Conversations I have had, I find People of the Society of today do not know the differences between a Vision and a Sighting or they think Dreams, asleep, and Sensing, awake, are the same. We as Human Beings have forgotten. People of today’s Society seem to be occupied with chasing the “almighty dollar”, keeping up with their neighbors, a bigger home, a bigger auto and the list goes on. How pitiful this Society.
Look to THAT what you NEED, not THAT what you WANT. Wants are liken’ to Smoke in the Wind.
As a Child I was given many great Gifts, most important of these Gifts were my Grandmother as a care taker, The Grandfather, both great Teachers. My Grandmother was actually “my Grandmother” being the Mother of my Father. The Grandfather, not blood related, an old man everyone called, Grandfather. I never heard nor knew of his Birth Name, yet he was content and honored to be called “Grandfather”.
As my youth unfolded within the Mountains Far from the Euro-American Christen Society that dominated our Lands at this time. People, in today’s Society, have forgotten, Children are special creatures, their minds unspoiled by Life Experience or concepts forced upon them by adults, Family, School Teachers and the People Teaching Religious ideals. I am grateful I spent my youth far from these influences, able to express my feelings, my thoughts and what I sensed, without being told, “You are wrong, no it is this way”. Should I have a concept, sense something or questions ones perceptions, I was always given an alternate “way of seeing” these. Not forest to accept these differences, but allowed the make my “choice” without retribution.
My Lessons on Visions, Sightings, Dreams and Sensing and many more Life Lessons were Gifted to me and explored without a feeling they were not acceptable. Children of the Society of today are not allowed to explore their inner Sensing or Feelings. Adults, with their pre-conceived ideals, block them; forcing the Child to accept your concept, perceptions or opinions, making the Child feel uncomfortable, thus not allowing the Child to develop into the “Individual” he or she IS. Just promoting your concepts, perceptions or opinions, a copy of yourself, how sad this society. In my Culture, the Ancestors Honored Individuality. Allowing each Human Being to be “who they are”, without question.
Vision vs. Sighting
A few months ago I received a phone call from a Friend in Colorado. He is new at Mountain Climbing and called to say he had had a Vision on the climb. His story: He and his friends were well above the Tree Line and he had fallen behind due to his lack of experience. While he was struggling to catch up with his friends, a Humming Bird came and buzzed around him. This is truly a great story, his struggles to reach his friends and the summit of the Mountain over fourteen thousand feet and the Humming Bird encounter.
A Vision? No! This would be a Sighting. It is amazing this tiny bird was that high in the Mountains and far from the Tree Line due to Humming Birds use so much energy they need to consume nectar often and at that height there would be none to replenish his energy.
The Sighting of the Humming Bird, I do believe this tiny Bird was giving my friend a message as he struggled to keep up. “Look at me, see how small I am. If I can be here, YOU can make it”. I do believe this Sighting was to give my friend encouragement, as he said it did. Now if the Humming Bird had talked to him or did something not usual for a Humming Bird that would be a Vision. According to him the Bird was real, not an allusion nor did anything that a Humming Bird would not do.
Dreams vs. Sensing
A young lady a few days ago came to me about a repetitive bad Dream and she needed too cleanse bad energy from her home. She giving me the impression she saw the Dreams and bad energy were the same thing, one experienced while asleep the other experienced while she was awake. For me, it was difficult to explain or help her; she was not forthcoming nor would explain the bad Dream fully. It can be frustrating when people come to me for help and they will not be open, truthful and forthcoming with their explanation or experience about what they have in their minds as an uncomfortable situation.
Sensing bad energy within her home could lead to her having bad Dreams, yet Dreams and Sensing something are not the same. It is true things that happen during your waking hours may effect your Dreams, Dreams are messages from your Spirit, sensing is a physical thing. To fine your answers it requires two different processes, we are dealing with the Spiritual and the Physical you, thus different approaches are required.
I am always pleased to hear when people Sense something. This tells me, this Human Being has looked beyond their Physical World, looking into themselves, exploring their inner Being. I have found few people in this Society do that, this tells me, this person really does not know “who they are”.
Until this young lady separates her Dreams from that what she Senses as bad energy in her home, her struggles will continue. It is a simple process to cleanse your home of bad energy, as long as you go about it with a “good heart” and believe in what you are doing. As for her bad Dreams, until she faces it and interprets the symbolisms within it that may affect her everyday life, it will persist.
Dreams are important, as my Grandmother would say, “You were not gifted with Dreams just to give your brain something to do while you are asleep”.
I pray everyone, Visions and Sightings, Dreams and Sensing’s. I pray you may distingue their differences.
From my Teaching, June 1941 thru January 1951
White Crow November 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Selling The Ceremony
A few days ago I read, “Disaster in Sedona, Arizona Sweat Lodge”. My first thoughts were these non-Natives must have used plastic tarps to cover the Sweat Lodge, sure enough as I read on the truth was reveled. A plastic tarp is not “of Nature”, it does not breathe, it contains. Will these people never learn, what was it; two or three years ago the same plastic tarp thing occurred in California and people died. I have heard a saying, “you can’t fix stupid”. This I question. The Lesson had already been placed before the people, and I guess they did not learn. As a Boy, the Teaching of my Culture, Lessons not learned the first time around well be repeated along your Life Path. The Lessons are placed there for “Purpose”, the purpose, to learn and grow as a Human Being.
It truly amazes me how globule most Human Being can be when search to know “who they are” or “understanding their Spiritually”. I must tell you, as I learned from my Grandmother; there is no monetary value on these endeavors. Words of The Grandfather, one of my Teachers as a boy. “You have all the answers within yourself, look deep within yourself, the answers will be there. No one can give or sell you what you already know or sense. No other Human Being can tell you “who you are” or what your “Spirit Self” should be.” Most people I have encounter do not look to how they feel or what they sense about themselves. You do not look to a thing now known as “an urge”. I was taught as a Boy, “urges” are requests of the Spirit Self, fulfill them or deny the Spirit.
My Grandmother was a Woman with the Knowledge of the Medicine Plants and Roots. I could have typed, “Medicine Woman”, you may have better understood the concept, considering today’s Society. I can still see in my mines’ eye my Grandmothers’ beautiful, wrinkled little face, her dark eyes flashing with anger when anyone of those Euro-Americans who came to her for the Medical benefits of her knowledge of the Plants and Roots of Healing and called her “Medicine Woman”. Her reply was always stern, “I am not a Medicine Woman, I do not Heal you, I was gifted with the knowledge of the Plant and their benefits, the Plants heal you, NOT ME, don’t call ME Medicine Woman.”
There was never a monetary value placed upon her services. Some people when told this would just walk away with her medicines, how disrespectable. Most offered a “gift”, not always money, a length of cloth, a new cooking pot or a hide of a Deer or Elk that their husbands may have killed for sport. The “gifts” were always well received and with much gratitude because even living far back in the Mountains away from civilization we knew the state of World affairs in the 1930’s and 40’s, when most people had very little. Yet we never struggled to “survive”, everything we needed the Mountains provided or we grew in the garden.
I do feel sad for these people and their families and friends that became ill or died due to their own lack of knowledge and placing their trust in an obvious con man. Maybe after all, you really can’t fix stupid.
When will there be laws or some action taken to preserve our Native Culture, our Ceremonies? So many questions! When will these New Agers, Indian Wannebes, Cultists, False Shamans ever show respect for our Culture and Ceremonies. We, the Native American People, do not encroach upon and bastardize the ceremonies of the Euro-American Cultures of this Land called the Americas. Non-Natives are always looking for a “Shaman” and yet the word “Shaman” is not a Native American concept. It comes from Eastern European Tribal Cultures brought to the Americas upon their arrival in the 1300’s. I have found over my many years, the Euro-Americans have forgotten at one point in history they were also “Tribal”. If you “Wanaebes” are truly searching for yourself and your spiritually, why are you not looking to your own diverse and beautiful European Cultures of Your Ancestors?
YOU ARE NOT AN AMERICAN INDIAN. No matter how hard you try, no matter how much you indulge yourself in your fantasies, no matter how much money you pay someone, no matter how many false Ceremonies you participate in, YOU WILL NEVER BECOME AN AMERICAN INDIAN. You can never undo that what the Creator has placed upon this Earth and Universe.
Don’t Try To Steal MY Identity!
White Crow October 2009
It truly amazes me how globule most Human Being can be when search to know “who they are” or “understanding their Spiritually”. I must tell you, as I learned from my Grandmother; there is no monetary value on these endeavors. Words of The Grandfather, one of my Teachers as a boy. “You have all the answers within yourself, look deep within yourself, the answers will be there. No one can give or sell you what you already know or sense. No other Human Being can tell you “who you are” or what your “Spirit Self” should be.” Most people I have encounter do not look to how they feel or what they sense about themselves. You do not look to a thing now known as “an urge”. I was taught as a Boy, “urges” are requests of the Spirit Self, fulfill them or deny the Spirit.
My Grandmother was a Woman with the Knowledge of the Medicine Plants and Roots. I could have typed, “Medicine Woman”, you may have better understood the concept, considering today’s Society. I can still see in my mines’ eye my Grandmothers’ beautiful, wrinkled little face, her dark eyes flashing with anger when anyone of those Euro-Americans who came to her for the Medical benefits of her knowledge of the Plants and Roots of Healing and called her “Medicine Woman”. Her reply was always stern, “I am not a Medicine Woman, I do not Heal you, I was gifted with the knowledge of the Plant and their benefits, the Plants heal you, NOT ME, don’t call ME Medicine Woman.”
There was never a monetary value placed upon her services. Some people when told this would just walk away with her medicines, how disrespectable. Most offered a “gift”, not always money, a length of cloth, a new cooking pot or a hide of a Deer or Elk that their husbands may have killed for sport. The “gifts” were always well received and with much gratitude because even living far back in the Mountains away from civilization we knew the state of World affairs in the 1930’s and 40’s, when most people had very little. Yet we never struggled to “survive”, everything we needed the Mountains provided or we grew in the garden.
I do feel sad for these people and their families and friends that became ill or died due to their own lack of knowledge and placing their trust in an obvious con man. Maybe after all, you really can’t fix stupid.
When will there be laws or some action taken to preserve our Native Culture, our Ceremonies? So many questions! When will these New Agers, Indian Wannebes, Cultists, False Shamans ever show respect for our Culture and Ceremonies. We, the Native American People, do not encroach upon and bastardize the ceremonies of the Euro-American Cultures of this Land called the Americas. Non-Natives are always looking for a “Shaman” and yet the word “Shaman” is not a Native American concept. It comes from Eastern European Tribal Cultures brought to the Americas upon their arrival in the 1300’s. I have found over my many years, the Euro-Americans have forgotten at one point in history they were also “Tribal”. If you “Wanaebes” are truly searching for yourself and your spiritually, why are you not looking to your own diverse and beautiful European Cultures of Your Ancestors?
YOU ARE NOT AN AMERICAN INDIAN. No matter how hard you try, no matter how much you indulge yourself in your fantasies, no matter how much money you pay someone, no matter how many false Ceremonies you participate in, YOU WILL NEVER BECOME AN AMERICAN INDIAN. You can never undo that what the Creator has placed upon this Earth and Universe.
Don’t Try To Steal MY Identity!
White Crow October 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
Turmoil
Turmoil
This being an extremely confused or agitated condition. Thus causing within the Human Being, deep concerns and worry. A state of mind that is not necessary. By looking at the concept of “worry” as a short lived process by taking the necessary steps to solve the situation by taking action.
Within ones’ Life, Turmoil, by your design or the cause being a life situation of another, this being an ever-present Life possibility. How one deals with or handles each encounter with Turmoil that comes to you along your Life Path will have one of two outcomes. One out come is devastation, the other, becoming a stronger Human Being because of it.
A Lesson from my childhood, a Cultural Teaching: If you were Happy all the time you could not know it. Unless you experience Sadness or Turmoil along your Life Path how could you know what Happiness is. Another Teaching within this thing called Turmoil is Balance. All things require Universal Balance, for ever good there are equally bad encounters within Life, thus giving you a Balanced Life filled with all Lessons required to be the best Human Being expected of each of us on this Journey we call Life. Life Lessons!
Often the Turmoil in one Human Beings’ Life reaches many and almost always the ones that have the Honor of sharing that persons’ Life Journey. Most often it may not be intentional by the one causing the Turmoil. The Turmoil being caused for lack of Individual strength, Physically, Mentally or Spiritually or not looking beyond this moment in time and its’ effect on others. When Human Beings do not or feel unable to reach out to another Human Being in ones’ Life Crises, or do, and do not find the answers they are seeking to avoid this Turmoil, it may be they are Asking the Wrong Questions.
Questions: A Cultural Teaching. When seeking an Answer, do not question the reason for your Seeking, question the underlying causes. Until you seek the Answer to the under lying cause of your Turmoil, and Question the Cause, only then will the answers be revealed.
Question the cause not the effect.
I have found along my Life Journey, most Turmoil within ones’ Life is due to not being able to let go of past experiences. Why? I always question why do Human Beings allow bad encounters that had happened in the past effect their lives in the present? The past is the past, no one can change that, there are no going back for “do over’s”. No matter how horrific an encounter in the past you can not change it. JUST LET IT GO, get on with the life you are meant to live. All things are Choice, hold on to the bad past or let it go, your Choice.
As we Humans struggle with Turmoil in our live we have a tendency to forget, “all things pass”. You may allow the Turmoil to defeat you or should you choose you can allow it to strength you. All things, all happening, all encounters along your Life Path have Purpose. You Choose the lasting effect, be it unproductive or productive. In the end, choice or the lack of it will determine the “effect”.
Life is always evolving; leave the past where it belongs, IN THE PAST. Choose to move on while leaving its’ Turmoil there in the past. YOU CAN NOT CHANGE IT.
Turmoil, what a destructive state!
White Crow August 2009
This being an extremely confused or agitated condition. Thus causing within the Human Being, deep concerns and worry. A state of mind that is not necessary. By looking at the concept of “worry” as a short lived process by taking the necessary steps to solve the situation by taking action.
Within ones’ Life, Turmoil, by your design or the cause being a life situation of another, this being an ever-present Life possibility. How one deals with or handles each encounter with Turmoil that comes to you along your Life Path will have one of two outcomes. One out come is devastation, the other, becoming a stronger Human Being because of it.
A Lesson from my childhood, a Cultural Teaching: If you were Happy all the time you could not know it. Unless you experience Sadness or Turmoil along your Life Path how could you know what Happiness is. Another Teaching within this thing called Turmoil is Balance. All things require Universal Balance, for ever good there are equally bad encounters within Life, thus giving you a Balanced Life filled with all Lessons required to be the best Human Being expected of each of us on this Journey we call Life. Life Lessons!
Often the Turmoil in one Human Beings’ Life reaches many and almost always the ones that have the Honor of sharing that persons’ Life Journey. Most often it may not be intentional by the one causing the Turmoil. The Turmoil being caused for lack of Individual strength, Physically, Mentally or Spiritually or not looking beyond this moment in time and its’ effect on others. When Human Beings do not or feel unable to reach out to another Human Being in ones’ Life Crises, or do, and do not find the answers they are seeking to avoid this Turmoil, it may be they are Asking the Wrong Questions.
Questions: A Cultural Teaching. When seeking an Answer, do not question the reason for your Seeking, question the underlying causes. Until you seek the Answer to the under lying cause of your Turmoil, and Question the Cause, only then will the answers be revealed.
Question the cause not the effect.
I have found along my Life Journey, most Turmoil within ones’ Life is due to not being able to let go of past experiences. Why? I always question why do Human Beings allow bad encounters that had happened in the past effect their lives in the present? The past is the past, no one can change that, there are no going back for “do over’s”. No matter how horrific an encounter in the past you can not change it. JUST LET IT GO, get on with the life you are meant to live. All things are Choice, hold on to the bad past or let it go, your Choice.
As we Humans struggle with Turmoil in our live we have a tendency to forget, “all things pass”. You may allow the Turmoil to defeat you or should you choose you can allow it to strength you. All things, all happening, all encounters along your Life Path have Purpose. You Choose the lasting effect, be it unproductive or productive. In the end, choice or the lack of it will determine the “effect”.
Life is always evolving; leave the past where it belongs, IN THE PAST. Choose to move on while leaving its’ Turmoil there in the past. YOU CAN NOT CHANGE IT.
Turmoil, what a destructive state!
White Crow August 2009
Monday, August 3, 2009
Singing Stone
I must tell you at the beginning of this story, you may find it difficult to follow, due to all of the Symbolism . Also the importance of “four” within my culture, do not be confused at the concept that each day is separate into four parts on this Young Mans’ Journey.
This Story is about one Young Man seeking to know himself, who he is.
This Teaching Story told to me as a boy of seven Seasons, the year by the modern calendar is 1942.
To help you to separate the Story from the Symbolic Teaching I will separate these by using the symbols, ****. I pray this teaching will help you along your Life Path, understand Your Seeking and not be confused. As I have found many people have difficulty with Symbolism.
The Story – Searching for Singing Stone
The Grandfather speaks:
“Sands blow endlessly into the Rivers, yet they never fill up,” the Grandfather said quietly.
The Young Men who sat across from him watched the Fire.
“Winds great and small bring the sand. The small ones dance for your eyes, but the great ones are so vast that we can only feel part of them. We experience them as the Winds of Change,” the Grandfather went on without looking up. “And so it is with our understanding.”
“But why has the Creator chosen to Teach us in this Way?” one of the Young Men asked. “If the Creator is so all Knowing. Why then does he not just speak to us in a simple Way that we can all understand?”
The Fire illuminated the Grandfather’s White Braids. The Old Man sat quietly and unmoving.
The Young Men watched him intently.
“There is a smile within your eyes, Little Brother,” the Grandfather said softly, “because you think my silence is trickery.”
“You understood my question, did you not?” the Young Man asked. “I did not wish my question to stake you down, but I have wondered for a long time about this. How is it that we are taught by the Creator in this manner?”
“Place your hand over the Fire, Little Brother, and feel the heat,” the Grandfather answered.
The Young Man placed his hand over the Fire. He felt the heat grow within it, until he was forced to pull his hand away again. Then the Grandfather spoke once more.
“All that you Feel and See, are the Flowers these things open in your Mind, are the answers,” the Grandfather said. “The Fire of Life. It is warm, glowing with color, surrounded by the night, yet speaking of the day. It is promising, painful, dangerous, harmonious, visible at this moment, then moving into invisibility, alive, consuming, changing and finally disappearing into death. We ourselves are another Fire upon this Earth. We are part Fire, part Dream. We are the Physical Mirroring of the Creator, the total Universe, upon this Earth, our Mother. We are here to experience. We are but a movement of a hand within millions of Seasons, a wink of touching within millions and millions of Sun Fires.”
“And the Whirlwinds?” the Young Man asked. “Is this the Teaching Voice? If it is, I have found it silent.”
“The Wind is the Spirit of these things,” the Grandfather answered, looking up. “The force of the Natural Things of this World are brought together within the Whirlwind. Each tiny grain of sand is separate from the next, but they are all one thing within the Whirlwind. Some People bite their own lips in anger when the Whirlwind blows sand into their eyes. Others stand in awe or fear of these swirls of Wind and sand. Children run among them, and a few learn from them. We too are of this Earth, and we too are brought together within the Whirlwinds, these turning wheels. These Teachers speak loudly to those of us who listen, not only with their ears, but with the Heart and Spirit also”.
“Your Teachings leaves me torn with confusion,” the Young Man said. “If these Voices Speak so loudly, how is it that I cannot hear them?”
“A Story speaks softly, yet it can reflect for you many of the Ways within these Whirlwinds that you may hear them sing. Would you have a Story Painted for you?” asked the Grandfather.
“Yes,” answered the Young Man. “What is the Story?”
“It is the Story of Singing Stone,” the Grandfather began.
****
One day a Young man approached his Grand-father and sat with him.
“Grandfather,” the Young Man said, “I heard that there exists a Singing Stone, and that when it is found, it will hold great Medicine for the finder. Is this true?”
“It is true,” answered his Grandfather. “Go to the North and you will find it.
****
Everything within this Story, Singing Stone, is a Teaching of discovering One’s Self, I shall unfold some of the Petals of this Flower.
The Young Man in this Story goes to his Grandfather and asks him about a Singing Stone. This Grandfather is the Symbol of the Six Directions, the North, South, East, West, and the Sky and the Earth. And he is, of course, also a Symbol of the Teacher inside the Young Man. The Young Man begins to speak with this Teacher, which is himself.
“Go to the North,” his Grandfather tells the Young Man in the Story. The Teaching here is that you must first look for those things that you seek within Wisdom. North is the Direction of Wisdom.
****
At the next Sunrise the Young Man began his Journey to the North. It was his first day. He had not gone far before he saw what appeared to be Smoke in the distance.
“It is a Fire!” the Young Man thought. “I will be burned!” He was afraid.
But he was determined to go on. That evening he saw that the Smoke was the Rainbow Mist of the Sacred Mountains. That night he rested.
****
The Story then speaks of the Young Man’s Sunrise and his first day. Both of these Symbols represent New Illumination, New Beginnings, or New Questions.
The Fire in the Story represents the Spirit of the People.
Evening means the time of rest and Dreams. It is also the entrance to the Introspective Way, the looking within. Rainbows and Rainbow Mist Symbolize the Myths that you create upon the Earth.
****
His second day he walked among the Pines of the Sacred Mountains until he came into a broad Circle that was green and bright with the Sun. The Pines completely circled this wonderful place except to the East, which was left open. The Young Man walked with the Sun all that day to cross this place. That night he slept.
****
On the Young Man’s second day, he walks across the place of the Pines. This place of Pines, and the broad Circle within it, are Symbolic of the Special Place within you that is the Lodge of all of your Feeling, Thoughts, Fantasies and Dreams.
****
His third day the Young Man came to a very beautiful Lake. Everything of the World was mirrored in this Lake. The Flowers, Trees, Beings of the Meadow, the Lodges of the People, the Mountains, the Day and Night Sky and the Sun were all reflected there. This was the Medicine Lake. He drank the sweet Water from the Lake and refreshed himself. Then he rested.
****
On his third day, the Young Man comes to a beautiful Lake. This Lake is a Symbol of the Mirror of Totality, or Wholeness. Some People perceive this Totality to be the Creator, but this is only one of many reflections within the Mirror.
****
His fourth day the Young Man saw his Grandfather sitting upon a Stone waiting for him.
“Welcome, Grandson,” his Grandfather said.
The Old Man’s Hair was white, and his Braids touched the Ground. The Old Man fed his Grandson Elk meat, Roots and Berries of the Meadow, and other wonderful tasting food. After the Young Man had finished his meal, his Grandfather offered him a Gift.
“Here are my Braids,” his Grandfather said, cutting his Braids and offering them to the Young Man.
But the Young Man could not keep the Braids upon his own head, even when he tried to tie them there.
“Your Braids will not stay upon my head,” the Young Man said.
“Then tie them to your waist,” his Grandfather answered.
The Young Man did this. Then he said, “I have come for Singing Stone.”
“Singing Stone is not to the North,” his Grandfather answered. “It is to the South.”
The Young Man returned to his camp and rested. This was the end of his first day.
****
On the Young Man’s fourth day, he meets his reflection, his Grandfather, again. The meal the Young Man eats with his Teacher is the Food of Learning, or Information.
His Grandfather’s Braids are Symbols of Experience. The fact that his Braids touch the Ground means that his experience touches the Natural Law of the Mother Earth. His white Braids represents Experience within Wisdom. His Grandfather’s Braids would not stay upon the Young Man’s head, here Symbolizing the Young Man’s lack of Wisdom within Experience.
This is the end of the Young man’s first day. Within this day there have been four Symbolic days representing the Four Great Directions, or the Circle of Life. The Young Man in this Story has now visited each of these Four Directions within Wisdom, in order to find Balance within the Way of the North, WISDOM.
The Young Man in the Story enters the Lodge of Wisdom by first experiencing the place of the South, INNOCENCE and TRUTH, within WISDOM. That is his first day, his first Illumination. On his second day he visits the West, INTROSPECTION, the looking within, within WISDOM, and on his third day he visits the North. On his fourth and finial day within WISDOM he visits the East, the place of ILLUMINATION within WISDOM.
He has come Full Circle within the North and is Illuminated by visiting all of its Four Directions, and experiencing their Balance within WISDOM.
****
The next morning he began his Journey South.
His first day he met Mother Fox and her Kit Foxes. They played with the Young Man and walked with him.
“Where are you going?” the Kit Foxes asked him.
“I am going to find Singing Stone,” the Young Man answered. “Can you help me?”
“Yes!” the Kit Foxes answered. “Follow the River and you will find Singing Stone.”
That night the Young Man Slept.
****
The next morning in the Story is the Young Man’s first day of the second day of his Seeking. Mother Fox and her Kit Foxes in this Story are Symbolic of your Peer Group.
****
His second day the Young Man met Turtle. Turtle walked with him all that day and sang him four Songs.
****
The Turtle he meets on his second day is Symbolic of the Traditions of the Earth. The four Harmonies, or Songs, the Songs Turtle sings to him reflect the Four Directions, and also four of the many Harmonies that exist within Tradition.
****
His third day the Young Man was walking along the River and suddenly found that he could go no further.
“Now what will I do?” the Young Man asked himself.
“I will help you,” answered Raccoon. “Just follow me.”
Now the Young Man could see Raccoon, and he followed him onto the Meadow. But soon the Trail Raccoon led the Young Man upon crossed and re-crossed and ran off in every direction.
“You have tricked me!” the Young Man exclaimed.
“No,” answered Raccoon, I have not tricked you. The River is right over there.” The Young Man saw that it was. That night the Young Man slept.
****
On his third day, Raccoon leads him from the River to the Meadow. The Meadow is a Symbol of Everyday Life, and the River is a Symbol of the Spirit of Life.
Raccoon , as you have learned, is Symbolic of the Be’er, the gentle trickster. He represents all those things that trick you into learning.
****
His forth day the Young Man set out again. He soon becomes confused and discouraged.
“Nowhere can I see Singing Stone!” the Young Man said, “all that I can see here are the Mountains, the Meadow, Sky, Sun, Trees and Beings of this place.” He becomes very angry.
Then the Young Man heard a Voice saying, “Look at me!” It was a beautiful many colored Dragonfly. It was balanced above the moving Waters of the River.
And the Young Man leaned far out over the River to see his beautiful Brother more closely.
The Young Man was held within Wonder at the beauty he saw reflected there.
Then he lost his balance and fell into the River. He became afraid and thought he would drown.
“You have tricked me!” he cried angrily.
“No, Little Brother,” answered Dragonfly. “I have not tricked you. You have only fallen into the River. Singing Stone is not to the South, it is to the West.”
The Young Man returned to his camp and rested. This was the end of his second day.
****
On the Young Man’s forth day he meets Dragonfly. Dragonfly is Symbolic of the many things in your Life that hypnotize you, or cause you to fixate upon something.
Even as I unfold some of the Teachings within this Story, you may possibly become fixated upon one particular Understanding of a Symbol that reflects many Meanings. It is for you to move these Symbols within your own experience so that you may learn. As you fall into the Symbolic River of Life you to may become frightened. Entering the Unknown, the hesitation, the fear of the Unknown can only be overcome by boldly taking that first step upon a new adventure, trusting your INNER VOICES.
This is the end of the Young Man’s second Day. As you can see, his second Circle upon the Mirror of the Circle of Life is in the South. The South, your place of TRUST and INNOCENCE, is also Balanced now within the Four Great Direction.
****
The next day he began his Journey West.
His first day walking West the Young Man met a She Dog and her Pups. They walked with him all that day. The Young Man played with the Pups and found comfort with them. That night he rested.
****
On his third day the Young Man meets a She Dog with her Pups. This She Dog and her Pups are the Symbol of Philosophy. The Dog also represents the servants among People, trust and friendship.
****
His second day he found a place of Cedar. It took him one full day to cross it, and that night he slept.
****
Cedar is the Earth Symbol or Mother Symbol. It is burned for incense and used with Prayers. Within this Story, Cedar Symbolizes that these things of the Earth are within your experience.
****
His third day he met Great Elk with Lighting painted on his shoulders and in his Antlers. Great Elk walked with the Young Man all that day, and Sang him four Songs. That night the Young Man rested.
****
Lightning Elk is the Symbol of ILLUMINATION within INTROSPECTION, and also of death and the Power of rebirth. The Antlers of Great Elk Symbolize Lightning. The four Songs of Lightning Elk Symbolize the ILLUMINATION within the Four Great Directions of the Circle of Life.
****
His fourth day the Young Man saw Mouse, and Mouse saw the Young Man. Mouse began to run and the Young Man chased him all day. He chased Mouse into a cave. The cave becomes smaller and smaller until it was only big enough for Mouse. Mouse stopped, turned around and spoke to the Young Man.
“Why are you chasing me?” asked Mouse.
“I am seeking Singing Stone,” the Young Man answered.
“This is a Mouse Cave,” Mouse said to the Young Man, “Singing Stone is not to the West, It is to the East.”
The Young Man went back to his camp and rested. This was the end of the Young Man’s third day.
****
Mouse, as you remember, perceives only what-ever is very close to him. The Teaching here is that when you look too closely within, you may set too much within the Circle of Yourself to perceive anything clearly. To perceive the Circle of the West, you must first move outside of it.
Now, as you can see, the Young Man has visited the third Circle of his Quest. This Circle is within the West, and it is also Balanced within the Four Directions.
****
The next morning was the beginning of his Journey East.
His first day he had not walked very far before be saw a beautiful Lodge in the distance. An Old Woman met him at that Lodge and fed him a great meal which they ate together.
“What is this wonderful Lodge, Grandmother?” the Young Man asked.
This is the Lodge of Gambling, Grandson,” answered the Old Woman. He rested that night with the Old Woman.
****
The East is the Young Man’s fourth and final Way. It is the place of NEW QUESTIONING, or ILLUMINATION. Whenever you experience the ILLUMINATION of the East, You will always have NEW QUESTIONS.
The Lodge of Gambling represents the many Gambles within the reality of your daily Life.
****
His second day after he left that Lodge he saw another Lodge in the distance. It was even more beautiful than the first, and it was glowing brightly. It was painted with all the colors.
An Old Man came out and greeted the Young Man.
“Welcome my Grandson,” the Old Man said, taking the Young Man into his Lodge. “I have been expecting you. Here, come sit with me and eat this fine Elk meat. It is my Gift to you.”
After they had eaten, the Young Man asked the Old Man about the Painted Lodge.
“This is the Lodge of the Sacred Fire,” the Old Man answered.
The Young Man slept there that night.
****
The Lodge of the Sacred Fires is the Lodge of the Great Mirrors. It Symbolizes the Heart of the People, and the Songs of the Life Circle itself. The Lodge of the Sacred Fires also Symbolizes the Lodge of the Common Fire of the People.
Within each of your own separate Lodges, deep within yourself, there is also part of the Great Medicine Fire of the People. The question you are always asking yourself is, “WHO AM I,” or “WHO IS THIS LIVING SPIRIT, THIS FIRE?” The questioning of this mystery is the beginning of your search for Understanding of your FIRE OF SELF, and it is a Circle that always leads you back to the Great Medicine Fire, Symbolized by the Lodge of the Sacred Fires.
This Great Fire and this Lodge are Songs that are reflected within the sound of the Drum inside the many colored Rainbows that have been painted. These Rainbows are the Myths within the Sacred Mountains, and they are Mirrored for you in the Sacred Fires. As you experience the Sacred Fires, you will come into Understanding of the Fire within you through the Balance of the Four Great Directions.
****
His third day, the Young Man comes to a very wide River. He looks up and down its banks for a place to cross, but he could find none. Then he listened closely to his own heartbeat, and he felt his Heart say, ‘There is always a place for Children to cross the River.’ So he crossed, and as he did so the Water never came above his knees. That night he rested.
****
Now you hear this Drum clearly within you, Symbolizing your Heart. It speaks of your crossing the Great River, Symbolizing the Universal Spirit. The Children Symbolize the Child within, your INNOCENCE.
****
His fourth day, the Young Man sat upon a hill. He saw in the distance a strange Village. He got to his feet and walked toward the Village. He became very afraid because the Signs on the Lodges were strange to him, and he could not recognize them. The closer he came to the Lodges, the more he felt the Bow of tension pulled within him. But he was determined to go on.
He stepped into the Circle of Lodges. Then all his relatives came out to greet him, saying, “Welcome to our Council Fire, Singing Stone.”
“And that ends the Story,” the Grandfather said as he reached for his Pipe.
****
You too now sit upon the Hill in your Quest, like the Young Man in the Story of Singing Stone. Both he and you are beginning your Quest, the Quest to perceive yourself within the Harmony of the Four Balances or Directions.
And will you also perceive your own camps to be strange, as this Young Man does? Why will this be so? And why will you be unable to recognize your People? Why will the Signs that are upon the Lodges of the People appear so strange to you? Will it be because they have suddenly changed, or will it be because it is your own PERCEPTION that has changed?
The Sacred Fire within is a Mirror of this TEACHING WAY. It will reflect YOUR learning within YOUR search of SELF, within the Greater Life Circle.
End of This Story
****
The Grandfather and I sat under the Apple Tree within my Grandmothers yard. It was full of bright red Apples. The surrounding Mountains all dressed out in their many colors of the Autumn Leaves, the winds cool, coming out of the North, expecting Snow any day now. I knew with Winter coming the times The Grandfather visits, Stories and lessons would now be fewer than in the warmer Seasons. With a mix of sadness and joy we end this day with a meal my Grandmother had prepared, good conversation much laughter and setting next to the fire in the evening, hopefully more Stories from The Grandfather and My Grandmother into the night. Because I knew in the Morning The Grandfather was leaving.
With this new Story, “Singing Stone”, I would have much to think about, pondering the symbolism as I was also searching for Who I AM.
White Crow October 1942
This Story is about one Young Man seeking to know himself, who he is.
This Teaching Story told to me as a boy of seven Seasons, the year by the modern calendar is 1942.
To help you to separate the Story from the Symbolic Teaching I will separate these by using the symbols, ****. I pray this teaching will help you along your Life Path, understand Your Seeking and not be confused. As I have found many people have difficulty with Symbolism.
The Story – Searching for Singing Stone
The Grandfather speaks:
“Sands blow endlessly into the Rivers, yet they never fill up,” the Grandfather said quietly.
The Young Men who sat across from him watched the Fire.
“Winds great and small bring the sand. The small ones dance for your eyes, but the great ones are so vast that we can only feel part of them. We experience them as the Winds of Change,” the Grandfather went on without looking up. “And so it is with our understanding.”
“But why has the Creator chosen to Teach us in this Way?” one of the Young Men asked. “If the Creator is so all Knowing. Why then does he not just speak to us in a simple Way that we can all understand?”
The Fire illuminated the Grandfather’s White Braids. The Old Man sat quietly and unmoving.
The Young Men watched him intently.
“There is a smile within your eyes, Little Brother,” the Grandfather said softly, “because you think my silence is trickery.”
“You understood my question, did you not?” the Young Man asked. “I did not wish my question to stake you down, but I have wondered for a long time about this. How is it that we are taught by the Creator in this manner?”
“Place your hand over the Fire, Little Brother, and feel the heat,” the Grandfather answered.
The Young Man placed his hand over the Fire. He felt the heat grow within it, until he was forced to pull his hand away again. Then the Grandfather spoke once more.
“All that you Feel and See, are the Flowers these things open in your Mind, are the answers,” the Grandfather said. “The Fire of Life. It is warm, glowing with color, surrounded by the night, yet speaking of the day. It is promising, painful, dangerous, harmonious, visible at this moment, then moving into invisibility, alive, consuming, changing and finally disappearing into death. We ourselves are another Fire upon this Earth. We are part Fire, part Dream. We are the Physical Mirroring of the Creator, the total Universe, upon this Earth, our Mother. We are here to experience. We are but a movement of a hand within millions of Seasons, a wink of touching within millions and millions of Sun Fires.”
“And the Whirlwinds?” the Young Man asked. “Is this the Teaching Voice? If it is, I have found it silent.”
“The Wind is the Spirit of these things,” the Grandfather answered, looking up. “The force of the Natural Things of this World are brought together within the Whirlwind. Each tiny grain of sand is separate from the next, but they are all one thing within the Whirlwind. Some People bite their own lips in anger when the Whirlwind blows sand into their eyes. Others stand in awe or fear of these swirls of Wind and sand. Children run among them, and a few learn from them. We too are of this Earth, and we too are brought together within the Whirlwinds, these turning wheels. These Teachers speak loudly to those of us who listen, not only with their ears, but with the Heart and Spirit also”.
“Your Teachings leaves me torn with confusion,” the Young Man said. “If these Voices Speak so loudly, how is it that I cannot hear them?”
“A Story speaks softly, yet it can reflect for you many of the Ways within these Whirlwinds that you may hear them sing. Would you have a Story Painted for you?” asked the Grandfather.
“Yes,” answered the Young Man. “What is the Story?”
“It is the Story of Singing Stone,” the Grandfather began.
****
One day a Young man approached his Grand-father and sat with him.
“Grandfather,” the Young Man said, “I heard that there exists a Singing Stone, and that when it is found, it will hold great Medicine for the finder. Is this true?”
“It is true,” answered his Grandfather. “Go to the North and you will find it.
****
Everything within this Story, Singing Stone, is a Teaching of discovering One’s Self, I shall unfold some of the Petals of this Flower.
The Young Man in this Story goes to his Grandfather and asks him about a Singing Stone. This Grandfather is the Symbol of the Six Directions, the North, South, East, West, and the Sky and the Earth. And he is, of course, also a Symbol of the Teacher inside the Young Man. The Young Man begins to speak with this Teacher, which is himself.
“Go to the North,” his Grandfather tells the Young Man in the Story. The Teaching here is that you must first look for those things that you seek within Wisdom. North is the Direction of Wisdom.
****
At the next Sunrise the Young Man began his Journey to the North. It was his first day. He had not gone far before he saw what appeared to be Smoke in the distance.
“It is a Fire!” the Young Man thought. “I will be burned!” He was afraid.
But he was determined to go on. That evening he saw that the Smoke was the Rainbow Mist of the Sacred Mountains. That night he rested.
****
The Story then speaks of the Young Man’s Sunrise and his first day. Both of these Symbols represent New Illumination, New Beginnings, or New Questions.
The Fire in the Story represents the Spirit of the People.
Evening means the time of rest and Dreams. It is also the entrance to the Introspective Way, the looking within. Rainbows and Rainbow Mist Symbolize the Myths that you create upon the Earth.
****
His second day he walked among the Pines of the Sacred Mountains until he came into a broad Circle that was green and bright with the Sun. The Pines completely circled this wonderful place except to the East, which was left open. The Young Man walked with the Sun all that day to cross this place. That night he slept.
****
On the Young Man’s second day, he walks across the place of the Pines. This place of Pines, and the broad Circle within it, are Symbolic of the Special Place within you that is the Lodge of all of your Feeling, Thoughts, Fantasies and Dreams.
****
His third day the Young Man came to a very beautiful Lake. Everything of the World was mirrored in this Lake. The Flowers, Trees, Beings of the Meadow, the Lodges of the People, the Mountains, the Day and Night Sky and the Sun were all reflected there. This was the Medicine Lake. He drank the sweet Water from the Lake and refreshed himself. Then he rested.
****
On his third day, the Young Man comes to a beautiful Lake. This Lake is a Symbol of the Mirror of Totality, or Wholeness. Some People perceive this Totality to be the Creator, but this is only one of many reflections within the Mirror.
****
His fourth day the Young Man saw his Grandfather sitting upon a Stone waiting for him.
“Welcome, Grandson,” his Grandfather said.
The Old Man’s Hair was white, and his Braids touched the Ground. The Old Man fed his Grandson Elk meat, Roots and Berries of the Meadow, and other wonderful tasting food. After the Young Man had finished his meal, his Grandfather offered him a Gift.
“Here are my Braids,” his Grandfather said, cutting his Braids and offering them to the Young Man.
But the Young Man could not keep the Braids upon his own head, even when he tried to tie them there.
“Your Braids will not stay upon my head,” the Young Man said.
“Then tie them to your waist,” his Grandfather answered.
The Young Man did this. Then he said, “I have come for Singing Stone.”
“Singing Stone is not to the North,” his Grandfather answered. “It is to the South.”
The Young Man returned to his camp and rested. This was the end of his first day.
****
On the Young Man’s fourth day, he meets his reflection, his Grandfather, again. The meal the Young Man eats with his Teacher is the Food of Learning, or Information.
His Grandfather’s Braids are Symbols of Experience. The fact that his Braids touch the Ground means that his experience touches the Natural Law of the Mother Earth. His white Braids represents Experience within Wisdom. His Grandfather’s Braids would not stay upon the Young Man’s head, here Symbolizing the Young Man’s lack of Wisdom within Experience.
This is the end of the Young man’s first day. Within this day there have been four Symbolic days representing the Four Great Directions, or the Circle of Life. The Young Man in this Story has now visited each of these Four Directions within Wisdom, in order to find Balance within the Way of the North, WISDOM.
The Young Man in the Story enters the Lodge of Wisdom by first experiencing the place of the South, INNOCENCE and TRUTH, within WISDOM. That is his first day, his first Illumination. On his second day he visits the West, INTROSPECTION, the looking within, within WISDOM, and on his third day he visits the North. On his fourth and finial day within WISDOM he visits the East, the place of ILLUMINATION within WISDOM.
He has come Full Circle within the North and is Illuminated by visiting all of its Four Directions, and experiencing their Balance within WISDOM.
****
The next morning he began his Journey South.
His first day he met Mother Fox and her Kit Foxes. They played with the Young Man and walked with him.
“Where are you going?” the Kit Foxes asked him.
“I am going to find Singing Stone,” the Young Man answered. “Can you help me?”
“Yes!” the Kit Foxes answered. “Follow the River and you will find Singing Stone.”
That night the Young Man Slept.
****
The next morning in the Story is the Young Man’s first day of the second day of his Seeking. Mother Fox and her Kit Foxes in this Story are Symbolic of your Peer Group.
****
His second day the Young Man met Turtle. Turtle walked with him all that day and sang him four Songs.
****
The Turtle he meets on his second day is Symbolic of the Traditions of the Earth. The four Harmonies, or Songs, the Songs Turtle sings to him reflect the Four Directions, and also four of the many Harmonies that exist within Tradition.
****
His third day the Young Man was walking along the River and suddenly found that he could go no further.
“Now what will I do?” the Young Man asked himself.
“I will help you,” answered Raccoon. “Just follow me.”
Now the Young Man could see Raccoon, and he followed him onto the Meadow. But soon the Trail Raccoon led the Young Man upon crossed and re-crossed and ran off in every direction.
“You have tricked me!” the Young Man exclaimed.
“No,” answered Raccoon, I have not tricked you. The River is right over there.” The Young Man saw that it was. That night the Young Man slept.
****
On his third day, Raccoon leads him from the River to the Meadow. The Meadow is a Symbol of Everyday Life, and the River is a Symbol of the Spirit of Life.
Raccoon , as you have learned, is Symbolic of the Be’er, the gentle trickster. He represents all those things that trick you into learning.
****
His forth day the Young Man set out again. He soon becomes confused and discouraged.
“Nowhere can I see Singing Stone!” the Young Man said, “all that I can see here are the Mountains, the Meadow, Sky, Sun, Trees and Beings of this place.” He becomes very angry.
Then the Young Man heard a Voice saying, “Look at me!” It was a beautiful many colored Dragonfly. It was balanced above the moving Waters of the River.
And the Young Man leaned far out over the River to see his beautiful Brother more closely.
The Young Man was held within Wonder at the beauty he saw reflected there.
Then he lost his balance and fell into the River. He became afraid and thought he would drown.
“You have tricked me!” he cried angrily.
“No, Little Brother,” answered Dragonfly. “I have not tricked you. You have only fallen into the River. Singing Stone is not to the South, it is to the West.”
The Young Man returned to his camp and rested. This was the end of his second day.
****
On the Young Man’s forth day he meets Dragonfly. Dragonfly is Symbolic of the many things in your Life that hypnotize you, or cause you to fixate upon something.
Even as I unfold some of the Teachings within this Story, you may possibly become fixated upon one particular Understanding of a Symbol that reflects many Meanings. It is for you to move these Symbols within your own experience so that you may learn. As you fall into the Symbolic River of Life you to may become frightened. Entering the Unknown, the hesitation, the fear of the Unknown can only be overcome by boldly taking that first step upon a new adventure, trusting your INNER VOICES.
This is the end of the Young Man’s second Day. As you can see, his second Circle upon the Mirror of the Circle of Life is in the South. The South, your place of TRUST and INNOCENCE, is also Balanced now within the Four Great Direction.
****
The next day he began his Journey West.
His first day walking West the Young Man met a She Dog and her Pups. They walked with him all that day. The Young Man played with the Pups and found comfort with them. That night he rested.
****
On his third day the Young Man meets a She Dog with her Pups. This She Dog and her Pups are the Symbol of Philosophy. The Dog also represents the servants among People, trust and friendship.
****
His second day he found a place of Cedar. It took him one full day to cross it, and that night he slept.
****
Cedar is the Earth Symbol or Mother Symbol. It is burned for incense and used with Prayers. Within this Story, Cedar Symbolizes that these things of the Earth are within your experience.
****
His third day he met Great Elk with Lighting painted on his shoulders and in his Antlers. Great Elk walked with the Young Man all that day, and Sang him four Songs. That night the Young Man rested.
****
Lightning Elk is the Symbol of ILLUMINATION within INTROSPECTION, and also of death and the Power of rebirth. The Antlers of Great Elk Symbolize Lightning. The four Songs of Lightning Elk Symbolize the ILLUMINATION within the Four Great Directions of the Circle of Life.
****
His fourth day the Young Man saw Mouse, and Mouse saw the Young Man. Mouse began to run and the Young Man chased him all day. He chased Mouse into a cave. The cave becomes smaller and smaller until it was only big enough for Mouse. Mouse stopped, turned around and spoke to the Young Man.
“Why are you chasing me?” asked Mouse.
“I am seeking Singing Stone,” the Young Man answered.
“This is a Mouse Cave,” Mouse said to the Young Man, “Singing Stone is not to the West, It is to the East.”
The Young Man went back to his camp and rested. This was the end of the Young Man’s third day.
****
Mouse, as you remember, perceives only what-ever is very close to him. The Teaching here is that when you look too closely within, you may set too much within the Circle of Yourself to perceive anything clearly. To perceive the Circle of the West, you must first move outside of it.
Now, as you can see, the Young Man has visited the third Circle of his Quest. This Circle is within the West, and it is also Balanced within the Four Directions.
****
The next morning was the beginning of his Journey East.
His first day he had not walked very far before be saw a beautiful Lodge in the distance. An Old Woman met him at that Lodge and fed him a great meal which they ate together.
“What is this wonderful Lodge, Grandmother?” the Young Man asked.
This is the Lodge of Gambling, Grandson,” answered the Old Woman. He rested that night with the Old Woman.
****
The East is the Young Man’s fourth and final Way. It is the place of NEW QUESTIONING, or ILLUMINATION. Whenever you experience the ILLUMINATION of the East, You will always have NEW QUESTIONS.
The Lodge of Gambling represents the many Gambles within the reality of your daily Life.
****
His second day after he left that Lodge he saw another Lodge in the distance. It was even more beautiful than the first, and it was glowing brightly. It was painted with all the colors.
An Old Man came out and greeted the Young Man.
“Welcome my Grandson,” the Old Man said, taking the Young Man into his Lodge. “I have been expecting you. Here, come sit with me and eat this fine Elk meat. It is my Gift to you.”
After they had eaten, the Young Man asked the Old Man about the Painted Lodge.
“This is the Lodge of the Sacred Fire,” the Old Man answered.
The Young Man slept there that night.
****
The Lodge of the Sacred Fires is the Lodge of the Great Mirrors. It Symbolizes the Heart of the People, and the Songs of the Life Circle itself. The Lodge of the Sacred Fires also Symbolizes the Lodge of the Common Fire of the People.
Within each of your own separate Lodges, deep within yourself, there is also part of the Great Medicine Fire of the People. The question you are always asking yourself is, “WHO AM I,” or “WHO IS THIS LIVING SPIRIT, THIS FIRE?” The questioning of this mystery is the beginning of your search for Understanding of your FIRE OF SELF, and it is a Circle that always leads you back to the Great Medicine Fire, Symbolized by the Lodge of the Sacred Fires.
This Great Fire and this Lodge are Songs that are reflected within the sound of the Drum inside the many colored Rainbows that have been painted. These Rainbows are the Myths within the Sacred Mountains, and they are Mirrored for you in the Sacred Fires. As you experience the Sacred Fires, you will come into Understanding of the Fire within you through the Balance of the Four Great Directions.
****
His third day, the Young Man comes to a very wide River. He looks up and down its banks for a place to cross, but he could find none. Then he listened closely to his own heartbeat, and he felt his Heart say, ‘There is always a place for Children to cross the River.’ So he crossed, and as he did so the Water never came above his knees. That night he rested.
****
Now you hear this Drum clearly within you, Symbolizing your Heart. It speaks of your crossing the Great River, Symbolizing the Universal Spirit. The Children Symbolize the Child within, your INNOCENCE.
****
His fourth day, the Young Man sat upon a hill. He saw in the distance a strange Village. He got to his feet and walked toward the Village. He became very afraid because the Signs on the Lodges were strange to him, and he could not recognize them. The closer he came to the Lodges, the more he felt the Bow of tension pulled within him. But he was determined to go on.
He stepped into the Circle of Lodges. Then all his relatives came out to greet him, saying, “Welcome to our Council Fire, Singing Stone.”
“And that ends the Story,” the Grandfather said as he reached for his Pipe.
****
You too now sit upon the Hill in your Quest, like the Young Man in the Story of Singing Stone. Both he and you are beginning your Quest, the Quest to perceive yourself within the Harmony of the Four Balances or Directions.
And will you also perceive your own camps to be strange, as this Young Man does? Why will this be so? And why will you be unable to recognize your People? Why will the Signs that are upon the Lodges of the People appear so strange to you? Will it be because they have suddenly changed, or will it be because it is your own PERCEPTION that has changed?
The Sacred Fire within is a Mirror of this TEACHING WAY. It will reflect YOUR learning within YOUR search of SELF, within the Greater Life Circle.
End of This Story
****
The Grandfather and I sat under the Apple Tree within my Grandmothers yard. It was full of bright red Apples. The surrounding Mountains all dressed out in their many colors of the Autumn Leaves, the winds cool, coming out of the North, expecting Snow any day now. I knew with Winter coming the times The Grandfather visits, Stories and lessons would now be fewer than in the warmer Seasons. With a mix of sadness and joy we end this day with a meal my Grandmother had prepared, good conversation much laughter and setting next to the fire in the evening, hopefully more Stories from The Grandfather and My Grandmother into the night. Because I knew in the Morning The Grandfather was leaving.
With this new Story, “Singing Stone”, I would have much to think about, pondering the symbolism as I was also searching for Who I AM.
White Crow October 1942
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Related - Connected
All things are alive, and all posses WORTH.
The Grandfathers’ Teachings of non-interference - focuses on the Harmony and Balance that comes from your connection with all parts of the Universe in which everything has the PURPOSE and VALUE exemplary of HUMANS, including Animals, Plants, Birds, Rocks, Earth, Water and Wind.
As with Humankind, all of these Beings possess worth and Natural Purpose in the greater scheme of things. Within this view lies the most powerful sense of belonging and connectedness, as well as a deep respect for “all your relations”.
The concept of “all your relations”, in my Traditions and Teachings of the Grandfathers is that all Beings are related. So this makes everything your relations, beyond the concept of your Human Family.
Essentially it requires only that you seek your place in the Universe; everything else will follow in good time. Since everyone and everything was created with a specific purpose to fulfill, no one should have the power to interfere or to impose upon you or anyone which is the best Path to follow. This is the VALUE OF CHOICE.
Choice was very important in my Tradition and the Teachings of the Grandfathers. This is a Lesson for another day.
In the Ways of the Grandfathers, the significance of relationship lies in a Balance struck between an all-encompassing sense of belonging and connectedness with your ‘relations’ and the practice of non-interference.
The highest form of respect for another person or Natures Inhabitance, is respecting their NATURAL RIGHT to be self-determining. This means not interfering with another person’s ability to CHOOSE.
Every experience holds a valuable Lesson - even in death, there is valuable learning that the Spirit carries forth.
The Teachings of the Grandfather tell us that “everything, every encounter, is a Lesson”. Be it, in your concept, good or bad, there will always be THE LESSON, THE TEACHING.
Interfering is not only disrespectful, but it violates the Natural Order of Harmony and Balance in which each Being has to LEARN AND EXPERIENCE LIFE in his own way. Each person, each living Being, has his own Medicine that should not be disrupted or changed without that person CHOOSING IT. THIS IS PART OF THE LEARNING.
What moves the Circle of Life is CHOICE, and what keeps the Circle, is kindness and respect for the Natural flow of Life-energy.
Non-interference means caring in a respectful Way.
White Crow July 1960
The Grandfathers’ Teachings of non-interference - focuses on the Harmony and Balance that comes from your connection with all parts of the Universe in which everything has the PURPOSE and VALUE exemplary of HUMANS, including Animals, Plants, Birds, Rocks, Earth, Water and Wind.
As with Humankind, all of these Beings possess worth and Natural Purpose in the greater scheme of things. Within this view lies the most powerful sense of belonging and connectedness, as well as a deep respect for “all your relations”.
The concept of “all your relations”, in my Traditions and Teachings of the Grandfathers is that all Beings are related. So this makes everything your relations, beyond the concept of your Human Family.
Essentially it requires only that you seek your place in the Universe; everything else will follow in good time. Since everyone and everything was created with a specific purpose to fulfill, no one should have the power to interfere or to impose upon you or anyone which is the best Path to follow. This is the VALUE OF CHOICE.
Choice was very important in my Tradition and the Teachings of the Grandfathers. This is a Lesson for another day.
In the Ways of the Grandfathers, the significance of relationship lies in a Balance struck between an all-encompassing sense of belonging and connectedness with your ‘relations’ and the practice of non-interference.
The highest form of respect for another person or Natures Inhabitance, is respecting their NATURAL RIGHT to be self-determining. This means not interfering with another person’s ability to CHOOSE.
Every experience holds a valuable Lesson - even in death, there is valuable learning that the Spirit carries forth.
The Teachings of the Grandfather tell us that “everything, every encounter, is a Lesson”. Be it, in your concept, good or bad, there will always be THE LESSON, THE TEACHING.
Interfering is not only disrespectful, but it violates the Natural Order of Harmony and Balance in which each Being has to LEARN AND EXPERIENCE LIFE in his own way. Each person, each living Being, has his own Medicine that should not be disrupted or changed without that person CHOOSING IT. THIS IS PART OF THE LEARNING.
What moves the Circle of Life is CHOICE, and what keeps the Circle, is kindness and respect for the Natural flow of Life-energy.
Non-interference means caring in a respectful Way.
White Crow July 1960
Friday, July 17, 2009
Physical - Mental - Spiritual
Physical - Mental - Spiritual -
The three are connected. They are inseparable. What ever happens to one also affects the others.
The Human Self and all that comprises it - Physical Body, Mental Mind and Sensual Spirit - is the creative, moving circle of Native Culture and its' People. This may seem to be common sense. Yet, modern thinking abstracts the Mind from the Spirit, the Spirit from the Body, and the Body from the Natural World. This disassociation becomes most pronounced at the level of perception. In Native contexts, perception, creative participation may result in a Story, Song, Dance, a Vision, Ritual, or Ceremony. The so called, "Western Society" perpetuates the illusion of “objective” detachment and psychological disassociation.
THEY REPRESS THEIR FULL INVOLVEMENT OF ALL THEIR SENSES!
White Crow August 1955
The three are connected. They are inseparable. What ever happens to one also affects the others.
The Human Self and all that comprises it - Physical Body, Mental Mind and Sensual Spirit - is the creative, moving circle of Native Culture and its' People. This may seem to be common sense. Yet, modern thinking abstracts the Mind from the Spirit, the Spirit from the Body, and the Body from the Natural World. This disassociation becomes most pronounced at the level of perception. In Native contexts, perception, creative participation may result in a Story, Song, Dance, a Vision, Ritual, or Ceremony. The so called, "Western Society" perpetuates the illusion of “objective” detachment and psychological disassociation.
THEY REPRESS THEIR FULL INVOLVEMENT OF ALL THEIR SENSES!
White Crow August 1955
Monday, July 6, 2009
Honor That
Honor that, what is most Human in all of us. We as people on this Earth may have differences, color of skin, religious beliefs, different concepts, perspectives, or opinions of Life styles and circumstances. All of these must be Honored by each Human Being, after all we ARE ALL Human Beings and differences are what make us a beautiful diverse Human Race. We all come into the World and leave it the same way, Birth and Death. This is not a different experience for different Humans, we experience these act the SAME.
-HONOR-
A concept that should be your first priority throughout your Life. Without Honor there can not be Balance in your Life. As a boy, the cultural teachings stressed Honor in a Human Being, as the most important function of your Humanness. Lies, deceptions, are not Honorable concepts.
-TRUTHS-
Your concept of Truth may not be the same concept as others. There must be respect for the Truths conceived by another as well as they must respect your Truths. Truths are conceptual, not always fact. Only, the telling of a different story.
Honor all Truths
-PERCEPTIONS-
What you perceive as right or wrong may not be what another perceives as right or wrong. Your teachings as a Child will effect your Perception, but will change as you experience Life’s’ encounters. Agree or disagree, yet may not be disputed. Perceptions are realities, of the mind, not actualities, physical, factual.
Honor all Perceptions
-CONNECTIONS-
You are connected to everything in the Universe, you are a part of it and it is a part of you. Remember, nothing in this Universe is exclusive of you. You are part of all that is, ever was, or will be. We as Human Beings are connected to each other, interdependent to survive. We never stand alone, think about it! How many Humans do you depend upon each day of your life. The Humans that provide sustenance, medicines, transportation, the means to support your life style, who comfort you, who care for you in times of need, so how can anyone say we are not all connected.
Honor the Connection
White Crow July 1954
-HONOR-
A concept that should be your first priority throughout your Life. Without Honor there can not be Balance in your Life. As a boy, the cultural teachings stressed Honor in a Human Being, as the most important function of your Humanness. Lies, deceptions, are not Honorable concepts.
-TRUTHS-
Your concept of Truth may not be the same concept as others. There must be respect for the Truths conceived by another as well as they must respect your Truths. Truths are conceptual, not always fact. Only, the telling of a different story.
Honor all Truths
-PERCEPTIONS-
What you perceive as right or wrong may not be what another perceives as right or wrong. Your teachings as a Child will effect your Perception, but will change as you experience Life’s’ encounters. Agree or disagree, yet may not be disputed. Perceptions are realities, of the mind, not actualities, physical, factual.
Honor all Perceptions
-CONNECTIONS-
You are connected to everything in the Universe, you are a part of it and it is a part of you. Remember, nothing in this Universe is exclusive of you. You are part of all that is, ever was, or will be. We as Human Beings are connected to each other, interdependent to survive. We never stand alone, think about it! How many Humans do you depend upon each day of your life. The Humans that provide sustenance, medicines, transportation, the means to support your life style, who comfort you, who care for you in times of need, so how can anyone say we are not all connected.
Honor the Connection
White Crow July 1954
Monday, June 15, 2009
The Eternal
Eternity, often, over the years of my live I have contemplated this concept. There being no proof of its existence, yet I do believe it is factual. We Hunan Being, being in this Physical Time state can not experience it. Our lives are measured only in years.
Eternal is difficult for us Humans to truly comprehend the truth of it, my Cultural Teachings tell me it is a Spiritual thing. Your Physical Time has limitations, Spiritual Time, Eternal, and being Time is Mans’ Concept, therefore not perfect, this being a Fact, thus undisputable. The most glaring example or proof of this would be, every four years we need to add a day, twenty fours hours, to adjust our Calendars to catch up. Mans’ imperfections.
Through my Cultural Teaching, Lessons as a Child, Time, Eternity, has no beginning, no end. The question of its beginnings and end has many theories, one being “the big bang theory”, a modern concept. As with all “theories” I always ask, what was before this big bang thing? Nothing? I question that!
It is believed in my Culture, at the beginning of time, Creator formed Spirit from the energies of the Universe in pairs. When this was, as we conceive time as Humans was not a concern of my
Ancestors, an example that Acceptance is all that is required.
These Spirits, the energies of the universe, traveled throughout this endless time and at one point was gifted by the Creator to each Human Being at Birth. This being an internal thing, can not be physically touched, yet may shine forth from people you may meet along your Life Path. Many people let their Spirit shine forth allowing everyone to see and others hide it within themselves. It is believed, each of us has a Spirit Connection with another Human Being. I have found these pairs of Spirits do not necessarily enter into a Human Being at the same point in time. Personally I found my Spirit Connection after being on this Physical Earth sixty three years, while the other half of this Connection had been on this Physical Earth seventeen years. Yet at the moment we physically met face to face we both knew of this connection.
The years of our lives were fulfilled, as is with many other people I have met along My Life Path, as with Life Circumstance, after many years a great physical distance was placed along our Life Paths, yet the connection holds. In my mind, this great physical distance is but a moment in eternal time. As I pass into the Spirit World I know we will be joined and travel throughout time, eternal time. How long is forever? Forever, it is incomprehensible for the Human Mind to truly conceive.
As you walk your Life Paths, encounters, good or bad will be there, all having Purpose. At one point in time you will come face to face with your Spirit Connection, a moment of mutual reconnection. You must remember, Spirit is neither Male nor Female, it is pure Universal Energy. You may have in your mind, should you be a Man your connection will be Female or a Female thinking her connection will be Male. That is not necessarily a fact. In my Culture there is a concept, Brother/Friend and Sister/Friend and this Spiritual Connection has nothing to do with a sexual connection. Sex being a physical pleasure, not a spiritual thing. My search was many years in Human time; I do know all things are in the hands of The Creator. We Humans have the tenancy to be inpatient. Unless you can see beyond the Physical Being, seeing another Human Being for WHO they are and not WHAT they are, your search may be fruitless. To factor in Eternal Time, this Physical Human time is but a moment in time.
For everyone, a Gift from The Creator, there IS a spirit friend, I pray you find yours.
Eternity what a fantastic concept!
White Crow June 1998
Eternal is difficult for us Humans to truly comprehend the truth of it, my Cultural Teachings tell me it is a Spiritual thing. Your Physical Time has limitations, Spiritual Time, Eternal, and being Time is Mans’ Concept, therefore not perfect, this being a Fact, thus undisputable. The most glaring example or proof of this would be, every four years we need to add a day, twenty fours hours, to adjust our Calendars to catch up. Mans’ imperfections.
Through my Cultural Teaching, Lessons as a Child, Time, Eternity, has no beginning, no end. The question of its beginnings and end has many theories, one being “the big bang theory”, a modern concept. As with all “theories” I always ask, what was before this big bang thing? Nothing? I question that!
It is believed in my Culture, at the beginning of time, Creator formed Spirit from the energies of the Universe in pairs. When this was, as we conceive time as Humans was not a concern of my
Ancestors, an example that Acceptance is all that is required.
These Spirits, the energies of the universe, traveled throughout this endless time and at one point was gifted by the Creator to each Human Being at Birth. This being an internal thing, can not be physically touched, yet may shine forth from people you may meet along your Life Path. Many people let their Spirit shine forth allowing everyone to see and others hide it within themselves. It is believed, each of us has a Spirit Connection with another Human Being. I have found these pairs of Spirits do not necessarily enter into a Human Being at the same point in time. Personally I found my Spirit Connection after being on this Physical Earth sixty three years, while the other half of this Connection had been on this Physical Earth seventeen years. Yet at the moment we physically met face to face we both knew of this connection.
The years of our lives were fulfilled, as is with many other people I have met along My Life Path, as with Life Circumstance, after many years a great physical distance was placed along our Life Paths, yet the connection holds. In my mind, this great physical distance is but a moment in eternal time. As I pass into the Spirit World I know we will be joined and travel throughout time, eternal time. How long is forever? Forever, it is incomprehensible for the Human Mind to truly conceive.
As you walk your Life Paths, encounters, good or bad will be there, all having Purpose. At one point in time you will come face to face with your Spirit Connection, a moment of mutual reconnection. You must remember, Spirit is neither Male nor Female, it is pure Universal Energy. You may have in your mind, should you be a Man your connection will be Female or a Female thinking her connection will be Male. That is not necessarily a fact. In my Culture there is a concept, Brother/Friend and Sister/Friend and this Spiritual Connection has nothing to do with a sexual connection. Sex being a physical pleasure, not a spiritual thing. My search was many years in Human time; I do know all things are in the hands of The Creator. We Humans have the tenancy to be inpatient. Unless you can see beyond the Physical Being, seeing another Human Being for WHO they are and not WHAT they are, your search may be fruitless. To factor in Eternal Time, this Physical Human time is but a moment in time.
For everyone, a Gift from The Creator, there IS a spirit friend, I pray you find yours.
Eternity what a fantastic concept!
White Crow June 1998
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Acceptance
Allow your Senses to attune to shape, color, size, texture, and vibrations.
****
Vibrations within Nature seem to be the most difficult for most People. Maybe it is something that needs to be learned very young.
****
These are observations that you would not otherwise have sensed by using your Mental and Physical Gifts. It has to do with Acceptance, with not putting Learned Limits on your experience of Life. Questioning is easy, Acceptance may be difficult when the lessons of this are not learned in your informative years, a part of your Mind Set.
While I was Learning as a Child I had many experiences that helped expand my realization that not everything is as you think it is, the lesson being the difference between Actuality and Reality. There are things you may not understand in the Natural World, and Life in general, but that is alright. Acceptance can be a difficult Lesson, when events do not fit your Reason, Perception, or Logical thinking.
Nature’s Lessons can be Learned by everyone according to their own Gifts and Individual Lessons to be Learned. For everything and every experience, there is a Reason, a Purpose, and a Lesson. Everything has its own Life; we belong to Nature’s Plan. Yet the Human Society of this Generation does more destruction within the Natural World than protect that what we as Human Beings NEED to Survive.
We as Human Beings are ever evolving as with the Natural World, we have no problem Accepting the changes, the evolving lives and life styles of other Human Being, yet we ignore what is going on and cause within Nature. Acceptance of natural changes is required. You may not understand, that is alright, we Humans are but another entity upon this Earth. In Nature you may have to accept that what you do not comprehend. A Universal Power, greater than that of Man, is at Work.
Think about it. This Earth does not NEED us Humans, we Humans NEED this Earth!
Acceptance! Survival!
White Crow November 1990
****
Vibrations within Nature seem to be the most difficult for most People. Maybe it is something that needs to be learned very young.
****
These are observations that you would not otherwise have sensed by using your Mental and Physical Gifts. It has to do with Acceptance, with not putting Learned Limits on your experience of Life. Questioning is easy, Acceptance may be difficult when the lessons of this are not learned in your informative years, a part of your Mind Set.
While I was Learning as a Child I had many experiences that helped expand my realization that not everything is as you think it is, the lesson being the difference between Actuality and Reality. There are things you may not understand in the Natural World, and Life in general, but that is alright. Acceptance can be a difficult Lesson, when events do not fit your Reason, Perception, or Logical thinking.
Nature’s Lessons can be Learned by everyone according to their own Gifts and Individual Lessons to be Learned. For everything and every experience, there is a Reason, a Purpose, and a Lesson. Everything has its own Life; we belong to Nature’s Plan. Yet the Human Society of this Generation does more destruction within the Natural World than protect that what we as Human Beings NEED to Survive.
We as Human Beings are ever evolving as with the Natural World, we have no problem Accepting the changes, the evolving lives and life styles of other Human Being, yet we ignore what is going on and cause within Nature. Acceptance of natural changes is required. You may not understand, that is alright, we Humans are but another entity upon this Earth. In Nature you may have to accept that what you do not comprehend. A Universal Power, greater than that of Man, is at Work.
Think about it. This Earth does not NEED us Humans, we Humans NEED this Earth!
Acceptance! Survival!
White Crow November 1990
Monday, June 1, 2009
Life and Death
The Grandfathers view, the Human Body was an expression of the manifestation of the Mind, the Spirit and the Physical you. Life and Death are transformations of energy into new forms. Death was understood as a metamorphosis, the Spirit survives, does not disappear as the mind and physical you, it becomes a creative force within the Universe.
Death was seen as the greatest adventure, the greatest unknown for us Human Being.
Death should not cause fear but seen as an adventure beyond our imaginations.
The Grandfathers never doubted the immortal nature of the Spirit, but neither did he care to speculate upon its probable state or condition in a future life.
The idea of a “Happy Hunting-ground” is modern and probably borrowed from Hollywood, or invented by the Euro-American.
The Grandfathers were content to believe that the Spirit, which the Creator breathed into Man, returned to the Universe after it is freed from this Earth/Human state it is everywhere and pervades all Nature.
Life, the Physical adventure.
Death, the Spiritual adventure.
White Crow September 1949
Death was seen as the greatest adventure, the greatest unknown for us Human Being.
Death should not cause fear but seen as an adventure beyond our imaginations.
The Grandfathers never doubted the immortal nature of the Spirit, but neither did he care to speculate upon its probable state or condition in a future life.
The idea of a “Happy Hunting-ground” is modern and probably borrowed from Hollywood, or invented by the Euro-American.
The Grandfathers were content to believe that the Spirit, which the Creator breathed into Man, returned to the Universe after it is freed from this Earth/Human state it is everywhere and pervades all Nature.
Life, the Physical adventure.
Death, the Spiritual adventure.
White Crow September 1949
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Mind Set
Mind Set
Some of the things I may write here may not be accepted by some People, some are Fact (undisputable) others are concept or perception (arguable). When trying to sort these out within your own mind, think, before becoming confrontational.
I am very grateful for my Childhood Teachings which allowed me to form my own concepts and opinions. Some of which, as a Boy, did not conform to the standards of the Society of to day. But I was NEVER told, “No that is not correct”. An alternate concept was placed before me, allowing me to see a different perspective, yet NEVER was I forced to accept the alternative. It would give me something to think about, yet the Choice was always mine.
The Mind Set forced upon you as a Child, I have found people carry with them throughout their lives. All of the concepts forced upon you, be it, Cultural, Religious, the Parents’ or teachers’ concepts of right and wrong, what is acceptable or unacceptable. The Child, never allow to question. Statement such as, “NO, THIS is how it IS done”, “You are TOO young to KNOW”, “We DON’T talk about things like THAT” are very common words spoken to the Child.
How often have you said this to your Child, or heard some other person scold their Child with these words. I truly believe with my Whole Being this is WRONG. Should the Child have a different concept on how things should be done, LISTEN, then advise, DO NOT force the Child to accept YOUR WAY of doing things, you are not, nor are any Human Beings perfect. Should the Child have a question, NEVER tell the Child you are too young to know. If the Child has the question, how can he be too young? The question IS in the Childs’ mind and should be answered, no matter YOUR perception of age appropriate questions. When a Child needs to talk about something YOU may consider inappropriate, THINK ABOUT IT. There is the need within the Child, and if you are not willing to talk about it the Child may seek out someone who may not have the Childs’ best interest in mind. Your responsibility as a parent or a teacher is to GUIDE, not DICTATE. The Child has a growing mind that needs to be nurtured, not brain washed with YOUR concepts and perceptions. Always allow the Child, CHOICE.
At birth you were Gifted with Life, Spirit and CHOICE. Human Beings are the only entity on this earth that has CHOICE. A Dog cannot one day choose to fly, nor can a Fish choose to live on the top of a Mountain. No they were not Gifted with CHOICE, only us Human Beings.
My question. Why do so many people carry around with them all of the concepts and perceptions forced upon them as a Child? YOU DO HAVE CHOICE, a Gift at Birth. Should there be something, be it Religion, Life Style or any other of society’s perception that do not WORK FOR YOU, let them go. Discard all of the concepts and perceptions that no longer fit into your concept of a Good Life. Do not worry about what others may think, this is your Life, LIVE IT.
As with all of my writings, accept or reject; it IS your Choice. I only try to give you something to think about. Only try to give you a different Way of looking at Life, hopefully to allow you to see, should your life not meet your expatiations, a different concept or perception that will improve the Life you have chosen.
Your Childhood concepts and perceptions that were forced upon you remove them from your mind; keep that which works for you NOW. This IS your life, every changing as your perceptions and concepts change with Life experiences and encounters, LIVE IT.
Mind Set, how destructive it can be.
White Crow July 1968
Some of the things I may write here may not be accepted by some People, some are Fact (undisputable) others are concept or perception (arguable). When trying to sort these out within your own mind, think, before becoming confrontational.
I am very grateful for my Childhood Teachings which allowed me to form my own concepts and opinions. Some of which, as a Boy, did not conform to the standards of the Society of to day. But I was NEVER told, “No that is not correct”. An alternate concept was placed before me, allowing me to see a different perspective, yet NEVER was I forced to accept the alternative. It would give me something to think about, yet the Choice was always mine.
The Mind Set forced upon you as a Child, I have found people carry with them throughout their lives. All of the concepts forced upon you, be it, Cultural, Religious, the Parents’ or teachers’ concepts of right and wrong, what is acceptable or unacceptable. The Child, never allow to question. Statement such as, “NO, THIS is how it IS done”, “You are TOO young to KNOW”, “We DON’T talk about things like THAT” are very common words spoken to the Child.
How often have you said this to your Child, or heard some other person scold their Child with these words. I truly believe with my Whole Being this is WRONG. Should the Child have a different concept on how things should be done, LISTEN, then advise, DO NOT force the Child to accept YOUR WAY of doing things, you are not, nor are any Human Beings perfect. Should the Child have a question, NEVER tell the Child you are too young to know. If the Child has the question, how can he be too young? The question IS in the Childs’ mind and should be answered, no matter YOUR perception of age appropriate questions. When a Child needs to talk about something YOU may consider inappropriate, THINK ABOUT IT. There is the need within the Child, and if you are not willing to talk about it the Child may seek out someone who may not have the Childs’ best interest in mind. Your responsibility as a parent or a teacher is to GUIDE, not DICTATE. The Child has a growing mind that needs to be nurtured, not brain washed with YOUR concepts and perceptions. Always allow the Child, CHOICE.
At birth you were Gifted with Life, Spirit and CHOICE. Human Beings are the only entity on this earth that has CHOICE. A Dog cannot one day choose to fly, nor can a Fish choose to live on the top of a Mountain. No they were not Gifted with CHOICE, only us Human Beings.
My question. Why do so many people carry around with them all of the concepts and perceptions forced upon them as a Child? YOU DO HAVE CHOICE, a Gift at Birth. Should there be something, be it Religion, Life Style or any other of society’s perception that do not WORK FOR YOU, let them go. Discard all of the concepts and perceptions that no longer fit into your concept of a Good Life. Do not worry about what others may think, this is your Life, LIVE IT.
As with all of my writings, accept or reject; it IS your Choice. I only try to give you something to think about. Only try to give you a different Way of looking at Life, hopefully to allow you to see, should your life not meet your expatiations, a different concept or perception that will improve the Life you have chosen.
Your Childhood concepts and perceptions that were forced upon you remove them from your mind; keep that which works for you NOW. This IS your life, every changing as your perceptions and concepts change with Life experiences and encounters, LIVE IT.
Mind Set, how destructive it can be.
White Crow July 1968
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
The Mystic Indian
People have at times given me much Humor and at other times strong Anger due to their concepts of the “Mystical Indian”.
Why is it, most people think us Native Americans, Indians, are all Mystical or have great Spiritual powers? I do believe people look to Hollywood or these so called ‘New Agers”. These People who try to mix my Culture or other Native Cultures with their Christian, Euro-American Concepts and Religion. These are two concepts, Cultural differences, they are completely different. The concepts, such as heaven and hell, right and wrong or good and evil are perceived in a completely different light by the two cultures.
For Native Americans who are raised from childhood within their Culture Teachings have an outlook on life that can be completely incomprehensible to Non-Natives or Natives children raised away from their Culture. Their heads filled with Christian ideology and Euro-American concepts about Life, the World and the Universe around them.
In the Society of today, the concept of Nature, most people no longer see that they are a part of Nature, their belief; they are outside of it or above it. We Human Beings are just another entity upon this Earth and the Universe, not separated from it, nor superior to it.
People, non-Natives, just walk up to an Elder and blurt out question after question, mostly in a disrespectful manner. You are generally seeking a “Shaman”, when in actuality the word “shaman” is a European word, not Native American. You ask things you “want” to know, not what you “need” to know, for what ever in your mind is seen as something mystical or spiritual. And yet should you be gifted with this information you could not completely understand nor comprehend the truth of it. The reason here being; what ever is in your mind about Native Cultures would be wrong. Concepts and Perceptions of our Culture Ways have been past from generation to generation, instilled into the minds of our children from birth, a way of Life. As with you, the ones with the questions; have been taught your Christian and Culture Ways, which in most cases can be incomprehensible to Natives who were raised from childhood in their Culture.
The Mystical Indian: A concept in the minds of non-Natives. We, but yet another group of humans set upon this Earth to live and struggle, to love and to die like all other cultures of Man. The differences being; we Natives have a different concept of the Natural World which we hold close and look to it for our survival. Religion is better understood as Individual Spirituality. Your Christian God spends its’ time fighting Evils, real or imagined, these being concepts of Man. Requiring a place, building or church to worship your God and one man, such as a priest, to speak to your God for you. So how can you believe your God is ever present if you have to go to church or seek advice from a preacher?
In my Native Culture we believe the Creator is omnipresent, everywhere all of the time. We can speak to our Creator at will; we need no one to speak for us. Be it, along a Mountain Path, the open Meadow, along the shore of a Lake or Ocean, wherever one has the need to speak for thanksgiving or guidance. Our Creator does not require us to bow our heads while calling upon him. Should this be a requirement, my people would have to walk with their heads bowed constantly being that the Creator is every where all of the time.
There is no such thing as right and wrong or good and evil. These are individual concepts or perceptions. In my mind I may see “good”, yet in your mind seeing the same circumstance as “evil”. Who is right and who is wrong? We are both right. I speak here of reality, a mental thing, not actuality, a physical thing, think about it!
The “Mystic Indian”, a manifestation in the minds of people who can not find within their own Culture or Religion that which is life fulfilling for the individual.
The “Mystic Indian” is not in actually, only the reality within the mind.
Think about it and smile.
White Crow April 2009
Why is it, most people think us Native Americans, Indians, are all Mystical or have great Spiritual powers? I do believe people look to Hollywood or these so called ‘New Agers”. These People who try to mix my Culture or other Native Cultures with their Christian, Euro-American Concepts and Religion. These are two concepts, Cultural differences, they are completely different. The concepts, such as heaven and hell, right and wrong or good and evil are perceived in a completely different light by the two cultures.
For Native Americans who are raised from childhood within their Culture Teachings have an outlook on life that can be completely incomprehensible to Non-Natives or Natives children raised away from their Culture. Their heads filled with Christian ideology and Euro-American concepts about Life, the World and the Universe around them.
In the Society of today, the concept of Nature, most people no longer see that they are a part of Nature, their belief; they are outside of it or above it. We Human Beings are just another entity upon this Earth and the Universe, not separated from it, nor superior to it.
People, non-Natives, just walk up to an Elder and blurt out question after question, mostly in a disrespectful manner. You are generally seeking a “Shaman”, when in actuality the word “shaman” is a European word, not Native American. You ask things you “want” to know, not what you “need” to know, for what ever in your mind is seen as something mystical or spiritual. And yet should you be gifted with this information you could not completely understand nor comprehend the truth of it. The reason here being; what ever is in your mind about Native Cultures would be wrong. Concepts and Perceptions of our Culture Ways have been past from generation to generation, instilled into the minds of our children from birth, a way of Life. As with you, the ones with the questions; have been taught your Christian and Culture Ways, which in most cases can be incomprehensible to Natives who were raised from childhood in their Culture.
The Mystical Indian: A concept in the minds of non-Natives. We, but yet another group of humans set upon this Earth to live and struggle, to love and to die like all other cultures of Man. The differences being; we Natives have a different concept of the Natural World which we hold close and look to it for our survival. Religion is better understood as Individual Spirituality. Your Christian God spends its’ time fighting Evils, real or imagined, these being concepts of Man. Requiring a place, building or church to worship your God and one man, such as a priest, to speak to your God for you. So how can you believe your God is ever present if you have to go to church or seek advice from a preacher?
In my Native Culture we believe the Creator is omnipresent, everywhere all of the time. We can speak to our Creator at will; we need no one to speak for us. Be it, along a Mountain Path, the open Meadow, along the shore of a Lake or Ocean, wherever one has the need to speak for thanksgiving or guidance. Our Creator does not require us to bow our heads while calling upon him. Should this be a requirement, my people would have to walk with their heads bowed constantly being that the Creator is every where all of the time.
There is no such thing as right and wrong or good and evil. These are individual concepts or perceptions. In my mind I may see “good”, yet in your mind seeing the same circumstance as “evil”. Who is right and who is wrong? We are both right. I speak here of reality, a mental thing, not actuality, a physical thing, think about it!
The “Mystic Indian”, a manifestation in the minds of people who can not find within their own Culture or Religion that which is life fulfilling for the individual.
The “Mystic Indian” is not in actually, only the reality within the mind.
Think about it and smile.
White Crow April 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Connected/Disconnected
Humor
Laughter
Many People hold the expectation that in order for an experience to be considered "Spiritual", it must be serious, intense and deeply profound. Some of the most Spiritual People I have come to know, along my Life Path, are those who know how to laugh, don't always take everything, includinng themselves, so seriously. Not placing themselves above everyday encounters, and know how to relate to others through humor and laughter as well.
Being Disconnected:
When something has become so serious and so sacred that you cannot laugh about it or your Life Experience, then that something has lost its' True Sacredness. You have lost sight of what is Truly Sacred. It becomes distant, elevated and untouchable, out of reach of the average Human Being.
Being Connected:
Look for the joy in Life. This is when you truly began to grasp the Life Emergy and Sacredness of all things around you. Making yourself available to that which transcends the Physical form, taking on the Spiritual. People who are able to laugh, to find humor in all Life encounters are usually the same ones who are able to overcome moments in their Life of discouragement and disappoints, by taking stock and utilizing what they do have, physically and spiritually.
Humor is Healing
White Crow August 1953
Laughter
Many People hold the expectation that in order for an experience to be considered "Spiritual", it must be serious, intense and deeply profound. Some of the most Spiritual People I have come to know, along my Life Path, are those who know how to laugh, don't always take everything, includinng themselves, so seriously. Not placing themselves above everyday encounters, and know how to relate to others through humor and laughter as well.
Being Disconnected:
When something has become so serious and so sacred that you cannot laugh about it or your Life Experience, then that something has lost its' True Sacredness. You have lost sight of what is Truly Sacred. It becomes distant, elevated and untouchable, out of reach of the average Human Being.
Being Connected:
Look for the joy in Life. This is when you truly began to grasp the Life Emergy and Sacredness of all things around you. Making yourself available to that which transcends the Physical form, taking on the Spiritual. People who are able to laugh, to find humor in all Life encounters are usually the same ones who are able to overcome moments in their Life of discouragement and disappoints, by taking stock and utilizing what they do have, physically and spiritually.
Humor is Healing
White Crow August 1953
Friday, March 13, 2009
Actuality or Reality
Have you ever thought about it? What is Real and what is Actual? One being Physical, the other Mental. A recent conversation I had amazed me that not only the person I was talking to, but others throughout my life who truly, as they say, "do not get it". This I thought would be something that should be my next blog. I pray it will be a Lesson of interest.
Many a discussion over the years, some becoming heated, yet I refuse to argue with People, these disputed discussions were merely a difference of Opinion, where in fact, "Facts" can not be disputed. One, not seeing or understanding the conceptual differences between that what is Real and that what is Actual. Not being able to distinguish between that what is Physical from that what is Mental. With all Concepts, Perceptions and Opinions, accept from these that work for you, let the rest blow into the Winds. Yet , KNOW, Physical Facts ARE facts, undisputable, Mental Concepts, neither right nor wrong may be.
White Crow March 2009
According to Mr. Webster -
ACTUALITY: Existing in fact, existing or acting at the present moment, current.
REALITY: The quality or state of being actual or true, the totality of all existing things.
Mr. Websters' explanations of words are universally accepted without question. Yet he never took into consideration the Human Condition, in his explanations.
Actuality is something that is Actual, a Physical thing, undisputable. Not a Concept, A FACT.
Reality is truly something of the Mind, a Mental thing, Individual Perception.
One may not argue a fact when they are expressing thenselves about something that is Actual, this is a fact, undisputed, Actuality.
Reality, being a mental thing, this being a whole different set of circumstance. Due too each Individuals' Life Experience, what is real in your mind may not equate to the Reality in my mind.
There are Universal rules, Actuality and Reality, they can not be the same truth, due to one being a Physical Fact and the other a Mental Concept. I always question when people make statements about something being Real. They, giving a statement about what, in their Minds is Real, or are they making a statement about something that is Actual? Clarifications are required.
"The Mountains are very high", or "the Mountains are beautiful". Which statement comes from Actuality, which comes from Reality? You can see the Mountains are high, this is Actual, a Fact, thus may not be disputed. The one making the statement, "the Mountains are beautiful", is forwarding an Opinion, only a Reality in their Mind. You may see the same Mountains and do not equate them to be beautiful, you may see them as an obstacle.
I have found when People communicate, many times they do not consider in their conversation the difference between Actuality and Reality. Yet many just let it pass, without question. When the conversation is not explicit and you may accept what is not Actual, but what is in their mind as Real.
As a Boy and now through my early teen years, my World is that of the Mountains, very seldom having contact with the outside World. Many of my explorations in the Mountains, many encounters with Animals, Birds and other Natural phenomena, Reality and Actuality, at times, were confusing for me. My Grandmother and The Grandfather always helped me sort out the Factual from the Conceptual. Teaching me to differentiate between that what is Actual, True, in the Physical World, unquestionable, and Real, a mental thing, my Reality.
Could I Actually communicate with the Amimals, Birds and sense the Energies of Trees and Rocks. This is my Reality. All things upon the Earth and the Universe have Energy. This ability, as explained to me as a Child, to sense these energies was a Gift. These are my Realities, disputed by some because their Realities may differ, yet, which is the truth? BOUTH ARE TRUTHS, Reality is of the Mind, Individual, neither true nor false, Individual Mental Perception.
Physically you live in this Physaical World, ACTUALITY. Mentally you SURVIVE in this World, YOUR REALITY.
Actual, undisputable, Real, questionable!
White Crow October 1949
Many a discussion over the years, some becoming heated, yet I refuse to argue with People, these disputed discussions were merely a difference of Opinion, where in fact, "Facts" can not be disputed. One, not seeing or understanding the conceptual differences between that what is Real and that what is Actual. Not being able to distinguish between that what is Physical from that what is Mental. With all Concepts, Perceptions and Opinions, accept from these that work for you, let the rest blow into the Winds. Yet , KNOW, Physical Facts ARE facts, undisputable, Mental Concepts, neither right nor wrong may be.
White Crow March 2009
According to Mr. Webster -
ACTUALITY: Existing in fact, existing or acting at the present moment, current.
REALITY: The quality or state of being actual or true, the totality of all existing things.
Mr. Websters' explanations of words are universally accepted without question. Yet he never took into consideration the Human Condition, in his explanations.
Actuality is something that is Actual, a Physical thing, undisputable. Not a Concept, A FACT.
Reality is truly something of the Mind, a Mental thing, Individual Perception.
One may not argue a fact when they are expressing thenselves about something that is Actual, this is a fact, undisputed, Actuality.
Reality, being a mental thing, this being a whole different set of circumstance. Due too each Individuals' Life Experience, what is real in your mind may not equate to the Reality in my mind.
There are Universal rules, Actuality and Reality, they can not be the same truth, due to one being a Physical Fact and the other a Mental Concept. I always question when people make statements about something being Real. They, giving a statement about what, in their Minds is Real, or are they making a statement about something that is Actual? Clarifications are required.
"The Mountains are very high", or "the Mountains are beautiful". Which statement comes from Actuality, which comes from Reality? You can see the Mountains are high, this is Actual, a Fact, thus may not be disputed. The one making the statement, "the Mountains are beautiful", is forwarding an Opinion, only a Reality in their Mind. You may see the same Mountains and do not equate them to be beautiful, you may see them as an obstacle.
I have found when People communicate, many times they do not consider in their conversation the difference between Actuality and Reality. Yet many just let it pass, without question. When the conversation is not explicit and you may accept what is not Actual, but what is in their mind as Real.
As a Boy and now through my early teen years, my World is that of the Mountains, very seldom having contact with the outside World. Many of my explorations in the Mountains, many encounters with Animals, Birds and other Natural phenomena, Reality and Actuality, at times, were confusing for me. My Grandmother and The Grandfather always helped me sort out the Factual from the Conceptual. Teaching me to differentiate between that what is Actual, True, in the Physical World, unquestionable, and Real, a mental thing, my Reality.
Could I Actually communicate with the Amimals, Birds and sense the Energies of Trees and Rocks. This is my Reality. All things upon the Earth and the Universe have Energy. This ability, as explained to me as a Child, to sense these energies was a Gift. These are my Realities, disputed by some because their Realities may differ, yet, which is the truth? BOUTH ARE TRUTHS, Reality is of the Mind, Individual, neither true nor false, Individual Mental Perception.
Physically you live in this Physaical World, ACTUALITY. Mentally you SURVIVE in this World, YOUR REALITY.
Actual, undisputable, Real, questionable!
White Crow October 1949
Monday, February 23, 2009
Searching for Answers
Everything I know about my Culture, I learned by listening and watching. Now-a-day People learn from books instead. Doctors study what other men have learned, from books.
I PRAY TO UNDERSTAND WHAT MAN HAS FORGOTTEN
Ask me questions from your Heart and I will give you answers from my Heart. You always want to know what you can not understand. I can tell you, there are NO Secrets. There's NO Mystery, there's ONLY COMMON SENSE.
White Crow February 2009
Words and Lessons I have heard and learned from the Elders, those who have passed on to me the Knowledge and Traditions of my People.
The Grandfathers' Words: "The Grandfathers are dying out and the Old Ways and Knowledge is going with them. Little Brother, my Gift to you is the Wisdom, the Knowledge, of the Old Ways. Always hold this close to you, in your Heart and Spirit as you Walk your Life Path. Some, now try to mix our Culture, that has existed for countless Generations, with Euro-American concepts. Do not let these People contaminate the Truths in your Mind and Spirit".
The Grandfather October 1943
As a Boy, my Grandmother would take me to Gatherings, now they are called Pow wows. These Gatherings of the People could be a Gathering of a Clan, a Gathering of a Tribe, a gathering of the Confereracy Nations, or Inter-Tribal Gatherings. At these Gatherings, I was always Honored to listen to the Grandfathers and Grandmothers tell their Stories, Knowledge passed down from Generation to Generation as it has been done for countless Generations by my People.
I now pass these Concepts and Perceptions on, in my Tradition of passing on Stories, to keep our Culture alive in this twenty first Century and the future. As I will always say, take from these that what is good for you, let the rest Blow in the Wind. Yet, do not judge me nor the Grandfathers, these ARE a Culture Concept. Thus neither Right nor Wrong as with all Concepts, Perceptions or Opinions. I do Pray you will find within these Words something that may help you along the Life Path that you have chosen for yourself.
Their Stories:
"Everyone got to find the Right Path. You can't see it so it's hard to find. No one can show you. Each Person's got to fine the Path by himself".
"I do not see a delegation for the Four Footed. I see no seat for the Eagles. We forgot and we consider ourselves superior. But we are after all a MERE PART of the Creation. And we must consider, to understand, where we are. We stand somewhere between the Mountains and the Ant. Somewhere and only there as PART of the CREATION".
"You finally Learned that Wisdom comes only when you stop looking for it and start truly living the Life the Creator intended for you".
"If you know my Song, you know me. Everyone has a Song. Creator gives us each a Song. That's how we Know who we are. Our Songs tell us WHO WE ARE".
"With one Mind we address our Acknowledgment, Respect, and Gratefulness to all the Sacred Cycle of Life. WE, as Humans, must remember to be Humble and Acknowledge the GIFTS we use so freely in our daily Lives".
"Man sometimes think he's been elevated to be the Controller, the Ruler. BUT HE'S NOT. He's only A PART OF THE WHOLE. Man's job is not to EXPLOIT but to OVERSEE, to be a STEWART. Man has RESPONSIBILITY, not POWER".
These statements by the Grandfathers and Grandmothers, Lessons as a Boy in the Mountains with no Worldly experiences, have guided me along my Life Path. I do believe these Words are as Revelant today in the twenty first Century as they were when as a Boy in the 1930's and 1940's, as they were in the Time of my Ancestors.
White Crow Lessons Learned between 1941 and 1951
I PRAY TO UNDERSTAND WHAT MAN HAS FORGOTTEN
Ask me questions from your Heart and I will give you answers from my Heart. You always want to know what you can not understand. I can tell you, there are NO Secrets. There's NO Mystery, there's ONLY COMMON SENSE.
White Crow February 2009
Words and Lessons I have heard and learned from the Elders, those who have passed on to me the Knowledge and Traditions of my People.
The Grandfathers' Words: "The Grandfathers are dying out and the Old Ways and Knowledge is going with them. Little Brother, my Gift to you is the Wisdom, the Knowledge, of the Old Ways. Always hold this close to you, in your Heart and Spirit as you Walk your Life Path. Some, now try to mix our Culture, that has existed for countless Generations, with Euro-American concepts. Do not let these People contaminate the Truths in your Mind and Spirit".
The Grandfather October 1943
As a Boy, my Grandmother would take me to Gatherings, now they are called Pow wows. These Gatherings of the People could be a Gathering of a Clan, a Gathering of a Tribe, a gathering of the Confereracy Nations, or Inter-Tribal Gatherings. At these Gatherings, I was always Honored to listen to the Grandfathers and Grandmothers tell their Stories, Knowledge passed down from Generation to Generation as it has been done for countless Generations by my People.
I now pass these Concepts and Perceptions on, in my Tradition of passing on Stories, to keep our Culture alive in this twenty first Century and the future. As I will always say, take from these that what is good for you, let the rest Blow in the Wind. Yet, do not judge me nor the Grandfathers, these ARE a Culture Concept. Thus neither Right nor Wrong as with all Concepts, Perceptions or Opinions. I do Pray you will find within these Words something that may help you along the Life Path that you have chosen for yourself.
Their Stories:
"Everyone got to find the Right Path. You can't see it so it's hard to find. No one can show you. Each Person's got to fine the Path by himself".
"I do not see a delegation for the Four Footed. I see no seat for the Eagles. We forgot and we consider ourselves superior. But we are after all a MERE PART of the Creation. And we must consider, to understand, where we are. We stand somewhere between the Mountains and the Ant. Somewhere and only there as PART of the CREATION".
"You finally Learned that Wisdom comes only when you stop looking for it and start truly living the Life the Creator intended for you".
"If you know my Song, you know me. Everyone has a Song. Creator gives us each a Song. That's how we Know who we are. Our Songs tell us WHO WE ARE".
"With one Mind we address our Acknowledgment, Respect, and Gratefulness to all the Sacred Cycle of Life. WE, as Humans, must remember to be Humble and Acknowledge the GIFTS we use so freely in our daily Lives".
"Man sometimes think he's been elevated to be the Controller, the Ruler. BUT HE'S NOT. He's only A PART OF THE WHOLE. Man's job is not to EXPLOIT but to OVERSEE, to be a STEWART. Man has RESPONSIBILITY, not POWER".
These statements by the Grandfathers and Grandmothers, Lessons as a Boy in the Mountains with no Worldly experiences, have guided me along my Life Path. I do believe these Words are as Revelant today in the twenty first Century as they were when as a Boy in the 1930's and 1940's, as they were in the Time of my Ancestors.
White Crow Lessons Learned between 1941 and 1951
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Knowing - Feeling - Sensing
To know, to feel, to sense. All Human abilities.
KNOWING: Knowledge starts from birth, you learn to speak and to walk, to read, to write and further your education in formal schooling. These are only important and necessary to prepare you for the task of living, your Physiacl Life.
FEELING: Again, this starts from birth. It is sad, in this society, the first feelings are that of pain. A slap on the buttocks to make you cry to start your breathing. A gentle hand, rubbing the cheat will accomplish the same effect, causing a gentler easing into this Physical World and Life.
Much is taken for granted when it comes to your Feelings. You learn to know and accept the feeling of Joy and Saddness, Love, Hate and Anger, your Mental Self. Yet not much attention is placed on the subtle feelings encountered daily in Nature, A PART OF WHICH YOU ARE! A soft and gentle Breeze crossing your face, most often goes unnoticed.
SENSING: This begins before birth. By the time you are able to express what you Sense, in todays' Society, the adults discourage it as silly nonsence, thus depressing it in the Child. Senseing is of the Spiritual Self.
Todays' Society has problems accepting the Concept that the Physical, the Mental and the Spiritual are one, making us Humans whole. The ability to Sense things is not a special Gift from the Creator for a few select Humans, all are born with it. Most Children are not allowed to explore this ability because of the narrow minds of todays' Society, who focus on the so called, what is real, or reality. When reality is trully an individuals concept, thus neither right nor wrong, only a concept to be questioned.
As a Boy, the words of my Grandmother, "You were chosen, not by yourself or by any Human Being, but by a greater Power greater than you or me. Don't listen to those who would criticize you or me for Honoring our Abilities." My Grandmother taught me through many Stories of the Old Ways. She taught through example to be a helper to everyone you meet. That everyone is special in this Life, that Love has no Boundaries, and that Boundaries cannot be set on Love.
My first Lessons were to Respect ALL LIFE, Protect Mother Earth and All of Nature. How can you have or give Love if there is no Respect?
Looking back on the Teachings of my Traditional Ways,
My Concept: Honor, Trust, Respect and Love. To love and to be Loved, you must Honor, Trust and Respect in the HUMAN SENSE. If you cannot Sense Honor in the Person, if you cannot Sense Trust in the Person, if you cannot Sense Respect in the Person, THERE CANNOT BE TRUTH IN LOVE.
For Balance and Peace within: The Knowledge of something or Feeling something, these are not as important for your WELL BEING as Sensing something.
White Crow July 1965
KNOWING: Knowledge starts from birth, you learn to speak and to walk, to read, to write and further your education in formal schooling. These are only important and necessary to prepare you for the task of living, your Physiacl Life.
FEELING: Again, this starts from birth. It is sad, in this society, the first feelings are that of pain. A slap on the buttocks to make you cry to start your breathing. A gentle hand, rubbing the cheat will accomplish the same effect, causing a gentler easing into this Physical World and Life.
Much is taken for granted when it comes to your Feelings. You learn to know and accept the feeling of Joy and Saddness, Love, Hate and Anger, your Mental Self. Yet not much attention is placed on the subtle feelings encountered daily in Nature, A PART OF WHICH YOU ARE! A soft and gentle Breeze crossing your face, most often goes unnoticed.
SENSING: This begins before birth. By the time you are able to express what you Sense, in todays' Society, the adults discourage it as silly nonsence, thus depressing it in the Child. Senseing is of the Spiritual Self.
Todays' Society has problems accepting the Concept that the Physical, the Mental and the Spiritual are one, making us Humans whole. The ability to Sense things is not a special Gift from the Creator for a few select Humans, all are born with it. Most Children are not allowed to explore this ability because of the narrow minds of todays' Society, who focus on the so called, what is real, or reality. When reality is trully an individuals concept, thus neither right nor wrong, only a concept to be questioned.
As a Boy, the words of my Grandmother, "You were chosen, not by yourself or by any Human Being, but by a greater Power greater than you or me. Don't listen to those who would criticize you or me for Honoring our Abilities." My Grandmother taught me through many Stories of the Old Ways. She taught through example to be a helper to everyone you meet. That everyone is special in this Life, that Love has no Boundaries, and that Boundaries cannot be set on Love.
My first Lessons were to Respect ALL LIFE, Protect Mother Earth and All of Nature. How can you have or give Love if there is no Respect?
Looking back on the Teachings of my Traditional Ways,
My Concept: Honor, Trust, Respect and Love. To love and to be Loved, you must Honor, Trust and Respect in the HUMAN SENSE. If you cannot Sense Honor in the Person, if you cannot Sense Trust in the Person, if you cannot Sense Respect in the Person, THERE CANNOT BE TRUTH IN LOVE.
For Balance and Peace within: The Knowledge of something or Feeling something, these are not as important for your WELL BEING as Sensing something.
White Crow July 1965
Monday, January 26, 2009
The Inner Circle of Life
A Concept from the Grandfathers, eternal and relevant to todays' Society.
You are Mortal Body and Immortal Spirit.
This concept - your Spirit chooses your Body for all of its' Strengths and all of its' Limitations.
YOU LEARN ITS' STRENGTHS AND YOU LEARN TO LIVE WITH ITS' LIMITATIONS.
Your Spirit chooses this Body - which is placed on this Earth within a particular set of circumstances at a particular point in time - TO LEARN.
You ARE made from the Elements of the Universe and you ARE symbolically connected to the Elements of the Earth.
From Fire - you receive the heat that makes your Heart alive, pulsing with vitality.
From Mother Earth - you receive the solid form of your Physical Being, that which is known as the Body, made from the same substance that makes up everything of this Earth and Universe.
From Water - you receive the Life Stream of your Blood, flowing ever outward before returning once again to the source of its' beginning, giving Life to the Body. The Life Circle.
From Wind - you receive your First Breath of Life until your last sigh.
THIS IS THE INNER CIRCLE OF LIFE
This is why you should give Thanks always, to that which makes you what and who you are, bouth in Substance and in Spirit.
The Physical you, LIMITED, yet the Spiritual you, ETERNAL!
White Crow September 1956
You are Mortal Body and Immortal Spirit.
This concept - your Spirit chooses your Body for all of its' Strengths and all of its' Limitations.
YOU LEARN ITS' STRENGTHS AND YOU LEARN TO LIVE WITH ITS' LIMITATIONS.
Your Spirit chooses this Body - which is placed on this Earth within a particular set of circumstances at a particular point in time - TO LEARN.
You ARE made from the Elements of the Universe and you ARE symbolically connected to the Elements of the Earth.
From Fire - you receive the heat that makes your Heart alive, pulsing with vitality.
From Mother Earth - you receive the solid form of your Physical Being, that which is known as the Body, made from the same substance that makes up everything of this Earth and Universe.
From Water - you receive the Life Stream of your Blood, flowing ever outward before returning once again to the source of its' beginning, giving Life to the Body. The Life Circle.
From Wind - you receive your First Breath of Life until your last sigh.
THIS IS THE INNER CIRCLE OF LIFE
This is why you should give Thanks always, to that which makes you what and who you are, bouth in Substance and in Spirit.
The Physical you, LIMITED, yet the Spiritual you, ETERNAL!
White Crow September 1956
Monday, January 19, 2009
What If?
Such a small statement, "what if?", yet could have enormous consequences.
"What if?" may cause a positive experience and yet in most cases it will cause a negative experience, leaving you wanting, this I have found over my years.
When one looks back over their Life Experiences, no matter where they are on their Life Path and make the comment to ones' self or to others, "what if?" How many Life experiences, loves, friends, adventures and Life changing moments that you may have missed?
I have found everyone seems to have many "what ifs?" to contemplate. What if I had said this, or not said that, what if I had ventured to this place, or not gone. What if, what if, what if? They seem to be endless.
Contemplating all of the "what ifs?" in your life, after the fact, looking back with questions or remorse, seeing how different or imporved your Life experience could have been. Maybe a love lost, maybe a friend not made, maybe a place or People not experienced. This as I see it, is ever present in the lives of most Human Beings. What If?
As a boy, words from my Grandmother, "If it feels good do it". Then she always added, "As long as you do no harm to yourself or others, never looking back and saying what if?"
There is a concept in my Culture, this thing in todays Society that is called an "urge", an inner feeling, or a need for you to do something, was better understood as a request of the Spirit. Look to these "urges", these requests of the Spirit, they were placed along your Life Path for a purpose. Ignore, your Life, itself, could have dire circumstances. Acting upon these as they occur, you will never have to look back with, "what ifs?"
Action, reacting or acting upon these so called "urges" as they present themselves will eliminate all of the looking back upon your Life, wondering about, what if? There will be times of uncertainty, but know, that urge, that request from the Spirit, was placed there upon your Life Path for a reason. ACT UPON THEM! Wondering how different or how fulfilled your Life could have been IF only you had stepped up and spoken to that individual, letting them know your thoughts, your feeling. Wondering about how Life changing, IF you had ventured to a place, experienced another Culture, another Peoples' concepts, could have been?
I have found people seem to have great concerns about the reactions of others. You ARE who you ARE, respect yourself, as you are. It does not matter what others my think, it, IS your life. Look to what makes you happy, what makes you content with yourself, with YOUR Life. The opinions of others are just that, AN OPINION, neither right nor wrong, only THEIR CONCEPT.
Looking back on things that happened, or did not happen in your Life, people you had encountered, or did not, could be very unsettling and could cause many regrets.
"What if?" a sad circumstance of the Human condition.
A small effort, confidence in ones' self, will eliminate any "WHAT IF?" in your future.
The Teaching August 1947
My thoughts October 1965
White Crow
"What if?" may cause a positive experience and yet in most cases it will cause a negative experience, leaving you wanting, this I have found over my years.
When one looks back over their Life Experiences, no matter where they are on their Life Path and make the comment to ones' self or to others, "what if?" How many Life experiences, loves, friends, adventures and Life changing moments that you may have missed?
I have found everyone seems to have many "what ifs?" to contemplate. What if I had said this, or not said that, what if I had ventured to this place, or not gone. What if, what if, what if? They seem to be endless.
Contemplating all of the "what ifs?" in your life, after the fact, looking back with questions or remorse, seeing how different or imporved your Life experience could have been. Maybe a love lost, maybe a friend not made, maybe a place or People not experienced. This as I see it, is ever present in the lives of most Human Beings. What If?
As a boy, words from my Grandmother, "If it feels good do it". Then she always added, "As long as you do no harm to yourself or others, never looking back and saying what if?"
There is a concept in my Culture, this thing in todays Society that is called an "urge", an inner feeling, or a need for you to do something, was better understood as a request of the Spirit. Look to these "urges", these requests of the Spirit, they were placed along your Life Path for a purpose. Ignore, your Life, itself, could have dire circumstances. Acting upon these as they occur, you will never have to look back with, "what ifs?"
Action, reacting or acting upon these so called "urges" as they present themselves will eliminate all of the looking back upon your Life, wondering about, what if? There will be times of uncertainty, but know, that urge, that request from the Spirit, was placed there upon your Life Path for a reason. ACT UPON THEM! Wondering how different or how fulfilled your Life could have been IF only you had stepped up and spoken to that individual, letting them know your thoughts, your feeling. Wondering about how Life changing, IF you had ventured to a place, experienced another Culture, another Peoples' concepts, could have been?
I have found people seem to have great concerns about the reactions of others. You ARE who you ARE, respect yourself, as you are. It does not matter what others my think, it, IS your life. Look to what makes you happy, what makes you content with yourself, with YOUR Life. The opinions of others are just that, AN OPINION, neither right nor wrong, only THEIR CONCEPT.
Looking back on things that happened, or did not happen in your Life, people you had encountered, or did not, could be very unsettling and could cause many regrets.
"What if?" a sad circumstance of the Human condition.
A small effort, confidence in ones' self, will eliminate any "WHAT IF?" in your future.
The Teaching August 1947
My thoughts October 1965
White Crow
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Making Life Choices
Become Proactive, get Involved
A Culture Lesson:
The Four Directions are Sacred to my People the Onondaga:
North: Widsom: the representative color White
East: Reflection: the representative color Yellow
South: Innocence: the representative color Green
West: Introspection: the representative color Black
A note here: each Native American Culture has their interpretation of the meanings and colors of the Four Sacred Directions.
The Story, the Teaching
A Young Man went to a place where the Grandfather would pass each Season on his Journey in the Four Directions. The Young Man thought that if he just sat in the center where the Paths crossed, the Grandfather would tell him which Direction to take. This would make it much easier for him, and it would help him avoid errors and consequences.
On a Spring Day, the Grandfather came upon the Young Man. "What are you doing, Young Man?" he asked. The Young Man told the Grandfather of his plan to get advice from the Grandfather for his chosen Path to follow in Life. The Grandfather thought, then replied, "You must follow your own Path." The Young Man said, "Well, you just came from the Direction of the North. What did you Learn about North?" The Grandfather told of his adventure in the North and the Lessons to be Learned. But the Grandfather said, "You may have a different experience than I did, so you must find it out for yourself."
Another Season went by, and the Young Man continued to sit in the Crossroads of Life waiting for the Grandfather to tell him which Path to follow. It was Summer, the leaves were on the Trees and the Blooms of Flowers. Here came the Grandfather. The Young Man asked, "Tell me, Grandfather, what Path do you think I should follow?" The Grandfather gave him the same reply as before. The Young Man asked about the Grandfather's experiences in the East. The Grandfather told him of his wonderful experiences. In awe, the Young Man wondered if that might be the Direction he should follow. But instead of following that Path, the Young Man just sat and waited until the next Season. The Summer was long and hot.
The Young Man saw the Grandfather coming toward him as the Leaves began to change. The Young Man was changing as well. He was excited to hear what the Grandfather had Learned on his adventure in the West.
The Grandfather once again reminded the Young Man that it was his Choice to follow his own Path. The Grandfather also shared with the Young Man the wonderful experiences and what he had Learned. The Young Man was excited, and he thought surely this was the Direction for him to follow. But he was a little tired, and he decided to stay for yet another Season.
The Fall of this Life had ceased, and Winter was near at hand. The Man, no longer a Young Man, felt the Cold Winds and thought that he would freeze to death, with little food and no shelter. Still, he survived another Season, waiting for the Grandfather to come yet again. This time he would really decide which Direction would be his Path of Life.
This time the Grandfather did not return to the Crossroads, and the Man realized that he had gone through the Four Seasons of Life. Aged and all alone, he relized that he was no longer a Young Man with a Decision to make about his Path of Life. Life had passed him by while he went through the Winter Season of his Life. He relized that Choice was not someting to waste because of a Fear of Consequences, or while waiting for someone else to make One's Choices.
White Crow May 1949
Thoughts:
Should you, as the Young Man at the beginning of the Lesson, set and wait for another to tell you what YOUR Life Journey SHOULD BE, Life will trully PASS YOU BY. His or your Fear of ERRORS along the Life Path are put there as Lessons to learn and grow. All of the Choices you may have, being that Choice was a Gift at Birth, I suggest USE IT. Do not live another's Life, trully you will NOT have a Life of your own. CHOOSE, and move forth on YOUR LIFE PATH.
White Crow July 1955
A Culture Lesson:
The Four Directions are Sacred to my People the Onondaga:
North: Widsom: the representative color White
East: Reflection: the representative color Yellow
South: Innocence: the representative color Green
West: Introspection: the representative color Black
A note here: each Native American Culture has their interpretation of the meanings and colors of the Four Sacred Directions.
The Story, the Teaching
A Young Man went to a place where the Grandfather would pass each Season on his Journey in the Four Directions. The Young Man thought that if he just sat in the center where the Paths crossed, the Grandfather would tell him which Direction to take. This would make it much easier for him, and it would help him avoid errors and consequences.
On a Spring Day, the Grandfather came upon the Young Man. "What are you doing, Young Man?" he asked. The Young Man told the Grandfather of his plan to get advice from the Grandfather for his chosen Path to follow in Life. The Grandfather thought, then replied, "You must follow your own Path." The Young Man said, "Well, you just came from the Direction of the North. What did you Learn about North?" The Grandfather told of his adventure in the North and the Lessons to be Learned. But the Grandfather said, "You may have a different experience than I did, so you must find it out for yourself."
Another Season went by, and the Young Man continued to sit in the Crossroads of Life waiting for the Grandfather to tell him which Path to follow. It was Summer, the leaves were on the Trees and the Blooms of Flowers. Here came the Grandfather. The Young Man asked, "Tell me, Grandfather, what Path do you think I should follow?" The Grandfather gave him the same reply as before. The Young Man asked about the Grandfather's experiences in the East. The Grandfather told him of his wonderful experiences. In awe, the Young Man wondered if that might be the Direction he should follow. But instead of following that Path, the Young Man just sat and waited until the next Season. The Summer was long and hot.
The Young Man saw the Grandfather coming toward him as the Leaves began to change. The Young Man was changing as well. He was excited to hear what the Grandfather had Learned on his adventure in the West.
The Grandfather once again reminded the Young Man that it was his Choice to follow his own Path. The Grandfather also shared with the Young Man the wonderful experiences and what he had Learned. The Young Man was excited, and he thought surely this was the Direction for him to follow. But he was a little tired, and he decided to stay for yet another Season.
The Fall of this Life had ceased, and Winter was near at hand. The Man, no longer a Young Man, felt the Cold Winds and thought that he would freeze to death, with little food and no shelter. Still, he survived another Season, waiting for the Grandfather to come yet again. This time he would really decide which Direction would be his Path of Life.
This time the Grandfather did not return to the Crossroads, and the Man realized that he had gone through the Four Seasons of Life. Aged and all alone, he relized that he was no longer a Young Man with a Decision to make about his Path of Life. Life had passed him by while he went through the Winter Season of his Life. He relized that Choice was not someting to waste because of a Fear of Consequences, or while waiting for someone else to make One's Choices.
White Crow May 1949
Thoughts:
Should you, as the Young Man at the beginning of the Lesson, set and wait for another to tell you what YOUR Life Journey SHOULD BE, Life will trully PASS YOU BY. His or your Fear of ERRORS along the Life Path are put there as Lessons to learn and grow. All of the Choices you may have, being that Choice was a Gift at Birth, I suggest USE IT. Do not live another's Life, trully you will NOT have a Life of your own. CHOOSE, and move forth on YOUR LIFE PATH.
White Crow July 1955
Friday, January 2, 2009
Worry Part 2
After posting my blog, "Worry", I realized I had omitted a very important part of the Teaching.
As situations or people enter into your Life Circle, causing you concern, and you come to a conclusion you need to worry about it, THINK. As explained in my first posting, as you are thinking and trying to determine, there is nothing I CAN DO to improve or make this problem go away, and you DO determine there is a course of action YOU can do, JUST DO IT. Face the situation or person that has caused this concern you feel you need to worry about, take the action required at that time. Thus, no need to worry.
When you face these situations as they occur and find a solution, something you can act upon, do it. If you find there is nothing YOU CAN DO, FORGET ABOUT IT, take it from your mind. Then you will never have anything to worry about. What ever the problem, it is going to happen, it is out of YOUR control.
DON'T WORRY, it can be destructive to your well-being.
Worry?
White Crow January 2009
As situations or people enter into your Life Circle, causing you concern, and you come to a conclusion you need to worry about it, THINK. As explained in my first posting, as you are thinking and trying to determine, there is nothing I CAN DO to improve or make this problem go away, and you DO determine there is a course of action YOU can do, JUST DO IT. Face the situation or person that has caused this concern you feel you need to worry about, take the action required at that time. Thus, no need to worry.
When you face these situations as they occur and find a solution, something you can act upon, do it. If you find there is nothing YOU CAN DO, FORGET ABOUT IT, take it from your mind. Then you will never have anything to worry about. What ever the problem, it is going to happen, it is out of YOUR control.
DON'T WORRY, it can be destructive to your well-being.
Worry?
White Crow January 2009
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