Near Stonehenge, the recent discovery of subterranean Neolithic shafts forming a two-kilometer wide ring up to ten meters across and five meters deep around the “super henge” at Durrington Walls has caused quite an archeological stir. The structures have been carbon dated to about 2500 B.C.E. Research on Stonehenge itself has been the focus of much archeological speculation, and theories of its origin are prolific and varied: e.g., a coronation place for Danish kings, a Druid temple, an astronomical computer for predicting eclipses and solar events, a place where ancestors were worshiped, and a cult center for healing, among others. (https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge/history-and-stories/history/significance/)
Whatever the multi-faceted meaning of Stonehenge was for the people of its conception and physical origination, the gigantic circle representing a feat of architectural and engineering brilliance most certainly reveals an awareness of a wider “We” than humanity alone. Imbedded in its mystery is a profound connection between the power and energy of the natural world, life’s spiritual journey, and human consciousness arising and celebrating that intimacy. “We” are all in the circle of life. As we circle around the sun, twirling in a mysterious, cosmic spiral, mimicking myriad other cosmic spirals, the message is clear: 1) We are not alone. 1a) We are all One.
While archaeologists try to unravel the multi-layered complexity of meaning surrounding the recent discovery of the enormous Neolithic ring near Stonehenge, it is believed that circles have been employed ubiquitously to signify our deep-seated relationship with creation. According to Dr. Richard Bates of the University of St. Andrews, “Seeing what is unseen! Yet again, the use of multidisciplinary effort with remote sensing and careful sampling is giving us an insight to the past that shows an even more complex society than we could ever imagine. Clearly sophisticated practices demonstrate that the people were so in tune with natural events to an extent that we can barely conceive in the modern world we live in today.” (https://www.bradford.ac.uk/news/archive/2020/astonishing-discovery-near-stonehenge-led-by-university-of-bradford-archaeologists-offers-new-insight-into-neolithic-ancestors.php)
Being in tune with the wider “We” means we must widen our circles in order to perceive what lies outside our individuality, our identity, our very sense of ourselves as separate beings. “We” humans are not in the center of all creation, not on top, not in control. “We” are only—and ever have been—a part of the wider “We.” ALL of creation is the wider “We,” and we humans alone do not speak with the authoritative “We” from our exclusive vantage point, nor do we own creation. When we say “We,” we must be careful of who/what is in our circle, who/what is inside our “We.”
This is a vast shift in our communal human consciousness. Perhaps it is arising from this time of “PanDeepening,” and is penetrating the cocoon of isolation, separation, hierarchy and exclusivism that we have shrouded ourselves in with impunity. If we are to puncture the cocoon and learn to fly, we must unfurl our wings and expand our sense of “We.”
What must expand?
Perhaps we can draw from the circle of our self-identifiers:
- Our spirituality? What must we let go—identity? Safety? Security? Certitude?
- Our social, political, cultural and religious circles? Can we let go of the idea that “we” control, define and name “others,” and “we” alone determine who is admitted to the social, cultural, political or religious circle, and who is not?
- Our languaging? Can we begin to listen deeply, stop talking only with those inside our exclusive circles, and adapt our languaging to allow for greater ambiguity, complexity and inclusivity?
- Our perception? Can we step outside the circles to which we are accustomed to broaden our vision? Can we invite “others,” including ALL creation, to give voice to their truth, their perspective, their being?
- Our depth of connection and our outreach of compassion? How might we challenge ourselves to be more authentic, to dive deeper, to allow ourselves to “suffer with” (<L. com—“with” and passio—“to suffer”) rather than observe and “fix” the suffering of others?
Now…
Who is in our wider “We?” Who/what is in our Circle? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gt4G4NVgp_4
—Laura Weber, Prairiewoods associate-director and retreats coordinator