Once upon a time, a writer named Cyra McFadden wrote a Book titled "The Serial: A Year in the Life of Marin County." The Book originally appeared as as series of articles in the local paper of record, The San Francisco Chronicle. At the time, I worked with several denizens of the County and they confirmed that Ms. McFadden's satire, alas, was closer to the truth than they liked to admit. (Think "peacock feathers.")
That was then. This is now (from today's SF Chronicle):
"(Apela) Colorado, who calls her method Indigenous Mind, is an American Indian who lives in Maui but resides in Orinda while teaching classes at the Oakland campus of Naropa University as well as private training sessions and workshops. Colleagues say it's a groundbreaking approach to enriching modern life by recovering the forgotten -- or suppressed -- wisdom of prehistory.
"IM's ambitions are large: to explore the knowledge of timeless, fundamental connections among people, their ancestors and the natural world with an objective rigor usually thought of as better suited to fact-based Western knowledge. "
[snip]
"She and other supporters of the system stress its practicality, saying it doesn't encourage dropping out but helps people do better in their jobs and relationships because it embraces more of reality than the Western view does."The theory behind IM is that although shamanic knowledge may be judged esoteric by Western rules, it's really the handiest, most basic information that's ever been collected. The theory says that unless the Western tradition honors its debt to the old ways, it won't be able to provide all we demand of it and we'll be left feeling let down or anxious. "
From Ms. Colorado's website, Traditional Knowledge:
"The concentration in Indigenous Mind, together with the foundational courses in Creation Spirituality, reawakens in students their own genealogical, cultural and spiritual roots, such as Celtic, Asian, African, Jewish or Native American. Cultivating the Indigenous Mind puts students into a sacred whole way of seeing and being, and ignites their earth-based consciousness to bring healing to the world economy, restoration of the environment and religious tolerance for people of all paths."
Hmmm... looks like Christians need not apply. What about Muslims? Hindus? Zoroastrian? Wiccans? Or are Wiccans considered Celtic?
"Students choosing to build this emphasis into their MLA program at Naropa-Oakland take 10-12 credits of specialized study in Indigenous Mind. Experiential learning on the land with traditional Elders deepens the learning process. Consequently, this concentration requires five- to eight-day residencies. Two residencies are scheduled each semester. In addition to residencies, students engage in independent study and on-line course work. Three semesters of sequential study are required for the Indigenous Mind concentration. Students must anticipate additional costs for the residency requirements."
The "residency," including "experiential learning on the land with traditional Elders" takes place in Maui. I wonder if you can write this off as "educational expenses"? Perhaps a tax expert can confirm this.
And I wonder what "MLA" stands for. "Master of Lost Arts"? Is a "MLA" recognized by any professional or academic organizations?
Here's the Curriculum:
:: Curriculum ::
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS FOR MLA IN CREATION SPIRITUALITY WITH CONCENTRATION IN INDIGENOUS MIND
Indigenous Mind Concentration Courses
Indigenous Mind: Survey (S)
2 credits
Dreamwork; Advanced Dreamwork (AM)
1-2 credits
Dancing with the Missionary (S)
1-2 credits
The Computer as Useful Friend: Indigitech (AM)
1-3 credits
Environmental Intimacy: Earth & Mud as Primal Passage (S)
1-2 credits
Restoring Wisdom: Moon & Dreams as Mythic Metaphor (S)
1-2 credits
Compassion Practicum (CB)
1-2 credits
Building Community through Ceremony (AM)
1-3 credits
Genealogy Practicum: Visit to Ancestral Land (CB)
1 credit
(Included in 3 credit course in Genealogy)
MLA General Program Requirements
Overview Creation Spirituality and/Cosmology
5 credits
Mystics
2 credits
Core Readings
2 credits
Master's project/Thesis
3 credits
Seminars
6 credits min.
Art as Meditation
2 credits min.
Art of Community Building
2 credits min.
Genealogy: Finding the Sacred Tree of Your Family
3 credits
Hermione's curriculum at Hogwarts makes more sense.
Okay--here's what MLA means: "Upon your successful completion of the Master's Degree at Naropa-Oakland University, you will be issued a Masters of Liberal Arts in Creation Spirituality with a concentration in Indigenous Mind."
The cost of all this enlightenment is difficult to determine as the links to the Naropa-Oakland Admissions page is broken. The Boulder, CO, campus quotes $615/credit. Remember, the residency requirement is not included in these fees.
I think Christianity is cheaper.
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