__the above photo has some imagary that is very special to me...very special)
The Constitution of the Iroquois Nations (as found at www.indigenouspeople.net/iroqcon.htm) begins:
1. I am Dekanawidah and with the Five Nations' Confederate Lords I plant the Tree of Great Peace. I plant it in your territory, Adodarhoh, and the Onondaga Nation, in the territory of you who are Firekeepers.
Ken here: With its proper ceremony this is an awesome introduction for a constitution. Also, i am particularly fond of the idea of the "Tree of Great Peace"
COMMENT #1: Realize that the name of this website is "2-trees.info", so an initial comment is that i would have preferred this introduction if it referred to TWO trees of great peace rather than just one. 2-Trees.
Nonetheless, even if the text above referred to a single tree there are always at least two entities: For example, the tree itself and the sower of the tree. Or the tree and the soil. Or the tree and the sky. Or "even" the tree and the tree's parts. "One" does not exist in the absence of something else, and from any two, many can come. Think how many entities there are ("big" and "small") for which we humans have no awareness other than a recognition that they may be.
You know, i had a bunch of text here before, but i'm not so sure. Let me just say that to me, "time is of the essence". Now, what follows could be characterized as "rambling". I don't mind, i dare to put my ideas out there and share. I like to share ideas and then wonder what might happen. Peace.
I think i am somewhere and that i change. So i think i experience time. I don't know when time started.....(tell me how anyone could?). Anyhow, even if time's start could be figured out, what difference does it make to the here and now. Tell me. But i do know that i think just now that once time starts, "time moves on", and as time moves on, more and more entities are created. Stretching towards infinite and approaching......but reaching????? well maybe, maybe not......
I also know that i choose to choose life. I love life. Can humans live in peace with each other? I hope so. Choose peace why don't ya?
Peace. Peace. Let there be Peace. Peace for the many. Life-affirming Peace. Peace for the People. For All the People.
People, we know, we know. Lets make Peace.
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I name the tree the Tree of the Great Long Leaves. Under the shade of this Tree of the Great Peace we spread the soft white feathery down of the globe thistle as seats for you, Adodarhoh, and your cousin Lords.
Awesome. Truly, Really. This is inspiring to me. We need more of this kind of fair talk, and it also needs to be done in public. Honestly, who could be against "Great Peace". Who?
I do have one question though: Why "Long Leaves" - is length critical?
COMMENT #2a: While walking on June 21, 2007, i saw a road containing the name "broadleaf". This triggered an idea. I humbly think the leaves ought to be "broad" rather than long. You know --- like a maple leaf.
From a language standpoint i prefer how the term "broad" is related and associated with the concept of "able to take in" such as someone with a "broad mind". Mind you the leaves could still be "long broadleaves", but for me at this time, "broad" seems preferable "dimensionally" than "long". I think "long" is over emphasized today and has been for awhile. Long things tend to get overextended, and then are without support (at least at the end). Nobody (not even a nobody) wants to be without support. We need each other. We all need to work together. Anyhow, i associate (or should i say "incorporate" ---- NO, that would NOT be correct) "broadness" with "togetherness", and that is why i prefer a broadleaf rather than a "long leaf".
Hope, Remedy, Peace.
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We place you upon those seats, spread soft with the feathery down of the globe thistle, there beneath the shade of the spreading branches of the Tree of Peace. There shall you sit and watch the Council Fire of the Confederacy of the Five Nations, and all the affairs of the Five Nations shall be transacted at this place before you, Adodarhoh, and your cousin Lords, by the Confederate Lords of the Five Nations.
I'm not sure i totally understand this, but it seems to me as if the role (or task if you prefer) of Adodarhoh and mi-re's** "cousin Lords" (see note below regarding the term "mi-re") is to watch over the proceedings in as comfortable setting as possible. Moreover, this obviously must be deemed a most significant responsibility because it is mentioned so early on in the document.
On a separate matter, i want to add that the idea of a "Confederacy" is very appealing to me. It brings to mind an Alliance with each member supporting peace in the interest of all and having self-governance for essentially all local matters. Such a Confederacy could still be formed today, and i think this would be awesome.
Rare and succinct edit, November 29, 2009: I think I now understand what the above "transaction watchers" are supposed to do, but I'm not sure this is a "good" idea - too ivory tower if you want my opinion - this edit was posted in all humility, but I think sometimes watchers and listeners forget that this is not a show and don't really listen that well. I still also think that gender for this doesn't matter. We all watch and listen - otherwise, how could we live and learn day-by-day. Tell me how?
**See below for description of the term "mi-re" - Does gender matter for the purposes of this text, I don't think so)
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2. Roots have spread out from the Tree of the Great Peace, one to the north, one to the east, one to the south, one to the west. The name of these roots is the Great White Roots and their nature is Peace and Strength.
Yes, the roots go in all directions. The roots find the water and support the tree. I'm sure they do even more than that. The roots connect.
COMMENT #2b: You know who cares about the "color" of the roots? Not i. Most of the roots i see are kind of brown or grey colored, and usually they are in the dirt, which is where roots belong you know......anyhow if the roots need a name lets just call em the "Roots of Life" or something like that....
There are many ways to connect.
(Some personal stuff follows....Ken)
