__._,_.___Developing the Wisdom
of the Heart
by Phil Lane Jr.
A wise elder once told me, "Grandson, the longest road you will ever
have to walk is the sacred journey from your head to your heart."
Another elder said, "We will never solve the many critical and life-
threatening issues before us solely through the intellect; for every
problem the intellect solves it creates ten more." Unto itself the
intellect is a sacred gift of the Creator, but, equally, without an
open, visionary, and creative heart, there is no wisdom. Both the
mind and heart are sacred. Both are inseparably connected.
To help us develop the wisdom of the heart, the wisdom of peace, we
must turn to Mother Earth. "You know Grandson, the Great Spirit,
Wakan Tanka, has given all people wisdom," my grandfather told
me. "To every living thing he has given something special. Some
people receive their knowledge and understanding through books. In
your life, Grandson, you too must read and study books, but remember
to take with you on your journey only those things that bring more
unity within yourself and others, that bring goodness and
understanding and help us to serve one another in better ways."
"Wakan Tanka," he continued, "also gave our Native people, and all
other people who live close to Mother Earth, wisdom and knowledge
through dreams, visions, fasting, prayer, and the ability to see the
lessons the Creator has put in every part of creation. Look at those
trees standing over there; the alder does not tell the pine tree to
move over; the pine does not tell the fir tree to move over; each
tree stands in unity, their mouth pressed toward the same Mother
Earth, refreshed by the same breeze, warmed by the same sun, with
their arms raised in prayer and thanksgiving, protecting one another.
If we are to have peace in the world, we too must learn to live like
those trees."
"Look, Grandson," he said, "at the beautiful teachings the Creator
has put in the little stream. Feel the water and see how gently and
lovingly it touches your hands. It travels through deserts and
mountains and many places, but it never turns its back on anyone or
anything. Even though it gives life to all living things, it is very
humble, for it always seeks the very lowest spot. But it has great
faith, power, and patience, for even if a mountain stands in its
path, it keeps moving and moving until finally that mountain is
washed into the sea. These are the spiritual gifts the Creator has
given each one of us. If we are to be happy within ourselves and with
one another, we too must develop these sacred gifts."
In all of our actions, we must seek to be living examples of the
changes we wish to see in the world. By walking the path, we make the
path visible. We must find the courage and dedication to use the
wisdom of our elders on the path of a peaceful and equitable future.
Using that wisdom, we will find we have the power to carefully and
lovingly remove the barriers limiting our development as human beings
and communities. The greater the difficulty in our path, the greater
the opportunity for our growth and ultimate victory; we can always
become more than we have ever been.
We know from our ancient teachings that the sacred eagle of humanity
has two perfectly balanced and harmonious wings -- one representing
woman, and one representing man. In our relationships as women and
men, brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, we must join together
to eliminate all forms of disrespect, mistreatment, or lack of
sharing in the responsibility of raising the world's children.
It is my deepest prayer that with every new sunrise, we can recognize
more and more that the most sacred and holy of all the wonderful
gifts the Creator has given us is the birth of a child. Everything we
can do to provide our children and communities the best possible
future is a sacred gift and responsibility.
For is not the moment long, long overdue, my beloved relatives,
through the unfailing power and love of our good creator, for us to
free ourselves completely from the hurt of both the past and present,
so we may truly soar like majestic eagles to the promised greatness
of our sacred destiny and future.
__,_._,___
"Indian blood is like gold, no matter how thinly spun it shines just as bright."
"Only if we stand together as one people can we hope to overcome all the injustices suffered by our people. We have to learn to agree to disagree, and stand as one people regardless of our personal differences."
Strong Heart Woman
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