Have you ever had one of those days when you feel that someone is out to get you? It’s almost as though it is their mission for the day. They are pushing all your buttons and as a result you are not very happy.
In order to shift our thoughts we should take some lessons from Native Americans. Many Native American tribes have had what is commonly known as Sacred Clowns.
In his book, Happy This Year! , Will Bowen writes about the purpose of Sacred Clowns. This is an esteemed position in the tribe and their role is to cause chaos, repeatedly. They shock people out of complacency through irritating acts.
Native Americans believe Sacred Clowns are the agents of chaos and were the first beings created by Great Spirit. Chaos was the first thing to be invented because it is necessary for human growth and development.
The Purpose of Sacred Clowns:
- To keep people’s minds focused on the present. Challenge prevents the mind from wandering and provides focus.
- To challenge people to clarify their perspectives and beliefs. Having someone challenge you helps you to discover and clarify your beliefs as you justify them to your Sacred Clown.
- To remind people that challenge is a part of life and necessary for growth. The more we face and overcome our challenges the more we develop our capacity for creative thinking and problem solving.
- Inspiring people to laugh at themselves. As a person becomes more spiritual they gain an altered perspective and therefore things previously distressing can be seen as humorous.
- Stop taking other people’s actions personally. Sacred Clowns attempt to upset people in order that they recognise and work through previous wounds and triggers.
One modern day Sacred Clown said, “White people sit round the dinner table and complain about the unfairness of what happened to them that day. We Indians, on the other hand, have sat together in front of the fire for thousands of years sharing and giving thanks for what we have learned about ourselves that day as a result of the Sacred Clowns taunting us.”
If we are able to view people who upset us as our Sacred Clowns we may realise that what they bring up is something within us that needs addressing in order that we may heal.
We can shift our mindset from feeling condemned to being grateful and as a result feel free and happy.