|
Native American Spirituality
A place to post thoughts and share Native ways. Words of an anonymous Native American woman "If you take the christian bible and put it in the wind and rain, soon the paper on which the words are printed will disintegrate and the words will be gone. Our bible is the wind and the rain." |
Words of Black Elk, Lakota Holy Man of the Oglala Sioux "Everything the power of the world does is done in a circle. The Sky is round, and I have heard that the Earth is round like a ball and so are the stars. The wind, in its greatest power, whirls. Birds make their nests in circles, for theirs is the same religion as ours. The sun comes forth and goes down again in a circle. The moon does the same, and both are round. Even the seasons form a great circle in their changing and always come back where they were. The life of a human being is a circle from childhood to childhood, and so it is in everything where power moves." |
Once you have heard the meadowlark and caught the scent of fresh-plowed earth, peace cannot escape you. Sequichie |
Earth teach me stillness as the grasses are stilled with light. Earth teach me suffering as old stones suffer with memory. Earth teach me humility as blossoms are humble with beginning. Earth teach me caring as the mother who secures her young. Earth teach me courage as the tree which stands all alone. Earth teach me limitation as the ant which crawls on the ground. Earth teach me freedom as the eagle which soars in the sky. Earth teach me resignation as the leaves which die in the fall. Earth teach me regeneration as the seed which rises in the spring. Earth teach me to forget myself as melted snow forgets its life. Earth teach me to remember kindness as dry fields weep with rain. Ute prayer |
When a man does a piece of work which is admired by all we say that it is wonderful; but when we see the changes of day and night, the sun, the moon, and the stars in the sky, and the changing seasons upon the earch, with their ripening fruits, anyone must realize that it is the work of someone more powerful than man. Chased By Bears Santee Lakota |
amazing..thank you for enlightening us with these writings
|
Thank you for starting this thread. I am not Native American, but I have the most respect for those who are. I will be following here for inspiration.
Namaste, Andrew |
Quote:
Quote:
I'm glad you both enjoy the elders sayings, feel free to share:) |
May the stars carry your sadness away, May the flowers fill your heart with beauty, May hope forever wipe away your tears, And, above all, may silence make you strong. Chief Dan George |
Hold On
Hold on to what is good, Even if it's a handful of earth. Hold on to what you believe, Even if it's a tree that stands by itself. Hold on to what you must do, Even if it's a long way from here. Hold on to your life, Even if it's easier to let go. Hold on to my hand, Even if someday I'll be gone away from you. A Pueblo Indian Prayer |
"We who are clay blended by the Master Potter, come from the kiln of Creation in many hues. How can people say one skin is colored, when each has its own coloration? What should it matter that one bowl is dark and the other pale, if each is of good design and serves its purpose well."
~Polingaysi Qoyawayma, Hopi ~ |
sister owl-
Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect.
There is no death. Only a change of worlds. When the Earth is sick, the animals will begin to disappear, when that happens, The Warriors of the Rainbow will come to save them. - - Chief Seattle Crowfoot, Blackfoot warrior and orator: "What is life? It is the flash of a firefly in the night. It is the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime. It is the little shadow which runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset." |
Certain things catch your eye, But pursue only those that capture your heart.
~ An old indian saying Red Cloud (Makhipiya-luta) Sioux Chief: I am poor and naked but I am the chief of a nation. We do not want riches but we do want to train our children right. Riches would do us no good. We could not take them with us to the other world. We do not want riches. We want peace and love. Qwatsinas, Nuxalk Nation: We must protect the forests for our children, grandchildren and children yet to be born. We must protect the forests for those who can't speak for themselves such as the birds, animals, fish and trees. Luther Standing Bear, Oglala Sioux Chief : Conversation was never begun at once, nor in a hurried manner. No one was quick with a question, no matter how important, and no one was pressed for an answer. A pause giving time for thought was the truly courteous way of beginning and conducting a conversation. Silence was meaningful with the Lakota, and his granting a space of silence to the speech-maker and his own moment of silence before talking was done in the practice of true politeness and regard for the rule that "thought comes before speech. There is a road in the hearts of all of us, hidden and seldom traveled, which leads to an unkown, secret place. The old people came literally to love the soil, and they sat or reclined on the ground with a feeling of being close to a mothering power. Their teepees were built upon the earth and their altars were made of earth. The soul was soothing, strengthening, cleansing and healing. That is why the old Indian still sits upon the earth instead of propping himself up and away from its life giving forces. For him, to sit or lie upon the ground is to be able to think more deeply and to feel more keenly. He can see more clearly into the mysteries of life and come closer in kinship to other lives about him. |
Just out of curiosity, is this thread going to be more than people simply posting quotes from our First Nations brothers and sisters (and Ancestors)? It appears that way. Frankly, I am glad to read them, but came in this thread sincerely hoping for some good conversation beyond quotations.
:stillheart: cara |
:flyingpig::rubberducky::penguin:
cara, hi :) i find this thread lovely for placing daily meditations- all across the board. it's fairly new, so the potential is there i think, for much to unfold. i do actually have experiences/resources to contribute with regard to grandparents [cherokee and shawnee]- though when i will post them, i cannot really be sure! some understandings are deeply personal such as how we may be taught about guides and visions. |
Quote:
First welcome to the thread, yes I too was hoping for conversation but without knowing how the thread would go or not go, I started with quotes as not to be conversing with myself. So come share your insights and beliefs all are welcome and i look forward to it.:rrose: |
Upon reading this quote and thinking on the words I wonder how many of you feel the same as Jim Pell?
In our household you lived and breathed your heritage, and ours was a blended house divided we were taught the heritage of our ancestors from both sides. Discrimination based on blood quantum wasn't allowed my family wouldn't permit it, their pride in heritage and beliefs ran strong. "There is no such thing as 'part-Cherokee.' Either you're Cherokee or you're not. It isn't the quantity of Cherokee blood in your veins that is important, but the quality of it . . . your pride in it. I have seen full-bloods who have virtually no idea of the great legacy entrusted to their care. Yet, I have seen people with as little as 1/500th blood quantum who inspire the spirits of their ancestors because they make being Cherokee a proud part of a their everyday life." ~Jim Pell: Principal Chief of the North Alabama Cherokee Tribe ~ |
“Walk tall as the trees; live strong as the mountains; be gentle as the spring winds; keep the warmth of summer in your heart, and the Great Spirit will always be with you.”
Anonymous Native American |
Walela ~ Wash Your Spirit Clean
A little late night gift for you......... [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRFuc9bVO4M"]YouTube- Wash Your Spirit Clean (Song in Cherokee and English by Walela)[/ame] Walela one of my favorites, Pasionaria :rose: |
Quote:
O'siyo Welcome to the thread and thank you I adore Walela, hoping your late nite is plesant.:moonstars: |
There!
Quote:
Actually, I think many tribal quotations (?) are often great and profound words of wisdom. For they represent truth, tradition, and great respect for all that lives... leaf or rock, the wind and the trees, the appreciation of beautiful sunsets, the streams/lakes, Moon & Stars, Mother Earth/Nature in all of her glory, beauty, and phases - and on and on and on... :wolf: Just out of curiosity now myself, I am looking forward to more than "simply posted quotes" coming from you. Actually, I should check in case you started your own thread... will do that now. __ Nice thread start OP'er, Spirit Dancer. Thank you. :rrose: WILDCAT :moonstars: |
Always loved this...
Got this as an email several years back, had it printed - and have it on my wall here:
Two Wolves One evening an old Cherokee man told his grandson about the battle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between the two wolves inside us all. One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentement, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith". The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf wins"? The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed". |
I find this interesting. When I go ghost hunting or am in the presence of the paranormal, it is common to say this Navajo Prayer. It goes like this, " Peace before us, peace behind us, peace under our feet. Peace within us, peace over us, let all around us be peace." Then we say "The Lord's Prayer". Both are said today in Christain Churches.
Andrew :pipe: |
I never heard the Dine people (what they call themselves among themselves) talk about peace............beauty yes.........
It figures the Christians would continue to bastardize Dine spiritual practices; they have been doing it in this country over 500 years. Here is how the Dine say that prayer: The Beauty Way is a Dine prayer Always walk in Beauty ahead of me Always walk in Beauty behind me Always walk in Beauty above me Always walk in Beauty below me And All around me. Always walk in Beauty |
:reader:
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
|
"Day and night cannot dwell together. Your religion was written on tables of stone, ours was written on our hearts."
"Our bare feet are conscious of the sympathetic touch of our ancestors as we walk over this Earth." ~Chief Seattle, Duwamish-Suquamish~ "When temptations comes, I don't say, "Yes," and I don't say, "No," I say, "Later." I just keep walking the Red Road--down the middle. When you're in the middle, you don't go to either extreme. You allow both sides to exist." ~Dr. A. C. Ross~Lakota |
Who Are We?
The first spiritual law of success is the law of pure potentiality. This law is based on the fact that we are, in our essential state, pure consciousness. Pure consciousness is pure potentiality; it is the field of all possibilities and infinite creativity. Pure consciousness is our spiritual essence. Being infinite and unbounded, it is also pure joy. Other attributes of consciousness are: pure knowledge, infinite silence, perfect balance, invincibility, simplicity, and bliss. This is our essential nature. Our essential nature is one of pure potentiality. ~ Deepak Chopra ~ |
s u c h - m u c h
pure consciousness!
venomous semiaquatic pitvipers lifting of a shadowy lake, aggressively racing onto the land to strike after swimming dogs ; osprey mother raising a family inside of a towering dead cypress ; soundless/unspoken owl moving past, then perching, deep inside the forest -my clumsy intrusion long recognised by her ; lichens ; forest floor: the greenest sea of ferns ; gopher tortoises eating grass ; spider webs ; & walking fields for miles and a small snake crossing over my foot - |
Quote:
|
Spirit Dancer,
Hello my friend! It is good to see you as well. As for your question as to what came first, peace or the beauty prayer...I have no idea. I learned the Navajo Prayer from a very good friend of mine. Love, Andrew **For everyone, please be safe in this crazy weather** |
“The crow wished everything was black, the owl, that every thing was white.”
-- William Blake |
I celebrate the Full Moon. Time of love sharing/growing. Ceremony starts with cleansing with white sage, sweet grass, cedar, and tobacco. Using the Medicine Wheel, first to identify my path in the last cycle, then to commit improve during the next cycle. Full Moon ceremony is the Healing ceremony, this is the time I ask Spirit for healing for those I know need healing at some level. Then, for those who I am not aware need healing. Last asking for healing of my neighbors, my city, state, country, world, universe.
|
I have a question...
FF or anyone really,
Where do you find info on medicine men that still practice? And in your perspective what is more - I am not sure of what the word is - effective Chinese or Native Americans in terms of healing? Thank you for your insight. Namaste, Andrew |
andrew,
if you have an american indian center, national center for native american culture, college, or sources for native american goods- you might start there. if you get involved with pow wows in your area [or away from], meeting people there may lead you to find what you are seeking. best, belle ox |
Quote:
No one can say which is more effective for a white person. If by Chinese medicine you mean herbs and acupuncture, my experience is they work for some things for me. Herbs not so much. My body readily responds to acupuncture for my asthma and allergies. I also found it useful for fatigue. I never seriously tried it for chronic pain.........I was not willing to have needles stuck in my body every other day for probably a month, followed by weekly treatments forever. Besides I only ever found one woman acupuncturist whose skills actually worked for me (other than the old woman in SF Chinatown who spoke no English and healed my asthma with one treatment for about 3-4 years) I probably have been to around 5-6 different acupuncturists in different states. The Japanese use a different system of acupuncture.... different meridians (acupuncture points). I have no personal experience with Japanese acupuncture. There is no one Native American healing method. If you are talking about the use of herbs, then different herbs are used by different tribes based on where they live. The other basis for indigenous peoples healing practices is on a spiritual level and has to do with returning harmony to the physical and spiritual bodies. That would be the chanting/singing, eagle feathers and smudging you see in western movies....although it is a hollywood bastardization of the healing ceremonies. Different tribes have different ceremonies for the same things. For a white person to just go to a shaman and expect healing is folly. Healing is based on the cosmology (the way the world is seen) of the particular tribe of the shaman. Your ancestors have their own ceremonies and healing practices. You might consider seeking those out for yourself. And I would also say...........healing is not the same as curing. I personally prefer healing over curing. If I am cured but not healed, then the cure is just a band-aid. The dis-ease will return in one form or another until I am healed. |
:givingarose: Violaine, thank you for your advice.
:harley: Toughy, thank you for your advice. Namaste, Andrew |
Traditions vary
Andrew
I am not Native American in this life. I have learned various ceremonies from people I have met and/or loved in my lifetime. I have an eclectic believe system. I am Norweigan/Swedish mostly. These traditional belief systems have some things in common with the North American 'indigenous' people, such as respect for the balance in nature with oneself, use of herbs in healing ceremonies, use of 'sweats' to remove negative energy/illness and purification. Following moon phases (to my knowledge) for healing in not part any American native way but is Nordic. I do follow the medicine wheel in my daily life. I pray, meditate, and confer with my Ancestors. I use the Chinese belief of energy flow for maintaining health. I believe in the Great Spirit but I do not believe Spirit has a one sex, so I refer to IT. I have been fortunate to have been taught by Dine, Choctaw, Kickapoo, and White Mountain Apache persons about use to plants used for healing. I have never sought out healers. When it's time, they appear in my life. Before you use anything you might learn, you really need to understand the culture that uses it and why it is used. |
[QUOTE=Toughy;42395]Andrew my friend.......
No one can say which is more effective for a white person. If by Chinese medicine you mean herbs and acupuncture, my experience is they work for some things for me. Herbs not so much. My body readily responds to acupuncture for my asthma and allergies. I also found it useful for fatigue. I never seriously tried it for chronic pain.........I was not willing to have needles stuck in my body every other day for probably a month, followed by weekly treatments forever. Besides I only ever found one woman acupuncturist whose skills actually worked for me (other than the old woman in SF Chinatown who spoke no English and healed my asthma with one treatment for about 3-4 years) I probably have been to around 5-6 different acupuncturists in different states. The Japanese use a different system of acupuncture.... different meridians (acupuncture points). I have no personal experience with Japanese acupuncture. There is no one Native American healing method. If you are talking about the use of herbs, then different herbs are used by different tribes based on where they live. The other basis for indigenous peoples healing practices is on a spiritual level and has to do with returning harmony to the physical and spiritual bodies. That would be the chanting/singing, eagle feathers and smudging you see in western movies....although it is a hollywood bastardization of the healing ceremonies. Different tribes have different ceremonies for the same things. For a white person to just go to a shaman and expect healing is folly. Healing is based on the cosmology (the way the world is seen) of the particular tribe of the shaman. Your ancestors have their own ceremonies and healing practices. You might consider seeking those out for yourself. And I would also say...........healing is not the same as curing. I personally prefer healing over curing. If I am cured but not healed, then the cure is just a band-aid. The dis-ease will return in one form or another until I am healed.[/QUOTE] Toughy, I want to thank you for sharing this here, I cannot tell you how many people will ask a Shaman to "Cure" them or what is the "Cure" for their illness. Most have never been to a healing ceremony. They have no idea the traditions and beliefs that are taught for generations, an easy fix with an herb is what most seek. Herbs are not for everyone and have a very adverse effect on some. |
There are many things to be shared with the Four Colors of humanity in our common destiny
as one with our Mother the Earth. It is this sharing that must be considered with great care by the Elders and the medicine people who carry the Sacred Trusts, so that no harm may come to people through ignorance and misuse of these powerful forces. Resolution of the Fifth Annual Meetings of the Traditional Elders Circle, 1980 |
Among the Indians there have been no written laws. Customs handed down from generation
to generation have been the only laws to guide them. Every one might act different from what was considered right did he choose to do so, but such acts would bring upon him the censure of the Nation . . . . This fear of the Nation's censure acted as a mighty band, binding all in one social, honorable compact. George Copway (Kah-ge-ga-bowh) |
| All times are GMT -6. The time now is 09:19 PM. |
ButchFemmePlanet.com
All information copyright of BFP 2018