ARTICLES
by Jim PathFinder Ewing (Nvnehi Awatisgi)
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American Indians and Native American Spirituality are caught in a Gordian knot that began before America’s colonization, tightened with the founding of this country and exists to this day.
Bound within it like interlocking links of chain are the issues of sovereignty, tribal recognition, blood quantum and, at its heart, the free exercise of religion.
If this knot is not unraveled, the chains unbound, American Indians and those who follow traditional teachings will never be able to freely exercise their religion. The future is one of increasing restrictions, deepening divisions and, ultimately, the death of Native America....Read More>
Does Looking Back Woman Have 'The' Sacred Pipe?
An issue of potentially powerful implications in Native America is brewing with the claims that The Sacred Pipe of the Lakotas (the C'anupa Wakan of the OcetiShakowin, the Seven Nations of the Sioux) is in the hands of a Mnicoujou Lakota woman by the name of Suzanne Dupree, or Looking Back Woman.
The issue is potentially divisive because it raises questions about the Pipe held by Arvol Looking Horse, who is widely known as the 19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe.
While the issue is particularly pertinent to the Lakota, Dakota, Nakota Oyate (People), others may find it of interest, for it cuts to the heart of what is the Sacred Pipe, or Canunpa, and what it means...Read More>
Ugista ti -- The 'Pay' of Medicine Men
Reprinted from Planet LightWorker Magazine, January 8, 2006
SOME PEOPLE, ERRONEOUSLY, believe that all healing work is done for free in Native way. Ceremonies are free; though, usually, gifts will be given. Specific acts entail ugista 'ti - an archaic Tsalagi (Cherokee) word meaning, literally, "for to eat."
In ancient days, one would give the shaman or medicine man a deer hide or moccasins, something useful if he performed a curing ceremony or specific task outside of the ceremonial duties of the tribe. Of course, the tribe provided food. Later, after the Europeans came, that became beads or something to trade for food; ugista 'ti.
When I started on this path, I tried what was presumed "Native way," and only took "a gift from the heart" as payment, instead of money...Read More>
Using the Medicine Wheel to Bring Balance to Earth
IT IS OUR PURPOSE, each of us, to bring balance to the Earthly Mother. In doing this, we bring balance to ourselves.
Within each of us, male and female, are male and female elements. For the past few thousand years, since the rise of settled civilizations in the West, the energy of the Earth has been tilted toward the masculine, a patriarchal power. This is not bad. It just is. In the scheme of things, perhaps it was necessary to provide the impetus for the rise of hierarchy, to bring order to the world in human relations...Read More>
The Effect of War & Terror On The Planetary Consciousness
As our nation and the world ponder war and peace, it’s important to consider the effect of war and terror on the planetary consciousness.
We are each beings of energy. Indeed, all is energy, as the scientists point out. Physicality is just vibration at a lower rate than, say, light...Read More>
Drumming As A Form of Prayer
Native Americans and most of the indigenous peoples of the Earth have known for thousands of years that drumming is a powerful spiritual tool.
Only in recent years, though, has the scientific basis come to light. Michael Harner, an anthropologist and founder of the Foundation for Shamanic Studies, did pioneering work in studying the effects of drumming in the 1960s and '70s, outlined in his book, "The Way of The Shaman" (Harper; San Francisco; 1990).
According to Harner, the beat of the drum, as used to transport native peoples into shamanic states of consciousness, closely approximates the base resonant frequency of the Earth, which can be measured scientifically.
In recent years, Gregg Braden, a geophysicist and author of such works as "Walking Between the Worlds: The Science of Compassion" (Radio Bookstore Press; Bellevue, Wash.; 1997), has continuously measured this frequency, which has led to his hypothesis that the Earth is going through great changes, with profound implications for its inhabitants...Read More>
Are We Ready To Bring Balance To The Earth? To Ourselves?
A Message From The Hopi Elders
In April, I received a message from the Hopi Elders. It is powerful and should be shared with the world.
As soon as I received it, I recognized the power of the words and sent it right out to as many people as I could as quickly as possible, so that others might share in the wisdom. Let me interject here that the message is much stronger than the words tell. Merely holding it in my hands told me there was greater power in these words than could meet the eye...Read More>
I’m not sure if there is any concrete definition. In truth, we are each and all on a Spirit Quest daily on this plane. But, by defining a time, with the intent of discovery, forming the intention of specifically going on a Spirit Quest or journey assumes something of a “mission.” Some, in the Australian aborigine tradition, might call it a “walkabout.”
Because we live so much of our lives in unconsciousness and routine, we become inured to the miracles constantly around us. We must step out of our lives to find what is within...Read More>
Note: This appeared in two parts, in the December 2003 and January 2004 issues of PlanetLightworker Magazine.
Climbing The Mountain
So many people seem to be finding obstacles and lessons in their lives right now, it can seem overwhelming. Everyone's life seems to be disrupted, often in major ways, with personal relationships, living situations, jobs . . . all the things that "matter."...Read More>
The Sacredness of All Things
Something that keeps coming up again and again with this work -- and by that, I mean all types of energy work, shamanic, Reiki, etc. -- is an aspect that often overlooked: the sacredness of all things, or sacrality.
In the shamanic tradition, all "things" have life...Read More>
On Being A Reiki Master
People attach a lot of baggage to titles. They feed the ego. They color how people look at us, deal with us. They can even help us fool ourselves.
The designation "Reiki Master" is one of those tricky titles that can do more harm than good...Read More>
Grounding, Centering & Shielding
I've written about this a good bit, but with all the Earth changes under way, and the emotional upheavals people are experiencing, I've been told that I need to say a bit more, if only as a reminder...Read More>
This is reprinted from Children of the New Earth magazine, March 2006
When we were children, remember back: We knew what kind of parents we wanted, we needed, in order to fulfill our life’s purpose. It may be buried deeply under many layers of experience, many disappointments, many failed expectations, many shattered dreams, rationalizations and accommodations, but it’s there, still shining, if we will only look deep enough: The Dream of Who We Were Meant To Be. In recent years, the phenomenon of the Indigo Children has come to light. They have been called various names, such as Star Children, Crystal Children, and the like. Read More>
Love: The Perfect Imperfection of our Relationships
In the course of my practice, I’ve increasingly been met by people with relationship problems -- spouses, lovers, parents, children, even the living and the departed -- people whose lives are disrupted by various issues regarding the ones they love, have loved or regarding the search for love...Read More>
People Come & Go: Love Them All
Sometimes we get so hung up on spiritual concepts and ideas we become blind to how they play out around us at any given time -- and at all times. For example, "karma" and "reincarnation." Being in polarity, the wholeness of any given situation may not be apparent at the moment, but may become clear later...Read More>
The Song of Woableza
[This is the story of a vision. At the center of the vision is Robert 'Woableza' LaBatte, a Lakota/Dakota spiritual leader who was brutally beat on July 13, 2003. He continues to suffer persecutions and tribulations as a result of his holy path. See related article below: Woableza]
Mitakuye,
This night, hearing of the latest pain and suffering of our brother Woableza and the heaping of more indignity upon him by those who make themselves strangers who should be friends and brothers,
I was led to do ceremony...Read More>
The Lesson of Sioux Holy Man: Woableza
For the past two weeks, I've been totally occupied with the healing, help, support and protection of man I have come to know as a living example of what Spirituality in action is all about...Read More>
Peace, Compassion & Ascension Amid War & Terror
On Sept. 11, our nation and our world received a blow that will require all our gifts to amend, with the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington...Read More>
The Language of the Star Beings (Dolphins & Whales)
(Note: Reprinted from the June 20, 2002, Healing The Earth/Ourselves newsletter, Vol. 2, No. 21. Because I’ve received so many requests for this article, I’ve decided to include it on the webpage. If interested in a copy of the Star Alphabet, send me an e-mail.)
Last week, I said I would reveal the alphabet of the Star Beings (& Dolphins and Whales), as told by Sioux medicine man and Sundance Chief Golden Eagle...Read More>
The Mayan Calendar: A Roadmap to Consciousness
(Note: This is also a frequently requested newsletter, June 23, 2002, Vol. 2, No. 23)
One of the fascinating speakers I heard at the New Age Conference I attended last month (hosted by Allison Bluestar Rae of Sedona, Ariz.) in Crestone, Colo., was Ian Xel Lungold, an expert on the Mayan Calendar (see his website: www.mayanmajix.com).
The conference was only one stop on my Spirit Quest, which included various power spots and sacred sites in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Oklahoma, Arkansas and, yes, in Mississippi...Read More>
Healing, Drumming & Praying
Two of my Reiki students jumped out of their car laughing when they came for a session the other day.
"You've been working on us all morning," said one, giggling, "haven't you?"...Read More>
Deciphering The DaVinci Code (A Book Review, From the Newsletter "Keeping In Touch ..." 2003)
I've just finished reading The DaVinci Code - better late than never, I guess. So many people have asked for my "take" on it, I borrowed a copy and read it. It's a disturbing book. And one, I believe, that should be read. But it should be read carefully!...Read More>
New Shamanism
What Standing Bear Moore says in his Seventh Message is true: There is a new wave of spirituality arising across the land. Many of these new Rainbow Warriors are learning the old ways of the shamans.
But, it is a new shamanism, called "core shamanism," incorporating many ways of thought, many ways of being, as diverse in individual expression as the colors of the rainbow...Read More>
The Message . . .
We have been telling the people that this is the Eleventh Hour.
Now you must go back and tell the people that this is the Hour.
And there are things to be considered.
Where are you living?...Read More>
From the newsletter, "Keeping In Touch . . ." November, 2004
Note: I have kept publicly silent on this issue since it came forth, but feel compelled to state my views, since many have asked. I have considered it long and hard, been around the Medicine Wheel many times with it, and this is what I have to say. Aho.
The ‘Protection’ of Ceremonies...Read More>
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