ARTICLES OF HOLLOW FAITH
Hollow Bone Ranch is a registered Nonprofit Church that focuses on the ancient practice of Shamanism. Shamanism is widely considered to be the oldest religion on the planet, but it was practiced long before the concepts of “religion” or “church” were formally created as we understand them today. Even though our organization exists as a church entity and meets the criteria for such a classification, in order to remain true to this ancient practice, we do not make use of the words “church”or “religion” in our literature. However, if those words resonate for you, we welcome you to employ them.
The word Shaman is literally translated as “one who knows”. Shamanism is the ancient, tribal path to Truth, Awakening, and Liberation, and its practice has been found among tribal cultures from all parts of the globe and throughout human history. Shamans, as part of their ancient initiation, were sent away, completely alone and away from the tribe, to fend for themselves and discover the truth of who they were, with only the clear mirror of Nature — and their own capacity for self-inquiry — as their guide. Hollow Bone Ranch exists to be a finger pointing to Truth, using the ancient context of Shamanism as its vehicle. We do not claim, however, that this is the only path to this (re)discovery, though it perhaps may be the only path for some; it is simply one of many.
One could also use the words God, Enlightenment, Beingness, Great Mystery, or Creator, among many others, in place of the word “Truth”. Humans throughout history have used many words to describe this ineffable, unifying presence. For ease of understanding, we use the word “Truth” as a catch-all term in our literature, though others too may be employed if one resonates for you.
One’s path to Truth is one’s own. We are not here to tell others how to live, to “save” or “heal” anyone, or to preach anything whatsoever. Our invitation is to realize Truth for one’s self, through deep self-inquiry. This realization is not one which can be amassed via books, study, certifications, thinking, intellectualizing, reading, or even by listening to another talk about it. But, rather, it is a discovery which can only be regained through direct experience.
To attempt to describe the Truth is unavoidably filled with paradox, leading many statements to appear to negate others. This is the paradox-laden nature of reality, duality, and form, but in truth there exists no such paradox. Because when Truth is not only realized but also comes to be embodied, all seeming paradox dissolves and only the ineffable remains.
Truth lies beyond all concepts, all labels, all identity, all words, all beliefs, all opinions, all preferences, and all thoughts. Therefore, all words — including our own documents — will never adequately capture it, and can only ever be used as a pointer, never a dogma or gospel. The mind cannot grasp Truth, and will fail over and over attempting to do so. The mind, the ego, and the self are not what realize or awaken to Truth. Awakeness is already, and always has been, the very foundation of your being. Realization of Truth is the realization of what has always already been here—of what you have always already been. It is prior to thought, prior to form, prior to experience, prior to what you take yourself to be, prior to language and words, and prior to your notion of reality itself. Truth is that which remains when all else is stripped away.
We encourage you not to take us at our word, but rather to come and discover the Truth for yourself. Come and see for yourself who you really are.
HOLLOW TENETS
NATURE IS THE CLEAREST TEACHER OF TRUTH.
The natural world is our Shamanic Cathedral, of sorts, with every aspect having something unique and essential to offer in this (re)discovery. As such, our pointings utilize many aspects of Nature, including and especially plant sacraments. These are one of the integral components of Shamanism, and they serve to strip away the veil of beliefs which appears to separate one from the Truth. Without these plant teachers, Shamanism ceases to be Shamanism. As humans, we cannot guide or walk others to Truth, we can only point the way — one must find Truth fully alone. That is the purpose of our sacraments: to facilitate this solitary path of self-inquiry. But don’t take us at our word. Come and see for yourself who you really are.
YOU ARE ALREADY THAT WHICH YOU SEEK.
You are the Truth. But not the “you” that you take yourself to be. Confused yet? Truth is the foundation of what you really are. It lies behind all of your beliefs, opinions, identities, labels, preferences, personality traits, thoughts, and physicality. Truth is your innate wholeness, which needs nothing added to it, taken away, or changed. Truth is what remains when identification with mind, ego, and even self are dropped. Truth can never be lost, because it is what you already are. But don’t take us at our word. Come and see for yourself who you really are.
WHO YOU TAKE YOURSELF TO BE IS THE ONLY THING IN THE WAY OF (RE)DISCOVERING THE TRUTH.
Truth realization, self-realization, liberation, awakening, or whatever term you care to use, occurs as a byproduct of the stripping away, layer by layer, of one’s sense of self, and thereby, of the sense of separation which lies at the root of all human suffering. This (re)discovery, while daunting, is incredibly simple. So simple, in fact, that the human mind cannot make sense of it, though it will undoubtedly try. The sense of self that you believe to be what you are is the only thing obscuring the Truth of being, and to awaken to the Truth requires the dissolving of all sense of self and of everything you’ve ever believed yourself to be. This (re)discovery is not an intellectual endeavor, meaning it is not enough to believe that no separation exists. Rather, this (re)discovery is one which eventually consumes the felt sense of being a separate someone. This awakening is, in a very real sense, to “Die before you die.” Hollow Bone Ranch exists to be a finger, ever pointing you back to Truth. Back to what you really are. But don’t take us at our word. Come and see for yourself who you really are.