{"id":7418,"date":"2022-01-15T07:49:43","date_gmt":"2022-01-15T06:49:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/?p=7418"},"modified":"2022-01-15T07:49:46","modified_gmt":"2022-01-15T06:49:46","slug":"the-gift-of-knowledge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/the-gift-of-knowledge\/","title":{"rendered":"The gift of knowledge"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In earlier posts I have written a lot about the knowledge in the hands, muscle memory, the power of slowness and learning through experience. Today I explore spinning and the learning process in spinning in a spiritual perspective. While reflecting over the gift of knowledge I dig into the why of spinning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the autumn I have been reading Robin Wall Kimmerer’s beautiful books Braiding Sweetgrass<\/em> and Gathering moss<\/em>. She is a professor of botany and blends her scientific knowledge seamlessly with her indigenous heritage in the Potawatomi Nation. I have had to stop reading several time to reflect over the spiritual message of the book and how I can find a deeper spiritual meaning in my spinning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Gathering
Gathering moss by Robin Wall Kimmerer is my morning read at the moment.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The gift of knowledge<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I read and journal early in the morning in blissful solitude, when body and mind are sprouting fresh out from the stagnant night. This is my time and space dedicated to reflection and becoming a better person in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Robin Wall Kimmerer writes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“In traditional indigenous communities, learning takes a form very different from that of the American public education system. Children learn by watching, by listening and by experience. They are expected to learn from all members of the community, human and non-human. To ask a direct question is often considered rude. Knowledge cannot be taken; it must instead be given. Knowledge is bestowed by a teacher only when the student is ready to receive it. Much learning takes place by patient observation, discerning pattern and its meaning by experience. It is understood that there are many versions of truth, and that each reality may be true for each teller. It’s important to understand the perspective of each source of knowledge.”<\/p>Gathering moss by Robin Wall Kimmerer, p. 82<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

I have been thinking about this quote a lot this morning and how I can apply the gift of knowledge \u2013 knowledge as a gift to be given when I’m ready to receive it \u2013 to spinning. Every time I spin I do my best to listen to the wool and allow it to be my teacher. As I teach I encourage my students to listen patiently to the wool. But the notion of knowledge being given when I as a student am ready gives even more depth to this process. The notion of knowledge as a gift is like a gift in itself, wrapped in a soft pink silk ribbon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A conversation with the wool<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As I work my way through the wool and through the stages of wool processing there is a conversation going on. My hands explore and get feedback from the wool. Reflecting over the quote above I realize that I don’t ask the direct questions, because I know the answer won’t help me. I need to be ready to receive the the answer. The time it takes to get ready may include investigation, exploration, experimentation and patient listening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"I'm
I’m listening to my Icelandic wool.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I learn by experience over and over again as the wool goes through my hands and my mind. The wool replies in my hands with clues of elasticity, give, length, crimp, friction. Small clues that build up to an understanding of the wool when I am ready to receive it. If I’m not ready to receive the understanding I will make mistakes. Which, ironically, do help me understand, but in a more brutal way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The clues along the road will eventually help me understand the wool and what I need to do. I also believe that the time it takes to figure out what the clues tell me will give me the knowledge. It may also include silently being with the wool, asking for nothing in return. The time I spend with the wool, the time I give the wool, will allow me to reflect and understand what it is I experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Example: Icelandic Lopi style yarn<\/h3>\n\n\n\n