The Realm of the Spirit

Jane05 · MIP Old Timer

The Realm of the Spirit

Dakota · Senior Member

"Excerpts From 500th Anniversary of Columbus: Columbus' Gift - The Err of Judgment

by J.C. High Eagle, Osage/Cherokee

"Oh, Great Spirit, grant that I may not criticize my neighbor until I have walked a mile in his moccasins." - Old Indian Prayer

These are my moccasin. They are not new or store bought. They are ones fashioned by my own experiences over many trails. From their appearance, you can see that they are worn and have withstood many obstacles in the paths along the way.

The "white man" wears shoes with soles that protect him from life's sticks, stones, and jagged edges. His shoes are made to kick, trample and destroy. Mine also have soles for protection, but are soft, allowing the wearer to feel his way along the path. The jagged edges along the trail can penetrate the sole upon an unwise step to remind the wearer to be more careful. For this, wisdom is imparted to the wearer not to step that way again lest a thorn remind him he is off the path.

Sometimes, the "thorns" of others have pricked my sole. In lieu of the usual emotional outcry of "Ouch, you hurt me!", typical of those in your world, I would but take up the trail again, this time wiser from the experience and would leave these footprints:

I have no "game to play", for only non-Indians seek these pastimes. They derive pleasure from deceiving each other. Indian people do not wish to fall victim to these foolish antics. Why should we want to abandon our ways for those of the "civilized"? I prefer our ways. They have withstood the test of time...

Our race has always known the existence of "God", the Great Spirit. My Creator never abandons His children, so fear does not abide In my camp, my tipi. He talks to us without us having to ask or beg His ear. He gives when we are ready and when it is time. We only pray to say, "Thank you for the many blessings You have given."

The Indian is a part of the rhythm of the universe. The Great Mysteries speak to him through the winds, the trees, the bird's song. "God", the Spirit One, gathers unformed thoughts into their proper channels, and unfolds these thoughts, ever as He opens the petals of a holy purpose in order that the purpose may appear.

I respect the "white man's" knowledge, his science, his education, and his ability to think differently and make things easier for himself. But we know that the "white man" does not understand our ways, nor does he respect them. Though be delights in his attempt, he does not maintain ultimate control over time - over destiny. When the white brother goes to his grave, who will be left to weep over him?

My people, they are like a great river. It has been flowing before any of us can remember. We take our strength and our wisdom and our ways from the flow and direction that has been established for us by ancestors we never knew, ancestors of a thousand years ago. Their wisdom flows through us to our children and our grandchildren to generations we will never know.

It is the "white man" who needs to learn or re-learn the lessons or life. He does not know what he's doing at times...

Columbus and your generations that follow, do not think me so naive to your people, to your ways. Moreover, please don't be innocent to mine. One comes here to this Mother Earth not to judge, but merely to understand, to learn and assess. Where something is misinterpreted or not clearly understood, an improved understanding should be in order, not criticism nor judgment.

Because one's motives or actions are not understood, is not justifiable reason for judgment based upon the limited perimeter of another's values.

Here, I lend you my moccasins.
Im going for a mile walk.
Would you like to accompany me? "

http://www.powersource.com/cherokee/message/1095.htm

-- Edited by Dakota at 07:55, 2009-01-07

Dakota · Senior Member

I think that the Cherokee perspective is an important one.

Many religions all over the world share more in common than anyone from a single point of view would have you understand.

It is nearly impossible to be non- judgmental.(but we can do well to make that effort) Our world is full of that. but it is a good practice to understand that the presence of a greater power, the Great Spirit, God or whatever you have understanding as his name, that He is there.

I like the analogy of the pot and the potter. We did not make ourselves. All that is around us shares this world, this universe. The energy source and matter of the Universe is rather infinite and astounding. Beyond our conception of inventiveness. But we love to ponder it's majestic, infinite possibilities, theories and facts.

Maybe we should not "try" so hard to seek Him, but to let him be in our lives.

Prayer is simple, and as the Cherokee mention, Giving Thanks is a real good starting point...