When I was in mendocino this last August, at a campout in casper beach, my daughter learned how to make a dream catcher, and everyone was talking about going to a sweat lodge. A couple friends of mine go on thursday nights and don't give me much of an explaination on what reason they go for. I am interested in what this represents..and could someone explain in layman terms? I am under the impression it's a spiritual thing which I am very interested in, the native american spiritual beliefs. David my son is part apache or cherokee, not sure.

Well, it's a spiritual practice, so you're right about that. The Cherokee don't sweat, though, they go to water. My guy is Apache and he sweats. It's something that some non-Native people have started doing on their own, but Native Americans don't look kindly on that. The sweat is something that I can't tell you specifics about because I don't know them for sure as I'm of Cherokee descent. I don't know that it would be proper to tell you even if I did know because Native American spiritual practices and beliefs are quite private and not discussed in a public way. If you find out which your son is, whether Apache or Cherokee, then you could find an Elder of that tribe and arrange for him to be taught the spiritual practices if your son is interested in it. Your son would need to have the desire himself, though. How old is your son? Is there any way to find out whether he's Apache or Cherokee? It's important that he not just be exposed to New Age groups who do sweat lodge practices because that's not true to Native American ways. If your friends who are doing sweats are not Native American and are being allowed to sweat just because they want to on a whim, then I'd not pursue that for your son. I mean no offense to anyone who partakes of these things, but I seriously don't recommend them for your son. He needs to know his heritage and be able to learn the proper ways from the right people.

Sunnie, My husband is Lakota and they have sweats. I agree with everything Toi ama said above. What I can tell you is the following from a book on Lakota beliefs that he gave me to read as I am a non-native. "The sweat lodge or purification lodge, is a very basic rite, often done for ritual cleansing and purifiation at the beginning of much more complex ceremonies. this intense ritual of steam and radiant heat, produced by pouring water over heated rocks, in a small willow and hide enclosure can be very profound in its physical, emotional, mental and spiritual effects. It often opens the left side quite powerfully, as well as connecting participants in a real way with Mother Earth by means of its dark, womblike structure. It is one of the rites that White Buffalo Calf Pipe Woman blessed as holy when she came long, long ago." It is a very sacred and powerful ceremony and not for public discussion or to be taken lightly.

I hope this helps. Toi ama's suggestion of finding out if your son is Apache or Cherokee is a good one. If he is Apache, I have a good friend that could possibly help him learn about his heritage. Again, "your son would need to have this desire himself."

Blessings to you and your family.

Hi Sunnie :)

The description LadyHawk posted is dead on. Shawn (who is also Lakota) has told me several times that the sweat ceremony is not usually discussed in an open manner, as it is a very reverent practice, and one of great importance to the Lakota people.

Because he is in ad seg, Shawn (along with many others) has been denied the right to participate in the sweats held at El Dorado....I know it is something he misses terribly. Like toi_ama mentioned, he gets deeply offended by non-Native people trying to utilize the sweat ceremony as a "New Age" practice...as if it were something one could just use to suit their fancy.

Susan in Providence

myabe this won't make a difference and after the explaination about non native persons having access it might not make a difference in saying that its all native american except for the two of them...I would have to ask if they do have native in them..which would make more sense.
The implication somewhat offended me

What implication do you mean, Sunnie? If you mean we implied that your friends weren't Indian, there's no way for us to know if you didn't say so. I didn't intend to imply that but rather I mentioned it because it would be important to your son to make the distinction and that's the only reason. You'd be surprised how many people do sweats who aren't Native American. It's a big thing right now.

I certainly didn't mean to imply anything either. I was just relaying information per your request.

I have thought about it, and I did not know it has become a big thing and so personal and serious to the native american culture...understanding that fact, I can now understand why I felt you got defensive or maybe this is just how I took the response..and can fully understand the need to defend this rite..I too would get defensive as a result. i truely did not mean this in any other way than because of my own personal facination and not in the new age sense, at all!! I need to apologize for bringing this out in a public fashion and maybe the next time I have a question, I will ask much more privately. Thanks for your responses

David is only 6 months old, so im thinking he might be a little young LOL, but I feel if he wants to when the time comes he can then explore that part of his culture, and he has some apache...his grandmother was part apache..her father who is deceased was apache indian.

My daughter Savannah is half hispanic, and half Irish..and I encourage her exploration in the mexican culture..

Sunnie, my guy is Apache, so maybe I can privately share a few things with you that he can share with me. I'll write and ask him. I'm sure he'd be glad to share some of his knowledge to help your son later on as he grows up.

Native Americans believe that a person's spirituality is between them and Creator. It's a very personal thing to an individual, unlike for instance the Christian religion where all things are learned in common and talked about openly. That's why there seems to be secrecy. It's not a selfish thing------it's the nature of the belief system. You didn't offend me even one little bit! I'm so sorry if I sounded offended because I sure wasn't.

Sunnie...you didn't offend me, either...I hope my post did not come across as such!

Your beauty is half-Mexican? Oooooh, I am in love with Mexican culture, from folk art to cinema to the wonderful cuisine. Do you know what region of Mexico her ancestors hail from?

Susan in Providence, listening to old ranchera music ;)

well here goes though I bet those who want to promote the mysterious side of religion of any kind will cling to sacred cows and try to keep it fromthose who do not qualify. well to whomever here is my thoughts and it is the Native way to be given the talking stick and talk till you give it up. The great mystery is still father to us all whether we seem to qualify or not. I do respect and revere people's beliefs more than most.
However it once was the job of the elders to teach those who wanted to learn about our ways. Perhaps public display per se is not appropriate but we need to teach those who come because the Spirit calls people and they come. therefore lets love teach and guide others. here is my quandry and you know I have lots. Why is it a shame for an eagle feather to fall from regalia and touch the ground when we revere mother earth as sacred??? is not this rediculous and yet there are those who believe this whole-heartedly. the dove

I ran out off time so I will finish now. my point is this different things are sacred to different people groups and can also create walls or misunderstandings. I do not believe the sacredness of our Native ways was ever intended to offend or make someone feel unwelcome or unworthy. The intent is to protect the beliefs but there are fewer and fewer full-bloods in all races now so will we let pride or predjudice stand in the way of someone knowing and passing on these sacred ways. the truth of the matter is that most of us on here are descendants a lot of traditionals wouldn't give us the time of day. I am grateful for the Natives who were willing to teach me though I must say I went thru years of being tested to see if I would choose pureness of heart and truth before these ways were passed on to me. I have sweated and found it exhilerating both physically and spiritually. I regret that some purposes for it were replaced with such nonsense as how hot one can stand the sweat or if your aare tough enough to endure what happens there. Folks that is not what it was for any more than paying Natives a premium for being the best dancer in their class. It all one time was to impart to us roots and wings and help us find our own path in the Native way. Whites who were taken in battle were often obsorbed into the tribe and became spouses and parents. They often chose to accept Native ways and did not want to be returned to their previous families when rescued. My point is a lot of people will never know if they Native blood but their ancestors will call them and they will choose to come who will teach them and what makes them worthy is it not their desire to learn and their innate love for Native ways??????????????
Wado, thank you, here is my stick, eagle's dove

Sonnie,

Hi! I just wanted to comment on your post. I apologize in advance if I offend you with my words. First, I commend you in trying to preserve the heritage of your children. I am Mexican native american. To my people saying the word "hispanic" to identify our culture is considered very negative. I thought you may want to know that since many people don't. People of mexican decent come from a wide variety of indigenous cultures including maya, nahua, tlaxcalteca, ramuri, zapotec, olmec, ect. Our people are thriving despite colonization. 95% of the Mexican people are indigenous with little spanish blood. So the term "hispanic" is not generally used.

In relation to sweats and all native american ceremonies, generally most indigenous people do not allow non-indigenous people to LEAD our ceremonies (sweats ect). During some ceremonies, the elder may welcome an invited guest to sweat or participate in the ceremony. Also, some ceremonies are closed to the public, no pictures or video are allowed. This isn't to offend. This is just the way of our people. Right now it seems that many non-indigenous people are eager to "perform" indigenous ceremonies without really knowing the cultural significance of them or understanding why these ceremonies exist or how to conduct them. It seems to be a new age fad. And its highly offensive to many. This again, is only an explanation and not to offend or to disengage you in trying to assist your children. I am merely pointing out an indigenous view of non-natives performing indigenous ceremony. My personal opinion is that at the beginning of humanity all people were tribal and indigenous living in harmony with the earth and their environment. I think the appeal to native american ways is really a desire to return to these ways, not necessarily to become a native american, but to reclaim thier own indigenousness from whatever counrty they hail from, but this is only my opinion. Again, not to offend.

As for your question on sweats, I think the proper thing for you to do is to consult an elder to begin your instruction in the proper way. As their mother, I think it is your responsibility to try to help them learn as much as they can as they grow up about their heritage.

I did not know it has become a big thing and so personal and serious to the native american culture...

I think this statement says a lot. Many people do not realize the serious nature of what our ceremonies are to us. Similarily, many don't really realize that the only thing we have is our heritage and culture. So much has been taken from our people for over 500 years. Now our culture seems to be up for grabs. Some call this by the term, "culture vultures" meaning one that would steal another's culture. STEAL--not invited to learn, not going about the proper ways, following protocols, not respecting the cultural protocols, ect. I would say, it hasn't "become" a big thing. Rather, our culture always was a big thing. Its all we got left.:(

Hi!!! I have more Indian blood in me, I am part of shoshone,cherokee, and Choctaw....Spanish. i found out this year that I am not mexican but i grew up in mexican culture. i looked everywhere on internet about Shoshone's belief etc etc. but it's seem not really enough info. plus thier histroy is kind of confusing me shoshone-bannock??? Bannock is a part of indian? or im looking for Shoshone only. but Sweats,it is new to me. I will ask my Uncle. he never mention about sweats etc. I guess it might be new to him hehe but why not learn something new but it doesnt mean u have to belief in it or involved but hey why not learn something new.. whats not culture or. sometime people look at me werid. sometime they asked whats my nationlity i tell them im indian. they said yeah you look more of indian than mexican. sometime they can tell difference but to me!! i dont see any difference hehe

Thank you everyone for understanding my facination with the Native American culture. Of course I would never impose on such a sacred celebration without first being invited or would I ever "steal" anyone's culture. I have never been in the presence of an elder that I know of anyway, nor am I looking to impose for personal gain. Of course I am interested in knowing truths. If I were ever invited to attend any Native American ceremonies, or if an elder were willing to teach me any part of his culture, I would truely be honored. Thanks for the information all of you have shared with me. I m going to find out what my daughters ancestors are.

If you like, let me know what you find out from your daughters nation. You in Cali, and there are a lot of resources out there for her to learn her heritage. Its not too early to start! If you like pm me and I'll get you some information as well. Are you near LA? If so, I got some pretty good leads for you there.

the sweat is sacred purification and back in the old days only used by the people of the plains but has become rather common,yet many tribes still goes to water. The sweat is nothing to be taken lightly on and it has been misused by new agers that lack the knowledge and it has even caused death too at least two people,because it was ran and build by someone who claimed to have the knowledge and didn't. American Indian beliefs are not at all a religion,it is a way of life in all aspects. The web is full og humbo jumbo sites and crap. If you want to learn more maybe you can find an elder who is willing to share as you sound respectful enough.
Mitakuye Oyasin
gypsy/Oglala Lakota

2 cents = dont know if anyone addressed the eagle feather question. From my former FB Lakota boyfriend- Canada part rez raised- dont think it is shame, but the eagle holds great power & the dance must be stopped ( memory unsure on the next part) and a prayer said? - before the dance can resume. As with most traditions in the world there is probably a very good and old reasoning for this. Ours is not always to question some things, they just-are. No offence meant.

I need a little help......I know I have asked before and I forget what was told to me but..........I need to find where I can get my baby some ceremonial smoke. I can have it sent to him thru the clergy in the prison I just need to find a place to buy it and have it sent to him. He is Navajo.
Thanks in advance for any help

I need to put my two cents in here. For 500 years the non natives of this land have put us down, stole from us, lied to us and broken every promse they made. Our Culture and sacred ceremonies are all we have and we guard them with a passion. I don't think anyone should delve into sacred ceremonies "Just to learn something new" ...if you are truely interested then by all means find an Elder that is true to our ways and learn from them... Don't take it lightly.
lilsquaw... your grandfather most likely didn't mention it to you because he knew you were not ready to learn... Just your name tells me that... do you even know what conotations the word 'squaw' has. No..for if you did you would not wear the name.
And for the record Yes. I am indian ..Chiricahua, Apache.

ndn

Ndn-- well said, and I agree 100%.

NDN- yeah Thundering Drums is VERY good website huh? Single Ladies~~ lots of NA men prisoners needing letters there. Just helpin'the lonely! Not pimpin!!!! No gamers or fly by night Sallys needed . But watch out for the sneak ups! Lmao ok Im done now- see you later

I am extremely new to this site as of yesterday. I am hear because of my son. And I am hear because of Painted Arms. I am Yakama. I learned about sweat a few years ago, and did sweat several times. This past year, I learned from a friend, and several elders HOW and WHY to sweat. I still have much to learn. To be in the presence of these people is an honor to say the least. It is spiritual awakening, a comfort. As mentioned, there is much that cannot be said openly. But then how does one learn about these truths?? Well, I went searching for the truth. And as our creator says, search and you WILL find. Seek out those who know. It may take time. It may take some travel. But it WILL be worth the effort, believe me. Burp

littlewing, no offense taken, you are right, I forgot the stop and pray part. once I was a vets pow-wow and they stopped, offered tobacco and the poor guy who dropped the feather had to pay lots of money for his mistake, is this out of context? also my point before is that things sometimes do not make much sense we just do them because someone said that is the way it is done. I am Cherokee, my people go to the water, I have done sweats but I find the Great Spirit never fails to guide me though sometimes I am not paying attention so I miss the point. As an elder my desire is to be more aware of His leading and still be polite to others beliefs, Wado thank you eagle's dove

I am not sure I am replying in the correct "spot", but here goes. Thanks to everyone for the info/comments on the sweat. I was planning on building my own, on my property, but, listening to you I have changed my mind. I was going to do this so I woundn't have to make the 6 hour drive to WA where I have an invitation to sweat, whenever. I realized that I do not have the authority, spirituality, the knowledge to have my own sweat. And I think that through you, the Creator was telling me that I need to make that drive, to visit my family, to sweat with those who KNOW the sweat. It is really a beautiful drive along the Columbia River and then up to WA. Thanks so much!! I look forward more than ever now being with family and friends soon. Burp

I need to put my two cents in here. For 500 years the non natives of this land have put us down, stole from us, lied to us and broken every promse they made. Our Culture and sacred ceremonies are all we have and we guard them with a passion.

Forgive me if I am wrong..but the above attitude and comments is the EXACT reason why People, cultures etc are so split so divided. I am a HUMAN being as you and anyone else here. My culture is NO better than yours and Your culture is NO better than mine. We should embrace our differences and our individualities not beat each other over the head just to prove whose is more sacred or not..Ignorance is NOT bliss and these comments you made is the exact reason why I will never post in the NA forum ever again. How sad!

Hau

You say you wont post here no more and that is your choice but I do wonder why people rather cannot exercise the art to agree to disagree and yes many names and other things are offensive to us but to NDN my experience as a long time left wing activist is the fact that most people ask out of ignorance and uses nicknames outta ingnorance - then it is better to explain calm and easy instead of being angry. The resistance among the people continues no matter and the more people we get educated in such things as using the term like e.g squaw the better the future will be for our children and the more respectful the none indians will be. I for one have turned down a woman who wanted to learn more about the ways because her man is Indian,it is not for me to do so as I am a supporter of the protection of the Sacred Ceremonies by the Lakota,Dakota,Nakota,Cheyenne and Arapaho people but reversed racism doesnt help us a bit. There is a reason for the medicine wheel having the colors of red,black,white and yellow - the colors of the races among several things and you seem to have forgotten a major thing - we want to mend the broken hoop and in this mending we need all races so I suggest that you like e.g read Chief Arvol Looking Horse's many words which can be found on the net.
Walk in beauty regardless of race
Mitauye oyasin

I need to put my two cents in here. For 500 years the non natives of this land have put us down, stole from us, lied to us and broken every promse they made. Our Culture and sacred ceremonies are all we have and we guard them with a passion.

Forgive me if I am wrong..but the above attitude and comments is the EXACT reason why People, cultures etc are so split so divided. I am a HUMAN being as you and anyone else here. My culture is NO better than yours and Your culture is NO better than mine. We should embrace our differences and our individualities not beat each other over the head just to prove whose is more sacred or not..Ignorance is NOT bliss and these comments you made is the exact reason why I will never post in the NA forum ever again. How sad!

I think you're overreacting to what NDN said. Anyone interested in Native spirituality first needs to understand why Natives feel protective of their traditions. Unlike christianity, you can't just waltz in and decide you're gonna start practicing it. You have to learn from elders, you have to have an open mind and heart. It takes time, a whole lifetime of learning.

I don't think a lot of non-Natives really understand or appreciate all that the Native people have been through. Not just the genocide, theft of land, reservations, starvation, rape, mutilation, assimilation and racism, but about what Natives go through today with theft of the culture and spirituality is concerned, such as in the new age and neo-pagan phenomenon.

People pretending to be "shawmans" charging tons of money for "sweats" and killing people in the process because they don't know how to do it right. People who sell the sacred pipe, tobacco, sage, cedar and other items that were never intended for sale. People who desecrate sacred burial grounds by stealing artifacts and bones of ancestors to sell or display. Sacred sites being desecrated for commercial gain such as the Black Hills, Medicine Lake, Yucca Mountain. How about people who dress up as "Indians" for sports teams with their fake regalia and "war whoops"?

It's ironic that just a few decades ago, Native spirituality was illegal and "weird", now everyone is suddenly interested in it, but they don't want to earn the right, they just want to be "instant sharmans".

This is why Natives are so protective and secretive about spirituality. Everything else has been stolen, now the colonizers want to steal the last thing to be had.

I'm not saying that you or anyone here in particular is the type of person I just described, but you need to know the justification for people's feelings, and that it's a good one. If you truely want to learn, don't barge in, knock quietly and wait for an answer. Sometimes the answer is no.

Blueviolet

Blueviolet - I have been in touch with Sunnie and she will continue be posted here :D But I am very concerned about the recent hostility in here. As an activist for 28 years I know how important it is to have good and respectful dialouge with non -Indians in order to get all the stereotypes to fade and to shed some light into why we dont sell out our ways and some exploiters have thought they have been honoring the people by their actions and when the have gotten to know the real thing their activties has stopped but of course there are greedy exploiters that needs to be addressed but that is not an issue in here.
Walk in beauty

Hello,
This is the first time posting in this forum. I read over all the posts in this thread. But first I'll introduce myself:
I'm a non-native,quiet,single mom with 2 children,who are also non-native. I go to counselling at Pine Tree Native center...why because I was invited to go by a native. I find the counselling for the first time in my life,something I want to stick with,and I feel comfortable there. I've also been invited to sweats by natives but I haven't gone to them....as I picture it as a sacred ceremony for them and not for me as a non-native,although the natives tried to get me to change my mind,I didn't feel right about it. True I would probably benefit from it,but I don't know much about it, and I'm sensitive to how the other natives would feel about a non-native participating...so I don't attend.

My counsellor has invited me to her group she runs at the center. Aboriginal woman's healing circle. At the beginning there is smudging, that is optional...I enjoy going there,and feel connected by hearing the others talk,and they have speakers that come in...they had one in recently talking about smudging,why you do it and what you use,and the 4 directions.

But all in all...I go to these things because I'm open to them and respectful and I have been invited...not because I desire to jump on the bandwagon and be hip...No that's not me,never has been me. I find listening to the speakers I've discovered why I feel so different from the whites.
I learned the most important thing for me to learn is to be true to myself.

My counsellor asked me how I felt being the minority in the group. I told her I didn't feel any different,actually I felt welcomed. I felt I could relate with alot of them there. I was more worried about being accepted by them,but found out I didn't need to worry about that.

Anyways I always worry about trying to obtain information about Natives,their spirituality,etc. and appearing insincere,so I could later blab in ingorance..of what I know. I figure if a native wanted to tell me something about their beliefs,I take it as a gift. I respect that. It helps me to understand them and where they came from. I know alot of whites that do jump around trying to eat up all the information they can so they can look important,and have the attitude of HEY Look at me..Look at what I know. They do this without committing themselves to any belief,and disrespect where and who gave it to them. I think that is wrong,but please don't lump all us whites together.
Yes learning is a life-long journey,knowing yourself is also a life-long journey.
Showing-off is wrong,having a closed mind is wrong,thinking you are above and know more than others is wrong.
I think sometimes groups should be geared for the natives only as they need to feel solidarity amongst themselves. If they want non-natives included then it should be agreed upon.

Just like Boy Scouts need to just be boys without girls being involved,but they can't as it's been open for girls now. There isn't a group that is just for boys. I think they need that.

Well I can't believe how much I have talked!
Peace,Love,Joy,Hope

I agree with Blueviolet in her last post. I think that it needs to be taken into consideration. Increasing numbers of non-natives seem to be interested in indigenous culture, but go about it in the wrong way. New agers that play "indian" and think they are a part of something only insult our ways. That is my personal opinion. I think that its difficult for non natives to understand why they don't have an open door to our ways because of the HUGE differences in culture and beliefs. I hope no one is offended, but I think that unless one has a TRUE indigenous mind and spirit, one is unable to grasp fully the complete picture from our perspective. Hence becomming offended when turned away from our ceremonies. I've seen it. I don't mean to offend anyone here when I say, if you are non-native and desire to participate in an indigenous ceremony and the door gets slammed in your face and your turned away--don't be offended, thats just the way it is. No disrespect intended.

In response to Preciousrain, Blueviolet and others of the same belief...I agree.
We are ALL on the journey of life. Along the way, we all have different dreams, goals, responsibilities, but ultimately we seek the same treasures...to find ourself, to find meaning in our life, to make a positive difference in someone elses life, to find our
Creator (?) and what purpose does He have for us. And actually the Creator is the best one to help us with all our dreams and goals. So...that is the best road to take.
To...with all sincerity, seek the Creator, which is usually the road less traveled.
Not easy, but it nothing we can't handle, because the Creator promises to be walking along with us, and when He isn't, He is carrying us. (Remember the poem Footprints).

A few years ago, I, out of a desire to be closer to my Creator, took the road less traveled. I went to a camp for VA employees ( Many could go, but only a handful wanted to,I was one of 6) held on Sacred Ground by the Yakama Nation within the State of WA. I had no idea what I was in for. And yet, I knew that this is where I needed to be. A few weeks later I nearly died; spent several weeks at a hospital 200 hundred miles from home, and several months out of work.
While in the hospital I vowed to go back to that camp, because the people I met helped to get me through the months of illness. I went back the next year and was adopted. A man saw me with my name tag "burp". He came to me and said Hello, daughter. And I said hello..Dad. Since then, they have been my family. They just happen to be Yakama.

I felt compelled to write the above, because of the "uneasy" feeling many have expressed. But I hope this explains where I personally am coming from. I am "white".
My great, great Grandmother was fullblooded Mohawk (?) we think. The people, White or Indian, exploiting the Sacred beliefs of the First Nations People not only do a great injustice to those people and the culture, but also to themselves. They are missing out BIG TIME. And they will have to answer to the Creator.

Knowing our history/past is important, because it can help direct our present/future. And while we should always remember where we are coming from, it is more important to know where we are going to...the roads we choose based on what we know. We cannot change the past, but we can affect the present and future...as if WE ARE a book with blank pages, and WE are writing the story. We choose our paths, our roads. No one,not even the even the Creator, can choose for us. For me, based on my past history, knowing what I know, and the desires to become closer to my Creator, I chose to accept the invitation to be adopted by a man and his family who are Yakama Indian. I could have refused, but I was so taken by the Sacredness of the Mountain, and the warm hearts of the people, that I didn't even think of refusing.
The Creator guided me to this Sacred Place, to become FAMILY with these people, knowing that a year or two down the road, ( where I am now) I was going to NEED them. They have helped me tremendously, especially my brother who I can call anytime, day or night. The Creator, through me, helped him. A letter I wrote to our Dad, was the reason he went to the camp. I met him that year and we became very close. He began to heal from past wounds.

I give the Glory to our Creator!!! As we seek HIM, he will guide us down the road to HIM, as he walks along with us. He will place people in our path who we will affect, and who will affect us. We make the choice whether it is positive or negative (we can turn the negative into positive).

Well...probably have talked too much for too long. At any rate, please know..that from me, Because I respect the beliefs and practices of the First Nations People, I continue to learn what I can from the history, and for the present and the future.
Thanks for listening. I'd be glad to PM anyone who would like to know more. Burp

How to Develop a Natural Spirituality without Taking from Others

By

Joseph Bearwalker Wilson



This article contains the essence, although not the details, of some of the teachings I inherited from my own cultural and spiritual ancestors and elders, particularly those from my Irish, Scots, Welsh, and English roots. I offer these guidelines for people wishing to establish their personal spiritual foundations around and within a natural framework. The path may be difficult at times; facing ourselves with uncompromising self-evaluation always requires work and dedication. It is deeply spiritually rewarding and physically healing for those who persist.

First and foremost is the practice of reverence and respectful attention given to your immediate family and ancestors. Your family history may or may not be varied as mine; regardless, you are the result of the unions of your ancestors and they all deserve your awareness and respect.

I discovered through genealogical research that my family is a blending of the following peoples (in alphabetical order): African (but I don’t know what tribe), Cuyuga, Dutch, English, French, German, Irish, Scots, Seneca, Susquehannock, Swiss, and Welsh. Each of these has contributed a little bit to who I am today, not just genetically, but in subtle and not-so-subtle family attitudes and customs. Which of these family lines should I dishonor by deeming it less important than the others? In my opinion, none of them. If I deny one I create a subconscious battle within myself. When that happens the only loser is me. I do suggest you do some genealogical research to find out exactly where your roots lead. When you do this you are likely to find some fascinating family customs leading back a very long way. If your family is like mine you will also find some ancestors who were horse thieves and murderers as well as some saints. That’s okay. Accept your background and learn from it. Remember, just because you have an ancestor who is, for example, an African Native, or descended from an African Native, it doesn’t make you an African-American any more than finding a distant ancestor who was a Native American would make you an Indian. You are probably a unique blend of many cultures and peoples, as am I.

When I say that you should respect and honor your ancestors I don’t mean that you should slavishly research and try to follow the customs of your forebears. Many of those customs (such as the headhunting and public copulation practiced by some of my Celtic ancestors) would not be acceptable in modern society. I am saying that you must respect the fact of their presence in your ancestry. Look at yourself and accept yourself for who you are, whomever that may be.

Use the same principles to look at your culture, and the sub-cultures in which you were reared. Whether they are apparent or not, the influences from your country, your state, your county, your city, your neighborhood, and your family have all had profound effects on making you who you are today. Each one of your sub-cultures has been colored by many influences. You have blended them all, personally agreed with some and brought them to your surface. Some you've denied; some you've disowned. Regardless, in one way or another they have all influenced you and your personal attitudes toward life. Although you may not accept some of the cultural attitudes as being appropriate for you, they have influenced you, and denying that merely causes you internal conflict. Accept that refusal of an influence is part of the influence, and move on from there.

Your spiritual ancestors are as deserving of respect as your cultural ancestors. Your spiritual ancestors feed your responses to the religious or spiritual attitudes of the people in your community. They consist of the teachings you learned in your church or through private instruction in one of the many religious traditions that exist in the world. These too have influenced your outlook on life, in some ways positively and in some ways negatively. Accept the fact that they have had a profound influence upon you, so that you may grow from it and learn from it. A wise man once told me that it probably doesn't do any good for a person to change religions; the Ultimate Mystery doesn't care what It is called or what rituals It is honored with. The best way for you to honor It is living your life in respect and dignity. To do less is to be unfaithful to yourself and to Spirit.

Remember that you are a part of nature, a working part of a working whole, and never separate from it. Your body and your soul are made of the elements of the earth, as are those of all the animals, plants and minerals. As such we are all related -- all children of Mother Earth.

Of major importance is your relationship with the land on which you live and the local spiritual forces that are around you. Pay attention to your environment, wherever you might be. Observe, don't just read about, the activities of the animals and plants around you. Learn to listen to the answers brought to you by the rocks and the trees, the streams and oceans, the wind and storms, and the animals and insects. Listen as well to the stories told to you by the buildings and the cities in which you live. Everything has spirit, and everything has lessons to teach you. Do this daily; make it a habit, not something you do once and think that you know it all. Remember living on the land and honoring the land does not make you a part of the culture of the original peoples of that land.

Honor your genetic, spiritual and cultural ancestors by directing prayers for guidance to them. Honor the spirits in all of nature by directing prayers to them as well. They will answer you in your dreams and personal visions. These answers may come to you in inspirations, or dreams, or visions. Follow the truth of those visions and they will teach you personal ways to pray to (and honor) the Spirit in all things.

Part of the spiritual growth pattern you will discover as a result may be special methods of prayer, perhaps some ceremonies or rituals, perhaps some ceremonial implements, perhaps some songs and dances. When they come from your own sincere prayers and meditations they are gifts to you from Spirit.

Don’t be too willing to adopt everything you remember from a dream or vision. You need to learn to test these answers to find out whether they are true answers, or merely your subconscious mind trying to please you by giving an image that it knows you want. Your dreams may be influenced by your conscious desires, by books you have read, by movies you have seen. You need to be aware of this and aware that the surface symbols of a dream are hints to its meaning. If what you see is identical or nearly identical to the practices of some peoples you have read about, or seen movies about, or even visited, it is probably a false vision and should be ignored. All dreams and visions need to be tested over periods to time to determine if they are true, or just wishful thinking.

This is especially true of dreams that seem to indicate you are a leader, or a leader-to-be, of any sort. All dreams must be confirmed in the real world. If you dream and announce that you are to be the new "Chief of the Cherokee Nation," for example, you are likely to be given some not-so-quiet-instruction in proper respect. You’d be much better off talking to a psychiatrist about delusions of grandeur.

Your true dreams and visions will be archetypal, and although they might remind you of certain cultures, they have NOT been stolen, inspired by, copied, borrowed, or misappropriated from any society, ancient or modern. They are uniquely yours, and if you respect them properly they will become of great value to you. They are yours to use privately, not to be waved about as a flag for others to see. Your spirituality should promote your own growth and connection with Spirit. Its purpose is not to impress someone with what you know and do. With the introduction of ego, spiritual practice becomes a hobby, an activity to pass the time like oil painting or collecting seashells. It's best to seek advice about dreams and visions from a more experienced person than you are.

From time to time you may want to take a personal spiritual retreat. Go off alone somewhere and spend that time in prayer and meditation. It’s during these times that your purpose in life may be revealed to you -- your Big Dream, or Big Vision. When properly interpreted, it will be your guide through life.

A spiritual path is a doing, not a knowing. There is a vast difference between learning something and just learning about something. As I said in the beginning, this path may be difficult from time to time. It is not instant gratification. It's a long lifetime of work, self-analysis and flashes of "aaaahhhhaaa!" spiritual satisfaction that come when you finally get it!

Please be aware that applying the above suggestions will not turn you a technician of the sacred (shaman). What they will do is help you to develop the kind of natural spirituality in which shamanism is normally found.

Copyright © 1997, 1999 Joseph B. W. Wilson and Victoria A. McElroy.

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A post script and explanation to "How to Develop a Natural Spirituality Without Taking from Others"

I have a confession to make. The beginning of this article is absolutely correct " This article contains the essence, although not the details, of some of the teachings I inherited from my own cultural and spiritual ancestors and elders, particularly those from my Irish, Scots, Welsh, and English roots."

Those who know me know that my history of public activity in things relating to The Craft, Paganism, and related things goes back to early 1965 when I began publishing The Waxing Moon, the first "witchcraft" newsletter published in the United States. I had three very wonderful and related "teachers" back in those olden days, and often, like youth does, ignored their guidance and tried to do things my own way. That lead to many lumps on the head I could have avoided!

In the middle 1970s I met a man in Los Angeles. His name is Ernie Peters, also called Longwalker. He was an early member of AIM, and if I remember right was one of the people at Wounded Knee in 1972. He is a full blooded Lakhota, recognized as a "medicine man" and was given the name Longwalker by his people for leading the protest march from Los Angeles to Washington DC. That's the famous one where our illustrious president had promised to meet with him and other Indian representatives, but broke his promise once they got there.

Like many people today, back then I was restless. I was seeking something other than what I had legitimately been given to me by my own people's spiritual teachers. I used to go to Longwalker's weekly instruction sessions where he would teach folks who came to Los Angeles direct from the reservations. He would teach them some of the basic things that were necessary to know before undertaking one of his sweat lodges. (He used to do them in prisons for the prisoners when it was allowed, and others, if they wanted to attend one, would have to go into the prison with him.) He also allowed some whites to attend these weekly meetings.

I talked to him privately several times, about the difficulties that non-Indians have with spirituality, how they are searching, and how they felt that the Indian ways, since they retained that connection to nature, were important for them to learn.

This is what Longwalker told me, quoted as closely as I can. "You know, Joe, if you or other white folks are really serious about our spirituality, you won't go asking me, or us, or anyone else about what we believe, our ceremonies, our regalia, and stuff. Instead you will go out into the woods and talk to the sky, the earth, the rocks, the rivers, and the streams. And LISTEN to the answers, and listen to your ancestors. Only then will you start the long path to healing."

So there you go. Authentic "Indian Teaching" on how to be real. Not how to be a "real Indian".... but how to be "real".

Look how similar it is to what one of my three most important teachers, Roy Bowers, taught me. "The answers to all things are in the Air - Inspiration -the Winds themselves will bring you news and knowledge if you ask them properly. The Trees of the Wood will give you power and the Waters of the Sea will give you patience and omniscience, since the Sea is a womb that contains a memory of all things."

Wow. Authentic European teaching. Nearly identical in essence to what Longwalker told me.

Longwalker's simple instructions there reminded me of Roy's and I felt ashamed for ignoring such basics from the beginning.

This was the inspiration and the beginnings of what I did with my own group after that. We started from scratch, looking for basics, listening to the earth, listening to our own ancestors instead of someone else's, and learning to understand and trust our own dreams and visions. I confess, I got Inspiration from an Indian. I followed an Indian "truth" without taking from an Indian culture. In my case, it led me back to a "truth" of my own heritage, that I already knew, but in the know-it-all impetuousness of youth had chosen to ignore. It may lead others in different places, I don't know. I continue to follow those teachings to this day.

Doing this is extremely hard work. It's filled with frustrations, disappointments, and impatience. Many times in the following years I made serious mistakes, was misguided by my fantasies which I took to be something other than what they really were. I failed a great many times, many more times than I succeeded. Many times I found myself guilty of doing things that today make me ashamed because of my impatience and arrogance then. Sometimes I've been successful and learned from my failures. I continue to struggle and learn, and will continue to do so for the few years left to me. In the process I try to pass on what I have learned the hard way to others so that perhaps some people won't be as stuck by thorns and cactus as I have been.

Some of the hardest things for me to learn were the lessons about my own ancestors. I've done a lot of genealogical research and am continuing to do so. Every once in a while someone will send me a copy of an old letter or newspaper clipping about some of them, letting me know just what kind of person that particular 5th great grandfather or grandmother was. It's extremely rewarding though also very hard work. What I've really discovered about my ancestors is that I am descended from them, good or bad. It makes no difference what they did or were; they are mine. They are the spirits I can most easily call upon because they are my relatives. They are the spirits most likely to help me when I need help. And also the most likely to hinder me if I disrespect them. Hard lesson, it's wise to respect your ancestors, even the evil deeded ones, else they are loath to help (or just stay out of your way).

So there you go. Those who really want to practice spirituality similar to that of your ancestors (on this continent as well as on others) now have the guidance to get started, courtesy of Longwalker and Roy. Enjoy the hard work, it's definitely worth it.

If you don't want to, don't complain to me about it. It's not me that has to walk where your footsteps lead. You have the right to get the same lumps on the head I did.

This article is in response to a infraction on a TsaLaGi ceremony. One of their own wrote an article describing a ceremony that is CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC AND NON-TSALAGI PEOPLE. The author has been banished from the Pueblo as a result of ignoring the strict rules protecting the people. I agree with this action and the statements made in the article regarding indigenous ceremonies and feel that it has pertinence here. Thanks, Rain.

Posted: Monday, February 09, 2004
by: Al Swilling

First of all, I am Tsa-La-Gi (Cherokee), and we, like the Pueblo, do not allow outsiders (non-Cherokee people) to know the particulars of our sacred ceremonies, with only a couple of exceptions.

"Dancing With Fire" shows the seriousness and sacredness with which Indigenous Americans regard our sacred ceremonies and how they are exploited only by those who do not understand them and who hold nothing as sacred. It is not only the Pueblo for which such exploitation is taboo. Most First Nations forbid such exploitation of sacred ritual. Even if the purpose is not exploitation, for most First Nations it is forbidden to describe, perform, photograph, or otherwise explain or depict sacred tribal ceremony to those outside the nation to which it belongs. Banishment is a light sentence compared to days gone by. Naranjo got off easy.

Tito Naranjo excuses his betrayal with the logic that unless the ceremonies are recorded, they will die out, implying that he was actually doing the Pueblo a favor by exploiting sacred ceremony for monetary and egotistical gain. That is not a valid argument. Even if it was, any written description of sacred ceremony should not be available to anyone outside the nation that practices it--especially as an entry in an essay contest for money or other personal gain. For thousands of years, the First Nations have remembered and practiced their ceremonies without outsiders having to know anything about them, and without having to have them written down, as we have come to think of written documentation. Some have survived solely through oral tradition and the continuing practice of those ceremonies. Someone who grows up within the culture, practicing the ceremonies regularly, does not need a manual. The only ones who need written instructions to Native American sacred ceremonies are non-Indians who want to mimick, copy, or steal away the ritual for their own ego trip or other types of exploitation. We call such people "culture thieves," and they are the vilest thieves of all.

I cannot attest to other tribal nations, but the Tsa-La-Gi-Hi A-Ye-Li (Cherokee Nation)still have their sacred dances and ceremonies, even after hundreds of years of oppression and being forbidden to practice our ceremonies, and we did keep them alive by writing them down and selling them to the general public or the highest bidder. We pass our ceremonies down to our children. That is how it is with every First Nation I know. The people know the ceremonies and dances from centuries of DOING them, not from reading about them in a book, although there are those who have CLAIMED to have the "sacred ceremonies of the Cherokee Indians," etc.; but they do not.

In many Indigenous American cultures, there were no written records at all, symbolic or otherwise. Oral tradition was their history book, their record of ceremony, dance, and worship. For these cultures, mouth to ear communication and physical practice of the ceremonies have kept them fresh in the people's minds and virtually identical in practice with the ceremonies their ancestors practiced hundreds, maybe thousands of years ago. If a culture or ceremony is going to go extinct, it will do so even with written records. If it is going to survive, it will do so even without written records. A look at history will confirm this not only in Indigenous American cultures but in other cultures around the world.

So, regardless of Naranjo's rationalization, the sacred ceremonies of the First Nations have survived all these years without their survival depending upon sharing them with non-natives or even with other First Nations. The fact that the ceremony was being performed attests to its survival and that it is not in danger of suddenly disappearing. The Pueblo are not going to wake up tomorrow and suddenly have no recall of their ceremonies. Naranjo's excuses are ludicrous.

Naranjo clearly betrayed the Pueblo people and culture, and he did so in a clearly exploitive way for clearly personal motives. I have no sympathy for him whatsoever. On the contrary, he got what he deserved. I applaud the Santa Clara and Taos Pueblo for banishing him, and I hope they DO arrest him if he ever steps foot on their reservation again. I intend to send a copy of the article to the tribal governments that banished Naranjo to make them aware that he is completely disregarding the banishment order and continues to break tribal law. I also intend to make the Cherokee Nation aware of Naranjo. Hopefully both bands of the Cherokee Nation will ban him from Talequah, OK, and from the Qualla Boundary, too, before he decides to visit and try to learn and sell our ceremonies to the highest bidder.

I hope the Pueblo also sue him in federal court for violating their Civil Rights. The New Mexican should have known better than to accept the article or its author into the competition and should have notified Pueblo tribal authorities when Naranjo submitted it for consideration.

This is not a matter of freedom of the press. It is a matter of infringing the Constitutional and sacred right of the Pueblo--and all Indigenous Americans--by revealing ceremonies that are forbidden to be shared with anyone who is not Pueblo.

Those who do not, and do not want to, understand Indigenous American cultures should refrain from judging them. Our spirituality and the value we place on it and our ceremonies is something that cannot be understood by those who do not know what spirituality is.

Naranjo is not making an effort to save the Pueblo sacred ceremonies, he is making a concerted effort to exploit those ceremonies for financial and egotistical gain. He is a low-life jerk who has betrayed the Pueblo people and shamed his wife, children, and his wife's family. He is a traitor to the Pueblo and all that is sacred, nothing less. Naranjo said himself that he moved his family off Pueblo land because he "decided not to live by the social checks that apply to all the people on the reservation." He wants to claim to be Pueblo, but he does not want to live as a Pueblo. As far as most Indigenous Americans are concerned, Naranjo is a traitor to be despised and shunned unless he has a true change of heart and seeks forgiveness from and restitution to those whom he betrayed. Being driven by greed and egotism, though, forgive me if I don't hold my breath until that happens.

Regardless of who likes it or who does not, our people will continue to keep our sacred ceremonies to ourselves, and we will continue to ban, exile, and otherwise reject anyone who willingly and knowingly violates our sacred ceremonies for material gain and self serving purposes.

Al Swilling, Founder
SENAA International