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October-December, 2013

A Miracle in a Masai Village

by Rev. Larry Glenz, O.M.C.

I finally made my “dream” excursion to Kenya along the equator in the highlands of east Africa. I taught about Kenya many years ago as a young Global Studies teacher of high school freshman. For more than three decades I had a desire to personally witness the natural wildlife found in the unique ecosystem of the Serengeti plains.

The experience was indeed greater than I ever imagined. While bouncing around in the back seat of a safari van on this 12 day journey across the Great Rift Valley between Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Kenya, I was also studying my Listen & Receive Pathways of Light 30-Day Home Study Program. I have modified the process to cover more than 120 days of study and meditation.

Despite the excitement of seeing abundant African wildlife, a journey to the African interior can cause a sense of culture shock for a modern American. Studying a thought system that trains the mind to see everyone as equal — to see past the differences in form — takes on an exotic twist while the body’s eyes perceive African culture to be alien to our own. Holy Spirit continues to provide me with perfect opportunities for my continued spiritual growth.

From my seat in the safari van I witnessed many rural villages and my perception was one of vast material poverty. My Pathways lessons, however, were telling me to see past the form to the content. I was with eight other Americans and two African driver/guides. We Americans are not accustomed to the African standard of living — but I was being encouraged in my lessons to see past the differences.

One highlight was the unique opportunity to visit a Masai village. The Masai are an ancient tribe that shuns modernization and struggles to live a pastoral lifestyle that sustained them for thousands of years. They dress in bright red and can be seen herding their precious cattle throughout the savannah in Kenya and Tanzania.

During the course of our visit, I was taken alone into one of the Masai dwellings — a small hut made of dirt, cow dung, and cow urine. Perhaps it was the sudden darkness after coming from bright sunlight; or maybe it was the size and appearance of the young Masai warrior — but I felt an instant fear arise upon entering with him. I couldn’t see in the darkness and I did not understand what he was saying to me. He was encouraging me to get down on a stretched out piece of canvas on the dirt floor that served as his bed. Although I couldn’t see him, I knew he was just inches from my face. I was starting to panic and wanted to get out. I felt greatly relieved when I was finally led outside after several minutes that seemed like an eternity.

I did not recover quickly because I was led immediately to the place where the Masai handicrafts were on display outside the kraal that held the cattle. They had necklaces, bracelets, masks, clubs, spears, wood carvings — and I was being encouraged to buy something. I wanted to know what the items cost but the young warrior indicated that I was to pick out what I wanted and we would then negotiate as was their custom.

Again I was in a panic. My thoughts were about the idea that I was a rich American attempting to reduce a price with a man who was materially among the world’s poorest. I was embarrassed by the disparity in our wealth and purposely overpaid for a necklace and earrings. I was out of my element and just wanted to get away from the situation.

After a short time I started to realize that I was personally sabotaging one of the most exciting and unusual experiences of my life. It was then that I remembered to hand these fears over to my Inner Teacher. I asked, “Holy Spirit, how would you have me see this? I don’t like the way I feel but am willing to see this differently.” This process of pausing, stepping back, stepping aside, and letting Holy Spirit guide me had kicked in.

I do not recall how I felt immediately after this or what transpired next. I do recall, however, that the Masai warriors were impressed with the physical stature of my very tall friend, Joe, who stands 6’9”. None of the Masai were as tall as Joe, but they were kidding with him about being able to jump higher. Masai warriors are proud of their jumping ability and performed an impressive demonstration for us. We were all smiling and laughing at the challenge. Joe was a college basketball player more than 30 years ago but was not about to compete against the athleticism of these young warriors.

When our visit came to an end, we gave the village some gifts we had brought for the children. This unexpected generosity brought about expressions of appreciation and joy from the Masai people. We departed to warm gestures of mutual respect and gratitude for each other.

Upon leaving, I realized that my prayer had just been answered. My daily practice had trained me to recognize my feelings and to give them to Spirit for correction. My perception of the Masai— their exotic appearance and lifestyle — had changed within a 15 minute interval.

My lessons have been stressing that I am the same as all my brothers despite appearances. American tourists and the Masai people are perhaps polar opposites in the eyes of the world. But before we left the village, I had a sense that we were brothers — we were the same. I asked for and received a miracle. Amazing!

The study of my Listen & Receive course had helped me to remember to hand my fears to my Inner Teacher, the Holy Spirit. Practice, practice, practice.

© 2013, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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