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MEDICINE WHEEL TEACHINGS IN THE 21st CENTURY |
The Song of Wolf Brings the
Magic of
the Natural World &
Connects us to each other, our Ancestors and the Seven
Directions.
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Excerpt from
my book entitled: The Medicine Wheel has been adopted by most First Nations people as a universal symbol of healing, interconnectedness and a holistic foundation of peaceful interaction and personal growth. The teachings mirror your life and it sometimes requires courage to look and really see what is being reflected back to you because some experiences are painful, while others joyful and reflective. However, it is ultimately facing it all that makes you a stronger and better person. In the tribes, my Ancestors were encouraged to think and walk in a positive way, for if they were angry, remorseful, and bitter, their earth walk would reflect that negativity. Traditional Hawaiian’s have a saying, "As you think so it is." In other words, if you believe that you are a worthy person, then you are. If you believe that you do not matter in the Universe, then you won’t. Greet every day with sacred honour songs and prayers because life is a fleeting thing. MEDICINE WHEEL & FOUR INTERSECTING THEMES Spending time creating a Character Education Environmentally-friendly Medicine provides a tangible mechanism upon which the healing of individuals, families, communities and nations can be focused. As noted earlier, it creates a safe, holistic foundation for character building that speaks to us at every level of human experience (love, courage, humility, respect, truth, honour, generosity). They are moral guides to our personal growth as humans who live in communion with one another and all of creation. Therefore, as the Ethic of Non-Interference teaches, it is not our place to judge how another person chooses to live her life. It is our place, however, to be there in friendship, love, balance, support and harmony when needed and even then our personal opinions remain our own. The Medicine Wheel increases self-esteem and just simply makes you feel good about yourself; it grounds you in the truth of who you are as someone who matters.
ELDER TEACHING: Listen to the waves crashing into the shore. Hear the musical sound of the water. Choosing to hear the glorious sound teaches you a lot about where you are on your current earth walk.
Each of you is surrounded by four intersecting circles.
SELF: Your personal Wants and Needs; they can sometimes be confused in the heat of the moment, particularly if a strong feeling of victimization is present. Your goal is to sort out what really matters in your life - the grass is only greener on the other side, if you did not tend to your own garden. Determine what elevates your soul; find the silence and clear your mind of inner chatter and clutter. Move old patterns and memories away from the centre to a safe and loving place in your personal history data bank. In other words, do you practice Hanta Ho, the Lakhota term of 'Clearing the Way' between a want and a need? OTHERS: Meeting the needs and wants of people you interact with in good and balanced ways is a powerful healing tool for both parties. The goal is: (a) not to sell your soul to the lowest bidder, (b) discourage ideas and opinions that seek to overwhelm your own sense of self. (c) not buy into shame-based attitudes as they try to mold you in their images. Remember, a bully is someone who cannot face h/his own personal healing work and this fear usually drives the desire to criticize and change others as compensation for the lack of personal leadership. Are you able to lay aside your own wants to be in service to others, why is this important for your overall well-being. SOCIETY: Earning a living being responsible and accountable while doing so. Be careful of traps. The wider world often tries to dictate morality and standards of behaviour that contradict your own good sense, i.e., marketers trying to tell you that your body doesn’t measure up; your behaviour isn't cool enough; you are not making enough money; you don=t own enough stuff; you don=t own the right stuff, and on and on. Is your inner core strong enough to withstand the negative images others try to lay upon you? ANCESTORS: They are your connections to that which is greater than you. By rising above the mundane world and embracing the idea that you are simply the next in a long line of ancestors, helps to root you in your personal history. It doesn’t mean you ‘have to go home again’, but knowing where you come from is critical in the journey of knowing where you are going. Does your ego get in the way of a connecting to Energy greater than yourself?
[1] Spoken by Shooter, Teton Lakhota Elder.
To
order a CD of
'Medicine Wheel, Character Education & the
Environment in the 21st Century'
The book (on CD) contains a chart for a forty-stone Medicine Wheel along with both a Character and Environmental teaching. Forty Stones = Eighty Teachings! The book is a valuable tool for Educators in helping to incorporate the teachings into the curriculum.
For a detailed description of adult/professional workshop, Click
Fire
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Tecumseh (Shawnee) Vision Statement
"Live your life that the fear of
death can never enter your heart. Beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people. Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide. Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, even a stranger, when in a lonely place. Show respect to all people and bow to none. When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself. Abuse no one and no living thing, For abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision. When it comes to your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song and die like a hero going home." |
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Medicine Wheel teachings are among the oldest of First Nations people and are based on the seven directions (North, East, South West, Life above the earth, life on the earth, life below the earth). They are vast and limitless and form the basis of most First Nations belief themes. For example, the natural world was created in groups of four to honour East, South, West and North. They are connected in the centre by Mother Earth's heart beat. The Wheel's sacred teachings assist us along our healing paths, and the relationships among the teachings form the basis of what it is to be human. After all, humans are the weakest of all creation and therefore, as the world’s ‘takers’, we must be cognizant of what we take, how much we take, who we are taking it from and why we are taking it. This includes: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual realms. An Elder once told me that the grains of sand on a beach will never equal the number of teachings contained within the mysteries of the Medicine Wheel. Anthropological discoveries have shown that the wheels are mainly clustered in southern Alberta and various spots in North and South Dakota, Montana, meaning tribes such as the Lakota and Blackfoot (loosely grouped as 'The Plains') were the main builders and the Wheels were created to honour the power of the Sun. Note: What direction does each of the four colours of human belong? There have been many books written about the Medicine Wheel, and they often differ as to the placement of some of the teachings, for example, there are some Lakhota teachers who place the yellow race in the west and the black race in the east; Anishinaabe version places the Red Race in the South and the Black Race in the West; others suggest the wheel is walked in a counter-clockwise direction. As so little is really known, there is really no wrong way to build a wheel, A circular walk after all has no beginning and no end no matter which direction you start. It is more of a question of what resonates with each tribal culture as they seek their own understandings through the expression of building a medicine wheel. I can only speak from my own knowledge, research and what has been taught to me. "Some things on the wheel", an Elder once said to me "are based simply on geographic logic." Therefore, based on where current races moreorless currently originated, logic says, White in the North, Yellow in the East, Black in the South, Red in the West.
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Unity Button Celebrating Four colours of human (Red in West, Black in South, White in North, Yellow in East) |
Medicine Wheel in Southern Alberta - you can see the spokes extending out from the centre
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Big Horn, Wyoming (largest), seventy meters across (Age estimate: 2500-3000 years) On the June Solstice, a ray from the Sun cuts directly across the Wheel. Scattered across the plains of Alberta are a number of stone Medicine Wheels. Some are extremely large, greater than 12 meters across. They are the remains of special ceremonial dance (called "Sun" or "Thirst" Dance) and celebrated by the Plains First Nations people. The term "Medicine Wheel" was first applied to the Big Horn Medicine Wheel in Wyoming, the most southern and the largest in existence. Big Horn consists of a central circle of piled rock surrounded by a circle of stone; "Rays" of stones travel out from the central core of rock and its surrounding circle. The whole structure looks rather like the wheel of a bicycle. Alberta has about 66% of all known Medicine wheels (46) which suggests that Southern Alberta was a central meeting place for many Plains tribes who followed Medicine Wheel ceremonies (usually on and around the Summer Solstice - June 21st). Despite their physical existence, there is a lot of mystery that surrounds the Medicine Wheel, because without written records, so little is understood as to their true meaning. Many theories abound, including: (a) the wheels contain significant stellar and cosmological alignments, specifically designed in other words to point towards the rising sun or to certain star nation constellation(s); (b) the performance of specific rituals and ceremonies that have been lost to the mists of time.
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WALKING THE MEDICINE WHEEL The Medicine Wheel assists in helping to seek: strong, healthy bodies (East); strong inner spirits (South), inner peace (West), healthy minds (North). The term "Medicine" as it is used by First Nations people does not refer to drugs or herbal remedies. It is used within the context of inner spiritual energy and healing or an enlightened experience, The central essence of the medicine wheel is that each of you must make your own choices. More often than not, however, these choices are influenced by other individuals (families, co-workers, friends, social and political environments). Not of all your experiences are good ones, there is a lot of hate, terror, jealousy, fractured families and societies in a very unsettled world which has resulted in an increase in various kinds of cancers. Sometimes you are not successful in working around the pain and you become caught up in a jungle of tangled emotions, followed by ‘not right action’. It is difficult to walk the earth walk with care always looking to your future in healing, positive and understanding ways, when it is so easy to just give up. But, then, this is the challenge isn’t it? To learn from those experiences that have not elevated your life, (even though it can be a scary process!) and keep moving forward in a manner that pleases your Ancestors. A good starting point on the wheel are birth dates. The Medicine Wheel is walked in a clockwise direction (the direction of the Sun). The time needed to walk a complete circle is whatever time it takes - time, in other words, time is relative to the process of building your life and is no one else's business.
To emphasize, there is no right or wrong way to walk the wheel or live your life, how we do it is our choice, and how we do it should not be judged by anyone. This is where the Five Native Ethics come in, which is a whole other teaching. Suffice it to say, that the Ethic of Non-Interference, teaches it is not my place to judge how you choose to live your life. It is my place to be there in friendship, love, balance, support and harmony when needed and even then your personal opinions remain your own. After all, Great Mystery does not make mistakes, and each person is created as a 'perfect soul' which reflects the central essence of the medicine wheel. It is hard to understand sometimes that where you are at this point in your earth walk is exactly where you are supposed to be, and guess what, at the same time you are still perfect! In other words, moving around the great medicine wheel circle is an ongoing journey of personal redemption and evolution. If you wish to become a self fulfilling prophecy, it is best to think and walk in a positive way, for if you are angry, remorseful, and bitter, then your earth walk will reflect that anger. In ancestral times, Indigenous People greeted every sacred day with honour songs and prayers because physical life was a fleeting thing. There were songs to greet the morning Sun, songs to put Grandfather Sun to bed, Songs for Guardian Spirits, Prayers for Mother Earth. Everyday should be a good day with good thoughts, good feelings and prayer because being called to your day of quiet could be at any time. As one of my teachers once said, "If someone says to me, 'I'm not spiritual', I'll say, you breathe, don’t you’? If you breathe you are spiritual for Spirituality is breath and breath is hope." As the beginning of the Great Spirit Prayer says, "Oh Great Spirit whose breath gives life to all the world, hear me I needy our strength and wisdom." The ‘Old’ People say that you are never the same person coming out of a circle as when you went in because so many new connections have been made. All things that live within the Sacred Hoop are equal and protected. It is a place where you come together in safety, trust and sanctity to share stories and feelings and help each other heal through both communal and individual laughter and tears. Eventually you will return to your starting place older and hopefully a little wiser to begin the process of walking the Wheel again, this time with new understanding, insight and inner strength.
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CREATING AN ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE WHEEL We are part of a broken world. How evident has this been, particularly in these past few years with super hurricanes and tsunami’s wrecking havoc across the globe. We are unwilling participants standing on the sidelines of a human world at war with the Earth. What are we doing about it?? It is our responsibility to care for the world which includes accountable stewards humans before recorded time, care for it, share it and love it; for thousands of years the world's Indigenous people did just that until we were overwhelmed by other energies that sought to control the earth instead of working with it. For more See my book. IMPORTANT NOTE: When building an environmental Medicine Wheel, each stone (or person) represents an aspect of nature and is placed in a particular direction on the Medicine Wheel. The placement is not how the builder 'feels' but what is right and logical, following the wisdom of the ages. (See my book for details.) C.E. Webster Public School (TDSB) Medicine Wheel Magic happened in a week-long celebration of Character and Environmental Education, courtesy of ArtsSmarts, Evergreen, Prologue, TDSB and, of course, Sandy and myself.
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WISDOM OF THE ELDERS Young people cannot learn if they are tired, hungry, frightened, feel unloved and/or if they’ve been abused both in their personal lives and in school yards. IT IS NOT OKAY FOR YOU TO BE:
1.
Living
in fear while in school or at home. IT IS NOT OKAY FOR YOU TO:
7. Engage
in any intimidating behavior (i.e., verbal/physical threats, constant
criticism) that makes someone feel victimized, controlled or fearful. Spending peaceful time together and creating a Character Building Medicine Wheel empowers our youth to develop creative, fulfilling, and spiritually grounded relationships and lives. The Medicine Wheel provides a framework in terms of achieving an integrated non-linear, non-judgmental approach to spiritual, mental physical, emotional health and wellness. Change is always possible, to be a Warrior of Peace requires, courage, personal leadership, determination and effort.
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"Spiritualism is the highest form of political and social consciousness. Native people are among the last surviving teachers of this kind of enlightened experience. It is important to use spiritualism wisely and well in the 21st century -- which will be a time of bridging ancient wisdom into the creative tapestry of contemporary times. "No one knows this better than Natives whose 'religion' is a deep connection between nature and spirit." (Author unknown) Here is a simple song that I wrote, it is sung with enthusiastic drums.
Sit in a circle,
talk in a circle
Over the
mountains, under the sea
Dazzle
your spirit with Nature's Beauty
Sparking
Starlight and Pearls of Rain
Dance
in A Circle Love Mother Earth
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The teachings are anchored by the Seven Directions:
The Medicine Wheel teaches people not only to talk the talk, but more importantly, to walk the walk. You move along your healing path embracing the unlimited teachings and resources available to you on the medicine wheel, connection to culture, personal and collective vitality, identity and spirit will once again be everyday occurrences. This is what Indigenous Renewal Ceremonies and Teachings are all about, this is why legitimate Traditional Teachers and Elders are needed -- sacred connections to each other and to all things in the natural world.
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FEMALE & MALE ORIGINAL ELDERS BRING TEACHINGS TO YOU FROM BEYOND THE WHITE VEIL
"Wilwilaaysk, All My Relations. We have spoken. Kopet, that is all."
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FOUR MAJOR ARCHETYPES , ALSO KNOWN AS THE FOUR REALMS OF HUMAN EXISTENCE WARRIOR (EAST) - STAMINA, LEADERSHIP You come into your leadership skills by staying in your power, by extending honour and respect. You do this by showing up and being responsible and accountable. In other words, do not hide or hold back, but, respect limits and boundaries. Do not, in other words, interfere and/or insinuate yourself into someone else's world without being invited. Always demonstrate the right use of power. Listen to the messages from Father Sky and the four great winds. Empower yourself by using a rattle, dancing, meditating while standing, connecting to nature and finding your power animals. Watch out for the shadow aspects of leadership: rebellion, 'power-over' mentality, riding the coattails of powerful people. Remember, stand in the sweet territory of being present, using 'right action', wise communication, and responsible position. HEALER (SOUTH), REBIRTH Pay attention to the heart and its meaning. Attend to the condition and well-being of the four-chambered heart (full, open, clear, strong); when you extend acknowledgement and the arms of love to yourself and others, when you hold a balanced view of health you can experience all kinds of love; Love between mates, between parent and child, between friends and colleagues, between professional alliances, love of self, Unconditional or spiritual love. Embrace the sweet territory of Storytelling, Singing, Dancing, Silence. Cradle yourself in your own self-love and acknowledge your strengths, and the qualities you like about yourself. Acknowledge the contributions you are making and that you have made. Acknowledge the love you have given and received and the love you are currently giving and receiving. When you recognize yourself as a person of worth, you can do the same for others. Avoid the following addictions: living too intensely (lighten up, in other words), seeking perfection (this activity impedes the soul's progress), concentrating on what is not working instead of what is working, you simply don't have to know everything, remember there is a fine line between self-love, self-absorption and self-indulgence! VISIONARY (WEST) - INTEGRITY Tell the truth without blame or judgment. Honour the power of prayer and live humbly. When you give voice to what you see internally and externally and when you bring forward your creative spirit and life dream you bring with you intuition, perception, insight and vision. Stand in the sweet territory of dynamism, magnetism, integration and strength/vigor. Meditate either standing, lying down, sitting up or walking. Align your right words with right action, Honour yourself in equal proportion to others. Avoid the following addictions: Free yourself from patterns of denial and self indulgence. Never say, "I'm just a housewife, I'm just a postal clerk, I'm just a veterinarian. The word "Just" does not exist within the context of the Visionary. Avoid, in other words, self-abandonment, always seeking approval or love, trying to keep the peace, looking for harmony at any cost. TEACHER (NORTH) -WISDOM When you express the Teacher, you develop your capacities for detachment in a good way. Honour your heritage, become flexible and fluid, like the ocean. Demonstrate wisdom and its four major components of clarity, rightness, objectivity and discernment. Find your inspiration from your Ancestors, immediate family, friends, inspirational and historical and contemporary public figures. Sit in the sweet territory of silence. Immutable laws include: Whomever is present should be there; When it begins, it is the right time; Whatever happens, it is the only thing that could have happened; When it is over, it is over. Avoid the following fears: Loss of structure, loss of turf, feeling out of control, feeling abandoned, looking always at a bleak future. Turn to your Healer Self to correct these things.
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FOUR DIRECTIONAL PRAYER MANTRAS EAST Today I acknowledge that my body contains a fantastic genetic code unique only to me. It is a vehicle of expression designed to transport and enable me to function within the physical realm. I do not devalue myself, therefore I will not devalue my body; it is the temple that houses the Mental, Spiritual and Emotional realms of my existence. I understand and accept that learning and changing takes time and that personal leadership is an ongoing quest. I may not be able to expect an overnight miracle but I can expect a miracle over time. SOUTH Today I acknowledge that I am connected to a spiritual power greater than myself known as the Breath of the Invisible. It loves me and created me in perfect balance with Noo Halidzoks (Mother Earth). I place no boundaries,on the love I give myself and others. I am not defined by the opinions of the wider world because my self-worth comes from my soul. WEST Today I will acknowledge that changes in my life must begin with me. I will speak from the depths of my wise self because to lock up my heart locks up my emotions. I will listen to my dreams and visions and, if necessary, create a new reality for myself. I will stop denying that problems exist. Instead I will honour them for they have helped make me who I am at this moment in time. To deny my difficulties is to deny who I am. What I will do is dream new dreams, lift up my spirit and ultimately my life. NORTH Today I acknowledge that to change my life requires the twin elements of honesty and wisdom. Honesty to understand when a change(s) is necessary and good, Wisdom to change my patterns of behaviour even if they fly in the face of what others think and believe about me. I have a sacred right to live my life as I choose, and I reject any roles imposed or assigned to me in dysfunctional situations. I will not waste the gifts freely given to my Great Mystery. GREAT SPIRIT PRAYER
Oh Great Spirit, whose voice I hear in the wind.
Help me to remain calm and strong in the face of all that comes
towards me
Make me always ready to come to you with clean hands and straight
eyes ....All My Relations....
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CDs are sold wherever Sandy & I are performing. They can also be ordered by email.
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Note
to Gentle Readers: Due to the almost
mythical number of SPAM emails anti-spam software
has been installed - be patient and answer the question from IPermitmail.
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