ART OF HEALING: The Creation of Truth

What is our inner truth – Is it belief in what we are being told, or telling what we believe?

Since time began Aboriginal Peoples have known the truth of our existence - we know what each of us believes is individual and unique, yet is still our truth. Where does such wisdom originate from, and why does it form the basis of our very existence?

Aboriginal culture consists of many Clans, together forming over 230 countries within Australia itself.  Each country has its own Dreamtime which underpins our belief system.  Dreamtime characterises our beliefs and understanding of how our world was created.  In some ways our Dreamtime may be considered our traditional bible, depicting the stories of creation which include lessons and underlying values relating to every story. 

Traditional Aboriginal culture is unique as it recognises that each country has their own version of Dreamtime relating to creation.  Each countries story of creation may be remarkably different from neighbouring countries who share the same land formations, however may have very different Dreamtime stories as to how it was created and the purpose of its creation.

Traditional Aboriginal Culture does not believe in one or many Gods or Goddesses, but all countries believed in Creation Beings and Ancestral Beings.

Our Creation Beings were responsible for creating life itself which includes human beings, landscapes and an abundance of resources provided by Mother Earth, such as food and shelter.  These Being are linked to Dreamtime Stories and tell of the events leading to the creation of different aspects of life in each respective countries. 

Ancestral Being are referred to as direct descendants of people living today, they were our aunts and uncles, mother and fathers who have since passed. These Beings are the basis of our Dreaming.  In the beginning of time Ancestral Beings taught us the skills to survive in our countries including when and where to hunt and gather,  and even described our participation in, and understanding of ceremonies and rituals. Ancestral wisdom underpinned the values and lores of our countries, which were passed down from generation to generation.

Traditionally Ancestral Beings are believed to be actual reincarnation of a person that has passed, however their spirit does not have to necessarily return in human form, but may re-incarnate into an animal or a plant.  In some countries they believe that certain plants and animals are Ancestral Beings, and are equally respected for their role and teachings in our lives.

Aboriginal culture is unique in the sense that whilst other cultures may interpret  our belief system as a form of religion, it is my belief that it is different and is better described as the practice of  spirituality.  Our spirituality varies from one country to the next, yet is acknowledged and respected for its differences by those who travel through different countries.

There is no belief greater or more important than another, and all hold equal importance in the creation and existence of our land.  The belief in our Aboriginal spirituality is linked to creation and is not governed by a set of rules in which we must live.  Whilst lore exists within our communities, it is born from Dreaming and Ancestral Beings, and not Dreamtime. 

Many countries throughout the world face challenges in their ability to understand, accept and respect the vast differences in religious and spiritual belief systems.  In traditional Aboriginal culture the difference in beliefs have never been known to create issues between countries, in fact often other countries would travel to attend ceremony or ritual in another country simply as a mark of respect to its Peoples. 

Given our traditional culture has been subjected to assimilation over the past 200 years, has our traditional beliefs been effected by our experiences?  My answer is a loud and resounding “YES”.

For some of us, our culture has been shadowed in such ways that our inner truth and connection to spirit has also had to assimilate.  It’s not lost, just hidden beneath many years and generations of fear once created by the demands of Christian religion.

When I am with groups of Elders, I am often saddened, yet respectful of their very strong Christian beliefs.  I am not judging Christian beliefs, however when an Aboriginal person trades their traditional spirituality for a ringside seat at the pearly gates of heaven, I cannot help but feel some resentment towards the religious methods used throughout the assimilation process. 

Our Aboriginal culture has had to adapt to an ever changing environment which challenges our inner truths and beliefs.  To be considered a normal member of society we are unable to walk round wearing lap laps and no bra’s, without creating some sort of fuss that will inevitably end up with the men in white coats taking us away to a beautiful and peaceful place influenced by medication.

So instead those of us who still feel our connection to spirit and land, have had to repress the feelings and wisdom, so as to be considered normal in today’s society.  This repression damages our soul, and like cancer eats away at our very spirit.  I believe it to be our sickness of spirit that adds to our challenges in everyday life. 

These challenges are the basis of many government reports relating to ongoing Aboriginal health, education, housing and social disadvantage. In my opinion, if we as an Aboriginal People do not heal our spirit firs, then all the money spent by the Australian Government at closing such gaps is wasted.  Band-aiding only conceals the wound and makes it look more pleasant on the outside, the trauma and wound is still underneath awaiting the healing to begin from the inside. 

Behold, the situation is not all doom and gloom.  This generation of Aboriginal Peoples have been born into a society that is just beginning to understand the significance of spirituality and the powers it possess.  Some Aboriginal communities who have the capacity, wisdom and courage are making changes and moving towards healing programs based on re-connecting to traditional spirituality.  Thanks to our Maori and American Indian Brothers and Sisters, healing programs are beginning to lead the way forward in recognising and addressing the depths of which our healing has yet to go.

Our ever changing cultures bring forward new ways of thinking, but what happens to the old beliefs that once served us equally as well – do such beliefs it still have relevance?  Our belief systems should encompass our spirituality and nurture ones identity, and both worlds can live together in harmony provided one does not dictate to the other and there is a comfortable balance between them both.  Spirituality is accepting of religion, but opposite in not necessarily so.

Aboriginal spirituality is no more superior than other forms of spirituality practiced in every other country and culture in the world.  Ours has been subjected to assimilation, as have many others – we are not the only country to every be invaded with religious instruction forced upon us.  And this may be the very reason that spirituality needs to be adaptive and move with the changes as a defence against extinction.

Whether we were born into traditional Aboriginal communities or were born as blackfellas in a concrete city, we each have the capacity to adapt to our surroundings without losing our sense of self that links us to our ancient wisdom and beliefs. Regardless of colour or race, we each need to be responsible for our own spiritual journey.  For some of us it will be ingrained in our very beings and guide us through life with an understanding and acceptance of a deeper wisdom that exists beyond us, and for others they may travel their entire life’s journey, none the wiser that spirituality even exists.

I believe that our deepest sense of truth still exists within each one of us, no matter how much trauma and pain has been piled on top. Our inner truth lives together with our soul, and is governed by our connection to “self”.  When our soul makes that connection to truth, our whole body reacts with an inner knowing.  It is the moment when spirit, truth and soul connect together as one, it is and the sense of connections to a higher power needs no validating– it is just truth in its most purest and unadulterated form.

Truth

Truth is not just simply one’s own understanding of how things are, for truth is deeper than that.  It is an unspoken knowing that comes from deep within. Truth can often be doubted by others interpretation of life, yet your soul has a remarkable way of distinguishing what is real and what is not.  If you don’t trust your intuition, your gut will soon show you the truth. Spend time listening to your body, as all the answers you are looking for are there within you - just look inside and listen.

Explanation of the Card

What is truth anyway?  It’s what feels right for you!  Everyone’s truth is different.  Don’t get too tied up in who said what, to whom, and when.  It like when a number of people all witness the exact same thing, yet when they are asked what happened, accounts of the event will change from one person to the next depending on how they viewed the situation.  Don’t doubt yourself because others see things differently, but don’t judge them either.  Let someone else have their truth, and understand that whilst it may be different, your truth is not wrong either as you are just both coming from different perspectives.  This is a time to trust your own truth and delve into your own inner self for the answers without the pressure from other’s to see it their way.  

Mel Brown is an Aboriginal woman who has been working with the spiritual realms for many years.  Through her art and abilities as a Clairvoyant, she has been able to combine both Aboriginality and Spirituality to create a better understanding of the world for herself through the creation of the Aboriginal Spirit Oracle Cards.  For more information email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .