Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Elder's Meditation of the Day September 17
| Elder's Meditation of the Day September 17 | |
| "The old people must start talking and the young people must start listening." |  |
| --Thomas Banyacya, HOPI | |
| We are at a critical time in transferring cultural knowledge and spiritual ways. During the last few years the young people have not been interested in learning the old ways. The only place this knowledge is found is among the Elders. We must encourage the young to visit with the Elders. The adults need to think also about learning the culture. The Elders are getting old and soon will go to the other side. Each of us must pause and think about our individual responsibility to learn the culture and teach this to our young. | |
Great Spirit, help us to learn and remember the old ways.
Sunday, September 15, 2013
For My Father: Culture Matters
For My Father: Culture Matters
The lightning danced across the night sky as the storm clouds rolled in across the mountains. You looked older there, sitting on the ground before me, then you did when I first came to live with you. What did you think that you would accomplish by taking me there? Did you think that if Isaw you smudge and pray that I would follow suit and thank Creator for this life he gave me? Did you think that if I heard you sing your honoring songs that I would lift my voice with yours and join you? Did you think that if you drummed and danced that somehow my soul would move in unison with yours? Did you think that I would forget my friends back home and the good times that they were having while you made me sit on that mountain and listen to your stories about the soldiers; how they came and stole the land and our children and our pride. And do you know that I laughed with all of those who laughed at you for thinking that you could heal my spirit with all of this great knowledge that you thought that you possessed?
But you silenced all of that laughter because here I am and the self loathing has been replaced with self respect. The self doubt has been replaced with confidence. The self mutilation has been replaced with self preservation. The wounds have been replaced with scars. And my laughter at you, my father, has been replaced with honor. Some people say that culture doesn't matter. I know better because our culture saved my life and the one person that no one thought ever deserved me was the only one who ever cared enough to share it with me.
The lightning danced across the night sky as the storm clouds rolled in across the mountains. You looked older there, sitting on the ground before me, then you did when I first came to live with you. What did you think that you would accomplish by taking me there? Did you think that if Isaw you smudge and pray that I would follow suit and thank Creator for this life he gave me? Did you think that if I heard you sing your honoring songs that I would lift my voice with yours and join you? Did you think that if you drummed and danced that somehow my soul would move in unison with yours? Did you think that I would forget my friends back home and the good times that they were having while you made me sit on that mountain and listen to your stories about the soldiers; how they came and stole the land and our children and our pride. And do you know that I laughed with all of those who laughed at you for thinking that you could heal my spirit with all of this great knowledge that you thought that you possessed?
But you silenced all of that laughter because here I am and the self loathing has been replaced with self respect. The self doubt has been replaced with confidence. The self mutilation has been replaced with self preservation. The wounds have been replaced with scars. And my laughter at you, my father, has been replaced with honor. Some people say that culture doesn't matter. I know better because our culture saved my life and the one person that no one thought ever deserved me was the only one who ever cared enough to share it with me.
Elder's Meditation of the Day September 15
| Elder's Meditation of the Day September 15 | |
| "Knowledge is a beautiful thing, but the use of knowledge in a good way is what makes for wisdom. Learning how to use knowledge in a sacred manner, that's wisdom to me. And to me, that's what a true Elder is." | |
| --Sun Bear, CHIPPEWA | |
| We grow in wisdom by developing ourselves according to the four directions of the Medicine Wheel - emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually. Let's say we started drinking and drugging in our teenage years. Our emotional development will stop, but we will grow older physically. We could then develop into an immature adult. As adults we might be acting like we were teenagers. Once we stop drinking or drugging, our emotional development will begin again. We need to grow and nurture ourselves in all four directions. We need to involve the Great Spirit's guidance in our development. That's the only way we become wise individuals and live our lives in harmony and in a sacred way. | |
Oh Great Spirit, guide my thinking today. Let me walk in a sacred way on the Red Road. Let me be a learner of lessons and give me Your greatest gift - wisdom!
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Elder's Meditation of the Day September 14
| Elder's Meditation of the Day September 14 | |
| "Follow the Old One's advise." | |
| --Tom Porter, MOHAWK | |
| The Old One is called by many different names - Grandfather, The Four directions, Father Sky, Mother Earth. We should seek the advice of the Old One to help us build our vision. He will put inside of our mind and heart the vision that we are to follow. This vision is recognizable by the feeling that it has with it. This feeling is hard to describe. It feels right, it feels calm, it feels joyful, it feels warm, it feels sacred. The Old One has a way of letting us know it really is His advice. Listen carefully! | |
Grandfather, I'm listening.
Friday, September 13, 2013
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