Thursday, February 14, 2008

Matariki huna nui

In the past few weeks, I have encountered two separate issues of people in the same boat as I have found, and now find myself in. That being leaving one country to live in another, and then after a period of time being faced with a decision to stay or return to one's original place. My brother in law has lived in Sweden for over a decade and is now deciding to stay there or return here, complicated by his relationship with a lovely Swedish lady who is very attached to her land and her family and realizes the futility of her possibly moving here, as does my brother in law. Tough choices. Another involves someone whose blog I have followed and for her own reasons has decided to leave a place she loves dearly for her original place and family. Both have made me think deeply of my own place, my own choices, then and now, and of course, this place Aotearoa which I have called home now for 15 years. I sometimes wonder exactly why I did leave America to come here, aside from the obvious reason of Tara falling pregnant and us finding out in San Francisco the day before she was due to return here. It makes for an interesting, perhaps even romantic story, how I came over 6 months later, and here we are 15 years, and two boys, down the track. Not as simple a story as it may appear during those intervening years, yet here we are. I wonder sometimes if my motivations were as pure as the story I sometimes tell. A chance for an interesting adventure? An excuse to leave a country I loved some things about and despaired about others? That I loved Tara there was no doubt, but back then we hardly knew each other and it was a sometimes difficult journey and process to learn and grow, to be partners, to be a family, and we still are trying to get there. What keeps me here are my boys, Tara, a few precious friends I have made, and these ranges, the Ruahines. They have become my spiritual realm, matariki huna nui. A Gift among many this land of Aotearoa has given me and anchors my soul, something I have never had in my life before. My experiences with organized religion were dim, and in many ways its entrenchment in parts of America were part of my disillusionment with my own place in it. The Ruahines have brought to me at least the knowledge of something beyond my own temporal state of being. What I am I am still not quite sure, still trying to figure it out, but at least I finally have a place to do just that, or find somehow it seems to come to me when I am there.







I have never found being a father or husband comes easy to me. I met Tara relatively late, in my early 30's, rather set in my ways and it could be said both Tara and I are somewhat independent if not solitary people. I am grateful she understands and accepts the part of me which has discovered the Ruahine ranges and what they have become to me. What happens to me in there slowly influences who I am out here, and that has made me slightly better as a man, therefore a father, husband and friend. The fact that means fairly frequent absences as I go find that part of me makes me appreciate and love her, and accept her, all the more. I loved my father, but I often did not like him, and found I took his intense moodiness and anger for my own as I got older. I realize now that my father was simply a man with his own demons, and disappointments and struggles, never able to let it out except with his anger, hurtful words, and fists, and then capable of great and generous love. It was very confusing. It has been a battle for me to recognize that same pain inside me, come to terms with it, and do something about it, or else lose what I most love, even if in my flawed way.


What learning to travel in the Ruahines has most brought to me is calm. That somehow I am just a tiny part of this Whole Thing and if I do not fight it or resist every once in awhile I become awashed in the Glow. Moments of bliss. Being in an area that takes my breath away - both literally and figuratively. The golden tussocks of the open tops, the varied and vibrant greens of the forest, and, of course, the water, from the tiniest trickle of a forest stream, to the lovely symphony of the cold clear rivers, the Ruahines never fail to amaze me. Sometimes I cannot explain the connection, and as I read these poorly written words I struggle now. It gives me something I never asked for, did not deserve, and yet asks nothing of me but to be there. That is as close to religion as I can get.





My thoughts here seem to be going all over the place, but oh well, I have read some excellent writing lately that takes a meandering path to a point, so it is good enough for me. My country, my father, staying, leaving, Tara, my boys, religion, Aotearoa, what am I trying to write here? Perhaps that I fully understand the dilemma the people I know who are struggling to return to a place once home, or stay in a foreign place which has become home. It is easy for me to say or write I left America because of my convictions, but that is not true. There is much I love about America, places like Wisconsin, the Boundary Waters between Minnesota and Canada - a vast area of lakes, huge pine and birch forests where you can hear wolves howl and see black bears and moose roam, and where the timeless granite bones of the earth emerge. The Arizona and Utah deserts, not desolate, but beautiful, and sustaining life and harmony in ways beyond our normal perspectives. The great pine forests of northern Wisconsin where the rivers cut through the ancient lime and sand stone. All places where something inside me was stirred, never truly connected until I came upon the Ruahines. And of course there are the people left behind, my mother, sisters, cousins, nieces and nephews, and many friends, all whom I miss and have missed huge portions of their lives. Modern technology has enabled me to connect and reconnect, such as this format, with my family and some very old important people in my life - that is using technology in a truly positive way. And making friends as we grow older seems to be more difficult. I find myself often going very quiet when I get around discussions about America, particularly with people I do not know. There are often so many assumptions, generalizations, misconceptions, and often simply wrong perceptions of America and I get tired of trying to give my view without being cast as a flag waving patriot. So I simply shut up. Is there much wrong with America? Of course, blatant racism and indigenous issues, materialism, corporate greed, pollution, the ever eroding concept of church and state, and the ever elusive definition of "the American dream". But I could probably make those same arguments about New Zealand, or any other country in the world. The average American is no different than any other average person in any country in the world. We are all far more alike than different, at least in my experience.

So, for me, there is always a melancholic shadow close to me, which is probably my true nature anyway. A feeling of sometimes being caught between two worlds, belonging to neither. And so the pull from what was is always strong, as is the desire for this other world I now live in. A blessing and a curse in some ways. For me, only when I am in the Ruahines do I leave the shadow of melancholy truly behind, or at least come to terms with it. Maybe that is what I was trying to write all along.








"Revelation at Top Maropea"


The hut window frames the Maropea valley
droplets of water shimmer and slide down
to pool on the fly specked frame
black clouds rolled over me
carried by the relentless wind
Grey fingers of mist probe below its rapid path
leaving no stone unturned in its search
seeming to find its way inside my soul even here
I look out upon myself
A single tear rolls down my cheek
I hardly noticed so many have come before
its lonely Journey
there was no surprise at its arrival
Yet this was tear of Beauty
a dam that broke
so I relish its Path
I wait for another

written 18 May,2006 Top Maropea


Photos:
1. On the Whanahuias just past the turn off to Triangle hut. Looking north towards Maungamahue, 1606 meters, on the left upper. I have filled my water bottles in the lovely tarn and it is a cool spot for a break on the way over to Pourangaki hut. Not a bad spot for a high camp as well.


2. Charlie and Taylor


3. Charlie and Taylor


4. Taylor and Tara


5. On the flanks of Maungamahue with the main Ruahine range in the background, east. I have taken this route twice, once climbing to the top of Maungamahue then desending down to continue on to Pourangaki, and the second time sidling around its flank to reach the same point, a somewhat precarious and steep option, but a little shorter. The Whanahuias are one of the five sub ranges which make up the Ruahine range. Each one unique in its own special way, and all leading to very cool places. The Whanahuias, for instance, are very rolling rounded open tops, the tussock takes on a very golden hue, leading into the muted greens of the leatherwood belt before the lush greens of the forest take over. Photos sometimes give the impression that the walking is easy on this lush carpet of rolling hills. This is not the case. Always ahead will be steep going in deep tussock, and beware of wandering into some gut or gully filled with Leatherwood thinking a short cut can be had! Always best to stay high.


6. Just playing in the Pourangaki river, below the hut and swingbridge. There are many deep pools the colour of jade on this part of the river, and after a tough day walk to the Hikurangi tops and back they called out to us strongly.


7. Up high on the spur leading from Pourangaki valley to the Hikurangi tops and also the main Ruahine range. In the background is Sawtooth ridge, which I have been to, but never crossed. All 3 times beaten back by weather. Nice to know such place still await!


8. Pictured below is John on the approach to Maungamahue and now high above the tarn in the first photo. Looking back south on the Whanahuias and the highpoint on the right, unnamed but 1636 meters. The route to Triangle is the dark spur in the middle. I once thought I could save time by cutting through the gullies to the left, then up to the more prominent tops. I learned a valuable lesson, and will not try that again.



The following is a poem written by the late, Aotearoa poet Hone Tuwhare. A great, and sadly little noticed, loss to our land. This poem sums up far better than my own poor offerings and writing, what I feel like I sometimes connect with in the Ruahine ranges. This poem is titled: To Elespie, Ian & their Holy Whanau - it can be found in Hone's 2005 book of poems Oooooo!!!

On life's Eternal river

we float on... and

on, forever - like

a stream of light

enhancing our under-

standing of human love

and life! Kia ora!


13 comments:

Gustav said...

"Melancholic Shadow"

Brother!

I read your blog and looked at your pics and see a rich man, shadow and all.

Yes you have your struggles like struggling through the peaks and valleys of the Ruahine Ranges. These ups and downs in life give your life contours, complexity and a richness of connections to family, place and time.

You are not alone in possessing a melancholic shadow. I too live far away from my first home in Wisconsin and often reflect on whether I should return.

The shadow for I is more than missing home, family and friends. It is the passing of irretrievable time: moments that can never be experienced again except in memory.

The shadow exists for all of us as we get older whether we live in our original place of birth or in far away exotic places.

I know that if I were still in Wisconsin I would be wondering what if I had lived overseas or done this or that.

I have no regrets about the life I have chosen. Its been interesting journey and I see intriguing vistas ahead.

Yet as I make my journey each day I too cast a shadow on my path and realise that these moments are precious for they will never occur again.

Enjoy the moment and the freedom the Ruahine Ranges have given you. You are a rich man.

Ruahines said...

Kia ora e hoa Gustav,
There are far worse shadows lurking about than melancholy. I have always felt as if life in a way was much like the ups and downs of climbing a mountain - and there is great beauty and lessons in both environments. Maybe it is the times we walk along the ridges, not to high, not to low, with a view of both worlds, where it is best.
Aroha,
Dobber

pohanginapete said...

Robb, I still really don't know what to say — a post this deeply moving deserves the sort of profound response I can't articulate. You say you feel caught between two worlds, belonging to neither — but maybe you belong to both? And, maybe that feeling of being caught between worlds — or things, or people — isn't any kind of conflict but instead might better be seen as the constructive tension that supports. One pushes against something that pushes back, and you both stand — when one gives up, the other falls. Sometimes both fall. Even that analogy's dualistic, and that dualistic way of thinking seems to be at the root of much discontent. I know I often feel better when I recognise I've fallen into that trap — of thinking in that "either/or" way.

As for that melancholic shadow, perhaps it's simply that feeling Japanese call wabi sabi — something very beautiful; something to appreciate. Something we recognise but can't articulate.

Noho ora mai ra, e hoa.

Ruahines said...

Kia ora e hoa Pete,
As usual many fine points to ponder. Constructive tension, I really like that as opposed to a dualistic mindset -maybe my western roots showing! And yes I must learn to look out for those either/or moments a bit more.
Thank you for the meaning of wabi sabi. Very true. As I wrote to Gustav above, there are worse shadows than melancholy, and it is one I am comfortable with. Perhaps some of it is being able to sort of step back from ourselves and "see" these moments in ours lives unfold, and know they pass by so quickly. There is so much beauty in that, at least for me.
Cheers Pete, always cool to have you stop by. We have to catch up at some point.
Ka kite,
Robb

Anonymous said...

Robb: the depth of insight you - and the other commenters - have shared nearly leaves me speechless ... but not entirely so :-).

So many things come up for me as I follow the stream, I'm not sure where to begin.

The poet David Whyte says that the surest way to bring oneself into community with others is to talk (or write) about how isolated and alone one feels. I see that wisdom reverberating throughout this and other posts (and comments).

The psychologist Daniel Gilbert (author of "Stumbling on Happiness") says that there is all kinds of evidence that the human brain is incredibly well equipped to retroactively rationalize any risks we take ... but poorly equipped to rationalize any risks we choose (consciously or unconsciously) to avoid. We can grow to love any person - or any place - or move in the opposite direction. On the one hand, there are people and places I feel strongly drawn toward, and others I find repelled by. I don't believe in the Cinderella Myth, and yet I'm an incurable romantic. I guess I have my own bag[gage] of inconsistencies and paradoxes.

Oriah Mountain Dreamer, author of The Invitation, says that if you are fortunate enough to find a place that truly grounds you and brings you peace, you should go to it ... as often as you can.

Other random thoughts that came up include an image of one's shadow growing longer as one gets older, while I was reading Gustav's comment. Pete's comment reminded me of David Whyte's poem, "Working Together", which I hope you won't mind if I insert here:

We shape our self
to fit this world
and by the world
are shaped again.
The visible
and the invisible
working together
in common cause,
to produce
the miraculous.
I am thinking of the way
the intangible air
passed at speed
round a shaped wing
easily
holds our weight.
So may we, in this life
trust
to those elements
we have yet to see
or imagine,
and look for the true
shape of our own self,
by forming it well
to the great
intangibles about us.

From a distance, I admire the way your self is taking shape, and am grateful for your willingness to share the process with us!

vegetablej said...

Robb:

It's taken me a long time to comment on this very moving meditation on home, though I've been thinking about it.

You have perfectly expressed the feeling of having two homes that you love. I doubt any but people who have left their home country to live in another can fully understand the feeling you are describing, but I do, perfectly.

How lucky you are, though, to have founded a family in such a place that can feed your soul, and that speaks to you as the home of your heart. And how wise to realize the balm that nature provides, as the animals that we are breathe into the land that is our natural home. I've often thought that the spiritual feeling we get in nature is just that, a recognition of "home".

Nice pictures of your wife and family. What a worthwhile thing, the family you have founded in New Zealand, despite the challenges. And how great now to have the opportunity of passing your love of it, and America, on to them.

Ruahines said...

Kia ora e hoa Joe,
Always a fine moment to read you stopped in, cheers for that! And thank you for your contribution, one I will be returning to and pondering for some time to come, a true well of fresh thoughts for me to sip from.
Interestingly today I listening to some music, Van Morrison, and going through some old hand written note books I had brought back with me from last trip to America. Writings that stretched back 25 years ago. I saw in those scribblings this vague shadow of the person I am trying to continually become. At least I was asking more questions than I had answers for, and certainly still do. That has to be good in some way. Joe, thank you, ka kite, for your time and words.
Noho ora mai e hoa. Aroha.

Ruahines said...

Kia ora Vegetable J,
Thank you for your inspiration,both in this post and my quest for healthier living. It has been so cool to connect with someone in this way which truly benefits my life! I was listening to some music today, as I wrote above, Van Morrison. My favourite musical artist for some 30 years now. Wow, that makes me feel a bit dated. 0ne song was "Down the Road", off Van's excellent 2002 album, "Down the Road", funnily enough. Part of it goes like this:

Well its down the road I go
And I got those worried
lonesome homesick Jones
Way on down the road

And I got to be so far away
0h don't you see
All our memories, dreams, and reflections
That keep haunting me

Well its down the road I go
And I hear those Gypsy voices
Calling me
Way down the road

Further on down the road
Trying to find my way back home.
- Van Morrison

It sounds much better than I write, but I thought of you, and I thought of the Journey. Kia kaha VJ - which is Maori for Be Strong.
Ka kite e hoa
Robb

Gustav said...

Kia Ora Brother

There was a huge viking bellow on my message machine last night when I got home.....it sounded like an ancient howl from a Scandinavian Forefather....perhaps you heard the same sound?

I love Van's words in Down the Road. He is my daily bread of spiritual rapture and you introduced me to him so long long long ago....

Thank you brother.

maya said...

Gustav is heading into the wild lands of northwest Tasmania. This is a world heritage area and among the most rare and beautiful rainforests in the world.


Gustav is going with a law school buddy named LJ who can fly fish and also a appreciate a dram of whiskey.

3 days of bliss await Gustav...He will return a new man.

Bob McKerrow - Wayfarer said...

Stumbled on this moving piece of honesty tonight. It really rto carry and bare.

But we are merely thistledown planted on the wind.

For me 7 children, two marriages and I have lived in 50 countries , love New Zealand, but will probably end up living in Siberia or Ulan bator.

Dennis Glover wrote in Sings Harry.

Once I followed horses
And once I followed whores.

And marched with a banner for some great cause
Sings Harry
But that was thistledown planted on the wind

And once I met a woman
All in her heart's spring
But I was a headstrong fool
Heedless of anything
Sings Harry
I was a thistle down planted on the wind.

Mustering is the life
Freed of fears and hopes
I watch the sheep like a pestilence
Pouring over the slopes.
sings Harry
And the past is thistledown planted on the wind

Bob

Bob McKerrow - Wayfarer said...

Sorry Robb, my last note had a major mistake and omission. The 2nd sentence that doesn't make sense should read.

"It really is a hard cross to carry or bear. That's why I always turn to the great NZ poet Denis Glover if I feel depressed or confused."

Poems such as Arawhata Bill, The Magpies and Sings Harry explain the ironies of life.

Take care.

Bob

Non

Ruahines said...

Kia ora Bob,
Thanks for the gift of another new poet for me to read. I have not heard of Denis Glover to be completely honest, but I certainly do feel depressed and confused at times, so I will get clued in to Denis. Have a great day Bob!
KIa kite ano,
Robb