Sharing the “HU”

Guest Post by Dennis Ernst

While attending a retreat at a remote location in the Oregon Coast Range, I had a unique opportunity to share the sacred mantra of “HU.” I had gotten up a dawn to take a walk before breakfast and hiked up a gravel road, in the early morning rain. The road wound its way along a creek for a half a mile before starting up a steep ridge. I noticed a variety of wildlife along the creek. Canadian geese, a duck, many birds and even a blacktail deer. A little later I saw an elk, feeding on the early spring grass along the brushy bank.

I followed the road for another mile or so, until it reached the top of the ridge. The clouds were low and obscured my view of the valley below, so I began walking back to the lodge. When I came to the bridge which crossed the creek, I stopped to look at the creek and listen to the rushing water. I noticed a small game trail leading down to the creek near the end of the bridge, so I followed it down to the creek.

Under the bridge there was a large dry, mossy rock perched right on the edge of the creek. It looked like a great place to do a contemplation and listen to the creek. I made myself comfortable and closed my eyes while softly singing HU.

After a while I finished my contemplation and opened my eyes. I was still very softly singing HU. The first thing I noticed was a bull elk not more than thirty feet away, curiously looking at me. I stopped singing HU, so I wouldn’t startle it. The bull began to walk away warily watching me. I started to sing HU again, only just a little louder now. The elk turned around immediately and cautiously started making its way back toward me.

I kept singing HU, and the elk came even closer than before! I could clearly see two large bumps on its head which would soon be new velvety horns and watched as it cocked its head first one way than the other. I sang HU a little louder and, to my surprise, the elk began making “elk sounds” with me. We each sang our own version of the HU together for a little while, then the elk snorted as if to say “May the Blessings Be,” and meandered off.

This was not my first experience with the HU and animals, and it was very clear that the elk understood there was something special about that sound. As I began making my way back toward the lodge, I thanked my Inner Teacher for the opportunity to share the HU. A deep inner knowingness swept across my mind, and I understood the HU is for all life and not just people.

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Dennis Ernst is a retired Professional Land Surveyor who now devotes his time to sharing the natural beauty he finds on his many treks through photography, blogs, and poetry. Please visit his website, Dennis Ernst Photography, for a glimpse into his fascinating world.