Where to Build the Fire

This morning, while contemplating the various complexities of the world situation - 2012- the Jack London story "To Build a Fire" surfaced in my mental stream of thought.  That story was connected to a family discussion of the concept a "Three dog night" where the North dwellers only survived bitter cold by huddling up with their dogs. We have 2 lovely Huskies in my family who would be more than happy to cuddle up on a cold night.

Jack London's character had a dog, but the dog was much more able to withstand cold than the man.

The man built his fire under a spruce tree, and picked its twigs off, upsetting the balance of the tree. Finally the tree bent and its snow dumped onto the man's last good fire, his life line. He tried another fire, but it failed taking all his remaining matches. He then ran along side the creek, hoping to warm himself, his dog running with him. When he could no longer move because of cold, he stopped, and succumbed to hypothermia. The dog waited unit he knew the man was finally gone, then ran on to the original camp destination.

That story made me think again about how reliant we are on the other creatures of the world, and on the laws of physics for our survival. Where we build our fires is important. If we are cold, and this fire is of vital importance, we may take one last look around to see the landscape and let it speak to us. The dog is only a dog, but will survive because he has the genetics to do so. The creatures of the earth will serve us, only as long as our own consciousness holds out.

We talked of harmony tonight, and how when chanting or singing with other voices we instinctively search for the right tone and pitch to achieve the magic sound. It takes a keen sense of the other voices, the air, that acoustics, and the intentions of all present to create a harmony. This happens with deep consciousness. Where we listen, how we listen, where we decide to build our fire.

I like these thoughts to begin the new year. I like thinking about what I can do for survival and harmony at once. Maybe the man building the fire should have been more aware of the dog, who has been bred for generations to live in the harsh climates of the frozen North. Maybe the country could practice awareness of the tones others are singing, to blend in, rather than stand out. If we watch carefully we may hear and see the small messages our world sends to us, not always linear, not always obvious.