Traditions …Thoughts from bear Medicinewalker

Tradition, an important piece of a puzzle that helps define who we are…
“In our modern world today, we may seem like drowning men because of the loss of much of our spiritual tradition.”
-Thomas Yellowtail, CROW

My spiritual tradition shows us the way to live in harmony, balance and respect. The tradition taught me how to behave and how to conduct ourselves. The spiritual way taught me to pray and to purify myself. Handed down from generation to generation were the teachings about a way of life that many have forgotten. A way that many now seek to remember and learn. The relationship to Mother Earth and to each other is very clear. The Modern World does not relate to spirituality but to materialism. If we do not allow spirituality to guide our lives, we will be lost, unhappy and without direction. We are spiritual beings trying to be human, not human beings trying to be spiritual. And it is time to not only remember this…but to embrace it as well

It will bring us back to balance.
Definition of TRADITION
1a : an inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought, action, or behavior (as a religious practice or a social custom)
b : a belief or story or a body of beliefs or stories relating to the past that are commonly accepted as historical though not verifiable
2: the handing down of information, beliefs, and customs by word of mouth or by example from one generation to another without written instruction

So if we stop and take a look into our own histories…our own histories, we will perhaps be surprised as to what we find, what we remember… whether it is an aunt or uncle that shared a story, or a Grandparent that taught us a skill or way of life… it is through those teachings that our traditions and histories are passed down from generation to generation.

If we choose to embrace this as part of who we are, and remember that the spiritual and the words from those that have walked before us, is what shows us the way to finding our own balance our own empowerment.

So take a moment and join me in offering prayer…

I call to the sacred winds…to carry my words
To the Grandmothers and Grandfathers of the North, the south, the east, the west, Above …below and within…

I call to the sacred winds to carry my words to the Winged ones…the Four Leggeds…the Plant People…the Crystal Keepers, the Thunder Beings, the Angelic Realm…Mother Mary and Magdalene…my Brother Christ and all the nations that love us.

I thank you for all the many blessings that you have shared with us today and beyond and I ask that you hear our prayers whether spoken our held silently within our hearts.

Today I ask that you hear our prayers as we stand humbly before you, small and human.
Help us to remember we are all but a tiny part of a great universe, that we are all connected as one…

Bring us the strength we need to walk our paths without ego or judgment…
Allow our hearts to hear what our ears are missing
Teach us how to allow forgiveness for others and ourselves
Fill our being with the unconditional love that you so freely offer all.
I call that we be reminded we are all no better than or less than one another.

Guide us through our days, to help us with our humanness…that we learn to reconnect with others in a gentle and positive way. Offering smiles when they are needed without thought, shoulders or ears to help ease another…and words that will uplift or soothe.

Keep our children safe and strong in this troubled world… I ask that on this day and days to come…guidance is shared with our children to help them as they walk their paths. Help open their eyes so they can learn and see the right way of things, teach them to respect all life no matter how small, open their ears and minds so that they may understand things that are being taught to them in a good and gentle manner…open their hearts so that when the harshness of the world falls at their feet, they can cope and handle it with compassion and understanding.

I ask that today and all days ahead, that we look to our Ancestors and our Elders for guidance… that we remember stories of long ago, that we are guided to that reconnect of spiritual of family …of tradition. For within it all is a part of who we are as people, humans…allow that to help us bring balance not only to ourselves…but to the world around us.

I thank all those who have walked with us and answer our calls…this day and in days to come…and honor you …AHO
So my wish to you all today is that you look to the past generations, remember or learn the traditions. Study the rituals of prayer and celebrations… embrace the cultures …the family…and when you do may you find a peace and joy in your hearts that will instill balance to your world…
May Your day be filled with blessings from this moment and beyond.

Mitakuye O’yasin
~bear Medicinewalker

Grandfathers Tears  by Steven Rushingwind and available on Itunes and at http://www.steverushingwind.com/