Today I am going to speak of Prayer and Ritual. I often am asked what my “Ritual” is… and how do I pray?” and I kind of chuckle to self, because to each of us it is unique, it is something we actually all do without even realizing it at times.
Ritual can refer to something that is done as part of a ceremony or something that is always done in a particular situation and/or the same way each time. So with that said lets take a look how they are defined in the dictionary;
PRAYER
1a (1) : an address (as a petition) to God or a god in word or thought (2) : a set order of words used in praying
b : an earnest request or wish
2 : the act or practice of praying to God or a god
…at least those are the basic definitions.
We all have many rituals in our life, they can be also referred to a routine and how accomplish that routine. Something as simple as my as my morning ritual which is to get up early, put the hot water on… take care of the critters, make a cup of tea and then sit and pray, reflect and pray some more. All this is done in order to set the tone for the day. Why is that some may ask? Because it balances me, centers me securely in my Sacred Hoop, humbles me and reminds me of whom I am and how I must walk, it keeps me to task.
More questions, “So what is so important about that? I want to know, do you add magic to it? Is there a special way to perform ritual?”
Answer is, everyone’s “Ritual” is different. There is no right or wrong way to do it, because it is unique to you. I don’t like to use labels… I simply do it repetitiously… and it becomes ritual.
I actually have a simpler word for it, “Prayer”. It helps me put positives into my day, keeps me sane, (or at least as sane as a bear can be), it empowers, enlightens and connects me to the Universe and beyond! I light candles, I add herbs and intent to my smudge when I light it, I show respect for the “ritual” of all of it, because it is sacred to me, it is how I show respect, Sometimes I drum, sometimes I sing, sometimes I write… but it is all form of that ritual of prayer. Connection to the Creator, the Ancestors and Spirit… it is a way to remember why we are human.
So how do you perform ritual? How do you pray? Is there a right way or wrong way? My response is keep it simple…keep it real. Speak your truths from your heart; listen to that little inner voice for it is telling you that you already have a “ritual”, a purpose here as you walk your human and the fact you are asking it is simply means it is time to embrace all that it is!
Prayer make it a.Ritual…. be aware of it and try adding a little of it to your day. You will be amazed at the positives it will bring to your life!
Life’s Little Reminders that make us slow down and appreciate what is and can be….
So many times I am asked by people am I surrounded by spirit, can my loved ones hear and see me, are Angels around me? My reply is normally the same, “Of course we all have Spirit, Loved Ones around us, we have energy connecting us all in one way or another. Being able to sense this is simple; you must open to the possibilities and have a little faith.”
We all have the ability, that little thing called perception… it is the tingling we get when something is about to happen, the sense that perhaps we are being watched, that gentle warm hug feeling that surrounds us when we need that extra boost in our day. But as we walk our human lives, we often find ourselves getting caught up in all the craziness of life and we forget to take a moment to breathe and remember to feel and appreciate the life we are walking. For some it is simply about being too busy, for others it is about a life event that pulls us into the shadows or negatives that surround us all, that makes us forget how to be open, to remember we are not alone.
Life, it is about being human and experiencing it all, from the moment we are born and begin the aging process moving through the years ahead. When we are small we are open, for we do not understand limits. Limits are a human thing, a restriction we place upon ourselves for control… But to me there should be no limits on being open to possibilities. It is what allows us to follow our dreams, set goals, inspire and be inspired.
With that in mind I do not believe in coincidences. I believe everything has purpose and that good, bad and indifferent it all will allow other things to unfold as they are needed in their own time, to help us grow and experience life.
As I was driving yesterday to pick up lunch for my mother-in-law, my mind was thinking back to the past weekend and what a gift it was to experience my beautiful and amazing daughter graduate college. I was filled with gratitude. I was a little nostalgic and thinking how wonderful it would have been if my own mom had lived to see this day, (and yes even though I do this work, it is still nice to be reminded of the connections) I got a small chill on my right arm as I reached down to turn the radio on. Stevie Wonder began singing “Isn’t She Lovely” a song my mother loved and used to play when my daughter was first born. I smiled and glanced up at the clock on the dash, it read 11:11 and I smiled once again and thanked my mom. For I knew she was there and had seen the entire event. If I had been closed to possibilities I may have missed what was being shared, and although it may have not been in the physical sense, it was still a welcome communication.
It can be the same for us all; we just have to open to the possibilities. Spirit can share healing energies, advice, love and comfort as they share through energy. Our souls are energy and that energy connects to all that is Sacred around us. If we honor and respect that ideology, we can and will experience many wondrous things. We may be visited in dreamtime, through gentle reminders that link us to a memory or moment in time, or see or meet someone that may remind us of another… these are all there to help us move in positives through our own lives.
Spirit wants us to be happy, balanced, to remember that we are unique and have purpose as we live our lives. That we are not perfect, but rather imperfect with flaws… and that too is okay for this is how we grow and learn. Love ones that have passed do not want us to drown in guilt or sadness, but to move forward and honor what the love that they imprinted on our hearts…
So try and remember that as you walk the human… be gentle with yourselves, believe in vast possibilities, open your minds, your hearts and recognize the signs that are indeed shared with us all. Then allow it to wash over you and fill your soul with knowing and faith that all will be as it is meant to be.
As Stevie Wonder wrote…”Life and love are the same,” try and remember that and open to what it is offering you in the best way possible!
Mig`wetch
~bear Medicinewalker
Israel Kamakawiwoole “Over the Rainbow – What a Wonderful World Medley available on Itunes and used only as creative commons with permission from the heavens above….
In Long days past, a poor Ojibwa man and his his wife lived with their children in a small and remote village located in Wisconsin. This man did not hunt very well making it difficult to provide for his family. His wife was kept busy with the small children which made helping him difficult. He was a good man with a good and kind heart, full of gratitude to the Creator even for what little he could manage for his family. This quality was passed down to his eldest son, who upon reaching the age of adulthood was ready to walk his vision quest. It was a time that every young tribal boy looked towards for it helped them to find and understand their Spirit Guide that would walk with them through their lives. It was a time that they would receive their spirit name and the sacred gift that would be shared with them of the path they were to walk.
Eldest son had been obedient since early childhood. He seemed pensive, thoughtful of others, mild in manner, and always a joy to his family and to his tribe. At the first indication of spring, tradition told him to build a hut somewhere in an isolated place. There, he would not be disturbed during his dream quest. He prepared his hut and himself and went immediately to begin his fast for seven days.
For the first few days, he amused himself walking in the woods and over the mountain trails. He examined trees, plants, and flowers. This kind of physical effort in the outdoors prepared him for a night of sound sleep. His observations of the day filled his mind with pleasant ideas and dreams.
More and more he desired to know how the trees, plants, flowers, and berries grew. Seemingly they grew wild without much help from the Indians. He wondered why some species were good to eat, while others contained poisonous juices. These thoughts came back to him many times as he retreated to his lodge at night. He secretly wished for a dream that would reveal what he could do to benefit his family and his tribe.
“I believe the Chief of Sky Spirits guides all things and it is to him I owe all things,” he sat thinking to himself. “I wonder if Chief Sky Spirit can make it easier for all Indians to acquire enough food without hunting animals every day to eat.”
“I must try to find a way in my dreams,” so he stayed on his bed the third day of fasting, because he felt weak and faint. Sometimes he thought that he was going to die. He dreamed that he saw a strong, handsome young man coming down from the sky, advancing toward him. He was richly dressed in green and yellow colors. He wore a plume of waving feathers on his head. His every movement was graceful.
“I have been sent to you,” said the Sky Visitor. “The Sky Chief who made all things in the sky and upon the Earth intends for me to be your Guardian Spirit and I have come to test you.
“Sky Chief has observed all that you have done to prepare yourself for your Quest. He understands the kind and worthy secret wish of your heart. He knows that you desire a way to benefit your family and your tribe. He is pleased that you do not seek strength to make war. I have come to show you how to obtain your greatest wish. First, your spirit name shall be Wunzh.”
The visitor then told Wunzh to arise and wrestle with him. This was the only way for him to achieve his sacred wish. As weak as he was from fasting, Wunzh wondered how he could ever wrestle the stranger. He rose to the challenge and was determined in his heart to die in the effort if he must. The two wrestled. After some time when Wunzh felt nearly exhausted, the Sky Visitor said, “It is enough for today. I will come in tomorrow to test you some more.” Smiling, the visitor ascended in the same direction from which he came.
Next day at the same time, the stranger appeared. Again the two wrestled. While Wunzh felt weaker than the day before, he set his mind and heart to his task. His courage seemed to increase, however, in reverse proportion to his waning physical strength. The Sky Visitor stopped just in time before Wunzh dropped to the ground. “Tomorrow will be your last chance, so I urge you to be strong, my friend as this is the only way for you to achieve your heart’s sacred wish,” said the Sky Visitor.
Wunzh took to his bed with his last ounce of energy. He prayed to the Sky Chief for wisdom and enough strength to endure to the end of his Quest.
The third time they wrestled, Wunzh was so weak that his arms and legs felt like rubber. But his inner determination drove him forward with the kind of endurance necessary to win. The same length of time passed as in the first two wrestling bouts. Suddenly the Sky Visitor stopped and declared himself conquered by Wunzh!
Then the Sky Visitor entered the lodge for the first time. He sat down beside Wunzh to instruct him in the way he should now proceed to achieve his secret wish. “Great Sky Chief has granted your desire. You have wrestled manfully. Tomorrow will be your seventh day of fasting. Your father will come to see you and bring you food. As it is the last day of your fast, you will be able to succeed.
“Now I will tell you what you must do to achieve your final victory. Tomorrow we will wrestle once more. When you have prevailed over me for the last time, then throw me down and strip off my clothes. You must clean the Earth of roots and weeds and make the ground soft. Then bury me in that very spot, covering me with my yellow and green clothes and then with Earth.
“When you have done this, leave my body in the Earth. Do not disturb it. Come occasionally to see if I have come to life. Be careful to see that no grass or weeds cover my grave. Once a month, cover me with fresh Earth. If you follow what I have told you, you will succeed in your Guardian Spirit Quest. You will help your family and all the Indians by teaching them what I have now taught you,” the Sky Stranger concluded as they shook hands and the Sky Visitor left.
On the seventh morning, Wunzh’s father came with some food. “My son, how do you feel? You have fasted long enough. It is seven days since you have eaten food. You must not sacrifice your life. The Creator does not require that of you.”
“My father, thank you for coming and for the food. Let me stay here alone until the sun goes down. I have my own special reasons.”
“Very well. I shall wait for you at home until the hour of the setting sun,” replied his father walking away.
The Sky Visitor returned at the same hour as before. The final wrestling match began. Wunzh had not eaten the food his father brought. But already he felt a new inner power that had somehow been given to him. Was it Spirit Power from his Guardian Spirit? Wunzh grasped his opponent with supernatural strength and threw him to the ground. Wunzh removed the beautiful clothes and the plume. Then he discovered his friend was dead. He remembered the instructions in every detail and buried his Guardian Spirit on the very spot where he had fallen. Wunzh followed every direction minutely, believing his friend would come to life again.
Wunzh returned to his father’s lodge at sundown. He ate sparingly of the meal his mother prepared for him. Never for a moment could he forget the grave of his friend. Throughout the spring and into summer he visited the grave regularly. He carefully kept the area clean of grass and weeds. He carefully kept the ground soft and pliable. Soon he saw the tops of green plumes emerging through the Earth. He noticed that the more care he gave the plants, the faster the green plumes seemed to grow.
Wunzh concealed his activity from his father. Days and weeks passed. Summer was drawing to a close. Then one day, Wunzh invited his father to follow him to the site of his Quest. He showed his father the graceful-looking plants growing there. They were topped with yellow silken hair and waving green plumes. Gold and green clusters of fruit adorned each side of the stalks.
“Father, these plants are from my dream friend,” explained Wunzh. “He is my Guardian Spirit, a friend to all mankind, named Mon-daw-min, meaning ‘corn for all Indians.’ This is the answer to my Quest, my secret heart’s wish. No longer will we need to hunt animals every day for our food. As long as we take care of our corn gift, the Earth will give us good food for our living.”
Wunzh pulled off the first ear of corn and give it to his father. “See, my father. This corn is what I fasted for. The Chief of Sky Spirits has granted my Quest. He has sent us this wonderful new food of corn. From now on our people need not depend entirely upon hunting and fishing to survive.”
Wunzh talked with his father, giving him all of the instructions he had received from his Guardian Spirit. He showed his father how the corn husks should be pulled off the stalks, and how the first seed must be saved for future plantings. He explained how the ears of corn should be held before the fire only long enough for the outer leaves to turn brown, so that the inside kernels remained sweet and juicy.
The entire family gathered for Wunzh’s feast of corn. The father led a prayer of thanksgiving for the bountiful and good gift from the Chief of Sky Spirits. Wunzh felt happy that his Guardian Spirit Quest was successfully completed.
This is how Wunzh became known as the father of Indian Corn as shared to me by the Chippewa/Ojibwa Indian Peoples.
I went to my local post office, a place I go often several times a week actually and have for years. I know most of the workers by first name, and they know me. I would say it is part of small time charm but it ws the same when I lived down state. Why because I take time to notice and engage with people from all walks of life.
As I waited to walk up to the window to post my parcels, I looked over at the card rack there and grabbed one off the rack; it was a Dr. Seuss card. I was the only customer as I placed my things on the counter. I said morning to the guy on the other side and my thoughts were sort of elsewhere when I realized he was addressing me.
I quickly replied, “I am sorry what was it you said?”
He looked up with a smile on his face and repeated what he had said, “Well at least they haven’t got to Dr. Seuss yet right?”
I wasn’t sure what he was talking about and replied back, “I am sorry who hasn’t gotten Dr. Seuss?’
The reply, “Well you know they got Sesame Street right?”
So I am running things through my little bear brain and since I collect stamps, I thought that this was what he was referring to. “I am not following, you mean stamps?”
“No I mean the gay thing.”
I kinda of snapped my attention to him and said, “Um again not quite following…the gay thing?”
“Yeah you know the gay thing. They have GAY characters now on Sesame Street,” as he continued to post my parcels.
“Ummm well it is 2015, I think it is a good way to help children understand things in a positive light, don’t you?” I was thinking to myself that he could not be picking to argue this with me could he? But as you all know, Creator places situations on our path to challenge us…
“No it isn’t a good thing, its wrong. It’s a choice,” again he responded.
“I am sorry what it a choice?” I asked him.
“Being gay,” Very clearly stated.
“Really it is a choice eh?” I asked him.
“Of course it is pffffffff…” he responded.
After which the maintenance man came out from behind the counter prancing and dancing, and saying, “Look at me I am a guy pretending to be a girl so I can go into girls locker rooms.”
Outrage was building quickly, but I was seeing this more as a teaching moment than anything else. “Well you know I know many transgender people and am familiar with the issues they face; and I guarantee that you would not be able to deal with what they go through emotionally, socially or physically.” To which they both laughed…
I looked at them both, men that I have shared laughter, coffee, cupcakes and known for years, “Well I can tell you from personal experience it is not a choice, I am gay and was born this way. But I can tell you something that is by choice… CHOOSING to be a judgmental Jack Ass. Have a great day.”
I walked out of the post office. All this conversation because I purchased a Dr. Seuss card.
People we need to remember that we are all unique and all different. Being gay is no more a choice than being born a heterosexual. It is simply part of who we are as individuals, as human. We need to be more understanding, more tolerant of being different. As adults we have the charge of molding and assisting our youth to understand that it is okay to be who we are as people. The heart wants what the heart wants.
I do not wave a flag in people’s faces, but I can tell you throughout my life being gay was always a struggle, until I simply stepped into it and accepted it. It is part of who I am… but it is not the only part of who I am. Diversity is part of the world that makes it amazing and magical. Yet when we add ignorance, hate, racism, anger, wrong information, negativity into that mix…it is by choice,
So it is time people stop and look in the mirror…take a good long look, and remember we are all Humans on paths that our only intent should be to walk it the best way we can to allow our soul’s to experience life to the fullest in positives. Worry more about how you walk, than what sex, religion, political party others may be walking…. Worry more about positive and loving ways that you can show the children life can offer. Not the ugliness of it, there is enough of that in the world when they turn on a video game or the televisions. Be an adult that shares knowledge of how to get along with others, how to be unconditional, because after all we all can step back into the glass house in a blink of an eye can’t we?
I pray for the small minded, the haters, the bullies…
I pray that light and joy fill their hearts where darkness, anger and bitterness now live.
I pray that the things that have made them this way from the past are released and they can move ahead in more positives in the present and future.
I pray that all the sorrows of the world are lessened with each moment…
Aho
~ bear Medicinewalker
Kari Kimmel – Where You Belong used as creative commons and is available on Itunes
Spring is Here! It Is Time to Step Out from The Closet!
I can hear you all now, eweeeeeeee what closet is bear talking about? Well I hate to disappoint you all but I am speaking of the many closets that exist out there…Why, because many of us are there hiding in them and if we really look closely and were really honest about it we would see ourselves peeking out from some form of a closet that we have been hiding in.
Each closet may be a bit different but the purpose remains the same… fear…and once we settle in that place of fear, hiding there seems easier than stepping out into the light where everyone can see us as imperfect. And the thought of that is terrifying; I know I have been there many times throughout my life.
Is it hard to come out, sure it is…
How hard is it to come out and tell people you are in bankruptcy?
Or looking your family in the eyes and saying I am gay?
How hard is it to hide in a closet if you cheated on your partner?
Or looking at your kids and telling them you are divorcing their dad or mom?
How hard is it to tell your parents something you fear will disappoint them, no matter how old you are?
It is not that one or the other is harder…for they are all hard.
So why is it we compare our closets without looking in our own?
All closets are hard… one is not better or worse than the others…one is not easier than another…for they are all hard…
At one point or another we all jump into the closet and hide, because they feel safe for us…at least for a little while. We can hide from what is on the other side of the door of that closet. No matter what our reasons are however, it is not a healthy place to live.
So why is it so hard, because we make it so, we worry about what others are going to think how they are going to react and I get that I truly do. We worry about loosing people over the issues, what is going to happen when the cat is let out of the bag.
Why? Because they all cause stress, it is normal and it is something that our brains do and is absolutely normal. Yet what happens when we choose to stay in the closets for long periods of time, not sharing the worries, concerns or secrets we have been holding on to so tightly? We play havoc with our own bodies for holding stress in can bring on illness, disease, heart attacks, it throws us off balance emotionally , physically even sometimes socially.
So what places us in there, what makes us step into that dark space behind the closet doors? Fear…fear puts us in the closet and we continue to feed it by hiding in the closet.
Okay so take a deep, deep breath and turn the knob on the door and step out of the closet.
Be real positive about it, be ready to get real back when you do. Take a step to release the fear. Authenticity…Be Direct, apologize if you need to for something you have done. However be unapologetic….do not apologize for who you are, never for who you are, for you are human like the rest of us, perfect in your imperfections.
Write your own story. Remember, if you feel scared in that closet you are not alone. It is hard but no matter what your closet is made of or where it is… there are others just like you waiting to do the same… so step out into life, and remember closets are not made for living… but the World is.
Let us focus on causing a change of Positive thought
Of positive being….
For all those who have dreamt, for all those who have sacrificed, and for those who continue the fight for peace… may the light of the Holy Father Creator Shine on you and continue to add strength and courage to your being….
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 gentle and positive ways.
May our energies join together and be added in a never ending stream of healing, Grace and Understanding… may it encompass and wrap around all life …in gentleness
I call to you oh Ancestors … who have sacrificed so much and asked for so little in return… help to guide and encourage us to walk a dream that is not forgotten, a dream that will guide us to a way of peace for all living things….
As we speak these words and they fill our hearts and spirit… may it be so…
I thank and honor all that have heard our prayers and answered them…
Aho…
To you all take this peace we have shared with each other this day…and spread it around to all those who will listen and more so to all those who will not… Be the light of reminder… the dream that is not forgotten … the dream of one nation of human living in peace…
“We don’t choose our totems. Our totems choose us!” This is one of the first basic concepts of Totems.
Totems are hard to explain at times, but what we need to understand is what a totem is before we can comprehend what it means to follow their teachings. Once we understand the concept, it helps us to learn the messages they then have to offer and teach us.
A totem shows up to us as a spiritual sign or entity. They come to share and teach the knowledge they hold to help and assist us with our own lives, how to relate to others and the world around us. Totems are not worshiped, we follow the teachings they offer, we incorporate the way they deal with life into our own to help us move in positive steps on our paths.
We don’t control them and often it is difficult to explain our draw or affinity to them… yet there is a deep connection inside of us that responds to them when the show up in our lives. Why we ask ourselves… because it is natural to do so.
Walking with a totem will put certain disciplines in place for us that are not always easy to walk. The knowledge and lessons they share with us are rather set as goals to be like or a way of life to aspire to.
They come in many forms and will often show up at just the right time in our lives, and sometimes they will walk with us our entire life cycle, keeping spiritual watch over us. They will show up in our lives as an animal we are drawn to, such as a wolf, a bear, an eagle, lion or elephant, a tiger.
People often ask what is my animal totem? How do I know if I have one?
My reply is to open yourself up to the possibilities, look around your life at the pictures or items you collect, we all have them whether it is a honey bee or a bear, a snake or a turtle…. They are all there to share with us wisdom that will help enrich our life and challenge our souls to grow into the positives that are possible. Teaching us to cope, deal, create and live happy and productive lives.
Follow me as I take you through a journey of discovery each week in to the World of Totems… and during the week with my Card of the Day!
Learn what the World of Spirit and Totems will share with each and every day with us if we will only open to it!
Mitakuye O’yasin
~ bear Medicinewalker
Music by Joseph Strider available at http://josephstrider.com/
“Smoke ’em if you got em” Hawks Flight
