Buffalo rubbing stones are one of the interesting natural phenomena around Calgary. During the last ice age, this entire area was covered in glaciers. As these glaciers receded, they brought large boulders and rocks with them. When a rock became too heavy for the glacier to carry away, it found a new home. Some of these rocks were transported for hundreds of miles and some were the size of a car or truck.
Later, when herds of buffalo roamed this area, they loved to rub against these rocks, especially in spring when they shed their heavy winter coats. The buffalo are no longer here in large numbers in the past, but the people are.
Calgary grew up and around several of these stones. People are drawn to them almost as much as the buffalo. Many of them are popular tourist attractions. A relatively small buffalo stone lives in a park in my neighborhood. It is tucked away by a small grove of aspens and is surrounded by bushes of honeysuckle, sage, and wild asters. As the area developed, this park was left untouched and set aside as a natural grassland.
The neighborhood school regularly takes the children on excursions to the stone as part of their study of the natural history of this area. I remember my own children coming home very excited about this rock and sharing stories of buffalo hair found in the rock long after the buffalo was gone.
The stone has the look and feel of a great antique as it is covered in lichen and some moss. It stands at the height of my shoulders and is about six feet long and three feet wide. This rock almost demands reverence. I find it interesting that it has not been touched by the youth of the area, while another smaller stone about fifty feet away in the woods is covered in graffiti and paint.
So what does a buffalo stone have to do with wisdom? What is a wisdom? The human mind has been a great mystery to philosophy and science for eons. Our entire experience of life is created by our perceptions, and our perceptions are colored by our beliefs. No two human beings perceive the same event in exactly the same way. It’s a miracle we even get along.
To me, a wise mind uses its insights well, no matter how old or young the owner is. The key to wisdom lies in understanding your perceptions and their underlying beliefs. And also understand that no other human being will see something in the same way as you. Sometimes this is refreshing and sometimes downright annoying. Maybe this is the birth of compassion.
Human beings often assign great wisdom to beings of great age. Our stories are full of them. Think of Merlin, Gandalf, the wizard, and the Ents, herders of trees from the ancient forest of Fangorn in “The Lord of the Rings.”
We have within our minds many layers of consciousness and/or perception. One of these layers offers a connection to great knowledge and wisdom. Carl Jung called this the “collective unconscious.” I call it my “inner sage.”
If I have a problem or question that I feel needs the input of some deep wisdom or insight, I enter a meditative state, quiet my mind, and ask my inner wisdom to come forward. If my mind is calm enough, I will feel his presence. Then I’ll ask my question, clear my mind, and listen. If I get a response (usually the first thoughts that come to my mind), it’s still my choice to decide whether or not to follow it.
Since the old buffalo stone in our park reminds me so much of my inner sage, I thought that one day I would have a little fun and create the perception of introducing them to each other. I offer you this insight for your enjoyment.
Leaning on the stone, I connected with my inner sage and asked what kind of wisdom a buffalo rubbing a stone would share if it could talk. I cleared my mind, pen and paper in hand, and this is what I heard. “Ancient is just a state of mind, just like wisdom. Wisdom and knowledge are available to everyone, regardless of the age. I have seen many ages pass, and people do not change. Their minds do. Where is your mind?” now? Does it serve you? Wise human beings are a gift to each other and I encourage each of you to find the wisdom within. How will you know true wisdom? It is compatible with all life. I am as old as the ages and never I have seen nothing. Shine as bright as a wise human being. Know that you are loved beyond measure by your planet and its beings.”