Deep Genealogy | Spring Washam

Our fascination with our family tree and roots can lead us to a deeper exploration of spirituality and beliefs. While skepticism may be natural for some, a willingness to suspend disbelief and explore the unknown may lead to personal growth. While many Buddhist practices have scientific backing, some beliefs such as the existence of other realms may seem foreign and unprovable. However, being agnostic means being open to the possibility that there are things mystics understand that science has not yet discovered. Our experiences and personal relationships can challenge and shift our beliefs, as seen in Dan Harris's relationship with his friend and teacher Spring Wash 'em, who has become one of his most important teachers in combining plant medicine and Buddhist meditation.

We need to understand our ancestors and their actions, or their trauma will impact us in ways we cannot comprehend. Spring Washam's new book 'The Spirit of Harriet Tubman' highlights the importance of examining our family tree to have a deep understanding of our roots. Although the notion of conversing with ancestors may seem unfathomable, it presents deep insights about ourselves and those who came before us. Harriet Tubman, an ex-slave who saved many lives and made a mark in history, is an ancestor to all of us, and our actions have a reverberating impact on generations. It is essential to connect with our ancestors to have a better understanding of who we are and why we do what we do.

Harriet Tubman was a conductor on the Underground Railroad who rescued many people and was known for her courage and compassion. She risked everything for freedom and helped many others. Her legacy is something we can learn from and she is a great ancestor to us. She was also the first woman in history to lead military raids and joined the Woman's Movement later. She was a protector and often shape-shifted into a black panther to better carry out her missions. She is an archetype of a bohi safa, a being who makes vows to be reborn in samsara to be a benefit to all beings and turning the wheel of the dharma, an elite squad of compassion.

Compassion and action are essential in helping all beings be liberated from suffering. Bank of America is vowing to keep being reborn in this veil, this suffering world until every being has achieved enlightenment, which is heroic and insane, yet beautiful. The dini, a manifestation of the enlightened feminine in a magical form, appears as a bikini who often helps yogis and meditators, being liberated from samsara. Tantra in Buddhism is a rapid path to awakening, which is a bit dangerous as it is so powerful that not everyone can handle it, using breath and consciousness itself to work with the energy of our mind in a very shamonic way. Ayahuasca work is more widely accepted now, and practitioners like Spring Washam and Michael Pollen contribute to its acceptance.

The conversation around plant medicine and healing has become more open due to research and benefits. The mental health crisis has also made people more willing to explore alternative methods. Although controversial and powerful, plant medicine should be approached with respect and preparation. Dan Harris expresses fear about trying ayahuasca due to his panic disorder and being in the process of getting control of it. However, Spring Washam believes it can be beneficial for anxiety and is open to working with him in the future. The conversation sets the stage for a discussion on the benefits and risks of plant medicine and its intersection with the life of Harriet Tubman.

The appearance of Harriet Tubman in Spring Washam's dream opened up a spiritual awakening and a connection to Harriet's spirit. This connection led to a five-week class that became viral and caught the attention of Hayhouse Vice President. This resulted in an offer for Spring to write a book, which she initially tried to decline but eventually agreed to after an unmistakable appearance by Harriet. Spring's experience shows that spiritual connections and callings can come unexpectedly and can lead to profound outcomes if we stay open to them.

We live in a multidimensional universe and there's more going on here than just what we can see and experience with our senses. There's a tradition of spirituality that talks about such experiences but many people negate it because they don't know how to make sense of it. It's important to understand that we're much more than just this human incarnation and when people are ready to accept it, they will. Even the earliest teachings of Buddhism talk about magic and spirit worlds. The illusion of control keeps people on a certain path, but we're not in control, and the idea that we can't tap into most of our consciousness is limiting.

Belief in the unseen world is a personal experience and valid for each individual. The Buddha's stories are filled with magic and tales of spirits and superpowers. Although some may find it challenging to believe in things that cannot be proven scientifically, it is essential to keep an open mind and explore different realities without judgment. It is not essential to convince others to believe in one's experience or to follow a specific path. Instead, find inspiration and connect with one's ancestry and spiritual beliefs to find purpose and direction. Different people have different experiences, and it's okay to have parallel realities. Exploring and accepting different realities are crucial to contributing positively to this leaderless world.

We are all evolving and learning in this school called life. Our interest in our ancestors stems from the fascination with knowing more about ourselves and where we come from. However, in Western society, we don't make the connection that we come from a living lineage, and we inherit more than just physical traits from our ancestors. Epigenetics plays a role in passing on certain conditions like illnesses and depression. We have the power to transform what we inherit and heal ourselves from negative emotions. Spiritual teachers can help us in this journey.

Suffering and mental health issues may be connected to our family tree and inherited energy from our ancestors. Working on healing our ancestral lineage can bring more awareness and happiness to our present. DNA and genealogy can help us hunt for answers on who we are and why we think the way we do. Karma is not just a magical idea, but a simple cause and effect concept that shows how the accumulated causes and effects of our ancestors can affect us physically and psychologically. It's important to be conscious of our ancestral connection and look at what has happened to our ancestors, culture, and buried locations which may hold the key to our present mental and physical issues.

Our fears and anxieties around money and work may have roots in our family lineage, and by acknowledging and working with our ancestors, we can begin to transform these deeply entrenched habits. Starting a relationship with our ancestors, forgiving them, and understanding them helps us collaborate with them and restore our power. We can connect with our ancestors and understand that they are not gone but alive in us, standing with us always. By working with our ancestors, we can change our moment to moment experience to one of lightness, joy, and ease, and feel less burdened by our fears and anxieties. The veil between the ancestor spirit world and this world is thin, and we enter into a collaboration with our ancestors for healing and transformation.

Our ancestors carry their traumas with them and it affects our family lineage and us. By acknowledging their presence and consciously working towards healing their wounds, we can heal ourselves and our lineage. We can do this by engaging in dialogues with them, seeking therapy, or even visualizing them around us. This work is important as it helps us be more compassionate towards ourselves and others and opens a doorway to our hearts. Various modalities like internal family systems or family constellation therapy can be used as tools for this work. Ultimately, the goal is to become more conscious of our living lineage and work towards a better future.

Understanding and acknowledging our personal karma, which includes the causes and conditions passed down through our family tree, can empower us to make positive changes despite difficult circumstances. Epigenetics shows that awareness can turn things on and off in our DNA, making everything in life malleable. By exploring and healing our family traumas, like suicide, we can break generational patterns and move forward to a brighter future. Despite facing hardships growing up in challenging environments, we can embrace the advantages and privileges available to us and strive towards our goals. We should remember that everyone is walking around with their own set of causes and conditions that contribute to who they are today.

Forgiveness can heal unresolved emotions and bring love and positive energy in the lineage. Spring Washam is working on getting a new headstone for her grandmother and doing forgiveness work with her family. She believes that forgiving her grandmother will rectify the karma of their lineage. Spring was reluctant to write a book on Harriet Tubman, but later agreed after receiving a sign. She is in awe of Harriet Tubman's story and the book she wrote. Her mind is blown open every day by it. Prayers and meditation help her in her life's journey.

Harriet Tubman made a spiritual appearance to Spring Washam, convincing her to write a book from her perspective. The book became a three-piece dialogue between Spring as a passenger on the Underground Railroad, Harriet as the teacher, and a student trying to make sense of it. The Underground Railroad is alive today as the inner underground, according to the book's argument. Harriet's spiritual appearance also demonstrates the Aboriginal idea of a dream time, where ancestors can be contacted. The book's writing process involved conversations and sessions with Harriet appearing in Spring's mind, but only appearing as a spirit a few times. Overall, the book was a journey and a task assigned by Harriet, which Spring eventually agreed to.

The historical Underground Railroad was a physical passageway that led people to freedom, but Harriet Tubman describes another secret passageway that is through consciousness. She talks about moving from the physical to the mental, the mind, and the spirit. This inner underground railroad has conductors, stops, and agents helping beings get through each point towards freedom out of suffering, out of hell, out of bondage, out of pain. We are at a place where people can understand the inner underground railroad now. We are stuck in chains and imprisoned by our suffering. Harriet Tubman conducts people to the Promised Land, which not an outer destination, but a place where there is a stoppage of suffering, such as the end of suffering (Niana).

The key takeaway from the conversation is to commit to the spiritual path, understand the four noble truths, and commit to living a spiritual life. Inner abolitionism is about abolishing the programs of greed, hatred, and delusions within oneself to seek compassion and love. Her definition of the promised land is niana, which is promised to those who work hard to overcome obstacles, confusion, and doubt. It requires effort and commitment just like Harriet Tubman had to put effort into her journey on the Underground Railroad. The ultimate goal is to move from bondage to consciousness, which can be achieved by understanding and following the eightfold path of awareness and mindfulness.

The key takeaway from the text is that as outer abolitionists, we should stand up against injustice and refuse to participate in evil acts caused by greed, hatred, and delusion. We need to develop resiliency and believe in our own power, as demonstrated by Harriet Tubman's actions. By focusing on compassion and rising above devastating events, we can awaken our own strength and courage. Spring Washam's new book, 'The Spirit of Harriet Tubman: Awakening From the Underground,' reminds us of the power of non-cooperation with evil. We can find more information about her and her work on her website and through her podcast with Lamarra Owens.

Dan Harris talks about his journey towards self-compassion and his upcoming book aimed at promoting kindness. He emphasizes the importance of taking it easy on oneself and improving relationships. Despite a busy schedule of work, parenthood, friendships, and a company, he commits to working on the book for a few hours nearly every day to meet his deadline of handing it in at the end of 2023 and having it out by the start of 2025. Spring Washam congratulates him and shares how revisions deepen the writing process, and Dan expresses his gratitude for her support.