Native American Spirituality

[Spirit Dancer]

"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 ~

[violaine]

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."

[violaine]

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.

[cara]

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.



cara

[violaine]

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.

[Spirit Dancer]

Originally Posted by cara

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.



cara

Cara
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.

[Spirit Dancer]

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 ~

[Spirit Dancer]

“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

[WILDCAT]

Originally Posted by cara

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.



cara

Now, it's "beyond quotes"...

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...

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.

WILDCAT

[WILDCAT]

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".

[Andrew, Jr.]

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