The Creator (Great Spirit) created all things—the universe, the stars, planets, suns, moons, our earth, the mountains, oceans, rivers, streams, rocks, all plants, animals and human life. In short the Creator made all things. In the Introduction, you may have noticed Ceremonial Chief WhiteEagle referred to that which many call God as “ Creator.” The phrase “He” was not used because of the Native view that the Creator might be female. As a Native American, WhiteEagle holds the view that the masculine attributes most ascribe to God is rooted in Western European theology. In Buddhism, we see that an enlightened spirit or soul that achieves the status of being a Buddha can be either female or male. It is interesting to note that not all belief systems assume the Godhead (or Creator) is male. Even in the Kabbalah of Judaism, angels and God are believed to have both male and female characteristics.
As with other Earth-Based beliefs, the role of animals and their spirits is intrinsic to Native tradition. Wrongly referred to as animal worship in this aspect, Animism relies on studying animals, their behaviors and traits as indicators for survival, wisdom and spiritual guidance. In nomadic times, especially in geographic areas where winters could be harsh, anticipation and preparedness was essential to survival. Astronomers used the position of the constellations. But to tribal societies, knowing when to prepare for scarcity in resources was a matter of observing the changing coats of animals and their migratory patterns. Animals were the best weather predictors and indigenous people knew this.
In Native culture, belief in the afterlife was an absolute and because a place among the honored dead was sought, certain moralities and responsibilities were necessary to achieve this outcome. Native American beliefs are complex in observances but very basic in honoring the Earth Mother from whom nourishment and life flow as well as the animals who willingly sacrifice themselves so mankind can survive. To eat of the kill without honoring the nobility and sacrifice of the animal was to be ungrateful. In acknowledgement of the spirit of the animal, it was thanked and asked to bless the hunter with his knowledge, wisdom and prowess.
If an animal appeared, there was a guided message being delivered. If solution for a problem was sought and an animal showed up, somewhere within the characteristics of that animal lay the answers.
Specism, or the belief that animals are not on the same level as man, is founded in Western European orthodox religion. This claim is based on the Old Testament in which God gave dominion over animals to man. But, man was also made the caretaker in the Garden of Eden and indigenous peoples have held onto this responsibility. “What is a man without the beasts? If all the beasts were gone, men would die from a great loneliness of spirit. For whatever happens to the beasts, soon happens to man. All things are connected,” said Chief Seattle (Suquamish tribe, North America). Contemporary religions often claim animal have no souls. Tell that to a witch (Wiccan), Native American, Hindu, Buddhist or Spiritualist. Many years ago when a beloved puppy got frightened in a storm and ran away for three days, I was frantic. I asked animal spirits to find her and take us to her. On the third night, I ‘awoke’ and went to my window and saw three huge hounds. In my mind I told them to go and find her. They promptly took off down the road. These were dogs I could see THROUGH! When I turned around to go back to bed, I saw myself sleeping on the bed. I walked over and lay back down into myself and then woke up knowing we would find our puppy. The next morning I told my husband “You will find her today.” Within three hours he did.
Instead of astrological signs, Native Americans belong to clans assigned them based on when they were born. They have totem spirits that guide them through life, assist them in dreamtime and protect them. I have always found myself teaching in my professions regardless of the actual field. When I began studying Native Tradition, I discovered my life teacher is Wolf. Wolf is the totem teaching spirit and guide to the forest and those he guides, by destiny, are supposed to teach! Very interesting.
Native Americans never picked the first flower or fruit they saw because it could have been the last of its kind. They were cautious what they hunted and fished and when. They always returned to the earth a portion of their harvest in thanks. These offerings in essence were composts that nurtured the earth. Was this silly superstition or guided ecology?
Because honor was so important and caring for the tribe as a unit so essential, greatness was not measured just by what one possessed as a result of bravery, prowess or battle. Greatness was measured by who among the elderly and sick you cared for and how much of your possessions you would give away to someone who needed it more. Nothing given was ever taken back. The term “Indian Giver” as a description of someone who takes back gifts is totally false. I am greatly complimented if someone calls me an Indian giver!
Chief Frank WhiteEagle, Ceremonial Chief, as my teacher (for which I am very grateful) has been an example, over and over again, of generosity of spirit. (Please refer to the introduction he wrote for Gifts of the Spirit). He has gifted whole rooms of his own furniture to less fortunate people because “Creator will replace it for me.” As with Buddhism, Native beliefs focus on being able to relinquish one’s attachment to material things.
Let us consider an excerpt from the Hindu wisdom found in the Tirrukkural 25: 241-242 which states, “Among the wealthy, compassionate men claim the richest wealth for material wealth is possessed by contemptible men. Find and follow the good path and be ruled by compassion. For if the various ways are examined compassion will prove the means to liberation.” Here we see how three older systems (Native Teaching, Buddhism and Hinduism) hold fast that spiritual enlightenment and freedom from the agony of desiring material things result in a contentment that greedy and callous people can never experience. Certainly the priorities of the Native tradition are very different from what we are accustomed to in western society, especially in modern terms, but Native tradition (compare with “Right Contemplation”) enabled Native Americans to live in peace and harmony with Nature and for the benefit of their tribe.
Because Native religion was so sorely misunderstood, maligned and ridiculed, it remained ILLEGAL UNTIL 1987 HERE IN THE UNITED STATES. Apparently freedom of religion applied only to “correct religions.”
When I first began exploring Native Animal Medicine many years ago, I was in a very difficult place emotionally. My life had taken some stressful turns (again) so my mind was in a constant state of unrest, anxiety and mental exhaustion. One evening, out of desperation, I attempted meditating for the first time. I recall lying in bed trying to focus on deep rhythmic breathing and relaxing. All I could feel was the fretful impulse to jump up. I was so tense, my breathing was shallow and my pulse was pounding. But I was determined for I was suddenly aware if how stressed out I was. I was unable to even lie quietly without wanting to just jump up and move around.
After what seemed like forever, I forced my self to breathe in deeply through my nose and out slowly through my mouth without interrupting the flow of my breathing. (There is more on meditative or reflective breathing later). Unable to keep my mind from flitting from thought to thought and worry to worry, I made myself think of blackness. It was the only way to stop my mental restlessness! Finally, I relaxed. Images of animals began to run through my mind. I had to stop myself from thinking about what I saw or adding my own pictures to the images. I finally just began to observe and allowed the images to pass by and then away until I was asleep. When I awoke the next morning, I felt rested for the first time in months and my mood was much calmer. I knew I had discovered something. As I made this my nightly practice it became easier to do and I began to feel the benefits of these meditations. I was thinking clearer, able to not take upsets personally and to concentrate better. I began to find peace within myself. This peace was the beginning of the reclamation of my spirit power which would take years to realize.
It is strange to consider that resolving issues can occur when we think about them the least hence eliminating their importance to us. Native tradition emphasizes acceptance of one’s circumstance in a given moment in order for guidance to be able to present itself. As we obtain freedom from upset and develop values that reflect our “selves” less and less, we diminish the power our problems and worries have over us, making us more powerful over them. If we are having a bad day but can focus on the purification and cleansing gifts of frog spirit or detach ourselves from our anger and fear, that day then becomes our day for it does not claim our spirit.