Native American Spirituality

AtLast · 02-20-2010, 08:32 PM

I am not Native American but have found that the solace, peace, and inner balance that many native spiritual practices bring me changed my life for the better. I claim no expertise in any of these practices. I'm simply grateful I opened myself up to differing ways of experiencing spirit in my life.

I have had a pretty rough year and a half on several fronts and could not have landed on my feet without what I have been able to integrate in my life through native American spiritual teachings.

I'm going on a personal pilgrimage of calm next week to some geographic areas that are sacred to CA Native people that have opened up to me a place to reflect and chant, to commune. Places to honor the Native stewards that keep them sacred so that someone like me can be humbled by the very different holiness that surrounded my childhood.

Spirit Dancer · 02-21-2010, 10:09 AM

Unfortunately, all is not beauty and peace. I don't believe I've ever met a person
who hasn't been challenged or wounded by something. Difficulties present choices:
we can either waste away from our wounds or use them to grow our souls.
My husband, for example, is a survivor of the Second World War. As a child,
he suffered through six years of bombings, near-escapes, and concentration camps.
Part of his soul work has been the gradual transformation of this deep well
of grief and pain. As he heals himself, he also participates in healing that terrible idea
of war in others. I have always said that no one heals alone--we heal through and for one another.

Joan Borysenko

Spirit Dancer · 02-21-2010, 10:13 AM

Atlast

Welcome, i'm happy that you find comfort and sloace in Native ways.
One doesn't have to be Native to feel drawn and derive a healing and comfort from their practices. I hope the remainder of your year is better and your commune brings the peace you desire.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AtLastHome

I am not Native American but have found that the solace, peace, and inner balance that many native spiritual practices bring me changed my life for the better. I claim no expertise in any of these practices. I'm simply grateful I opened myself up to differing ways of experiencing spirit in my life.

I have had a pretty rough year and a half on several fronts and could not have landed on my feet without what I have been able to integrate in my life through native American spiritual teachings.

I'm going on a personal pilgrimage of calm next week to some geographic areas that are sacred to CA Native people that have opened up to me a place to reflect and chant, to commune. Places to honor the Native stewards that keep them sacred so that someone like me can be humbled by the very different holiness that surrounded my childhood.

Andrew, Jr. · 02-21-2010, 04:46 PM

AtlastHome and Spirit Dancer,

I agree with you. Native American Spirituality does bring comfort to me as well. It reminds me of my Buddist ways. It makes me so very happy.

Andrew

Tommi · 02-22-2010, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew, Jr.

AtlastHome and Spirit Dancer,

I agree with you. Native American Spirituality does bring comfort to me as well. It reminds me of my Buddist ways. It makes me so very happy.

Andrew

Same here..It is a force and a consciousness. I used to take the Ex and our daughter to all the American Indian events we could get too. The kiddo is Shoshone and Cherokee and Irish...., and was a very spiritual child who needed to be away from the rat race, and loved to just Be In Nature..And she loved to dance at the Pow Wow's. We visited and camped on a reservation and got to stay in a real wigwam when she was 7.It was awesome

The Ex is Shoshone and well, she just loved getting away from the house,,

. Thanks for this thread.

Spirit Dancer · 02-22-2010, 07:17 PM

"In the Indian way, we are connected to that flower if we understand its spirit, the essence of its life."
--Larry P. Aitken, CHIPPEWA
Everything on our Earth is alive. Every rock, every plant, every animal, every tree, every bird, every thought is alive. This is true because everything is made by the Great Spirit and the Great Spirit is alive. We need to slow our lives down each day and realize, consciously, that this is true. First we need to realize it, second, we need to acknowledge it, third, we need to appreciate it and, finally, we need to go on.

Great Spirit, let me see life through Your eyes. Today let me be alive

02-21-2010, 10:09 AM	#2
Spirit Dancer Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Complex but Tender Preferred Pronoun?: ~Ma`am~ Relationship Status: Shotgun Rider Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Following the red road Posts: 4,519 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,304 Thanked 12,904 Times in 3,466 Posts Rep Power: 21474856	Unfortunately, all is not beauty and peace. I don't believe I've ever met a person who hasn't been challenged or wounded by something. Difficulties present choices: we can either waste away from our wounds or use them to grow our souls. My husband, for example, is a survivor of the Second World War. As a child, he suffered through six years of bombings, near-escapes, and concentration camps. Part of his soul work has been the gradual transformation of this deep well of grief and pain. As he heals himself, he also participates in healing that terrible idea of war in others. I have always said that no one heals alone--we heal through and for one another. Joan Borysenko __________________ “For it was not into my ear you whispered, but into my heart. It was not my lips you kissed, but my soul.” Judy Garland

02-22-2010, 07:17 PM	#6
Spirit Dancer Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Complex but Tender Preferred Pronoun?: ~Ma`am~ Relationship Status: Shotgun Rider Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Following the red road Posts: 4,519 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,304 Thanked 12,904 Times in 3,466 Posts Rep Power: 21474856	"In the Indian way, we are connected to that flower if we understand its spirit, the essence of its life." --Larry P. Aitken, CHIPPEWA Everything on our Earth is alive. Every rock, every plant, every animal, every tree, every bird, every thought is alive. This is true because everything is made by the Great Spirit and the Great Spirit is alive. We need to slow our lives down each day and realize, consciously, that this is true. First we need to realize it, second, we need to acknowledge it, third, we need to appreciate it and, finally, we need to go on. Great Spirit, let me see life through Your eyes. Today let me be alive __________________ “For it was not into my ear you whispered, but into my heart. It was not my lips you kissed, but my soul.” Judy Garland

02-20-2010, 08:32 PM	#1
AtLast Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Woman Preferred Pronoun?: HER - SHE Relationship Status: Relating Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: CA & AZ I'm a Snowbird Posts: 5,408 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 11,826 Thanked 10,827 Times in 3,199 Posts Rep Power: 21474857	I am not Native American but have found that the solace, peace, and inner balance that many native spiritual practices bring me changed my life for the better. I claim no expertise in any of these practices. I'm simply grateful I opened myself up to differing ways of experiencing spirit in my life. I have had a pretty rough year and a half on several fronts and could not have landed on my feet without what I have been able to integrate in my life through native American spiritual teachings. I'm going on a personal pilgrimage of calm next week to some geographic areas that are sacred to CA Native people that have opened up to me a place to reflect and chant, to commune. Places to honor the Native stewards that keep them sacred so that someone like me can be humbled by the very different holiness that surrounded my childhood.

02-21-2010, 04:46 PM	#4
Andrew, Jr. Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Me Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: Unavailable Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Over the Rainbow in a House Posts: 5,072 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 16,004 Thanked 5,249 Times in 2,216 Posts Rep Power: 0	AtlastHome and Spirit Dancer, I agree with you. Native American Spirituality does bring comfort to me as well. It reminds me of my Buddist ways. It makes me so very happy. Andrew