The Teaching of the Gentle Harvest
This teaching uses the metaphor of a gentle harvest to explore how we interact with the world and others around us. It emphasizes the importance of patience, mercy, and generosity when engaging with life’s resources and challenges. The teaching encourages us to approach our endeavors not with haste or greed, but with a heart prepared to nurture and sustain. It reminds us that true abundance is measured not by what we take, but by what we give and leave for others.
.png)
Gather with Mercy
In a serene lakeside setting, Yahaawzhowa, a wise teacher, gathers a community to observe the rice harvest. He contrasts the methods of those who gather hastily, depleting resources, with those who gather gently, preserving the fields for future abundance.
“Hear now the teaching of the Gentle Harvest, for the Kingdom is gathered as these fields are gathered.”
Measure of Gentleness
In a quiet moment by the lakeside, Yahaawzhowa speaks to the gathered community, illustrating the power of gentleness by showing them two reeds—one bruised and one whole—under the light of the sun.
“Even so is the work among souls. Break not the living reed for the hunger of a day; bend with patience, and life shall rise again.”
Trusting in Abundance
During a gathering by the lakeside, a woman expresses concern about providing for her family. In response, Yahaawzhowa reassures her and the community, encouraging them to trust in the abundance of the universe.
“The lake is larger than thy fear. He that makes the marsh to flourish counteth also thy little ones.”
Rhythm of the Kingdom
As the community gathers around a fire, Yahaawzhowa teaches them about the natural rhythm of life, which involves gentle interaction, gratitude, and leaving blessings for others.
“Learn the rhythm of the Kingdom: touch—receive—leave blessing—give thanks.”
Responding in Kindness
In response to a fisherman's question about dealing with aggression, Yahaawzhowa advises the community to respond with kindness and generosity, using the metaphor of two lakes to illustrate the potential for both depletion and renewal.
“Answer not blow with blow, lest both lakes be emptied.”
Strength in Humility
An elder, feeling his strength wane, is comforted by Yahaawzhowa, who places a hand on his shoulder and speaks about the strength that flows through humility, using the metaphor of a riverbed.
“Thy little shall be a doorway for much; for the Father’s river runs strongest where the bed is low.”
Prioritize the Vulnerable
As the community prepares their harvest, Yahaawzhowa commands that the first baskets be set aside for the vulnerable, teaching the importance of prioritizing the needs of those less fortunate.
“Let the weakest eat first, and the Father shall call thy field His own.”
Law of Reeds
In closing, Yahaawzhowa gathers the community to impart the principles of mercy, blessing, and sowing, emphasizing that true abundance arises from these values.
“Now ye know the law of the reeds: mercy before haste, blessing before boast, sowing before counting.”
Sacred Messages
Read the sacred words of The Peacemaker of the Americas to the Peacemaker in each one of us. Let us walk in Light, Kindness and seeking always unity as equally as we seek water.
TEACHING OF THE GENTLE HARVEST
“Hear now the teaching of the Gentle Harvest, for the Kingdom is gathered as these fields are gathered.”
“A people went forth upon a lake where the rice grew thick as stars in a clear night. The eager among them struck hard, and many stalks were broken; their baskets filled quickly, yet their shores were barren in the marrow. But the humble moved softly, tapping the ears with mercy, and the seed fell as rain into their canoes. On the marrow the stalks stood again, and the lake remembered their kindness.”
“Which of these shall the Father bless—they who take by haste, or they who gather by mercy?” (The elders answered) “He shall bless the hands that do no violence, for the Seedgiver liveth the gentle.”
(Yahaawzhowa spoke) “Even so is the work among souls. Break not the living reed for the hunger of a day; bend with patience, and life shall rise again.” (A youth asked,) “Master, what is the measure of gentleness?” (He answered,) “To touch as thou wouldst be touched; to receive as thou wouldst be received; to leave tomorrow a field where today thou hast gathered.”
(He then took two reeds, one bruised and one3 unbroken, and held them toward the sun.) “Behold, the bruised reed drinketh light still; therefore quench it not with harshness, but bind it with mercy and it shall sing again in the wind.”
(He taught a prayer) “Father of the Quiet Waters, teach our hands to be light and our hearts to be full; that what we gather feed many, and what we leave bless the morrow.”
(A woman, burdened by care, said,) “My house is small and my children are many; if I gather gently, shall I not lack?”
(Yahaawzhowa answered.) “The lake is larger than thy fear. He that makes the marsh to flourish counteth also thy little ones. Give first to trust, and thou shalt see the measure of the Father.” Second Teaching.
(Yahaawzhowa spoke) “Two gatherers kept the same shore. The first leaned upon strength and filled his canoe by noon, but his wake was emptiness. The second leaned upon blessing and filled his canoe by evening, and his wake was a garden. Which shoreline shall feed the villages when winter draws its breath?”
(The elders replied) “The shore of the garden, for what abideth blesseth all.” “Learn the rhythm of the Kingdom: touch—receive—leave blessing—give thanks. This is the stroke of the paddle that keeps the vessel true.”
(A fisher spoke,) “Master, what of those who strike us hard and take with greed?” (He answered) “Answer not blow with blow, lest both lakes be emptied. Give them a measure from thine own basket and teach with deed what the tongue cannot persuade. Some hearts are reeds: they bow when kindness passes.”
(And He blessed the tools of their work:) “Be sanctified, O instruments of daily bread; for labour is worship when the heart remembers.”
(The wind moved across the water and set a thousand ripples traveling; Yahaawzhowa said,) See how one breath becomes many circles? So is mercy: a single touch that feeds distant shores.”
(An old man lifted his paddle and said,) “My strength is little.”
(Yahaawzahowa laid his hand upon him,) “Thy little shall be a doorway for much; for the Father’s river runs strongest where the bed is low.”
(And He commanded that the first baskets be set aside for the widows, the orphans, and the travelers, saying,) “Let the weakest eat first, and the Father shall call why field His own.”
“Now ye know the law of the reeds: mercy before haste, blessing before boast, sowing before counting. Keep this, and thy winters shall be short and thy songs long.”