|
Post by Senbecc on Apr 17, 2006 11:25:22 GMT -5
Sometimes I get the feeling that people feel that native Ameriacan spirituality, the culture found among the people is thought of not much more than pretty crafts and carvings. However their respect for the wisdom of elders, and their family values which goes far beyond the immeadiate into the entire village of people.
They have a deep respect for nature, as well as an ability to share it among themselves and others. It was only when the invaders couldn't bring themselves to share that there was trouble. These values presist even today among all the tribes.
"Rather than going to church, I attend a sweat lodge; rather than accepting bread and toast from the Holy Priest, I smoke a ceremonial pipe to come into Communion with the Great Spirit and rather than kneeling with my hands placed together in prayer, I let sweetgrass be feathered over my entire being for spiritual cleansing and allow the smoke to carry my prayers into the heavens. I am a Mi'kmaq, and this is how we pray." Noah Augustine, from his article "Grandfather was a knowing Christian,"
-Toronto Star, Toronto ON Canada, 2000-AUG-9.
"If you take the Christian Bible and put it out in the wind and the rain, soon the paper on which the words are printed will disintegrate and the words will be gone. Our bible IS the wind."
-Statement by an anonymous Native woman.
|
|
|
Post by flowerfaeryqueen on Apr 17, 2006 11:52:27 GMT -5
Posted by Senbecc on Today at 12:25pm
i love that quote. i find native american spirituality fascinating.
|
|
|
Post by Senbecc on Apr 17, 2006 12:30:06 GMT -5
Posted by Senbecc on Today at 12:25pm i love that quote. i find native american spirituality fascinating. Me too, though I never knew where it came from until I really started researching the subject.
|
|
|
Post by Sojrn on Apr 17, 2006 13:10:20 GMT -5
This is a great quote and I think it would help many of the Big 3 religions to realize the Divinity is not a stone, wood and glass building.
|
|
|
Post by Senbecc on Apr 17, 2006 16:16:59 GMT -5
This is a great quote and I think it would help many of the Big 3 religions to realize the Divinity is not a stone, wood and glass building. Thats why one of my favorite quotes is from the Gospels of Thomas, "split a piece of wood". No to me thats a religion. It's not in the building, or the words or even it's leaders, but where one finds "god".
|
|
|
Post by tinyfists on Jul 25, 2006 23:32:04 GMT -5
I went to college in southern Colorado, the college offered free tuition to anyone who had a certain amount of native american blood, and we were right on the edge of the Navajo reservation as well. There was a huge native population there, mostly Navajo - it was wonderful. Nearly every night they held drumming circles, and all the official college ceremonies were held in both english and Navajo. My roommate was from the reservation and I had a chance to go home with her pretty often. I can't even describe how much those experiences shaped my personal spirituality.
There was a real sense of connection to the earth and the senses. I was always impressed by how open people were about including everyone in the campus ceremonies.
|
|
|
Post by Senbecc on Jul 27, 2006 9:14:31 GMT -5
I went to college in southern Colorado, the college offered free tuition to anyone who had a certain amount of native american blood, and we were right on the edge of the Navajo reservation as well. There was a huge native population there, mostly Navajo - it was wonderful. Nearly every night they held drumming circles, and all the official college ceremonies were held in both english and Navajo. My roommate was from the reservation and I had a chance to go home with her pretty often. I can't even describe how much those experiences shaped my personal spirituality. There was a real sense of connection to the earth and the senses. I was always impressed by how open people were about including everyone in the campus ceremonies. One of my great enjoyments here in South Dakota is to go and watch the Lakota Pow wows. I enjoy watching all the dancing as well as the history lesson to be found within the dance its self, not to mention the story telling, the music, etc. They bring it "alive".
|
|
|
Post by fireraven1379 on Jul 27, 2006 11:21:25 GMT -5
I loved your posting on Native Spirituality. It says so much. There is a lot there others could learn from it but sometimes do not want to know. I remember when I was growing up I use to get yelled at for wanting to go worship outside when it was nice out from those in authority at the church. This need to be out does with Divinity was already instilled in me at a very young age. This is one of the things that drew me to Wicca and Paganism all together.
|
|
|
Post by moonwind333 on Jul 27, 2006 11:40:35 GMT -5
One thing Katrina has taught a lot of people down here on the Gulf Coast ... you don't need a building to pay homage to the deities. No churches meant outside worship. I doubt it is a trend that will continue once the rebuilding is complete, but it has been an enlightening experience for some (their words) to be in THE cathedral!
|
|
|
Post by Senbecc on Jul 27, 2006 11:58:56 GMT -5
I loved your posting on Native Spirituality. It says so much. There is a lot there others could learn from it but sometimes do not want to know. I remember when I was growing up I use to get yelled at for wanting to go worship outside when it was nice out from those in authority at the church. This need to be out does with Divinity was already instilled in me at a very young age. This is one of the things that drew me to Wicca and Paganism all together. I'm certainly glad you enjoyed the read. It makes any research done all the more worth while when others too can benifit from it. Growing up as a southern Baptist there were a *few* times I can remember us getting to go outside, though I think it was when me and that girl got caught dancing together that I really got burned out.
|
|
|
Post by Senbecc on Jul 27, 2006 12:03:23 GMT -5
One thing Katrina has taught a lot of people down here on the Gulf Coast ... you don't need a building to pay homage to the deities. No churches meant outside worship. I doubt it is a trend that will continue once the rebuilding is complete, but it has been an enlightening experience for some (their words) to be in THE cathedral! I wonder how many have concidered that god destroyed the Churches for a reason? I mean had it only been some Pagan structure that was knocked down then naturally it would have been gods will...However the Church is the bride of god, and he's knocked off his own wife? Uh oh lol.
|
|
|
Post by wren on Jul 27, 2006 14:05:41 GMT -5
I read 'Earth Medicine' by Jamie Sams every day as a devotional during my morning meditation. It's timed to the moon cycle and I use it as part of my honoring the ancestors of the land where I live, along with my familial ancestors, while offering a small dish of corn meal on my hearth. While I know of no Native American ties in my family and the original Lenape People are long gone from NJ, I feel a strong connection to the spirit of them here where my house resides.
|
|
shaamansu
Seeker
We walk our paths softly in light and beauty.
Posts: 49
|
Post by shaamansu on Jul 28, 2006 22:17:41 GMT -5
Native American Spirituality is so full of wisdom, love, joy, humbleness and teaches us all how to be the best we can be. The lessons are invaluable for everyone in every walk of life.
|
|