--he also said half a dozen books you can get at your local store will kill you. Plants are dangerous, and a lot of common advice is very bad. Eg., recommendations that beginners eat wild carrots (which look very similar to poison hemlock), etc.

Tracking is very valuable, but very difficult to learn. But it's not too tough to notice animal runs and trails. Practice nonlethal traps on your cat, or if no cat then solve your mice problem...then you can set traps near or on the runs. Or camo up and wait for something to come by.

I won't go on and on about this, it's a huge subject. If you learn it, you'll be ready to cut the cord to civilization completely, if necessary, and live in style. I hope to spend almost every weekend in '99 practicing these skills, plus a few more of Tom's courses... and I still don't think I'll really be ready to do that. I'm buying a fair amount of grain and so on to buy more time.

-- Shimrod (shimrod@lycosmail.com), December 20, 1998.