4 minute read
The dreaming path
Timeto reflectAUTHOR OF THE DREAMING PATH PAUL CALLAGHAN REVEALS HOW INDIGENOUS THINKING CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE
WORDS LIZ McGRATH
“Ithought I was living the dream until it all fell apart,” Paul Callaghan admits frankly.
“I was 35 years old and the great Australian success story, the contemporary Aboriginal prototype. I had three qualifications, two jobs, two cars, a house and was married to the love of my life. Despite all of this, I sat on some steps at my workplace and cried.”
After contemplating suicide and being diagnosed with major depression and anxiety neurosis, Paul says the “profound event that saved my life, gave me life and gave me meaning” was being taken bush in 1999 by Aboriginal traditional knowledge owners.
“Over many years since then, those owners have given me insights and learnings that the modern world would consider unimportant in the scheme of things but are in fact priceless,” Paul, who belongs to the land of Worimi people in New South Wales, says. “What I found through my journey into Country is that everything you really need is around us, too often we just don’t see it.”
Here are four lessons from the oldest culture on earth the author says can help you achieve personal growth, a clearer life purpose and increased contentment in daily life.
The Dreaming Path by Paul Callaghan, published by Pantera Press, RRP $32.99.
— Paul Callaghan
Find your Dreaming Path
“The Old People say, ‘when we leave this world, all we leave behind is our story, so make it the best story possible,” Paul says.
“For some Aboriginal people, we call our story our Dreaming or our Dreaming Path. Our Dreaming is our purpose in this life, it provides us with meaning.
“How many of us, hand on heart with sincerity, depth and honesty, can say that we have meaning in our lives, that we 100 per cent know our purpose?
“By owning your story and analysing what fits and what doesn’t with your true and authentic self, you’ll find it easier to navigate life in a way that is purposeful and inspired,” he says.
“Too often, and sometimes without us even knowing it, we hand over authorship of our story to others and then wonder why we feel lost.” So, ask yourself the question.
Live in full colour
Although traditional Aboriginal people faced hardships, they had the knowledge, skills and spiritual belief to accept these situations and not give in to negative mindsets, Paul says, adding that far too many people today are living in a world of grey.
His advice to banish the grey and live a life in full colour is to celebrate the good things around you, even on the toughest days.
“Each day, if we remember to notice, there are things we can taste, see, smell, feel, hear and experience that give us joy or delight, the ‘10/10’ moments,” he says.
“Many of these aren’t costly or complex but rather spontaneous moments that we forget to look for. If you take the time to identify them, you’ll find they put the 2/10 moments in their rightful place and you’ll live a life of gratitude rather than despair.”
Nupitjee, Nupitjee — learn to share
“The Old People talk about the concept of ‘Nupitjee Nupitjee’ which translates to ‘I must always give, I must always share’,” explains the author.
“Part of our personal story is contributing to a bigger story — that of community wellbeing. Stronger, vibrant communities are incubators of wellbeing in mind, body and spirit.
“In traditional Aboriginal society, everything was based on sharing. Not just giving, not just taking, but sharing.”
Try giving and receiving without keeping score, building relationships and connecting with people, and encouraging those around you to become sharers also through the example you set, Paul recommends.
And don’t shut yourself off. “By accepting the love that surrounds you and redistributing it to other people and other things, including the land you live on, you might be surprised how much better you feel about yourself and your life,” he says.
Flow like water
While blue-sky days are there for us to enjoy, no matter what we do, life will always deliver storms, Paul says.
“While gritting your teeth and facing a storm with stubborn determination to be an immovable object is an option, force meeting force in a violent collision can be a big risk.
“An alternative is to do the opposite. Instead of standing upright and immobile, maybe you can bend, flow and move as best you can to accommodate what is happening around you.”
The 61-year-old says facing your storms with curiosity and flexibility, underpinned by trust and belief, will help contain your fear. “You need to flow like water, reaching your destination by accepting the twists and turns and adjusting your course as you see fit,” he advises. “The river never stays the same.”
New beginnings
“These concepts may seem simple and just like common sense but don’t let this fool you,” Paul says. “They might create a ripple of newfound awareness, understanding and commitment that can change your life. That has happened to me.”
