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Author
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Topic: American Indian Mysticism and Shamanism :)
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pidaua
Knowflake Posts: 67
From: Back in AZ with Bear the Leo
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted April 28, 2004 12:53 PM
  
Hi All,Since the other topic moved more towards AI history and then to religion I thought we could all kind of start fresh and maybe offer our stories on various experiences or knowledge on AI shamanish, mysticism, religion, and even astrology. Eleanore wrote: find it all very fascinating. Are you familiar with Dion Fortune? I can't remember the book she wrote it in, but she was of the opinion that religion/spirituality is quite related to the actual land upon which it is practiced. She believed that the most appropriate spiritual expression for those in the New World was precisely the American Indian beliefs that had developed and evolved with such beauty here. Not that learning about other beliefs or finding truth in them is not effective, but that the American Indian beliefs in America are the most in tune with the land of this region, and also the people who live on it. I always thought that was a beautiful way of looking at it, especially since the current "New Age" movements have generally looked to the Far East with more interest than to the equally real wisdom that is right here in our own land, and that has survived so much since these peoples first arrived. One of my favorite sites is http://www.ewebtribe.com/StarSpiderDancing/#note It is supportive material for Sun Bears books "traveling the medicine wheel" which is very close to current astrology but from an American Indian perspective involving clans. 
I'd like to add that I have been embarking on a study concerning the "first people" or the Anasazi / Pueblo. I plan on visiting more ancient places when I am back out in Arizona and then onto New Mexico.
On one of my last trips I made it out to see Montezuma's castle and Montezuma's well. Both were at first believed to be related to the Aztecs, but in actuality the cliff dwellings date back to early people - possibly the Sinaqua (without water) people. Here's a link:
http://www.nps.gov/moca/ Please feel free to add more info, comments and other. I also wanted to add some of the other links posted by: Eleanore: Here's a link in regards to the origin of the word Indian, according to one source anway.
Does "Indian" derive from Columbus's description of Native Americans as "una gente in Dios"? I have heard a number of Indian Americans refer to themselves as Indians and not Native Americans as well. My mother's side of the family also Indian origins, and they always have referred to themselves and their ancestors as Indians also. I never thought it was offensive until it was brought up in school. My mom couldn't stop laughing over it. The Indian cultures, like most if not all other cultures, did have names and/or ways to refer to their particular tribes for themselves but they were in their own language and much of that has been lost or forgotten, especially in regards to the tribes that no longer exist. A lot of names for cities and even states if I remember correctly are also of Indian origin, but perhaps not in their original form. Here's another one I found in relation to language and word origins: Native American Glossary Pretty interesting to look at all those words we use and know they have such an interesting origin, no? Juniperb: Thanks for the link Eleanore. My Grandma simply called them ancestors or indigenous peoples. Always plural for some reason. Here`s a link to my local Indian heritage. http://www.ltbbodawa.org/history.htm
AstroJunkie: Florida is rich rich rich with Indian names. When I was a Brownie, I took a tour up one of the lighthouses Columbus spotted as he reached the tip of the Peninsula. And then years later, go their to tan, camp, fish, barbque, swim. Have you ever climbed to the top of a lighthouse?
Anyways, it's all Spanish (Spain) or Indian (American Indian) origins. Big time. And literally, the further South you go, like, to the Keys, yo. IP: Logged |
Eleanore
Moderator Posts: 112
From: Okinawa, Japan
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted April 28, 2004 12:59 PM
Doh! Here are the two links that were in the post that pidaua quoted me on, but I guess they didn't come out because I made them hyperlinks(?). Anyhoo, here they are again.Does "Indian" derive from Columbus's description of Native Americans as "una gente in Dios"?
Native American Glossary
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"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." - Ghandi IP: Logged |
Harpyr
Newflake Posts: 0
From: Alaska
Registered: Jun 2010
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posted April 28, 2004 01:24 PM
ooo i'm looking forward to learning more from y'all!  ------------------
He not busy being born is busy dying :::Bob Dylan IP: Logged |
lioneye68
unregistered
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posted April 28, 2004 01:50 PM
My Metis friend took Native Culture Studies in college and learned an aweful lot about her own ancsestry in that class. She always refers to herself and her people as Aboriginals. I think it means primary, original inhabitants of the land, same as Natives, I guess. But, Natives is a generic term that could be used to describe the primary peoples of any land. Yeah, just look at a map of Canada, and you'll see more Aboriginal province/town/lake/mountain whathaveyou names than you can count. Geez, even the name Toronto has aboriginal origins...Ottowa, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Pettawawa, the list is endless. There may even be a larger aboriginal population in Canada than there is in the US, percentage wise anyway. On another note, I went with my girlfriend to a psychic, and she saw that my friend has a cougar spirit guide, which is a very powerful guide, and means you have much to do in this life that could take you down dangerous roads. I like to tease her and say that what the psychic actually meant was that SHE was a 'cougar'....  IP: Logged |
pidaua
Knowflake Posts: 67
From: Back in AZ with Bear the Leo
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted April 28, 2004 02:55 PM
Hi Lioneye, I am not all that familiar with current Canadian tribes, so it is pretty cool to hear about your Metis friend. I am going to have to look that tribe up because the first I heard about it was through you...pretty cool eh? LOL...for some reason I have this really thick Canadian accent going on in my head as I type this. LOL... My brother also took Native American Culture Studies while he was working on his Masters. He LOVED it and started to send me more and more information. IP: Logged |
lioneye68
unregistered
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posted April 28, 2004 03:27 PM
Hi, Pid
Metis means half Cree, half French. (you've heard of Cree, haven't you?) They're a hybrid tribe of aboriginals, resulting from the large number of European explorers coming here and making nice with the natives. They were orginally considered outcasts by their own people, because they were not considered pure, but they weren't accepted by the white world eithor. So, they just stuck together and became their own little tribe, growing and growing in numbers, as populations will do. They had to fight long and hard for their aborginal status. They were like mis-fits. But she looks 100% aboriginal. She's a very pretty lady. Maybe I'll post a picture of her, if she doesn't mind. She's the Aqua sun/ Leo Moon friend I always talk about. IP: Logged |
pidaua
Knowflake Posts: 67
From: Back in AZ with Bear the Leo
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted April 28, 2004 04:31 PM
Hi Lioneye,Wow..I didn't know that. I did know of the Cree tribe - but didn't realize Metris was a combination of Cree and French. Coolio IP: Logged |
skywych
unregistered
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posted April 28, 2004 05:54 PM
Hi Everyone!I had a friend that is Iroquois and he said that he was from The People. His home state is New York. He even told me how to pronounce Iroquois the correct way and much more wonderful information about his People. The best thing he taught me was how to use my chakras the right way. And how to look at a person to see what their ailments are. We lost touch several years ago. But I still get messages from Little Bear. skywych IP: Logged |
Solane Star
Newflake Posts: 0
From: Canada
Registered: Aug 2010
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posted April 28, 2004 06:42 PM
Hi Pidaua,
Just writing to let you know that I have taken great interest in Native Americans teachings for many years now and still seem to prefer their teachings over others. I mean, I still learn alot from all fourms and walks of life,but I seem to have a much better understanding of my human growth and spiritual potenial with these teachings. I'm Scottish,Irish,French Canadian,Micmac Amerindian people living in the Maritimes. My favorite book to date is the one by Jamie Sams, Dancing the Dream, have you every read this book our heard of her? I also have others things by her ,cards and the book by Timothy Freke, Shamanic Wisdomkeepers, Shamanism In The Modern World.
One of my most favorite CD's is by Bobbie Robertson & The Red Road Ensemble,also the Contact From The Underworld Of Redboy.(earth shaking) Thanks for sharing,hope to learn more about your history, culture, an other Native American believes! Solane Star  IP: Logged |
pidaua
Knowflake Posts: 67
From: Back in AZ with Bear the Leo
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted April 29, 2004 09:37 AM
Hi Skywych, Welcome to LL...I have heard of the Iroquois being called The People. That tribe is so interesting and has contributed so much to the formation of this country. Any stories you can share would be very appreciated!! Solane Star, Dancing with the Dream..that sounds very familiar. Does it related to being a Dreamer? The Dreamer in the Anasazi and Pueblo people was extremely important. Also they are stil very instrumental in today's tribes. Aphrodite posted the book "The Four Agreements" which is written by Don Miguel Ruiz - his mother, I believe is a dreamer while his grandfather was a Shaman in one of the tribes of Mexico - Toltec I believe. I will have to look up the authors people have posted here - Now I have even more cool books to spend my Barnes and Noble points on hee hee Also if you like the Robbie Robertson ensemble (I have that too) you will LOVE Sacred Spirit 1 and Sacred Spirit 2. I cannot get enough of those three CD's and use them for my meditations and when I read tarot cards. I have a semi alter set up with candles, White Sage, Sweet Grass braids and Cedar that I burn during my meditation. Do you have any special meditation techniques or herbs you love to use? IP: Logged |
skywych
unregistered
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posted April 29, 2004 02:58 PM
Hi Pidaua,The story I remember the most is the one about the tree of life. It is an actual tree that is hundreds of years old and has a cave underneath it. He told me that the elders would meet there to discuss the needs of the People. He wanted me to come to New York and stay there but it just wasn't to be. I know I'll see him again, here or on the other side. The funnest thing he taught me how to do was to move objects with my energy. For example, we were sitting in a cafe in CA, having a cappuchino, when all of a sudden he started laughing. I asked him what is going on, some one split their pants or something? No, he had one of the hanging flower pots spinning over the counter and the poor girl standing there had the most puzzled look on her face. I told him to stop that, he was going to make her think that the place was haunted. Then he told me how to do it. I'm still not very good at it, I lose concentration. He really taught me so much. How to blend in with the scenery. About healing. How prayers are answered and that sometimes if you ask often enough and from the heart that an angel will really come to you to make it true. That was what he was for me. He made a true believer out of me. He knew exactly what I wanted and why. Some of it is still hard for me comprehend, but I keep thinking on it. I wish I could remember all of it for you. skywych IP: Logged |
Solane Star
Newflake Posts: 0
From: Canada
Registered: Aug 2010
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posted April 30, 2004 10:23 AM
Hi Pidaua,
Dancing The Dream is about,the seven sacred paths of the human transformation,bestselling author of the Medicine Cards,Sacred Path Cards, and many other books also. Jamie Sams is also a shaman which I don't know until I recieved a cope of the book Shamanic Wisdomkeepers by Timothy Freke a few years back for Christmas,from one of my family members that I would think he would have never every picked such a gift for me. He has been very closed minded to such teaching and thinks I'm in to all that weird stuff as he calls it. I also like to read the Tarot Cards and my first Deck was by Carol Bridges, The Medicine Woman Inner Guidebook,A Woman's Guide To Her Unique Powers. I heard so many scary stories about Tarot cards when growing up that I really took my time to find the right cards for me,ones that I felt most comfortable with and I think they picked me. I use one book and another set of cards both different people, I love my cards but didn't like the way the guidance was being sent in the book. Many years later I recieved a copy from a friend of The book The Mystical Tarot,by Rosemary Ellen Guiley. My fav. is the Justice card,"The Justice card is about bringing balance and harmony into our lives and what happens when we don't. The scale of Justice remain balanced as long as we maintain this proper equilibrium or harmony When we tip the scales we pay the price. The cosmos operates on the principle of cause and effect,the law of Karma, punishment and reward.
By placing too much emphasis on work we can damage our family relationships. By finding balance, we enjoy the fruits of both worlds.
By placing too much focus on the secular side of our lives we leave ourselves spiritually deficient. By making time for material and spiritually pursuits, we feel wholesome and see purpose in everything we do.
By being too self-centred,we live life alone. By finding time for others we benefit from their companionship, their counsel, their friendship.
By pushing ourselves too hard, we can damage our health. By knowing where to draw the line, we perform at peak capacity in all pursuits.
The list goes on and on. the choice is alway ours.
Justice is nonjudgmental. When we fair to ourseleves and fair to others,we are rewarded. When we are out of balance ,in our lives, in our relationships, in our pursuits, we are doing an injustice to ourselves,our friends, families,and associates. But because we are doing the unjustice ,we pay the price.
Life is give and take. We have to find that proper balance if we are to live life to the fullest.We must learn to find where to draw the line between work and home, between the material and spiritual worlds, between drive and pleasure.
Justice implies living in harmony with nature.
An appreciation for justice also is a measure of our personal development. The more we understand the principle of justice, the more we practice it in our daily lives, the more we grow, the more we share in rewards, the more fulfulled we are. The more we as individuals believe in justice, the more it is practiced by society, the more humankind will evolve. Reversed Meaning: You are being unfair to yourself. You need to bring balance back into your life. Not looking at both sides of an issue. Weigh the pros and cons carefully before deciding what to do. You are getting what you," deserve," not what you what. Isn't that great? I love the website that you told us about by StarSpider and Sun Bear. I have the book Medicine Wheel, Earth Astrology also thanks its a great website ,really learning more . Another book you might enjoy is the Animals- Speak, The Spiritual & Magical Powers of Creatures Great& Small,by Ted Andrews Love Sharing
Solane Star
I look forward to hearing some of the new music that you love so much, thanks again for sharing these wonderful gifts with us all! 
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