Native American Wisdom Sayings and Discussion

(1). All things are connected. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the children of the earth.
Chief Seattle, Suqwamish and Duwamish

(. "Sell a country! Why not sell the air, the great sea, as well as the earth?" Tecumseh, Shawnee

(13). Continue to contaminate your own bed, and you will one night suffocate in your own waste."
Chief Seattle, Suqwamish and Duwamish

(2). "It does not require many words to speak the truth." Chief Joseph, Nez Perce

(3). "Knowledge was inherent in all things. The world was a library...." Chief Luther Standing
Bear, Oglala Sioux

(4). "Our fathers gave us many laws, which they had learned from their fathers. These laws were
good." Chief Joseph, Nez Perce

(12). "Civilization has been thrust upon me...and it has not added one whit to my love for truth,
honesty, and generosity...." Chief Luther Standing Bear, Oglala Sioux

(5). "No person among us desires any other reward for performing a brave and worthy action,
but the consciousness of having served his nation." Joseph Grant (Thayendanegea), Mohawk

(6). "My friends, how desperately do we need to be loved and to love." Chief Dan George

(7). "We do not want churches because they will teach us to quarrel about God...." Chief Joseph,
Nez Perce



(11). "What do we know of the manner of the laws and customs of the white people." Black Hawk, Sauk

(9). "Death will come , always out of season." Big Elk, Omaha Chief

(10). Our indian life, I know, is gone forever." Waheenee, Hidatsa (North Dakota)

lightsun wrote:

(10). Our indian life, I know, is gone forever." Waheenee, Hidatsa (North Dakota)

no!

great spirit hears!

I hope you are correct. There are ways of the spirit. Of thinking beyond the self.
Until the self can be transcended, the world will indeed suffer. We are as children.
We are greedy and seek to share our ego with the world. Yet, until we are
concerned of and with other people's lights, we will not be united. When we work
for the whole, instead of the self, we will indeed then shine. We will surrender
our ego, for the whole.

Continue to share your light and wisdom, oh lavender orchid.

You are most welcome. I feel honored and warmed to have you as friend. :

restless
about retrieving
Great Spirit's
Great Way

but in need
of comfort
as the dominant
culture may
not provide it

comfort

I am blind and do not see the things of this world ; but when the light comes from above, it
enlightens my heart and I can see, for the eye of my heart sees everything ; and through this
vision I can help my people. The heart is a sanctuary at the center of which there is little space,
wherein the Great Spirit dwells, and this is the eye. This is the eye of the Great Spirit by which
he sees all things, and through which we are him. If the heart is not pure, the Great Spirit cannot
be seen.
Black Elk
Sioux tradition

My children, war, fear, and disunity have brought you from your villages to this sacred council
fire. Facing a common danger, and fearing for the lives of your families, you have drifted apart,
each tribe thinking and acting only for itself. Remember how I took you from one small band
and nursed you into many nations. You must reunite now and act as one. No Tribe alone can
withstand our savage Enemies, who care nothing about the eternal Law, who sweep upon us
like the storms of winter, spreading death and Destruction everywhere. My children, listen well.
Remember that you are brothers, that he downfall of o e means the downfall of all. You must
have one fire, one pipe, one war Club.

For the Great Spirit is everywhere ; he hears whatever is in our minds and hearts, ad it is not necessary to
speak to him in a loud voice.
Black Elk
Sioux tradition

Do not abuse your wife. Women are sacred. If you make your wife suffer, you will
die in a short time. Our grandmother, earth, is a woman, and in abusing your
wife you are abusing her. By thus abusing our grandmother, who takes care of us,
by your action you will be practically killing yourself.
Winnebago father's precepts

lightsun wrote:

(7). "We do not want churches because they will teach us to quarrel about God...." Chief Joseph, Nez Perce

This reminds me of the following:

Open letter from the God/dess

I liked a bunch of quotes from the article. "ALL of your books, including those Bibles, were written
by men and women." "....inspired...but they also made mistakes...." "....were only meant to steer
you in the right direction...." "...hearts to the simple threads in all religions." "....do you walk
around telling everyone that your parents are better than theirs."
My favorite is, "....sure of that so that you would never trust a written word more than your own
living heart." Thanks for the knowledge that was shared.

I. HONOR. THE GREAT SPIRIT :
Every element of creation expresses the Creator. Within each mountain, each stone, and each
heart lies the Great Spirit. All are of the Creator, and each particle of the universe is equally
deserving of respect and admiration. When looking upon a sunset, the trees, or even your
worst enemy, you are looking at the Creator. Know this and give praise and prayer.

"A wee child toddling in a wonder world. I prefer to their dogma my excursions into the natural
gardens where the voice of the Great Spirit is heard in the twittering of birds, the rippling of
mighty waters, and the sweet breathing of flowers. If this is paganism, then at present, at
least, I am a Pagan."
Zitkala-Sa (Gertrude Simmons Bonnin or Red Bird) (1876-1938)
Sioux author and activist

lightsun wrote:

I. HONOR. THE GREAT SPIRIT :
Every element of creation expresses the Creator. Within each mountain, each stone, and each
heart lies the Great Spirit. All are of the Creator, and each particle of the universe is equally
deserving of respect and admiration. When looking upon a sunset, the trees, or even your
worst enemy, you are looking at the Creator. Know this and give praise and prayer.

"A wee child toddling in a wonder world. I prefer to their dogma my excursions into the natural
gardens where the voice of the Great Spirit is heard in the twittering of birds, the rippling of
mighty waters, and the sweet breathing of flowers. If this is paganism, then at present, at
least, I am a Pagan."
Zitkala-Sa (Gertrude Simmons Bonnin or Red Bird) (1876-1938)
Sioux author and activist

yes! this warrior spirit i would honor, self, ego, or not..

II. HONOR MOTHER NATURE :
Mother Nature is not for us...she is part of us and we, like everything else that
lives and breathes upon her, are her children. Your own direct connection with
Mother Earth is to be encouraged daily. Paint her portraits, swim in her waters,
tend to her flowers, stroll through her glorious forests, and care for her many
children : all plants, people, and animals.
We must live according to her principles and choose not to pollute her body. The
alternative is death to our mother-and death to her children.


"The Great Spirit is our father, but the Earth is our mother. She nourishes us, that
which we put into the ground she returns to us, and healing plants she gives us
likewise. If we are wounded, we go to our mother and seek to lay the wounded
part against her, to be healed."
Bedagi (Big Thunder)
Wabanaki Algonquin, 1900's

III. SEARCH FOR YOURSELF, BE YOURSELF
Do not allow others to make your path for you. It is your road and yours alone. Others may walk
it with you, but no one can walk it for you. Accept yourself and your actions. Own your thoughts.
Speak up when wrong, and apologize. Know your path at all times. To do this you must know
yourself inside and out, accept your gifts as well as your shortcomings, and grow each day with
honesty, integrity, compassion, faith, and brotherhood.

"I have made myself what I am."
Tecumseh (1768-1813)
Shawnee