Native American Wisdom, Philsophy, Quotes

Native American wisdom is deep, profound, simple and true. It has passed the test of time. There are countless tribes each with their own language, sacred stories, customs and ceremonies. However, they all share the wisdom of being aware of the Cosmic connection to not only each other but the very earth and skies, trees and rocks, animals and plants.

They teach "walk lightly upon the Earth and live in balance and harmony."

Read the words of that great holy man, Black Elk:

"The first peace, which is the most important,
is that which comes within the souls of people
when they realize their relationship, their oneness,
with the universe and all its powers,
and when they realize that at the center of the universe
dwells the Great Spirit,
and that this center is really everywhere,
it is within each of us."
~ Black Elk - Oglala Sioux ~

They are profoundly spiritual people who have suffered greatly. Their words echo deep in my bones. I hear truth, beauty, and meaning in the words from their holy men and elders.

"From Wakan-Tanka, the Great Mystery,
comes all power.
It is from Wakan-Tanka that the holy man has wisdom
and the power to heal and make holy charms.
Man knows that all healing plants
are given by Wakan-Tanka;
therefore they are holy.
So too is the buffalo holy,
because it is the gift of Wakan-Tanka."
~ Flat-Iron (Maza Blaska) Oglala Sioux Chief ~

"Out of the Indian approach to life
there comes a great freedom -
an intense and absorbing love for nature;
a respect for life;
enriching faith in a Supreme Power;
and principles of truth, honesty, generosity, equity,
and brotherhood as a guide to mundane relations."
~ Luther Standing Bear, Oglala ~

They lived and breathed their spirituality. And so do not forget.

"Every Dawn as it comes is a holy event
and everyday is holy,
for the light comes from "WAKAN-TANKA"
And Also you Must remeber that the Two-leggeds
and All other peoples who Stand upon this Earth
are Sacred and Should be Treated as Such."

~ White Buffalo Woman - Sioux Sacred Woman,
quoted by Black Elk , (Oglala Sioux) 1947 ~

It has become quite a 'fashion' to try to take on Native American teachings. We do this proud nation a dis-service to try to emulate them in a shallow way. They know  (and they always knew)  their kindred-ship with the Earth. We have tried to box them in, silence their words and 'educate' them, lest they cause us to shrivel up in shame!

Those of us who recognise these things can only move forward in love. Ask forgiveness from our Native American brothers and sisters who have managed to retain ancient wisdom.  Their God,  Wankan Tanka is our God too. How can it be other?

We live in very turbulent days and we owe the such a debt of gratitude for their forbearance. Surely now the time has come when we can share and meet in mutual acceptance and thanksgiving that they have kept ancient ceremonies and respect for elders and ancestors alive. We can learn so much about honour from these people.

My Thoughts and Feelings about the Native Americans

Why do I feel such an affinity for the Native American nation?

Quite simply because EVERYTHING they believe in resonates with great power deep in my soul. I am NOT a 'pretend Indian'. However, I do not rule out the possibility that in a previous life I was one. It explains so many things I experienced in childhood.

When we are children we are very close to Spirit and previous lives. It is my belief that the knowlege we bring into the world has been aquired through successive incarnations. This explains so many things that used to make me slightly 'different' in childhood.

When I say different, I do not mean in any way an odd ball. That came later!!! I mean that it was normal for me to see everything as living and full of magical possiblities. My love of nature was overwhelming equaled only by my love of animals. When I watched old 'cowboys and Indians films' my thoughts were always with the Indians.

As I grew and read and learned about what the 'white man' did to this proud and special people, I felt such anguish of soul... I can hardly put it into words. Reading of the massacre at Wounded Knee (this is chronicled in detail in the book 'Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee : An Indian History of the American West' by Dee Brown) left me burning with shame and inner torment that we could have acted in such a despicable fashion and then awarded ourselves medals in commeroration for the 'Valiant Acts!'

What has been done to these people is beyond belief. We thought in the typical arrogance of the British Empire that they were savages... WE were the savages. We sent our missionaries to 'save' them. They never needed saving. The only thing they ever needed saving from was us! Their spirituality and insight was way above anything we could teach them. They had integrity... We had none!

Now, their time has come. We are realising.... 'waking up' to the superior knowlege they always had about living in harmony with the Earth. Walking in balance and respect for the created universe.

They have suffered greatly. Still suffer greatly. My heart is in the Highlands of Scotland... but my soul is with the Native Americans.

I always know and recognise Truth when I read it. Something rises up inside me. It is a physical sensation. A deep joy. A sacred connection where words or explanations become totally redundant. That is what happens when I read Native American Wisdom.

An Indian Prayer

O' GREAT SPIRIT,
Whose voice I hear in the winds,
And whose breath gives life to all the world,
hear me! I am small and weak, I need your
strength and wisdom.

Let Me Walk In Beauty, and make my eyes
ever behold the red and purple sunset.

Make My Hands Respect the things you have
made and my ears sharp to hear your voice.

Make Me Wise so that I may understand the
things you have taught my people.

Let Me Learn the lessons you have hidden
in every leaf and rock.

I Seek Strength, not to be greater than my
brother, but to fight my greatest
enemy...myself.

Make Me Always Ready to come to you with
clean hands and straight eyes.

So When Life Fades, as the fading sunset,
my spirit may come to you
without shame.

(translated by Lakota Sioux Chief Yellow Lark in 1887)
published in Native American Prayers - by the Episcopal Church

What humilty and purity of spirit is demonstrated here!
In what way did we think we could 'educate' them?

 

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