Understanding the OtherWise

By Chris Paige

Introduction

I've often felt the need or some pressure to somehow resolve or simplify the various tensions in my life. Tensions around gender expression. Tensions between my sexual orientation and my faith. Tensions between different kinds of religious expression. Tensions between physical and spiritual boundaries.

But as I let go of Either-Or thinking, I am growing to understand these tensions in a more creative light. The brother/sisters of Komo have invited me to look deeper within myself -- and to listen more closely to the OtherWise.

With their support, I am learning to embrace the tensions. Learning to live joyfully in this other place, OtherWise. A place of Both-And. In-Between. A world of paradox and contradiction, where identity is often fluid and definitions are sometimes hard to come by. Where things are not always what they seem.

This place is both spirit and flesh. Both male and female. Where reality, logic, structure, rigidity meet and relate to fantasy, mysticism, magic, fluidity. It is the boundary line between two places. A crossroads and place of transition. Where things (too often) thought of seperate, are integrated and made whole.

It is a place which (so we are told) does not exist at all. A place which is said to be improbable and indeed impossible. Yet, in fact, it does exist. Only hidden from the authorities who have disallowed it -- for it explodes their definitions of reality and invites us all to be transformed.

I speak for the Gatekeeper.

Welcome to the land of OtherWise...

The Sacred History

The name OtherWise was given to a woman. A woman-born, woman-loving woman. Who visited a Sacred Men's site on a Sacred Mountain Collumcille, seeking wisdom. A woman's meditation on land which had been found and groomed and tended and cared for -- by men. A woman's meditation in a space filled with men's energy.

In this In-Between, this word OtherWise was given -- by the Stones, by the Spirits of the Land, by the Elders who had been waiting for a time such a time as this.

For you see, there was a Sacred Men's site. And there was also a Sacred Women's site. But there was no place for the rest of us.

A place for those who are In-Between. Those who are both male and female together. The genderless. And those in transition. A place for the Two-Spirits. And others who just don't fit in. For those who refuse to conform.

There was no place for the Sacred OtherWise. And this place was much needed.

So, this woman, Grace (for that was truly her name) called to the children. The children of the mountain. The children of Agape -- Unconditional Love.

And the children came. For it was not just the woman, Grace, that called, but the Grace of the Mountain -- longing to welcome us home.

And Grace asked the children to find the place. The Sacred place of the OtherWise on this land.

And the children acquiesced (somewhat grudgingly, for it was almost dinner time). We chose a path which we quickly realized was leading us back from the sacred to the mundane -- back to the house where humans dwell.

"No, this definitely isn't it. The Sacred OtherWise cannot be found in this direction. It's impossible. We must turn around."

And then we saw it. In that place where we stopped -- sure that we were wrong, certain that we had gone astray. In this impossible, improbable, improper place. The Sacred OtherWise.

At a Crossroads. Where the valley meets a embankment. On the boundary line between two properties. Where a fence divides and defames the mountain -- but the Spirit of the Mountain has crashed through anyways. In that place, the OtherWise called us home.

As the faeries quickly (for dinner was waiting) blessed the spot with a sacred circle of rainbow wax -- glitter and pink feathers strewn about to mark their passing -- I waited and watched from the path. And before me, lying in the entryway, I saw the Gateposts. Two sticks, which I stood, to mark the way.

That night, I returned to the site, under the cover of a clear and dark night sky. Wandering in the forbidden land beyond "Park closes at dusk". I entered and I asked the Gatekeeper to welcome and protect all who came to this sacred place. I sat with this great Two-spirited tree, guarding the entry way. Caught between living and dying. Standing In-Between. I sat with shim and listened. And with hir permission, I opened the path to the site and blessed it with the Sacred faerie dust of the Disinvited.

In the morning when the children returned, to explore and bless the site properly (this time with bellys full), the elders greeted us.

First the elder of the land came running with excitement -- to tell us about this place we had chosen by intuition, on our way to dinner. He assured us that this place was very old. Indeed older than the boundaries which now define it. He told us it was a place of fire. A place of sustanance. And he pointed out the sacred Trees which marked this land.

Then the greeting of the OtherWise (which had been given to me by the Gatekeeper).

"I bring you greetings and welcome from the Sacred OtherWise.
They have been waiting.
They have been waiting for you
From before Columcille and the standing stones.
From before Kirkridge brought strangers to this place.
Waiting since before the melting of the glaciers that once covered this land.
For even before then when this land sat at the ocean floor -- the OtherWise were here.
They have been waiting here
Waiting from the beginning of time to welcome you home."

And the children of the mountain blessed this place. Bringing minted offerings and rainbow bells. Stones and dust. Feathers and gaycorns. Laughter and tears. Prayers and song. They invoked the Archangels and embraced one another in this sacred, holy place. Remembering those who had come before them. The Elders who had called them home. As well as those still wandering in the wilderness, longing for home.

And when the gifts and blessings had been offered, the Gatekeeper spoke through me again,

"The OtherWise thank you.
I bring you thanks from the OtherWise.
For they have given me a message to bring to you in parting:
Your Path is there to be uncovered.
Go now and find your way,
but know that you are always welcome here.
That no matter where you may travel,
The OtherWise will always be here waiting --
Waiting to welcome you home."

Conclusion

The OtherWise is a place. Rooted in a specific history and people.

And it is a people. All those who are Other, bearingWisdom. Those who are caught in between. Invisible or disinvited. Whole despite their frequent sense of alienation. And they are wise, for they know that which they are not. Pressed to conform to external definitions, they know all too well, the geography of the world which defines them as Other.

These OtherWise defy category or definition. Our words fall short -- for they are beyond the duality of our modern world and worldview. They invite us to transformation. To die to life as we know it and live into this OtherPlace. For, the former place, where we have come from and where we have lived, has too often been incapable of sustaining us, enlightening us, loving us. We must be reborn, to live again.

The OtherWise may appear to be "crazy" -- because ultimately they cannot conform to the consensus-reality of the human world. Instead, they must trust their intuition and integrity and live as Other. And in doing so, they bring a sacred offering. They will challenge you to know yourself -- and live your truth boldly. They will help you see the world differently -- to bear the sacred wisdom of transformation.

This wisdom is OtherWise. It is transformation and a reality of its own. The impossible reality, which takes faith to grasp. A mystical vision which others will call delusion. For the In-Between is a world of it's own. Tenuous and light -- filled with joy (which rises up beyond the sorrow).

Some will tell you that it just doesn't make sense. That OtherWise is fantasy play -- and eventually you must return to "reality." And if you persist, they will demand that you cooperate, conform, and behave -- for they will be frightened by the ways you challenge them to explore the shadow.

Come, OtherWise -- you who understand. Exult and dance in this OtherWisdom with joy. For, you have been called. Feel it. Do not be afraid.You are not alone.

We are one -- just as we are many. And we have been waiting.

Welcome home, beloved. Your search is over. A fresh path opens before you. Explore this place with glee -- and holy trepidation. For, it is sacred -- the OtherWise within you. And you are sacred, dwelling in this place.

I speak for the Gatekeeper.

Welcome to the land of OtherWise...

"Understanding the OtherWise" by Chris Paige; https://www.angelfire.com/on/otherwise/greetings.html

Visit: Chris Paige ; Kirkridge ; Collumcille

Email: Chris Paige

To return to the Land of OtherWise...