2014: A Hug From John Muir (Almost)
Scientists claim that the Earth is 4.5 billion years old and the earliest forms of apelike human beings began approx. 6 million years ago. It took 5.5 million years for the probable line that led to modern humans to emerge.
Celebrated anthropologist, Loren Eiseley identified the mystery (without explaining it) in his classic book, “The Immense Journey:”
“The story of Eden is a greater allegory than man has ever guessed. For it was truly man who, walking memoryless through the bars of sunlight and shade in the morning of the world, sat down and passed a wondering hand across his heavy forehead. Time and darkness, knowledge of good and evil have walked with him ever since.”
Eiseley was not so subtly identifying the birth of human spirituality.
Contrary to the “blank slate theory” of human ontological development, there is a growing trend that each person’s behavior is influenced by his/her genetic history. If so, it is possible that John Muir was influenced by his Celtic heritage.
After nearly 100,000 years of human spiritual evolution, circa 3,000 BC, the ancient Celts made huge advancements in spiritual actualization by identifying and describing intimate relationships between people and Nature. They called the process “kything.”
“Kything is a spiritual practice or concept that refers to a deep form of connection and communication between individuals, where they are able to transcend physical boundaries and establish a profound understanding of each other, often described as telepathic or empathic. Kything involves the sharing of thoughts, emotions and experiences on a level beyond normal human perception, allowing for a sense of unity and interconnectedness between individuals. It is often associated with spiritual growth, healing and a heightened awareness of the interconnectedness of all beings.” Adapted from Wikipedia.
For over 50 years I have been walking and talking with the spirit of Muir, even before I discovered kything. Over the years, the number of synchronicities that my biology classes experienced while backpacking in Yosemite were too numerous to relegate them to chance. At this stage in my life, I have no doubt that Muir was our preordained guide to the place that he called, “a place to play and a place to pray.”
Synchronicities are usually fun and so I was surprised and delighted to experience one at Steves’ Hardware Store in St. Helena, Ca. For over 50 years I have known co-owner, Gary Menegon and over the years he was a big fan of our field-biology program. It was not unusual for him to donate camp fuel or other items needed on our camping trips.
I spent two years recording some of the amazing adventures of our program and titled the book, Biodesign Out for A Walk. After it was published, I gave Gary a copy in thanks for his support. After reading the book and casually asked, “Have you met Michael Hanna, John Muir’s g-g-grandson? He lives about a mile from here. In addition to being a vineyard manager, he helps his wife operate her family’s highly popular, ‘Napa Valley Olive Oil Factory.’ If you want to meet him you can probably find him there.”
I signed a copy of BOFAW with a note that I would love to meet him and dropped it off at their store.
A couple of days later he gave me a call and invited me to spend an afternoon discussing the life and legacy of the legendary Muir. He welcomed me with a bright smile and firm handshake and guided me to a grape arbor with a table and chairs and a bottle of chilled, Hanna Vineyard’s Chardonnay.
He excitedly began the conversation by stating that his plan was to read 2-3 chapters of the book each day and finish in a couple of weeks. However, after lunch one day he read the first three chapters and was so drawn in that he took the afternoon off and cruised through the book in one sitting.
He was delighted to enhance the connection to his legendary g-g-grandad and thrilled that he had inspired a generation of St. Helena High School students.
The conversation that ensued was otherworldly with each of us contributing information that seemed to appear from some hidden source which could indicate that Michael and I were “kything” with his g-g-granddad.
The three-hour meeting (and the bottle of wine) seemed to pass in a flash and I was sorry when I had to depart.
As I stood to leave, he embraced me in a huge bear hug. In that moment I realized I was hugging some of the same genes that created the immortal Muir. It was a supreme pleasure that reminded me that inviting my students to follow Muir’s footprints into the wilderness was one of the most profoundly fortuitous decisions of my life.
It is pleasantly mystifying to ponder; if it were not for a storekeeper keeping his finger on the pulse of our town, I would have missed a virtual encounter with my lifelong spiritual friend/mentor/guide.