Learning from the Universe Rings of the Masks of the Yup'ik People

Mask Created by Indianola Artist Jennifer Angaiak Wood

As you may know I'm a big fan of Public Broadcasting. And to be honest, just a bit ticked about our current administration's cutting of PBS funding. But the other night Cyndy and I were browsing the PBS channel, and we came upon this short video about an Alaskan artist who now lives in Indianola, WA. Since we have a UM camp in Indianola and I find that sight to be so sacred, both Cyndy and I were intrigued.

As we watched this video (only 8 minutes) we were both fascinated by the depth of insight and artistry we found in Jennifer Angaiak Wood's masks. I'd like to share two insights. The first is that in the Yup'ik tradition when you see a mask within a mask, the inner mask is often revealing the true inner self, or an inner strength in the character of the mask. And second, most masks created in this tradition will often place the mask in the universe, symbolized by a circle around the mask. What this does is it places the character in its proper place--within the whole of creation. Isn't that cool!

If there is one critic I have of our Western "Americanized" viewpoint I would have to say it is that we fail to take that last step in seeing ourselves. We tend to see ourselves as individuals who have the inalienable right to be free...as in to do whatever we want to, regardless of our place in the universe. Regardless of our ultimate connectedness with all other cultures, animals, and plants! Because of this lack of placing ourselves in proper relationship with the universe, we have created much harm! We have frankly failed to listen to the universe around us. To the people, cultures, and trees that are trying to speak to us.

A good example of a good use of placing oneself in the universe is President Abraham Lincoln. When he was elected president, one of the first acts he deemed necessary was to put together a diverse cabinet. He purposely sought out people who had oppositional views from his, so that he would have to listen to what "the universe" was saying. He didn't want a cabinet full of mirrors that reflected what he wanted to see. He chose a cabinet that would reflect the universe in which he was living...even if that meant listening to some harsh feedback. As long as it came from an honest place, Lincoln listened.

If you carefully read the creation stories (we have two) one might first wonder if our creation story in Genesis isn't part of the problem. After all, Genesis 1: 26-28 does say that we (as humans) "have dominion over" the rest of the natural world. This phrase has been grossly misinterpreted over the years. Yes, to have dominion over something or someone means to possess power, control, and sovereignty over it, acting as a ruler or manager. But in the Jewish and Christian contexts, particularly the Bible, this often implies a delegated authority from God to humans to care for, cultivate, and responsibly manage creation, including humans, animals, and the earth. It is understood not as exploitation but as stewardship, acting as God's representative to preserve and promote the good of creation.

Along with this gift and responsibility, is the implication that we are all under God's care. If you read the stories of creation carefully, the story always points to the importance of placing every creature and especially humans under the care of the God of the universe. We are all connected together by this one Creator who has brought every living thing into being.

Just like the Yup'ik people, we, too, have within our tradition the need to place ourselves and our communities in the universe.

One way I do this, is to try to take one long hike or walk a week in the wilderness. Last week Cyndy and I had the opportunity to walk through one of the old growth forests in Mount Rainier National Park. Some of these trees are over a thousand years old! As we walked, we found ourselves silenced by what they were whispering to us. As we walked, we both paused and literally leaned into one of these giant gifts of love. We felt God breathing on us. We felt the stress of our stress-laden weeks fall away as we leaned on the sacred strength of these trees.

Both Cyndy and I were literally walking with our sacred Mother Earth!

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could take Washington DC on a walk like that. In some ways we must insist that our leaders do just what Cyndy and I did...place ourselves in our proper place in the universe. Place ourselves in our proper relationship with God and all of creation. They call that in the Christian world: "being justified"...being put in right relationship. I fear this unjustified world is causing too much pain.

Your friend and pastor, praying for the justification of our land, Brook

PS: Here is a link to that video on PBS. Such cool stuff! just click it: VIDEO