Spirit Of The Bear

Archive 9

As a child I understood how to give ; I have forgotten this grace since I became civilized...... I lived the natural life , whereas now I live the artificial. Any pretty pebble was valuable to me then ; every growing tree an object of reverence.....Now I worship with the white man before a painted landscape whose value is estimated in dollars ! Thus the Indian is reconstructed , as the natural rocks are ground to powder and made into artificial blocks which may be built into the walls of modern society.
The first American mingled with his pride a singular humility....spiritual arrogance was foreign to his nature and teaching....He never claimed that the power of articulate speech was proof of superiority over the dumb creation ; on the other hand , it is to him a perilous gift . He believes profoundly in silence....the sign of a perfect equilibrium......
Silence is the absolute poise or balance of body, mind and spirit....the man who preserves his selfhood is ever calm and unshaken by the storms of existence....not a leaf , as it were , astir on the tree ; not a ripple upon the surface of the shining pool - his , in the mind of the unlettered sage , is the ideal attitude and conduct of life.
If you ask him : " What is silence ? " he will answer : " It is the Great Mystery ! "......" The holy silence is His voice ! "
If you ask " What are the fruits of silence ? " he will say : " They are self -control , true courage or endurance , patience , dignity and reverence
Silence is the cornerstone of character.

Taken from : Ohiyesa , the celebrated writer looking back over the past.
From ' Touch the Earth '
A self-portrait of Indian Existence.

Love and Light to all.

Nah ' Hak (Melanie)