Native American Spirituality

Spirit Dancer · 03-23-2010, 06:19 AM

"We must relearn how to cry. A strong man cries; it is the weak man who holds back his tears."
--Archie Fire Lame Deer, LAKOTA
Indian men and other men should really meditate on this Elder's saying. So many men have been taught it is unmanly to cry, to show emotions or to feel. When people cry, the Elders say there are two types of tears � one type will taste salty; the other type will taste sweet. One is caused by pain, and the other is caused by the release from the pain, or joy tears. A strong man knows himself and knows his relationship with the Great Spirit. The release of tears is a spiritual act. Our bodies are designed to cry. We should honor our bodies and use them as the Creator intended.

Great Spirit, Grandfather, today, teach me to cry.

Spirit Dancer · 03-23-2010, 06:24 AM

Today I cry freely as our family gathers to say our last
good byes to our father. Today I remembered the good not the bad times,
and know that Great Spirit has shown me how to cry once again.
I find my solace here being able to write, an escape where no one but me can see my tears.
Knowing I must remain strong for them while inside I cry.

violaine · 03-23-2010, 11:25 AM

" ... There is no death, only a change of worlds... "

http://www.halcyon.com/arborhts/chiefsea.html

Spirit Dancer · 03-24-2010, 10:36 AM

Our religion is the traditions of our ancestors; the dreams of our old men, given them in the solemn hours of night by the Great Spirit; and the visions of our sachems, and is written in the hearts of our people.
--Chief Seattle, SUQUAMISH
Our Spiritual ways have carefully been given to chosen people. Slowly, through our past generations, through past conflicts, our Elders prayed for guidance, which the Creator provided. Then it was passed down to the next generation through culture, ceremony and oral traditions. Our Indian religion has been tested and is about how we should behave and treat other people, animals and the earth. This knowledge is written in the heart of every person. We can find this knowledge by looking inside ourselves.

My Creator, today, when conflict occurs, I will look inside myself for the answers.

Andrew, Jr. · 03-24-2010, 01:05 PM

I find such joy and comfort in this thread. Thank you for this thread, Spirit Dancer.

Love,
Andrew

violaine · 03-24-2010, 01:20 PM

wolfwalker · 03-28-2010, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spirit Dancer

"We must relearn how to cry. A strong man cries; it is the weak man who holds back his tears."
--Archie Fire Lame Deer, LAKOTA
Indian men and other men should really meditate on this Elder's saying. So many men have been taught it is unmanly to cry, to show emotions or to feel. When people cry, the Elders say there are two types of tears � one type will taste salty; the other type will taste sweet. One is caused by pain, and the other is caused by the release from the pain, or joy tears. A strong man knows himself and knows his relationship with the Great Spirit. The release of tears is a spiritual act. Our bodies are designed to cry. We should honor our bodies and use them as the Creator intended.

Great Spirit, Grandfather, today, teach me to cry.

last week, i found the need to cry and let out the pain and confusion of the things going on in my life. it was healing and helped to give me back myself.

wolfwalker

Sachita · 03-28-2010, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfwalker

last week, i found the need to cry and let out the pain and confusion of the things going on in my life. it was healing and helped to give me back myself.

wolfwalker

good for you! Ive learned some lessons the hard way, as always. I use to be very stoic and seemed emotionless. I harbored my fears and pain and didnt let anyone close to me. Its amazing how we reach a point, find a place and just let go. Its healing, freeing and helps us grow.

brave and strong people cry and they are no afraid to expose themselves.

Spirit Dancer · 03-28-2010, 07:16 PM

We cannot control the evil tongues of others; but a good life enables us to disregard them.
Cato the Elder (234 BC - 149 BC)

Spirit Dancer · 03-29-2010, 06:07 AM

"Tell the people not to cry. Tell them to be happy."
--John Fire Lame Deer, LAKOTA (told to his son, Archie, as he died)
Our Elders know about the two Worlds, the Physical World and the Spiritual World. Many times, before we pass to the Spirit World, our relatives, who have gone there before us, will come for us and they will help us. The Spirit World, the Elders say, is a good, happy, and harmonious place. When we die, it means we have only entered another world. We will all see one another again.

Great Spirit, allow me to understand both the Spirit World and the Physical World. Today, let me be happy.

Spirit Dancer · 04-01-2010, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfwalker

last week, i found the need to cry and let out the pain and confusion of the things going on in my life. it was healing and helped to give me back myself.

wolfwalker

Wolfwalker
It's always great to return to oneself, it's even better when we freely cleanse our souls. Glad you were able to find you once again.

03-23-2010, 06:19 AM	#1
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	"We must relearn how to cry. A strong man cries; it is the weak man who holds back his tears." --Archie Fire Lame Deer, LAKOTA Indian men and other men should really meditate on this Elder's saying. So many men have been taught it is unmanly to cry, to show emotions or to feel. When people cry, the Elders say there are two types of tears � one type will taste salty; the other type will taste sweet. One is caused by pain, and the other is caused by the release from the pain, or joy tears. A strong man knows himself and knows his relationship with the Great Spirit. The release of tears is a spiritual act. Our bodies are designed to cry. We should honor our bodies and use them as the Creator intended. Great Spirit, Grandfather, today, teach me to cry. __________________ “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

03-23-2010, 06:24 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	Today I cry freely as our family gathers to say our last good byes to our father. Today I remembered the good not the bad times, and know that Great Spirit has shown me how to cry once again. I find my solace here being able to write, an escape where no one but me can see my tears. Knowing I must remain strong for them while inside I cry. __________________ “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

03-24-2010, 10:36 AM	#4
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	Our religion is the traditions of our ancestors; the dreams of our old men, given them in the solemn hours of night by the Great Spirit; and the visions of our sachems, and is written in the hearts of our people. --Chief Seattle, SUQUAMISH Our Spiritual ways have carefully been given to chosen people. Slowly, through our past generations, through past conflicts, our Elders prayed for guidance, which the Creator provided. Then it was passed down to the next generation through culture, ceremony and oral traditions. Our Indian religion has been tested and is about how we should behave and treat other people, animals and the earth. This knowledge is written in the heart of every person. We can find this knowledge by looking inside ourselves. My Creator, today, when conflict occurs, I will look inside myself for the answers. __________________ “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

03-28-2010, 07:16 PM	#9
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	We cannot control the evil tongues of others; but a good life enables us to disregard them. Cato the Elder (234 BC - 149 BC) __________________ “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

03-29-2010, 06:07 AM	#10
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	"Tell the people not to cry. Tell them to be happy." --John Fire Lame Deer, LAKOTA (told to his son, Archie, as he died) Our Elders know about the two Worlds, the Physical World and the Spiritual World. Many times, before we pass to the Spirit World, our relatives, who have gone there before us, will come for us and they will help us. The Spirit World, the Elders say, is a good, happy, and harmonious place. When we die, it means we have only entered another world. We will all see one another again. Great Spirit, allow me to understand both the Spirit World and the Physical World. Today, let me be happy. __________________ “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

03-23-2010, 11:25 AM	#3
violaine Timed Out How Do You Identify?: atypical Preferred Pronoun?: plague words and phrases Relationship Status: love wise guys of the avian world Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: wekiva springs basin Posts: 3,236 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,934 Thanked 3,293 Times in 1,301 Posts Rep Power: 0	" ... There is no death, only a change of worlds... " http://www.halcyon.com/arborhts/chiefsea.html

03-24-2010, 01:05 PM	#5
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	I find such joy and comfort in this thread. Thank you for this thread, Spirit Dancer. Love, Andrew

03-24-2010, 01:20 PM	#6
violaine Timed Out How Do You Identify?: atypical Preferred Pronoun?: plague words and phrases Relationship Status: love wise guys of the avian world Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: wekiva springs basin Posts: 3,236 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,934 Thanked 3,293 Times in 1,301 Posts Rep Power: 0