Martin Prechtel

One of Martin Prechtel’s most lasting comments for me was his description of the other world and the amnesia we are born with, which disables us from being able to remember or see this other world. He explained this theory saying, “ If this world were a tree, then the other world would be the roots, the part of the plant we can’t see, but that puts the sap into the tree’s veins. The other world feeds this tangible world, the world that can feel pain, that can eat and drink, that can fail; the world that goes around in cycles; the world where we die. The other world is what makes this world work. And the way we help the other world continue is by feeding it with our beauty. All human beings come from the other world, but we forget it a few months after we’re born. This amnesia occurs because we are dazzled by the beauty and physicality of this world.”
This is not something that most Westerners would ever think about or be able to conceive because it contradicts many (if not all) monotheistic religions. His explanation of the world and its inner-workings however, really bring the topics of this class full circle. His story is that of the Leaver story and reiterates the fact that we need to start looking at our impact on the Earth and give back. We have taken and taken and taken and thus forgotten our roots and forgotten to be thankful to all that is provided for us. This rhetoric (Prechtel’s story) can be seen in many Leaver stories, especially those of the Native Americans. It is the monotheistic religions and the societal insensitivity that makes us ignorant of our roles. In many ways monotheistic religions (and here I mean mostly the Judeo-Christian religions) allow people to be unaccountable for their actions. The Taker story is a one way street that tells its followers to push forward, without looking or thinking of the possible consequences. In many ways it also qualifies the depletion of resources and destruction of the planet. Because we are humans and because we are civilized we must take and take and use and consume. That is our prize for our advancements and intelligence. We are simply playing out our rightful role.
This is true especially if one believes in the apocalyptic and doomsday theories that exist out there. These biblical stories allow for disasters, catastrophes, and destruction to happen because it was meant to happen. According to these beliefs the world will come to an end and then God will come and take those who have earned the right to be saved to heaven and those who have not will suffer eternally. My argument with this would not be that it is impossible or untrue, far be it from me to question someone for believing something different than myself. My problem with this is where is the harm in trying to make the world a better place and trying to fix some of the mistakes we’ve made. Why is it so bad to give back and be thankful for what we have been given? It seems to me that these religions, whether intentional or not, are preaching selfishness or at least condoning it. While I think that it is most likely unintentional, it still goes unchecked and people are not held accountable.
Getting back to Prechtel’s story I do think that there is something both beautiful and captivating in what he says. It is very important to see other points of view and experience other ways of thinking. In a world that we’ve been told wants to destroy itself (or wants us to destroy it) he has taken a different path and shown the fragility of the world and a knowledge of things that far supercedes that of our own. His story, or the story of his people, leaves room for both the self and a god or gods. He is preaching harmony and life-cycles, one in which you give back as much as you take. There is something beautiful and humbling about this.