Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-lnqnp Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-24T01:30:22.899Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Shieldwolf and the Shadow: Entering the Place of Transformation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 July 2015

Randolph Bowers
Randolph Bowers*
Affiliation:
School of Health, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, 2351, Australia
Get access

Abstract

This paper speaks from a poetic voice and briefly discusses the untamed nature of metaphor and narrative. Then the story is shared. The tale relates to how healing of identity, after eons of racism, sexism, homophobia and other forms of social isolation and internalised sorrow, requires deep abiding patience. Situated in transpersonal or spiritual space, the story suggests how Indigenous narrative crosses thresholds between reality and fiction. These are united in an “ontopoetics” of soul, a uniquely postmodern Indigenous sensibility that is also nothing terribly new. The story of Shieldwolf and the Shadow is a contemporary Indigenous tale of the place where transformation is undertaken, without fear, and with every intention that life itself will change beyond our reckoning. It may be possible that past bloodlines can be cleansed and our future restored to justice and peace – at least in some personal and contingent way. What we see in contemporary story is a potential for transformation that has eluded us for generations, and this is an echo of the wisdom of our elders.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Australian Journal of Indigenous Education , Volume 34 , 2005 , pp. 79 - 85
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2005

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Boff, L. (1984). St. Francis: A model for human liberation. New York: Crossroad.Google Scholar
Bosnak, R. (1996). Tracks in the wilderness of dreaming: Exploring interior landscape through practical dreamwork. New York: Bantam Doubleday.Google Scholar
Bowers, J. (1996). Erospirituality: Sex, ecology, evolution — The ontopoetics of soul. Unpublished Masters thesis, Acadia University, Wolfville.Google Scholar
Bowers, R. (2001). Life passages: Paths to empowerment for sexual minorities. Psychotherapy in Australia, 7(2), 60–66.Google Scholar
Bowers, R. (2005). Our stories, our medicine — Exploring holistic therapy integrating body-wellness, mindfulness, and spirituality: An Indigenous perspective on healing, change, and counselling, and the social and political contexts of an emerging discipline. Counselling Australia, 4(4), 114–117.Google Scholar
Bragdon, E. (1990). The call of spiritual emergency: From personal crisis to personal transformation. New York: Harper & Row.Google Scholar
Cortright, B. (1997). Psychotherapy and spirit: Theory and practice in transpersonal psychotherapy. New York: State University of New York Press.Google Scholar
Cowan, J. (1992). Mysteries of the dream-time: The spiritual life of Australian Aborigines. Woollahra: Unity Press.Google Scholar
Cowan, J. (1994). Myths of the dreaming: Intrepreting Aboriginal legends. Roseville: Unity Press.Google Scholar
Dilts, R., & MacDonald, R. (1997). Tools of the spirit. Capitola: Meta Publications.Google Scholar
Erickson, M., & Rossi, L. (1979). Hypnotherapy: An exploratory casebook. New York: Irvington.Google Scholar
Fekete, J. (1987). Life after postmodernism: Essays on value and culture. New York: St. Martin ’s Press.Google Scholar
Ferrucci, P. (1982). What we may be: Techniques for psychological and spiritual growth through psychosynthesis. Los Angeles: Tarcher.Google Scholar
Fox, M. (1990). A spirituality named compassion (and the healing of the global village). New York: Harper.Google Scholar
Griffin, D. (1988). Spirituality and society: Postmodern visions. New York: State University of New York Press.Google Scholar
John of the Cross, S. (1964). The complete works of Saint John of the Cross, Doctor of the church. (Peers, E.A. Trans. & Ed.). Westminster, MD: Newman Press.Google Scholar
O’Hanlon, W. (1987). Taproots: Underlying principles of Milton Erickson’s therapy and hypnosis. New York: Norton.Google Scholar
Overholser, L. (1985). Ericksonian hypnosis: A handbook of clinical practice. New York: Irvington Press.Google Scholar
Rogers, C. (1961). On becoming a person. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.Google Scholar
Rosen, S. (Ed.). (1982). My voice will go with you: The teaching tales of Milton H. Erickson. New York: Norton.Google Scholar
Rossi, L., & Ryan, M. (Ed.). (1985). Life reframing in hypnosis: The seminars, workshops and lectures of Milton H. Erickson (Vol. 2). New York: Norton & Company.Google Scholar
Tillich, P. (1954). Love, power and justice. New York: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Tillich, P. (1962). The courage to be. London: Collins.Google Scholar
Wilber, K. (1998). The marriage of sense and soul: Integrating science and religion. New York: Random House.Google Scholar
Zeig, J. (1980). A teaching seminar with Milton H. Erickson, MD. New York: Brunner/Mazel.Google Scholar