Thursday 28 June 2018

WISDOM: Native American and others

"The abundance of campaign signs littering lawns prior to every election are not the sign of an enlightened, free society; they are the sign of a mentally and physically enslaved society, bickering over which slave master they want holding the whip."
Larken Rose - the most dangerous superstition

Bear Warrior - distractions along the path

Sometimes we get so caught up on the things going on around us that we lose site of the path we are walking. Some of those things can be the beauty around us or the hard times we may be going through. These things can be very hard distractions and during these times we can not only lose site of the path we are walking but can also get off of the path and begin walking a different path that leads to nowhere. Distractions are just that (distractions). Remember Creator gave you a path to walk. Don't allow the distractions of life take you off course.
Written by Bear Warrior

Friedrich Nietzsche - At the bottom, every man knows

At the bottom every man knows well enough that he is a unique being, only once on this earth; and by no extraordinary chance will such a marvelously picturesque piece of diversity in unity as he is, never to be put together a second time.

Hopi wisdom - humbleness, peace and honesty

"Humbleness means peace and honesty -- both mean Hopi. True, honest, perfect words -- that's what we call Hopi words. In all languages, not just in Hopi. We strive to be Hopi. We call ourselves Hopi because maybe one or two of us will become Hopi. Each person must look into their heart and make changes so that you may become Hopi when you reach your destination."
-- Percy Lomaquahu, HOPI

The Creator has made available to us all the laws, principles and values which we need to know to live in harmony. The Creator also designed each human being to learn and grow by trial and error. We have tools to help us live the right way. We have prayers, visions, nature, teachers, Elders, and we have the Great Spirit to talk to and ask for help when we have problems. We also have choice. To walk the Red Road takes courage and a lot of prayer.

Chief Lyons - true power is in the Creator

"Power is not manifested in the human being. True power is in the Creator."
-- Oren Lyons, ONONDAGA

The Old Ones say the only true power is spiritual power. Sometimes our egos tell us we have power but really we don't. Great Spirit power is called by other names such as love, forgiveness, intelligence, life, principles, and laws. When the Creator uses this power to make the human being powerful, we must stay humble. We should constantly acknowledge that we are who we are. We do what we do because of the power of the Great One.

Floyd Westerman (Kanghi Duta) - Live in harmony

Our grandfathers knew how to live in harmony. They did not create poisons or technologies that destroyed things. They did not make their decisions based on greed or for selfish reasons. They did not take more then they used. Their thoughts and actions were about respect. The Elders conducted themselves in a respectful way. We need to consider our actions around respect for Mother Earth.

Krishna - Be fearless and pure

Be fearless and pure; never waver in your determination or your dedication to the spiritual life. Give freely. Be self-controlled, sincere, truthful, loving, and full of the desire to serve...Learn to be detached and to take joy in renunciation. Do not get angry or harm any living creature, but be compassionate and gentle; show good will to all. Cultivate vigor, patience, will, purity; avoid malice and pride. Then, you will achieve your destiny.

Black Elk - The life of a man is a circle

"The life of a man is a circle from childhood to childhood, and so it is in everything where power moves. Our teepees were round like the nests of birds, and these were always set in a circle, the nation's hoop, a nest of many nests, where the Great Spirit meant for us to hatch our children."
~Black Elk, Oglala Sioux 1863-1950

Sun Bear - Ceremony and dance

Through ceremony,we learn how to give back.When we sing,we give energy through our voice;when we drum,we allow the earth's heartbeat to join with our own;when we dance,we bring the energy of the earth and sky together in our bodies and give it out;when we pray,we give energy through our hearts;when we look upon our relations,we give blessings through our eyes.When we put all of these activities together,we have a ceremony,one of the most powerful forms of gift-giving we humans possess.

Jiddu Krishnamurti - Freedom and love go together

“Freedom and love go together. Love is not a reaction. If I love you because you love me, that is mere trade, a thing to be bought in the market; it is not love. To love is not to ask anything in return, not even to feel that you are giving something- and it is only such love that can know freedom.”

An Elders life - by William White

The Elder was asked about life. He smiled as pondered this question and then said, ‘if it is o.k. with you, I will share a teaching that I learned. The cycles of life are brilliantly explained through the Medicine Wheel teachings and its directions and doorway quadrants. Although there are many varied interpretations of these holistic teachings, this is the way I understand it. Like all ancestral teachings this one is linked to the natural elements of Mother Earth.

In the beginning of life, we are born into the physical world. The Eastern doorway is the direction of beginnings. The sun, the life force rises in the East and begins its journey as we do when our lives begin. When we were children, we were naturally curious and so we reached out physically touching and tasting things around us. We were also physically dependent on our mothers and would cry out physically for her nurturing and the nourishment she provided us. The totem for this doorway is the Eagle, who fly’s high above Mother Earth, and possesses the insight of the physical world around but also has the power to lift our prayers high. This doorway like the time of morning also represents the Earths journey, and it is the springtime. The doorway of the Eastern direction represents the physical quadrant and the sacred gift of children.

In the next phase of life, we are youth and at this time, we begin thinking about everything. The eternal question of, ‘why’ is ever present in our mind. We seek out independence through thought and with the mental gifts of this direction; we search for individuality. The totem for this doorway is the mouse. The mouse is a careful creature that checks its environment before venturing out. While, it tests ‘the waters.’ it has a natural intuition of curiosity. We see the same type of intuitive nature with youth. We see them as carefree however; internally they wonder whether they are taking the right steps in life. We often witness them asking others opinions, which represents their careful nature but as seekers they are independent, exhibiting a carefree nature to those around them. In the representation of the sun moving over Mother Earth, morning has moved towards noon and into the afternoon, and it is the time of day when we are mentally alert. This doorway like the time of noon and afternoon also represents the Earths journey, and it is summertime. The Southern doorway represents that time of youth and the mental quadrant of the Medicine Wheel.

As adults, traditionally (today we know this as the sandwich generation) we cared for the children and youth of the nation as well as the Elders. Because of this sacred responsibility and with so many dependent on us, we had to ensure our emotions were balanced. We weighed consequences and as such we examined the bigger picture into consideration because it was our responsibility to care for the people around us, but we also had to look to making sure we provided the next generations stability. We also role-modeled the internalization of values and traditions by conducting our lifestyle in a good way. The totem of this direction is the bear. The bear has the qualities of nurturing and being fiercely protective of its youth. Those nurturing and protective qualities serve us well as adults caring for our children, youth and our Elders. The sun is moving through the sky and has moved from the noon hour towards the Western doorway. This doorway like the time of evening also represents the Earths journey; it is the season of fall. The Western doorway of the Medicine Wheel represents the emotions quadrant and the time of being an adult.

Although an Elder can be any age, typically as people mature and age, it is a time of Eldership. An Elder carries the wisdom and teachings of ancestral teachings and they also carry the experiences acquired through living past the first three doorways or directions. Elders are respected as knowledge keepers. The totem of this doorway is the buffalo. Buffalo’s are powerful, proud and regal. They travel in herds and therefore, they are humble and do not try to stand above the rest of the herd. The buffalo is a provider for the people and every part of our relative; the buffalo had a purpose for our people. Elders are similar in that they provide unselfishly for the people, through the sharing of ceremonies, stories, language, teachings and guidance. Even with this reverence, Elders do not seek status, rather they teach in the most humble fashion. After receiving nourishment, buffalo's take many rests, often throughout the day. Elders provide nourishment through their teachings, but because of their age, they too need rest. Without our Elders wisdom, our culture would be lost to the next generation and so our way of life would end. The Northern doorway represents the nighttime, a time of rest. It is a time we prepare to leave the physical world to journey back to the spiritual world from which we came. This doorway like the time of night also represents the Earth’s journey, and wintertime, a time when the Earth rests. The Northern doorway not only represents Eldership, it also represents our teachings of spirituality.

My friends, this is a shortened version of this sacred teaching, as I understand them. This teachings and others like it, have been past from our Ancestors since the beginning time. As a result, our culture is not only beautiful; it is incredibly strong and resilient. These teachings are normally told orally and it is still the best way to learn any teaching. If you want to learn more about the holistic lifestyle based on the Medicine Wheel, sit in a circle; our sacred knowledge keepers may share a teaching such as this. As for me, this is the way I understand and share this teaching. Thank you for listening. Aho! All my Relations!’ (ejh)

A peace warrior - william white

A Peace Warrior learns that the nature of warriorhood...
Is about love and spirituality...
That true strength is gentleness and caring...
That warriorhood is about responsibility and commitment
The one's spirituality...one's family...one's community...
One's nation...one's future generations...
That Warriorhood call for living life in a good and humble way...
To embrace peace in a peaceful way, not hate, nor war
That one should give thanks to our creator
For all our blessings...every day
To love, honor and respect each other who deserves this
To care for our children with lots of love and nurturing
To be supportive for every good soul.
To be neighbours and help the sick and weak.
To protect our environment and our lands.
A Peace Warrior learns to speak peaceful solutions
To difficult situations.
That everything is sacred.
Because the Creator made everything
That Warriorhood is a sacred journey
A path that leads one to constantly be aware that one must be
Loving and gentle, responsible and committed-
To one's spirituality, family, community and nation.
To living life peacefully in a good and humble way

Black Elk - listen to the children more

Sometimes adults think they know more than the children. But the children are closer to the truth. Have you ever noticed how quickly they can let go of resentments? Have you ever noticed how free they are of prejudice? Have you ever noticed how well the children listen to their bodies? Maybe adults need to be more like children.

Living the old way - Chief Oren Lyons, Onondaga

Going back to the old ways doesn't mean giving up electricity, homes, and cars. It means living by the same principles, laws, and values that our ancestors

lived by. This will allow us to live successfully in today's world. The spirituality our ancestors lived is the same spirituality we need in these modern times. There are too many influences from TV, radio, newspapers, magazines, and negative role models that are guiding our lives in a bad way. Our stability is in the laws, principles, and values that our ancestors were given and that our Elders teach us.

Garth Brooks - The greatest conflicts are not between two people

The greatest conflicts are not between two people but between one person and himself.

Cloudwalker - A warriors strength comes from his heart

A warriors strength comes from the size of his heart
He shows love, honor, respect, dignity in all things
He will stand and fight in the face of adversity for what he stands for
He is the voice of those he loves and the weak, their shield leading by example
Never forgetting who he is.

Chief Standing Bear - Knowledge was inherent in all things

Knowledge was inherent in all things. The world was a library and its books were the stones, leaves, grass, brooks and the birds and animals that shared, alike with us ,the storms and blessings of the earth. We learn to do what only the student of nature ever learns, and that is to feel beauty. We never rail at the storms, the furious winds ,the biting frosts and snows. To do so intensifies human futility, so whatever comes we should adjust ourselves by more effort and energy if necessary, but without complaint. Bright days and dark days are both expressions of the Great Mystery, and the Indian reveled in being close to the Great Holiness. Chief Luther Standing Bear

When we speak you do not listen

"Before we begin, I would like to ask you why when we speak you do not listen, and when you listen, you do not hear, and when you hear us, you do not choose to understand what we say." ---Chief Frank Fools Crow, Warrior Lakotah "The Black Hills Is Not For Sale"

Encouragement - Florence Littauer

So often we think that to be encouragers we have to produce great words of wisdom when, in fact, a few simple syllables of sympathy and an arm around the shoulder can often provide much needed comfort.

You must love yourself first....

You must love yourself before you love another. By accepting yourself and fully being what you are, your simple presence can make others happy.

Live life abundantly - Thomas Dreier

The life each of us lives

is the life within the limits of our own thinking.

To have life more abundant,

we must think in limitless terms of abundance.

The happiness of your life - Marcus Aurelius

The happiness of your life

depends upon the quality of your thoughts

Take care that you entertain no notions unsuitable

to virtue and reasonable nature.

Youth - Franz Kafka

Youth is happy because it has the ability to see beauty.

Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.

Wayne Dyer - problems to be outgrown

I've found that what's true in nature is true for all humans in understanding ourselves. Just as the blossoms on a fruit tree fall away as the fruit grows, so does our need for a bouquet of rationalizations vanish as the Divine produces the authentic self. The more we allow ourselves to be guided by the principals that identify us as spiritual, the less we have any desire or inclination to use excuses. As Carl Jung put it: "Our most important problems cannot be solved; they must be outgrown."

R.J. Baughan - we find the greatest joy

We find greatest joy, not in getting, but in expressing what we are... Men do not really live for honors or for pay; their gladness is not the taking and holding, but in doing, the striving, the building, the living. It is a higher joy to teach than to be taught. It is good to get justice, but better to do it; fun to have things but more to make them. The happy man is he who lives the life of love, not for the honors it may bring, but for the life itself.