Recognizing Druids
Searles

Mon Feb 12 12:56:16 2001
I may have posted this message here and elsewhere before now, but I think it's a topic that needs discussing often:*p*Certain ways of communicating seem to offer us the opportunity to achieve a*br*greater understanding and respect for one another and our differing ways. If*br*the necessary questions can be asked and answered then perhaps understanding*br*can be born where before there was contention?*p*The tale and idea that I presented this morning in another message thread*br*introduced the concept and example of "colloquy" between *real* Druids. The*br*tale known as "Immacallam in da Thuarad" in Irish (The Colloquy of the Two*br*Sages) is a perfect example of how Druids did and can achieve such*br*understandings between them through colloquy. Here again are the questions*br*that they asked one another on meeting (along with their restatement in*br*modern language and a short discussion of what each question means):*p*... whence have you come?"*p*This actually means, "How did you arrive at being a Druid and decide to come*br*to this assembly of Druids?"*p*If we are to let others know what we mean by the word and title of "Druid,"*br*then we should tell about the inspiration that led us to this path and some*br*of the experiences that we've had along the way that better define that*br*concept for us.*p*... what is thy name?"*p*This question seems to mean, "What defines you as a Druid now in terms of*br*capabilities and realizations?*p*We've chosen to pursue the Druid Way and it should have evoked in us certain*br*insights and abilities that we place into practice for ourselves and our*br*people. What fundamental skills of Drai/ocht do we possess?*p*... what art do you practice?"*p*This question is coupled to the previous question and asks for addition*br*details about Druidic skill. I think it should read, "How do you actually*br*practice these Druidic abilities?"*p*What are the details of our practice? How do we accomplish the Drai/ocht*br*that we've discovered? What are the techniques of poetry? spellcraft? imbas?*br*dream interpretation? divination? warding? satire? manifestation? etc.*p*... what is it that thou undertakest ? "*p*This question seems to mean, "Where do you practice your Drai/ocht and who*br*are the people/groups that you serve?*p**br*I see this as verifying your cultural, traditional and organizational*br*connections to Drai/ocht. It also tells us nationality and provides a*br*background or framework upon which to evaluate individual opinions,*br*philosophies and teachings.*p*... by what path have you come?"*p*This question is coupled to the previous one and actually means, "What are*br*some of the specifics about how you have served your group/people and what*br*are their methods of training and the levels of recognition/achievement*br*among them?"*p*This is how one group can learn from the practices of another. It's shop*br*talk but also implies a certain proficiency in the art of Drai/ocht.*p*... of whom art thou (the) son ? "*p*This question asks "How do you define yourself as a person?"*p*The answer to this question establishes where our focus and priorities are*br*to be found in Drai/ocht. Do we define ourselves based on tradition on*br*culture or on experience. Do we honor our families our teachers or our*br*elders?*p*... hast thou tidings ? "*p*This question asks us to make prophecies or to provide insights. It actually*br*should read, "What do you see for the future?"*p*Based on the answers to the other questions and the apparent quality of such*br*predictions and reports we can see for ourselves what kind of Druid a person*br*is. Does what they say have merit? Does it show insight? Are they attentive*br*and considerate of the views of others? Can they learn as well as teach?*p*I think that each of us can re-introduce ourselves using such questions as a*br*guide so that better understanding of our diversity can be promoted as well*br*as a clear idea of where we get our ideas in the first place.  I also think*br*that we should endeavor to speak more plainly than the Bearla na Filidh that*br*was used in the original colloquy since we have not yet established enough*br*of a common knowledge base to speak in allegories and obscurities (i.e. "The*br*secret Language of the Poets")..*br*