Interesting discussion--
I guess for me, the question is, is the wisdom Agnes and Ruby share true, their deep speaking to my deep. Ruby once described addictions, any at all, as "soul-sleep" ... her words paralleled my experience so exactly, describing decades of immobility so perfectly that it could not be but *true* for me. The story of her rape, her blinding and her learning deer medicine make Ruby one of my greatest teachers.
Did it happen? Is she real?
To argue misses the point. The teaching is true, real and transforms -- for me, that is the test. Many of my greatest teachers: Ged, from the Earthsea trilogies, Danny and Reuven from Chaim Potok's "The Chosen" and "The Promise", Jim Casy from "Grapes of Wrath" have been as *teacher-friends* during my recovery from bipolar. And each is fictional. When I think of where Lynn was at in Medicine Woman and where she grows through the narratives, I always have hope for me -- and she, to her credit, is never afraid to present herself honestly: as white, clueless, blind to her great guides and teachers. My gift in the stories: is that I get to sit at the feet of Agnes and Ruby and not make a fool of myself as Lynn so often did.
Love to all.
Beau
