8. Genetic Memory

Billie was sitting straight, eyes closed but filled with excitement. On her way back from a rather disappointing dinner with her boyfriend, she happened to see her local dealer walking down the street, accompanied by Mr. Dean, the judge of the dome. Of course, she couldn’t approach the two of them straight away to buy weed alongside his honor, so she decided to follow them until they parted ways. To her surprise, they did not. Eventually, they reached the elevator, apparently leaving the dome. Why? Instinctively, she sneaked in with the lift when it arrived. Once the doors were closed, there was no turning back. But for some reason, they seemed to feel just as caught as she did. Jasper, smelling a business opportunity, was the first to regain his composure. “Well, now that you’re here, lucky girl, interested in buying a trip?” Mr. Dean was having a hard time staying seated. He wiped beads of sweat from his forehead, feeling the intensity of the heat inside the sweat lodge. The glow from the red-hot stones in the center of the sweat lodge cast flickering shadows on the faces of the four. Despite the discomfort, Mr. Dean knew this was an opportunity for a profound experience beyond the possibilities inside the dome. The voice of Jaspers mother led the group in ancient chants and prayers. The rhythm of the drum echoed in Mr. Dean’s chest, synchronizing with the thumping of his heart. The sacred songs seemed to lift the spirits of everyone present, creating a mystical ambiance that transcended the physical space of the lodge. Lost in the ceremony, Mr. Dean’s thoughts drifted away from the discomfort of the heat. He began to see flashes of vivid images in his mind’s eye – memories from his childhood with his brother when they were young, moments of joy and pain, and a profound sense of gratitude for the life he had lived. Tears streamed down his cheeks, mingling with the sweat, as he released burdens he wasn’t even aware of. It was a cathartic release, a letting go of the weight that had unconsciously tortured his soul. „Feel the sensation. Release all resistance and sink even deeper into your body. Feel how our bodies are made of stardust, of particles and genes that have been passing information down through countless generations. Within us lies the entire evolutionary history of humankind, and possibly, the universe.”„You mean, the experiences of our ancestors are somehow imprinted within us?” Wondered Billie. “Yes, my love. The lives of those who came before us echo in our DNA. The resilience of our forebears, their survival instincts, and their innate wisdom flow through our veins. We carry within us the strength of generations past, their knowledge and lessons guiding us through our own journey.” „What does this mean for us?“ Asked Mr. Dean, trying to distract his mind from the heat. Jasper’s mother smiled gently. “It means that we are never truly alone. We are part of a long line of ancestors who have faced challenges and overcome them. Our journey is interwoven with theirs, and we have the opportunity to build upon their wisdom. As we embrace our ancestral heritage, we gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and our place in the world.” Billie carefully absorbed the words of the woman, not feeling capable of grasping their whole meaning yet. Instead, she got swept into a memory that suddenly came up surprisingly vividly. She saw the vivid memory of her young self, walking alongside her dad, many years ago.