Mutant Message Down Under

We gathered to discuss Mutant Message Down Under by Marlo Morgan March 20th. Megan provided some outstanding refreshments, homemade berry pie with lemon-vanilla ice cream. I know you're kicking yourself now if you missed it. Inevitably, the controversy surrounding the book carried into our discussion. Basically, the question is, "Did the incidents depicted really happen or did the author create a story to deliver a message she came to believe in?" A list for the skeptics:

1. Publisher was unable to verify her educational degrees
2. Although she claims to be a health practitioner, she doesn't use any title, MD, OD etc.
3. Aboriginal counsel organization from Australia has tried to block publication of the book, the making of a movie based on the book and they have organized protests at various speaking engagements of the author.
4. Discrepancies cited by the aboriginals include 1) water is not used in food preparation 2) dung is not gathered for fuel 3) Real People is a native American term not used in Australia 4) Male and female rites are strictly segregated even to penalty of death.
5. The aboriginal who offered the letter of support later recanted.

Here's a website if you're drawn by the controversy and want to know more: http://www.creativespirits.de/resources/books/mutantmessage_timeline.html

Having dealt with the controversy, we still found much to discuss. We felt pretty incredulous that the narrator didn't freak out given the situation or that family back home or others close to her didn't sound the alarm. Some felt dubious about the lengthy kangaroo tail conversation, and I have to say the communication in general, even verbally, in reality would have proved a lot harder, even with an interpreter.

Forgetting these short comings, we found many appealing ideas in the narrative. We liked the idea of not celebrating a birthday because a year has past, but because you have experienced something worth celebrating. Also, the idea that you give a gift someone wants not that you want them to have. The idea of noncompetion and peaceful recognition of every one's best qualities or role. The idea of having no negativity in thought so that others reading your mind would find no offense. (Not sure about you, but I'm still working on that one.)

We discussed how New Age ideas that were just being rediscovered at the time the book was first published have now become common place-- alternative medicine, aromatherapy, mind/ body connection.

So the question that remains unanswered, did the events take place or did she create them. If she did fabricate it, why? Why did she find it necessary to give the story legitimacy by even implying the events occurred? Perhaps, at that time, the message was just too radical. Possibly, she didn't foresee the impact of her statements or that anyone would care enough to discredit her. Maybe, she just felt strongly about her message of connectedness and was at a point in her life that she felt compelled to share it.