How To Learn From Your Ancestors | Spring Washam
This episode features teacher and author Spring Washam discussing the profound impact of ancestors, her visionary connection with Harriet Tubman's spirit, and the concept of an "inner Underground Railroad" for spiritual liberation. She also touches on plant medicine and healing.
Deep Dive Analysis
14 Topic Outline
Dan's Skepticism and Open-mindedness Towards Metaphysics
Introduction to Spring Washam and The Spirit of Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman's Historical Life and Legacy
Explaining Buddhist Concepts: Bodhisattva and Dakini
Discussion on Plant Medicine and Shamanic Traditions
Spring's Visionary Dream and Conversations with Harriet Tubman
Addressing Skepticism Towards Spiritual Experiences
The Universal Human Interest in Ancestry and Genealogy
Deepening Connection and Healing Ancestral Karma
Spring's Personal Ancestor Work and Healing Her Lineage
The Process of Spring's Channeled Conversations with Harriet
The Inner Underground Railroad and Modern Freedom
Three Flavors of Modern Abolitionism
Spring's Personal Transformation from Writing the Book
9 Key Concepts
Willing Suspension of Disbelief
A concept from poet Samuel Coleridge, it refers to the deliberate choice to set aside one's skepticism and accept the premise of a story or idea, even if it seems improbable, to fully engage with its potential insights or narrative. Dan Harris applies this to engaging with spiritual or metaphysical claims.
Bodhisattva
A Buddhist term for an awakened hero who vows to be continually reborn into the world of suffering (samsara) to help all beings achieve liberation. They embody compassion and action, dedicating their lives to freeing others from suffering.
Dakini
In Vajrayana Buddhism, a dakini is a manifestation of the enlightened feminine energy, often appearing in magical forms. They are wisdom beings who can shapeshift, act as protectors for yogis and meditators, and are free from the cycle of suffering (samsara).
Tantra (Vajrayana Buddhism)
A later, esoteric school of Buddhism, notably practiced in Tibet, that involves working with the mind's energies through practices like breathwork and elements to achieve enlightenment. It is considered a rapid but potentially dangerous path to awakening due to its powerful nature.
Karma (Cause and Effect)
At its root, karma refers to the principle of cause and effect, where actions lead to consequences, which in turn lead to further effects. It describes a chain of events rather than a simplistic punitive system.
Inner Underground Railroad
Described by Harriet Tubman (through Spring Washam) as a secret passageway through consciousness, distinct from the historical physical railroad. It is a path with conductors and stops that guides individuals out of suffering, bondage, and pain towards a state of inner freedom, akin to the Buddhist concept of Nibbana.
Inner Abolitionism
The practice of abolishing internal programs of greed, hatred, and delusion, focusing on healing inner suffering and cultivating compassion and love. It aligns with the personal work of the Buddhist path to overcome inner obstacles.
Outer Abolitionism
The act of standing up against injustice in society and refusing to participate in cruel or uncompassionate systems. It involves non-cooperation with societal manifestations of greed, hatred, and delusion, similar to historical movements like the Montgomery bus boycott.
Ultimate Abolitionism
This refers to reaching advanced spiritual states, akin to Bodhisattva or Buddha levels, where one achieves profound liberation and spiritual power. It represents the highest form of abolishing suffering and delusion.
8 Questions Answered
Harriet Tubman was born enslaved in Maryland in 1825, escaped to freedom in her mid-20s, and became a famous conductor on the Underground Railroad, rescuing many people. She later served in the military and joined the women's movement, known for her courage and compassion.
A Bodhisattva is a being who, having awakened, vows to continually be reborn into the cycle of suffering (samsara) to benefit all beings and help them achieve liberation from suffering. They are dedicated to compassion and action for others.
A Dakini is a manifestation of the enlightened feminine in a magical form within Vajrayana Buddhism. These wisdom beings can shapeshift, act as protectors for meditators, and are free from samsara, appearing at different moments in time.
Harriet Tubman describes it as a secret passageway through consciousness, distinct from the physical Underground Railroad. It's a path with conductors and agents that helps beings move from despair and stuckness to a state of inner freedom, out of suffering and bondage, akin to Nibbana.
One can start by believing ancestors are real and around us, building a relationship by speaking to them, forgiving them, and understanding them. This can involve conscious healing work on their behalf, such as visualizing them in a circle and offering them love or forgiveness, or engaging in modalities like Family Constellation Therapy.
The three flavors are inner abolitionism (abolishing internal programs of greed, hatred, and delusion), outer abolitionism (standing up against societal injustice and refusing to participate in cruel or uncompassionate systems), and ultimate abolitionism (reaching profound spiritual liberation and power, akin to Bodhisattva levels).
Writing the book awakened a deeper belief in herself through Harriet Tubman's affirmation, transmitting strength and courage she didn't know she possessed. It fostered a sense of resiliency and the understanding that she is more powerful than she realized.
Nibbana (Pali for Nirvana) is the end of suffering, described by the Buddha in terms of what it isn't: the absence of greed, hatred, and delusion. It is an undescribable state of ultimate freedom from suffering.
13 Actionable Insights
1. Commit to Spiritual Path for Freedom
Commit to a spiritual path, understanding the four noble truths (suffering, cause of suffering, letting go) and the Eightfold Path, to move from despair to freedom and empowerment. This journey requires effort, similar to the historical Underground Railroad.
2. Reckon with Ancestors
Take a deep look at your own ancestors and reckon with the people who came before you, as their actions can impact you negatively and in unseen ways. This helps address unexplained unhappiness and suffering.
3. Heal Ancestral Karmic Lineage
Work on your family tree to heal the karmic lineage by becoming conscious of ancestral programs and conditions, which can lead to greater happiness, joy, and a feeling of lightness. This involves understanding the causes and effects inherited from your lineage.
4. Build Relationships with Ancestors
Start a relationship with your ancestors by speaking to them, forgiving them, understanding them, and doing conscious healing work on their behalf. This acknowledges their continued presence and helps resolve their unresolved karma.
5. Utilize Therapeutic Modalities for Ancestors
Engage in ancestor work through modalities like Internal Family Systems (IFS) or family constellation therapy to dialogue with ancestral patterns and energies alive within you. This can open a doorway to the heart and foster compassion.
6. Practice Forgiveness in Lineage
Actively practice forgiveness towards ancestors, especially for past traumas or actions, to ‘put love in our lineage’ and promote healing for both the living and the departed.
7. Abolish Inner Suffering
Engage in ‘inner abolitionism’ by working to abolish the programs of greed, hatred, and delusion within yourself, thereby seeking to end personal suffering.
8. Stand Up to Injustice
Practice ‘outer abolitionism’ by standing up to injustice in society and refusing to participate in cruel or uncompassionate acts, embodying non-cooperation with greed, hatred, and delusion.
9. Verify Claims Through Experience
Do not take claims at face value; instead, check them out for yourself and verify them through your own experience. This approach is recommended by the Buddha for spiritual truths.
10. Practice Willing Suspension of Disbelief
Adopt the attitude of ‘willing suspension of disbelief,’ as recommended by Samuel Coleridge, to remain open-minded to claims that might initially seem unbelievable.
11. Practice Buddhist Meditation
Engage in Buddhist meditation practices, as they have been shown to make a significant difference in personal well-being and are supported by modern research.
12. Draw Strength from Inspiring Figures
Cultivate inner strength and courage by reflecting on the actions and resilience of inspiring figures like Harriet Tubman, using their example to motivate and overcome personal challenges.
13. Support Spring Washam’s Recovery
Contribute to the GoFundMe page set up for Spring Washam to help her with mounting medical bills and financial distress following a serious accident. A link is available in the show notes.
5 Key Quotes
I was the conductor of the Underground Railroad for 10 years, and I can say what most conductors can't say. I never ran my train off the track, and I never lost a passenger.
Harriet Tubman (quoted by Spring Washam)
You don't have to believe it, but it's true.
Munindra (quoted by Dan Harris)
I stand as one, but I come with 10,000.
Maya Angelou (quoted by Spring Washam)
I'm more powerful than I know.
Spring Washam
Nobody thinks of a Black, illiterate, formerly enslaved woman as a great teacher. So be it. But we appear in any form.
Harriet Tubman (quoted by Spring Washam)
1 Protocols
Working with Ancestors for Healing
Spring Washam- Believe that ancestors are real and around us, and that their unresolved karma is tied up and affects us.
- Start a relationship with them by speaking to them, trying to help them, forgiving them, and understanding them.
- Consciously engage in healing work on their behalf, such as visualizing all ancestors in a circle around you.
- Offer them love, forgiveness, and the understanding that 'everybody's okay now, we survived.'
- Consider using modalities like Family Constellation Therapy or working with a trained therapist to facilitate dialogue and healing.