A Healing Dream

Frank Day - Konkow Maidu Indian Artist 1902-1976

Photo by Robert Schell 1973

I was ready to be on my way but I was with a young Maidu man, probably in his late thirties or early forties, who reminded me that we needed to say good-bye to the elders. He told me they had wanted to see me. They wanted to meet me. I was honored but wondered why would the elders wanted to meet me?

We were outside in a heavily treed forest of big cedar and dougfir. No ponderosa pines in this setting. Probably 3000 to 3500' in elevation by the feel of it. It was dark from shade with occasional diamond shafts of sunlight peaking through to the ground.

We headed down a dirt drive which lead to the side of well camouflaged house that was long and skinny. It blended in with the trees and side hill because it was brown and had a dark roof. We walked in the small front door. The young Maidu was ahead of me and had turned to the elders and told them I was there to say good-bye. I could not see them because the entrance was in a walled alcove. I walked forward and turned to my left to say hello but when I saw the group I felt it no need to say the words. Two large Maidu men stood at the end of the room who had been seated on the corner sectional couch. The Maidu man straight ahead locked into my eyes with his and smiled making me feel welcome and at home.

The room was in dark paneling and the windows had yellow brown curtains. I quickly glanced to my right and passed a couple on another couch along the wall. It looked like they were watching porno on a TV but I did not feel the need to check for sure or pass judgement. I could feel them look up at me. I didn't feel judged but expected. They were talking quietly and the TV was down low next to the arm of the couch.

As I moved forward toward the Smiling Maidu, I noticed a third older Maidu man standing on the right side of the sectional couch. He had moved slightly so I could make my way around a coffee table toward the Smiling Maidu. I could feel the floor hollow underneath me. The home was not sturdy but felt more like an old mobile. I began to feel afraid because I realized I was in this place with men I did not know. I said something to try and break the tension. No one responded but they looked at each other like they knew something I didn't. I felt they were teasing me and said something to that effect. The Smiling Maidu looked at me with outstretched arms and said "Patty we won't ever want to tease you."

He leaned forward and bent slightly to hug me. His chest went into my upper chest. Our heart chakras touched. He wrapped his arms around me and I wrapped mine around him. He held me like a father and took a deep breath. As he breathed in so did I. He exhaled deeply ever slightly pulling me tighter into his heart. The exhale was unusually long and I felt myself try to loosen my hug to indicate I was ready to stop the hug but he continued to hold me tight. We held our exhaled breath for a few seconds and then he release quickly snapping me away from him by grabbing my arms at the shoulder and pushing me back to arms length. He looked deeply into my eyes. I felt at peace and warmed by such an endearing hug from an Maidu Indian.

I turned round toward my left and there was my young Maidu friend there with outstretched arms ready to give me a hug. He did the same thing and this time knowing what to expect I fully gave my breath to him. As we exhaled together I felt my heart chakra rise with energy and it was as if all the sadness of my life was being pulled out of me from that spot. I could not hold it back and I began to sob from the depths of my soul. The young Maidu released me to the wind. The room opened up and filled with air and lightness. Not light but lightness. I fell to the ground drooling with grief and knew I was being healed. They had opened me up for the healing.

I had assumed Smiling Maidu was the tribal leader but as I lay there sobbing I knew at once the older Maidu was standing behind me and he was doing the healing. As I realized this I was waking and could not turn fast enough to see him. I awoke sobbing and continued to sob.

I collected myself from the dream state and thought perhaps I should wake Bear. I decided not to since she had had a restless nights sleep the night before. As I collected my emotions together I could not help but think that the older man was Maidu Indian, Frank Day coming to be my messenger. Is he my Dakini? There is unfinished business here.