June 2009

Hau kola na tiyospaye (Hello friends & extended family),

Welcome to all new Circle members!  Each section of the Circle of Nations newsletter is written 'facing' one of the four sacred winds, beginning with the east, then the south, west and finally the north.  This is to honor the old ways.  It is to teach and to help us to focus and find the center.  I have designed the Native Circle website in the same spirit.  I welcome you all to the Circle....

EAST - Wiyohinyanpata - Yellow (Four Winds)
What has become of substance?  Not long ago I was watching a superstar pop music group perform on a late night show.  As I watched and listened, I found the music catchy and enjoyable, and the performers talented.  And yet, as I listened, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing.  The outfits, catchy tunes and high energy performers were all stimulating to the senses, but there was something lacking in it all.  In the final summation, what was indeed missing was substance.  You see, substance is that what gives something meaning.  It is not acquired fast food style, it takes time.  Substance is born of experience, nourished by knowledge and matured by wisdom.  It is not the stuff of fluff.  Substance prefers the long road which builds character over the short road to personal gain.  It is the essence that exists in the words and ways of all wise elders and great teachers.  As I observe the ways of western culture, it is clear that substance is becoming more and more scarce.  Young people are taught that physical appearance is more valuable than good character.  Senseless humor of the ‘punked’ variety with virtually no intelligence behind it is the favorite of the day.  So called ‘reality’ TV rules, featuring people who are anything but real.  And most pop stars sing about nearly nothing at all that really matters.  All fluff, no substance.  So how do we find substance?  Well, for starters, substance is not ‘found’, it is grown.  So how do we ‘grow’ substance in our lives?  Here is a short list for you....

Accept yourself
Accept others
Listen
Be patient
Take time
Help elders
Respect elders
Choose ‘we’ over ‘me’
Become conscious
Forgive
Learn
Love
Grow

As I said, this is a short list.  As I also said, substance is not acquired hastily, it takes time and diligence, with some sacrifice thrown in for spice.  The list above could go on for pages, but these are some of the basic tenets for growing substance.  Water the soil of your life with these, and a great harvest will spring forth in due time.  Plant the seeds of honor, humility and service, and someday the heart of the world will flourish with the experience, knowledge, and wisdom of substance....    


SOUTH - Itokagata - Red (Red Earth)
A word from Peggy....

Hello friends:
 
A few days ago we finished up our Men of Honor and Women of Wisdom retreat.  It was a deep and healing weekend.  Words can never describe the experience.  Trying to describe the retreat in words is like trying to catch a butterfly with a baby spoon.  But trust me the world is a better place when people come together to grow, learn and to commit to becoming real and loving beings.
The earth needs our transformation….
Honor and Wisdom, what a combo… would you like that supersized!  Because the world sure needs both of those substances. 
Wisdom… slow down, take a deep breath, leave all thought…..listen
Honor….    always do what you say you are going to do or don’t say you will do anything…both are honorable.
there is so much more and there is so much less… You choose


New dates are being added to our schedule so check out the schedule page…..
New products Hurrah!    Umpqua Steak Jerky, delicious!… downloadable CD cards coming soon, brilliant!

I sure hope to see many of you at the Dayton Ohio Mending Medicine Retreat end of July
Do us all a favor and BE THERE!

take time to enjoy the day…
take time to play


Blessings,
Peace,
Peggy
Red Earth of Native Circle
The Official JTH Website


WEST - Wiyohpeyata - Black or Blue (We are STILL Here!)
Of all the things that build character in this life, there is one that stands above the rest - hardship.  Hardship and struggle are the stuff of storms.  The storms come and rip through things, pushing hard and knocking down that which is loose.  Those loose things that get knocked down are the pretenses, the veneer, the falseness.  They are also the dead things.  The dead weight, often carried for years, a burden to bear.  Then comes the storm, and down it goes, freeing, liberating and renewing.  The seed of what is to come finds its way into the soil because of the storm.  The winds blow and the thunder cracks, and strength is tested.  Are the roots deep?  Is there strength within?  The shallow and empty, without substance perish.  Those with depth and substance live.  The storms destroy, and bring new life forth.  Strength is realized when seeds of hardship bear the fruit of substance, purpose and meaning.  Those who face the storm as the bison does build character.  They become alive with experience, knowledge and wisdom.  They see what matters in life, and what doesn’t.  Clarity and perspective are their gifts, as they have survived the storms, and now see through the eyes of the eagle.  The lightning stops, the rain ceases, and the clouds dissipate.  The storm has passed.  And you are alive.  You are alive!


NORTH - Waziyata - White  (Words of Wisdom)
Some tidbits which may or may not be confused with wisdom....

Reading the map too closely often lands you in the ditch....

If you get too close, you might not see clearly....

There can never be too much kindness....

One who seeks the flaw will always find it....


May Wakantanka encircle you and yours with faith to believe, hope for the future, and love for all....    

As always, in the spirit of mending the sacred hoop of the nations of the world
Your Oglala Lakota friend and brother,
John Two-Hawks
http://www.nativecircle.com
http://www.johntwohawks.com
Reprinting of this Circle of Nations newsletter is encouraged!  All I ask is that it be printed in its entirety, with no changes, and that I be given proper credit, unless I have otherwise okayed it.  Wopila (great thanks)!