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by Steve Hammons
July 31, 2006
from
AmericanChronicle Website
Some modern physics research includes examination of interesting
ideas such as unseen dimensions within our universe separated
by subtle and discreet boundaries sometimes referred to as "branes."
The term "multiverse," a universe with many dimensions, has
even been used to describe these kinds of ideas.
In some ways, this way of viewing the universe is similar to the
longstanding beliefs in many human cultures that there are unique
veils that separate our normal world and other realities, dimensions
and beings in nature.
Accounts of seeing things and beings suddenly appear out of thin air
are not new. There have been many reports of such phenomena. These
incidents sometimes may be described as the appearance of angels or
supernatural beings.
Other beings who appear from nowhere are sometimes said to be loved
ones who have passed on. In the 1989 movie FIELD OF DREAMS starring
Kevin Costner, an entire baseball team emerges through the brane of
a field of Iowa corn that separates our world from the afterlife or
some other dimension.
There are also old tales of elves, fairies, pixies, leprechauns,
trolls and other kinds of "little people" who may be friendly, kind,
somewhat hostile, mischievous, secretive or some combination of
these.
Some witnesses report seeing saucer-shaped or other types of objects
in the sky that seem to appear and disappear – UFOs. And, possibly
related to this, some people report encountering beings who are
often described as short in stature, who also seem to appear and
disappear and are able to affect the minds of humans.
Could these accounts be examples of the movement of people and
things between the dimensions in nature and
a multiverse?
CHEROKEE
LEGENDS OF THE LITTLE PEOPLE
The Cherokee, like other Native American tribes and indigenous
people around the world, have many legends going back centuries
about how the world was formed and how the world works.
These ancient Cherokee stories tell of the nature of the animals,
plants, trees, mountains, streams and rivers of the land in the
Smokey Mountains and the Appalachian Mountain region.
Old Cherokee tales include accounts of "the little people,"
the "Yunwi Tsunsdi." These beings are sometimes described as being
spirits, and other times as small human-like people, about two feet
to four feet tall.
These little people may have different appearances and, according to
legend, they may be of three or four different types. Little people
can be kind and helpful, especially to children, and can also play
tricks on people. They can also be dangerous if a human intrudes on
them, and they have the power to confuse the mind of a human.
The little people have the ability to remain unseen and invisible if
they choose and generally avoid being detected by humans. But, at
times, they will reveal themselves.
They live close to nature, in the forests and mountains. They have a
spiritual aspect to them and they try to teach humans about
kindness, joy and respect. The little people like to dance to
rhythmic drumming and music.
The 1998 story book
CHEROKEE LITTLE PEOPLE - THE SECRETS AND
MYSTERIES OF THE YUNWI TSUNSDI, authors Lynn King Lossiah and
Ernie Lossiah share old Cherokee tales in which the little
people play a part.
As we try to understand our world, nature and the universe, we
collectively use a wide range of investigative methods: Science,
observation of and interaction with nature, direct experiences of
many kinds, spiritual teachings, history, human legends, art, music
and other paths.
How does the Cherokee legend of the little people fit in to our
research, and what can it teach us?
THE DISC IN
THE MEADOW
There is a story that I included in my first novel
MISSION INTO
LIGHT. In the sequel,
LIGHT'S HAND, I provide deeper details about
the incident. I will share the basics of it here.
Long ago, deep in the forests of the Smokey Mountains of eastern
North America, seven young women and men were hunting for game. They
were young hunter-warriors, still in their teens.
They ranged out miles away from their village and had been walking
for several hours in search of deer, or any food for their families.
They sometimes stop to gather edible and medicinal plants.
As they search for sign of game, they come to a small mountain
meadow. In the center of the meadow is a large, silver-colored disc.
The object is perhaps the size of ten Cherokee homes.
The seven young hunters hide in the forest near the meadow and stare
with awe at the strange object. They all look at each other, speak
in low whispers, and agree they should report their find to tribal
leaders and senior warriors immediately.
They carefully retreat from the area near the strange disc and run
back to their villages where they tell leaders about the object.
They also spread the word among various families, being careful not
to frighten the children.
The next morning, they guide nearly 50 tribal leaders and warriors
toward the site. They act as the scouts and hike for miles with the
others. The group walks quietly and with stealth. Suddenly, a hand
signal is flashed to the main party from a forward scout. They had
reached the edge of the meadow.
The group moves slowly, carefully, silently toward the edge of the
clearing. Then they see it. About 75 yards away is a large
silver-colored disc, just as the young warriors had described it.
Many of the Cherokee lay on their stomachs behind trees and foliage.
Some warriors have weapons ready in the event of danger. The leaders
whisper among themselves. What should they do? Is this thing a
danger to the people or is it some kind of good medicine?
Suddenly, just to the side of the disc, they see four small figures
emerge from the tree line bordering the meadow. The beings look like
people, but they are small, with slender bodies and large heads,
similar to a child's.
The Cherokee leaders continue to whisper. They decide that four of
them will go forward and try to make contact with these strangers. A
peace chief, a medicine woman and two of their bravest warriors are
chosen.
Carefully, they stand and slowly emerge from the forest into the
meadow. The four little people spot them and are obviously startled.
One of the little people quickly seems to go inside the disc. The
other three cautiously step toward the Cherokee.
The seven meet halfway between the disc and the forest's tree line
where the rest of the Cherokee remain hidden. Face to face, the
Cherokee peace chief raises his right hand in a peaceful sign of
greeting. One of the little people does the same. Then they sit in
the wild grass of the meadow and begin to make hand sign.
The peace chief tries to convey a welcome to them and asks why they
have come to Cherokee land. The little person who seems to be a
leader makes hand sign that they have come from a great distance,
and he points to the sky.
They continue to talk, and eventually the peace chief, medicine
woman and warriors are convinced that the little people are
friendly. They motion for the rest of the Cherokee in the woods to
come forward. The little leader also motions for the forth little
one to leave the silver disc and join them.
Slowly, the Cherokee in hiding join the others in the meadow. They
stand and sit around the strange visitors. These little ones have an
unusual appearance, not like the other tribes they have had contact
with. Theses visitors eyes are large and different, and they wear a
type of clothing that is similar in color to the deerskin the
Cherokee wore, but the material is clearly not the same.
The visit goes on for several hours and as the afternoon turns to
evening, the Cherokee make a camp for the night in the meadow, near
the forest's edge. The little ones go into the silver disc.
The next morning, most of the Cherokee start the journey back to
their villages. After all, their families will be worried. Several
choose to stay and visit with the little ones and learn more about
them.
The little ones explain that they would like to stay in the Cherokee
land for a time, to learn about the mountains, rivers, animals and
plants. And this they do.
Throughout that summer many Cherokees hike out to visit the little
people. They share much knowledge about life in the Cherokee
mountains. The little ones also tell them about their land, far away
in the night sky.
One day, the little visitors tell the Cherokee that they will be
leaving to return to their home. They say the friendship shown to
them by the Cherokee will be remembered and that they will try to
help them when and how they can.
As that summer passed, then many other summers and seasons, then
tens of years and hundreds of years, the story of the little
visitors was told around campfires at night. The little children
opened their eyes wide. They were told that the little people would
try to watch over them, protecting them from harm.
And the children
looked up into the stars of night sky.
OUR REALITY
NOW
It's a nice story. A happy ending and everything.
Is it true or does
it have some truth in it? Maybe. Did the native people of North
America and ancient people elsewhere have contact similar to this?
Some stories, legends and other indications say yes.
There are also concerns that some visitors from other planets or
from other dimensions may not be so friendly. Like the Cherokees'
concern in the story above, visitors could be good medicine, or a
danger.
And, of course, we humans are often a danger to ourselves, to other
living things and to planet Earth. We kill each other, we kill
children. We kill other animals for fun and sport. We create bigger
and more dangerous weapons. We slowly destroy our land, rivers,
oceans, forests and now the climate of the entire planet.
The progress we make through science and other means to understand
our world the universe around us is important. Understanding other
dimensions, other planets, the existence of other civilizations, the
membranes and veils separating our reality from other fields in a
multiverse are all worthy endeavors.
One day we might uncover Einstein's "unified field" and the
so-called "zero point." We might harness this knowledge to help the
human race survive and move us forward.
The progress we make going within and understanding ourselves can
also be very useful – even crucial. The physics and nature within
all of us is important: Our brains, our neurological systems, our
bodies, our DNA and genetic history, our hearts, our spirits, our
souls. This inner knowledge may also be key.
Maybe one day we will learn enough about ourselves and our world
that we will understand the nature of possible multiple dimensions.
We might meet other beings who discreetly appear and disappear, and
who have much to teach us.
We might live in peace and awe amidst
a multiverse where many more
beautiful secrets and discoveries await. The Great Spirit may smile
upon us and bless us.
We might sit around a campfire and tell our children wonderful
stories that make their eyes open wide, as they look up into the
stars of the night sky.
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