An instant buzz of conversation swept around the group, but Hugo, not wanting to answer any questions, said with a chuckle.
“Let’s talk about it later, around a campfire under the stars somewhere.”
This site visit was just a warm-up for the big Rock Art trip ahead, but already the group had been confronted with a puzzle. For Rob it came soon after his unusual thoughts about the Universe and the unseasonal storm, so he made a written note then finished his video recording and photography. Then he and the group returned to the Resort with an ancient, yet modern-day mystery fresh in their minds.
A brisk morning of about six degrees Celsius had become 24 degrees after lunch, as group members set out on foot to explore the famous town. Some walked through the sandy Todd River bed, others took the road bridge, all eventually meeting at Ghost Gums Bar & Grill for dinner. Later that afternoon was also the time when Rob and the Elder were to meet on Anzac Hill, and the natural atmosphere was changing.
* * *
The stormy, windy weather of the previous day had flung up a sky of long, wispy clouds, and thin beams of sunlight caught and coloured their tails a rich, burnt orange. The men had not arranged a time to meet but despite neither of them wearing a watch, they arrived at the bottom of Anzac Hill on Wills Terrace at the same time. As they walked up the track the elongated clouds brightened into a deep, desert red, becoming light-hearted scarves on a fading blue sky. Such colour promised another warm day in Central Australia. Sunset would not linger this afternoon because of Winter, so as soon as they made it to the top and were sitting on a wide seat facing the MacDonnell Ranges, the Elder asked an unexpected question.
“Do you know what tjurunga or churinga are?”
A little surprised by the subject matter, because he did know, Rob answered.
“They’re sacred objects that link individuals to their Ancestors in spirit, and are only brought out at special times, like initiation ceremonies.”
The Western Aranda elder nodded approvingly and seemed to confirm by the dancing light in his eyes that the right man had come. The Universe as usual was on course and on time!
Rob was encouraged by the comfortable energy and continued.
“I’ve been interested in sacred tjurunga for years without telling anyone. In England I visited a Museum and was shown small, wooden tjurunga and bullroarers with similar markings. I was in the basement wearing white gloves so the physical condition of each artefact wouldn’t be damaged. Yet I was holding an object representing the spiritual link of a traditional man to the source of his life! What a privilege, but I didn’t fully realise it. I couldn’t interpret the incised designs, but I’ve been researching tjurunga quietly ever since.”
Rob paused as he reflected on that episode, and the Elder commented straight away.
“Your intentions had integrity and Ancestor Spirits were watching. Handling the objects respectfully opened a deeper window to culture.”
Rob nodded thoughtfully as the Elder added historical perspective.
“In early contact times some whitefellas who stole, or collected sacred objects as they called it, didn’t know what they were handling. But others did and removed our objects like conquerors. They weren’t interested in the ceremonial life of “primitive natives”. They only wanted curios of their adventures in the new British colonies in the South Seas.”
Yet despite blatant disregard for Aboriginal cultures and the violence perpetrated against them for generations, the Elder believed positive changes in attitudes were growing across the world.
“Many more are becoming aware and learning that Aboriginal groups have the spiritual connections to the land, sea and sky that they want to experience. They realise that traditional cultures offer valuable perspectives about life and nature.”
Then the Elder turned and looked directly at Rob.
“You’ve travelled conscious spiritual paths for many lifetimes and returned to an old home. You’ve come back to receive information because the Ancestors know you can help reveal it to an awakening world. That’s why we’ve met. That’s why I said in the Gallery, ‘Thanks brother. I’m happy you’ve come.’ I knew you were the right man.”
A natural break in the Elder’s wise words gave Rob the chance to venture his thoughts.
“I didn’t expect you to be so universal in outlook. People usually think particular groups hold particular knowledge, so they’d expect you to share Aboriginal knowledge only, and not other philosophies. How long have you thought like this?”
The sinking sun was colouring orange the few elongated clouds that hovered beyond Mount Gillen (Alhekulyele), its distinctive, familiar outline bathed in dark blue shadow as the Elder answered.
“The spiritual journey’s similar whatever tradition we’re born into. Race, colour, and language make things seem different, but the wisdom of all cultures belongs to everyone. That’s my belief. I belong to my Aboriginal heritage and went through some of the Law, but I also respect other cultures. I’ve read about them for years. Everything from Buddhism and Taoism to the Mayans and Aztecs, Ancient Egypt, Christianity and more – you’d be fascinated by my library. My sense of peoples’ Oneness is strong. Around the earth the same themes appear in legends and so-called mythology, so it’s natural to feel part of the whole world.”
“That’s a wonderful outlook,” Rob acknowledged.
Now much clearer about the Elder’s philosophy, he knew he would gain much greater understandings if they spent more time together.
“Yeah, I suspected there were connections between Aboriginal cultures, but I was touched most when I realised that all Humanity is spiritually One. We’re all brothers and sisters in heart and spirit. But not enough of us recognize it.”
The Elder was nodding slowly in agreement, at peace with himself and the world, as Rob continued.
“It’s so good to be sitting here. I’d forgotten how much I need this level of conversation. Life floods my soul when I share like this. But I’ve got a problem. I’m booked to go on a Rock Art Expedition in thirty six hours, but I want more of this!”
“Listen to your inner truth, the answer’s already there,” the Elder suggested.
4
A couple of days later the two men are many kilometres west of Alice Springs in the Elder’s traditional country, crouching in the shade of a hardy mulga tree. Rob had rented a 4WD Toyota Landcruiser to travel to Western Aranda country whenever the Elder wanted to go. The vehicle was about five years old, white in colour, diesel-fuelled and a reliable workhorse. Similar vehicles are used all over the Northern Territory and Rob had negotiated a good deal with Outback Oz Rent-a-Car. He and the Elder had not yet driven on any dirt roads but they were sure to in the near future.
The Elder began to speak in his sincere and positive manner, as if there had been no interruption in their previous conversation.
“Returning to country was destiny. You came to join a Rock Art group but universal energy flows around us and within us and things happen that match where we’re up to spiritually. A sign comes and the next step’s possible. We don’t always see signs, but you’ve wanted more knowledge since holding those tjurunga in England. I’m an instrument of the Universe and Ancestor Spirits to help guide your path.”
Rob was comfortably tuning into the Elder’s spiritual wavelength.
“Yeah, I wanted to find an elder with traditional knowledge, a senior man in tune with the big planetary picture. That’s been my consistent, positive vision, so I’m not surprised we’ve met. Cosmic Timing’s a fundamental part of the Universe and we’re all affected by it, but it’s challenging to be aware of every day.”
The Elder nodded in agreement then changed the conversation’s direction.
“If