When I was a kid, I was fascinated
by "End of the World" movies where
some gigantic monster, the product of a nuclear holocaust, or space
aliens, were intent on taking over the planet and ending life as we know
it. Today what I'm watching on CNN is much uglier and more frightening
than anything to come out of Hollywood. It is as though the whole world,
and nearly every one in it, has gone mad.
What we are witnessing today is the end result of generation after
generation that has lost their connection to the Mother and the original
teachings given to all men by Creator. The conquering of our people by
an inferior race led to the almost total demise of tribal life. Instead
of putting the community first, man began to put his own needs and
desires above all else. As the ego grew, so to did the need for control
and power. Our original teachings that all things have spirit and are to
be valued, were replaced with the idea that Nature was to be dominated
and used for profit. The sacred laws were forgotten. In short, mankind
became unbalanced.
Today there is renewed interest in the ways of
traditional peoples. Many
have come to understand the wisdom of the old teachings and embrace them
as the way to rebalance the Earth. But a lot of the people I see today
have totally misunderstood the reason that these traditions have
survived.
Everyone has ancestors - not just Native
Americans. It is not necessary
to "become" an Indian to get back in balance with the universe. I meet
people all the time who, although not having any native blood in them,
have decided to become a "Medicine Man" or start their own tribes and be
"Chiefs." This isn't the solution - it's just the same old self-serving
ego trip that has gotten us into this mess in the first place.
I recently heard about a bunch of Germans who
have each "become" an
Indian and go out into the woods on weekends and live in tipis and wear
traditional clothing. That sounds interesting, but remember - who ever
you are - where ever your ancestors came from - at one time, they, too,
were a tribal people and we all shared the original instructions from
Creator. So learn what you can from the traditional people - those that
managed to survive. Our ways are good. That is why Creator preserved us.
But don't romanticize us. Don't ''become"
something you're not. Just be
yourself. Your ancestors will be proud.
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Prayer to the Ancestors
'We won't be going on alone.
For I have met with my Ancestors.
And I will call back into the past....
Far back into the beginning of time...
And beg them to come and help me...
I will reach back and draw them into me... And they must come...
For at this moment...
I am the whole reason that they have existed at all...'~Mayan Prayer
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