It may take more time than even the four years this page has been up here till I find the right sort of links to place here.  There are a couple of sites that I will place here now however, before proceeding I must make myself as clear as possible on a few points of protocol regarding spiritual information that I may place here.

First,  I am not a qualified or recognized elder of any nation.  I am not a shaman, mico, ganagti or any other sort of medicine man, holy man or ceremonial leader.  I say this because some seem to think otherwise and even the local news paper wrote an article that mistakenly described me as being a tribal minister.  I had some explaining to do to a couple of tribally recognized elders over that simple misprint. 

The only "formal" training I have ever received regarding anything to do with native spirituality and ceremony came from Dr. Rick Knight (Mico Nae) of First American Cultural, Educational and Preservation Association and Uncle Bill Martin (Soaring Eagle) of the Western Band of the Cherokee Nation.  I have, as a result of the training by Mico Nae, helped to conduct a few spiritual lesson sessions based upon what many call "The Medicine Wheel" or "Sacred Tree of Life" - a compilation from a symposium where over 40 nations met at the University of Letherage, just outside the Blood Creek reservation in Canada, and discussed their traditional beliefs.  I have not, as yet, conducted any of the ceremonial traditions taught to me by Soaring Eagle.  Perhaps in time that will change.  For now, I merely watch and pray in silence.

I will not be discussing or posting links to sites here that have anything to do with the spiritual beliefs of the indigenous tribes of the Americas unless those sites and information are both known to and approved by the nation or nations to which they refer.  This is done out of the utmost respect for all the nations.  One must understand that anything of the true traditional culture that is shared under tribal approval is a gift to be treasured.  The native perspective is one that does not require such sharing of beliefs in order to respect those beliefs.

Now, with all that having been stated, let me tell you why I have placed a link for the spiritual path known as Eckankar.  This statement is my own opinion and does not represent the opinions or views of the Cherokee or any other tribal peoples.

I post their link here for several reasons.  Among these are:

    1.     Their concept of living Spirit or "Eck", and the individual's relationship to it is very much
            like the seventh wind, or center wind, of my Cherokee ancestors. 

    2.     Their ethic and philosophy on life and existence and the sacred eternal nature of the
            infinite are kindred to what I have known as a part of the traditions of my tribal ancestors.

    3.     Like many native ancestors, the leaders of Eckankar had to describe their beliefs
            as being a "religion" when it is, in fact, a spiritual path and way of life.  Eckankar never                 described themselves as being a religion but as with the spiritual ways of many native                     ancestors they were forced to define themselves this way by the government of the USA.
            The only difference being that Eckankar was not forced to align itself with one of the                     existing conventional religions whereas the native "churches" were made to do this.


So, with no further adieu, here is the link the Eckankar.

  Eckankar

 
 
Regarding a few misunderstood facts about the NAC (Native American Church) and their ceremonies.  I have heard all sorts of speculations about what they do and why their right to use peyote in some of their ceremonial prayers was given, taken then given back again.  Please understand that they do not sit about smoking pot and taking hallucinogenic cactus as a form of recreation. 

What I say here I know to be okay to say because I have said this to members of the NAC and they agreed with the words that were spoken. Those words simply being that one does not always, or even often, use the ceremonial "medicine" when praying with the Creator.  That it is possible to train oneself to know and sense the Creator's presence without having to use the medicine.  Even though the medicine is not necessary to know the Creator's presence it does help those who seem so attached to their physical senses that they can not let go, to finally "see" and "know" the presence that lies just beneath, or within, the physical senses.

Many only use the medicine a few times in their lives while a few others use it more often.  It should be pointed out that  most ceremonial "dosages" result much less in "trippy hallucinations" and much more in a sense of  being connected to all creation.  Understand also that one is in a state of prayer through out the closed gathering.

At this time I humbly request of any native person who may happen to read what I have posted here, that if any of this is incorrect or in some way that I do not know is disrespectful then please write me and I will make whatever changes are appropriate.  cherocreek@xtalwind.net 

  donadagohvi



Another link I will place here is for "The Prophet" by Khalil Gibran.  Though written as a poem it is more spiritual in its content than most writings held to be scripture in one form or another.  Use this link and read Khalil's work online or go to your local book store or library.  You will find your time was well spent.  Here is an excerpt from the chapter regarding love:


" . . . For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you. Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning. Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun, So shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth . . ."



His work, The Prophet, is one of the few that seems to capture, as closely as is possible with human language, the truth about love, giving, prayer and many other aspects of living.

Khalil Gibran - The Prophet

donadagohvi



Once again I state that all of the opinions expressed here are my own and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of any of the tribes or spiritual paths referenced on this page or any other page that is part of my web site.  I do not in any way represent any of the tribes or spiritual paths referenced here.
donadagohvi

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