I
read "Black Elk Speaks" primarily for his visions and
secondarily for the historical anthropology. His accounts of various
historical battles were gripping, but for me his visions, or rather, his
nation's reactions to his visions were the most moving part of his
story. The Native American's cultural belief in life and after-life as
part of the same reality was beautifully manifested in their everyday
lives; their belief that visions, dreams and the spirit world, for
humans and animals, are all part and parcel of the physical world. These
are some of the themes I found most intriguing.
During the
winter of 1947, Black Elk, the Oglala Sioux holy man, related to Joseph
Brown seven of the sacred Oglala traditions, including such revered
rites as "The Keeping of the Soul," "The Rite of
Purification," and "Preparing for Womanhood."Black Elk has channeled a deeply spiritual work from the
Great Spirit. I love his work. I would recommend this book to all
spiritual aspirants.
An Oglala Sioux
teaches how to reconnect with and heal our wounded earth in this
compelling introduction to Native American philosophy, history, and
rites. Mixing natural spirituality, a belief that humanity is rooted in
a living, feeling earth, and an awareness of scientific ecological
principles, Eagle Man draws on centuries of Native American wisdom to
offer practices and ceremonies that reestablish a nurturing relationship
with nature.
"Mitakuye oyasin" - "we are all
related." This Oglala Sioux saying is the philosophy underlying
Native American spirituality and practices, a sense of connection to the
entire universe. In Native Wisdom, Ed McGaa (Eagle Man) presents an
accessible overview of the religion of his people, in chapters ranging
from the philosophical to the detailed and practical. Each chapter opens
with questions that might be posed by those unfamiliar with "the
Natural Way" - the Earth-based spiritual practices of the Oglala
Sioux.
The author of
Mother Earth Spirituality relates the history of the Rainbow Tribe and
shows readers how the Nature Way, described in detail in Mother Earth
Spirituality, can be integrated into the seemingly incompatible
lifestyles of today's urban and suburban dwellers.
