FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN
Programs for Young Men & Women
As the inevitable heat of youth arises in families and communities people may see a threat or godsend, we don’t know whether to curse it or bless it. The I Ching says, “When grass on a mountain takes fire, there is bright light. However, the fire does not linger in one place, but travels on to new fuel. It is a phenomenon of short duration.” All too soon that youthful flame will be driven underground, or worse be doused by the status quo, and thus, the gift of fire—which is the heart of culture—is lost over and over again.
The gift of fire may be life-giving and destroying at once. Wildfire burns out swiftly, while the hearth-fire burns slowly. Between the hearth of culture and the lightning fire of nature, there is a third flame—the Signal Fire.In this program we set out to climb a forgotten and shadowed mountain, one grown dark and cold; upon the summit, recalling the first spark, we rekindle the ancient Signal Fire and stand vigil. It s our intention to tend the third flame on behalf of all, reflecting to the young ones that the wild burning in their hearts is precious, deserves encouragement, direction, and care.