The journey to a place of balance will always include a memorable event or unforgettable happening. For example, one time during an Act of Power exercise that included a vegetarian diet and not eating after sunset, I was feeding some seagulls French fries in the parking lot of a mall. Remembering that I never brought the leftover bread I promised to bring from home the previous week, I went into the store and bought a bag of dog food I knew they would enjoy.

So out to the parking lot I went to make good on my promise. There was a lot of hungry gull brothers, so I thought the best way to feed them was to run the food out in a line to avoid the usual fighting and commotion among the birds.

Having completed that, I stood back to see balance in action.

There they were. At least 150 hungry gull brothers, screaming and flapping their wings while encircling the line of food, but not eating even one piece. They stood hungry, if not starving, staring at food I know they liked. I stood there, amazed and watched as one minute, two minutes, three minutes, four minutes went by. Still they screamed and watched the food, not touching it.

After ten minutes, I finally realized that I had created an altar plate.

The words of my Elder flooded into my mind, "All the kingdoms respect and see the workings of altars. Man is the only species that has forgotten the Principles."

I realized that these brothers would starve to death rather than desecrate a sacred altar.

This gift of wisdom, with the assistance of my gull brothers experience gave me a very practical understanding of the Elders’ teachings. My heart was full with a feeling of connectedness.

I took down the altar with my feet, and the celebration of the feast began.

Aho.

This story was given by Cougar,
a Medicine Carrier of the Yunsai Society.