Native American Spirituality

[Spirit Dancer]

Originally Posted by Passionaria

This is dedicated to Spiritdancer and Waxnrope from the depths of my heart I send prayers of: love, care, nourishment, support, timely intervention, resources, and the strength of heart to see you through this difficult journey. I am here for you both, always, with much LOVE.........

Pashi

Pashi
On behalf of my family I thank you
for the light and love you so willingly share we are grateful to you.
Many Blessings Always
SD

[Spirit Dancer]

"The basis of knowledge is the fire, rock, water, and green. But when that power was given to man, he used it to twist his own mind. Tunkashila gave man just one drop of that wisdom."
--Wallace Black Elk, LAKOTA
All of Nature has the wisdom to follow the Natural Laws. All of Nature knows how to live in harmony and use this wisdom in a good way, with exception of the human being. Often we misuse this wisdom. Wisdom always remains with those who use it in the proper way. Nature has used this wisdom well, so now we need to go to Her so we humans can relearn and change our lives. May we start doing this today, before it is too late.

Creator, let me be open to the lessons that Nature can teach me.

[Passionaria]

Originally Posted by Spirit Dancer

"The basis of knowledge is the fire, rock, water, and green. But when that power was given to man, he used it to twist his own mind. Tunkashila gave man just one drop of that wisdom."
--Wallace Black Elk, LAKOTA
All of Nature has the wisdom to follow the Natural Laws. All of Nature knows how to live in harmony and use this wisdom in a good way, with exception of the human being. Often we misuse this wisdom. Wisdom always remains with those who use it in the proper way. Nature has used this wisdom well, so now we need to go to Her so we humans can relearn and change our lives. May we start doing this today, before it is too late.

Creator, let me be open to the lessons that Nature can teach me.

This is the basis for Chinese medicine as well, following Natural laws, and reading the signs. That's why I love the medicine......

Good morning beautiful!!

Pashi

[Andrew, Jr.]

Something I have learned and relearned, and have to remind myself of...I cannot beat out Mother Nature or the Universe. It has nothing to do with nuturing. This is our basic focus of life and living. For example, I found a dragon fly with a broken wing on my deck yesterday. I spent hours trying to figure out how to repair the wing so the dragon fly could survive. In the background the TV is on all about the animals being frozen in the oil spil in the Gulf. So, my neighbor comes home and we are chatting. I told him what I was doing. He asked me why I thought I could win and salvage the insect? I looked at him puzzled. I really had no idea of where he was going with this. He told me it is the circle of life. He told me to let the insect go, to toss it over into the grass. A garden snake or another insect will eat the dragon fly. It is a matter of survival for animals. I cannot stop living or life and how nature is. I can just screw it up - just like what is going on in the Gulf.

Andrew

[2myladyblue]

I found this in a book by Alice Walker:

While we trudge onward, trying to remember what Black Elk observed: that all living beings are essentialy alike, I recommend the wearing of two threads of different colors, one of them, representing the feminine, red. The red thread should be worn on th eleft wrist, closest to the heart, and the brown or white or black thread, representing whatever endangers the feminine, the Grandmother, Earth, on the right. These wil remind us to stay awake.

~Blue

[2myladyblue]

For many years now, I've been blessed to be included in an aboriginal women's spiritual gathering. A local elder invited women to her land for one weekend a year to take part in singing, drumming, circles and ceremonies. Other elders were often included to share their teachings as well.

That first year, I was so moved by the experience of my first sweat, everything I had heard and learned and all the new friends I had made, that I went up to this amazing woman to thank her. I remember telling her that she had changed my life and I will never forget how she corrected me..."you are changing your life", (These words turned out to be far more prophetic than I realized at the time). I continued to attend these gatherings over the years as often as I could and met many amazing women and learned so much.

One year in particular, I remember being especially concerned by the very likely perception that I was (mis)appropriating aboriginal culture. I felt as though I was an intruder...a white woman, taking the place of a native woman who should be there to experience and reclaim her culture.

I shared these thoughts with another woman I had gotten to know...and she shared her perspective with me. She pointed out that there wasn't that much difference in our skin colours (I think she may have even referred to herself as "a white indian") and she told me that it didn't matter if I wasn't aboriginal, because its what's on the inside that counts, and if that's the way we looked at it, she thought I was more "native" than a lot of native people.

I finally felt more than welcome...I felt at home (maybe even in my own skin, for the first time) and I went back the next year and asked my elder to give me my spirit name. I have continued to go back and take part and share and learn and grow with the other women who attend. In more recent years, the circle has grown to include transwomen. And every day, I remember what I started learning that first weekend that I found myself surounded by some of the most amazing and beautiful women I've ever met...We are all teachers and healers.

(Meegwetch ni kookum)

~LadyBlue

[Spirit Dancer]

Originally Posted by 2myladyblue

For many years now, I've been blessed to be included in an aboriginal women's spiritual gathering. A local elder invited women to her land for one weekend a year to take part in singing, drumming, circles and ceremonies. Other elders were often included to share their teachings as well.

That first year, I was so moved by the experience of my first sweat, everything I had heard and learned and all the new friends I had made, that I went up to this amazing woman to thank her. I remember telling her that she had changed my life and I will never forget how she corrected me..."you are changing your life", (These words turned out to be far more prophetic than I realized at the time). I continued to attend these gatherings over the years as often as I could and met many amazing women and learned so much.

One year in particular, I remember being especially concerned by the very likely perception that I was (mis)appropriating aboriginal culture. I felt as though I was an intruder...a white woman, taking the place of a native woman who should be there to experience and reclaim her culture.

I shared these thoughts with another woman I had gotten to know...and she shared her perspective with me. She pointed out that there wasn't that much difference in our skin colours (I think she may have even referred to herself as "a white indian") and she told me that it didn't matter if I wasn't aboriginal, because its what's on the inside that counts, and if that's the way we looked at it, she thought I was more "native" than a lot of native people.

I finally felt more than welcome...I felt at home (maybe even in my own skin, for the first time) and I went back the next year and asked my elder to give me my spirit name. I have continued to go back and take part and share and learn and grow with the other women who attend. In more recent years, the circle has grown to include transwomen. And every day, I remember what I started learning that first weekend that I found myself surounded by some of the most amazing and beautiful women I've ever met...We are all teachers and healers.

(Meegwetch ni kookum)

~LadyBlue

LadyBlue
Thank you so much for sharing this powerful life experience, I pleased to hear how welcoming you felt,
and that you have continued to return. How wonderful that transwomen are also included.
Welcome to the thread and again thank you.
Spirit Dancer

[Spirit Dancer]

"Today, what is important for us is to realize that the old sacred ways are correct, and that if we do not follow them we will be lost and without a guide."
--Thomas Yellowtail, CROW
A long time ago the Creator gave to the people all the knowledge on how we should live and conduct ourselves. The Native people have been influenced by outside "tribes" who don't know about the Sacred Way. Our Elders still know about the old sacred ways. We need to consult and talk to them before it's too late. Every family needs to seriously evaluate whether they are living according to the old knowledge. If we are fault finding, putting one another down, being selfish, being violent to our spouses or children, if we are cheating and being dishonest, then we are not living the old Sacred Way. The old way is about respect, love, forgiveness and sharing.

Great Spirt, today, teach me the old Sacred Way you taught my ancestors

[Spirit Dancer]

[Passionaria]

** giggling we're on video mode

[Spirit Dancer]

"For me, the essence of a medicine man's life is to be humble, to have great patience, to be close to the Earth, to live as simply as possible, and to never stop learning."
--Archie Fir Lame Deer, LAKOTA
The Medicine people focus on their Being, not their doing. After all, we are human beings not human doings. The Medicine people are very patient and consciously trying to live a life of humility. Medicine people are servant leaders. Their main purpose is to serve the needs of others. By this service attitude, they become the leaders people listen to and the leaders the people want to follow. The Medicine people say everyone is their teacher. Maybe we should try to live this way ourselves; humble, patient, honoring the Earth and listening to our teachers.

Grandfather, today, let me know all people are my teachers and I am the student.

[Spirit Dancer]

be humble and you will remain entire.
the sages do not display themselves, therefore they shine.
they do not approve themselves, therefore they are noted.
they do not praise themselves, therefore they have merit.
they do not glory in themselves, therefore they excel.

lao-tzu

[Passionaria]

This is a piece of my very soul.....

Sometimes the most beautiful things are said with no words at all.....

[Spirit Dancer]

"Your power comes from the songs."
--Ethel Wilson, COWICHAN
If you do not know any of the songs, ask an Elder to teach you. Get yourself a drum. When you sing a song and play the drum, you'll be surprised how your mind, body, and spirit will react. Everything becomes calm and joyful. Our bodies love the songs. The songs allow us to touch the hand of the Creator. When we sing and touch the Great Spirit's hand, He gives us power. Songs are another way to pray.

My Grandfather, teach me a song today.

[Spirit Dancer]

"I am particularly fond of the little groves of oak trees. I love to look at them, because they endure the wintry storm and the summer's heat, and, not unlike ourselves, seem to flourish by them."
--Sitting Bull, SIOUX
Every season, Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter, has gifts that it gives to all creatures. The animals will develop thicker furs just before Winter and will shed this fur in the Spring. Squirrels will store their food in the Fall; other animals build up fat so they can hibernate during the Winter. We can watch all forms of nature and see all creatures work in harmony with the seasons. The secret for us is to learn by observing nature. Watch the trees. Learn from them. We human beings need to learn the gifts and blessings of the seasons.

Grandfather, Grandmother, teach me to live in harmony with the seasons.

[Spirit Dancer]

Great Spirit
This day I am in awe of my surroundings.
We are blessed to see mother nature and her
gifts as the birds tunes carries across the tress.
Many blessings, you show us in nature and people,
even when we're not sure of the message, it is there.
We had the pleasure of sharing a meal with
wonderful company, with laughter and conversation
to lighten a tired heart. Today there is a pep
in my step and my heart is full with the blessings you sent me
in the forms of friends and nature.
Great Spirit today I thank you
for those gifts of nature and friends.
Spirit Dancer

[Spirit Dancer]

"Respect should be given those indigenous nations who still carry on their ceremonies; still following the ancient laws of nature with songs and ceremonies."
--Oren R. Lyons, Spokesman, Traditional Circle of Elders
Many of our Tribes still have the ceremonies, songs and traditions. Today, the ceremonies and songs are coming back even stronger. The Elders have a lot of this knowledge. The young people need to learn these songs and traditions from the Elders. This is the strength of the people. The ancient Wisdom and Knowledge of ancient Laws are hidden in the ceremonies and songs. We should seek out these songs and ceremonies.

Great Spirit, teach me the songs and ceremonies. Make my eyes open to see.

[Spirit Dancer]

The beauty of the trees, the softness of the air,
the fragrance of the grass, they speak to me.
The summit of the mountain, the thunder of the sky,
the rhythm of the sea, speaks to me.
The faintness of the stars, the freshness of the morning,
the dewdrop on the flower, speaks to me.
The strength of the fire, the taste of the salmon,
the trail of the sun, and the life that never goes away,
they speak to me.
And my heart soars.

Chief Dan George

[Spirit Dancer]

Love is something you and I must have. We must have it because
our spirit feeds upon it. We must have it because without it we
become weak and faint. Without love our self-esteem weakens.
Without it our courage fails. Without love we can no longer look
confidently at the world. We turn inward and begin to feed upon
our own personalities, and little by little we destroy ourselves.
With it we are creative. With it we march tirelessly. With it, and
with it alone, we are able to sacrifice for others.

Chief Dan George

[Spirit Dancer]

"But in the Indian Spirit the land is still vested; it will be until other men are able to divine and meet its rhythm. Men must be born and reborn to belong. Their bodies must be formed of the dust of their forefathers' bones."
--Luther Standing Bear, OGLALA SIOUX
It is said when we walk on the Earth, we are walking on our ancestors and our unborn children. This is the relationship Native People have with the Earth. It is this relationship which gives insight into the Earth's rhythm and heartbeat and creates the feeling of belonging. If you feel you belong to something, you'll treat it with respect. If you feel you are above something, you'll treat it with disrespect. Indian Spirituality is tied to the Earth. We belong to the Earth along with all other creatures on the Earth. We must align to this realization.

Great Spirit, today, teach me to respect the Earth Mother.