Malaclypse "the 3rd" rose and bowed to the woman. As he responded, he began his own circuit of the Kiva, walking widdershins to counteract the five deosil circuits that Mnemosyn had created. Balance. Always balance.
"To answer your question, fair Mnemosyn, sweat lodges were traditionally segregated in early Amerindian cultures; especially those where the Elders sought spiritual contact with their "guides".
He began the second circuit, feeling the bipolarity caused by the woman's presence relax as he continued:
"In later times, women were allowed to enter the lodge for those 'lesser' ceremonies concerned with purifying the body and clearing the mind. They were excluded only during their monthly 'fertile' periods.
"These restrictions were not made because females were thought to be inferior or 'unclean'. Females were revered as healers. Many became tribal shamans, as they were more attuned to the Earth spirits than their male counterparts, especially during the time of their 'menses'."
Mal completed the fifth circuit of the Kiva, keenly aware of Mnemosyn's gaze. He knew that her intentions were well-meaning; but the old addage of 'too many cooks spoil the broth' applied in this situation. He returned to za-zen, facing the others.
"You are indeed welcome here, my Lady. We have much to discuss. However, your arrival is ill-timed, and our own discussions must wait." He turned his gaze towards Van Mojo. "There is another famous donkey which Mnemosyn has neglected to mention:
"The great and venerable Sufi sage, Mullah Nasrudin, once raced through Bagdad on his donkey, galloping as fast as the poor beast could travel. Everybody got excited, and people rushed into the streets to find out why the philosopher was in such a great hurry.
"'What are you looking for, Mullah?' someone shouted. 'I'm looking for my donkey!' Nasrudin answered.
"Nasrudin was fond of acting out his parables. In this case, he was merely dramatizing a common error made by 'seekers'. We look for the Secret, the Philosopher's Stone, the Elixer of Wisdom, in all directions, and all the time, it is carrying us about! It is the human nervous system itself, the marvelous instrument through which we create order out of chaos, science out of ignorance, meaning out of mystery, and this supposedly 'solid' Kiva out of whirling energies.
"Pope Van Mojo, you donkey has balked because it has forgotten what it is, and what its purpose is. It must simply be reminded. Once it has remembered, the 'race' will continue."
Mal rose, and once again bowed to Mnemosyn. He held out his hands to Josh and Van Mojo.