Dec 28, 2010

December 2010

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)
As Mother Earth now begins her northern hemispherical journey back toward the sun, let us take some time to reflect. Reflect on all our experiences this past year. Reflect on the good, and the bad. What have we learned from those experiences? What have we learned from each other? I would like to share what I learned this year from my dear friend and esteemed Elder Jeanie Seifried. Jeanie went to the spirit world just this past week. She slipped away peacefully, surrounded by family and loved ones. About 7 years ago, she was told she had a rare form of cancer, and had a year, maybe two, to live. I had known Jean for years - at least I thought I had. I now believe that I only came to truly know her over the last 7 years of her life, as I humbly bore witness to one of the wisest, strongest and most indomitable spirits I have ever known. Jeanie didn’t fight the cancer, she danced with it. She allowed it to teach her about herself, about what really matters in this life, and about the power of perspective and a positive attitude. She faced it with a resolve to not allow it to beat her, and in the end, though she died, the cancer never owned her. She owned herself. When her hair began to fall out, she had a ‘hair pulling party’. When she had to go through difficult treatments, she found things to laugh about. And yet, she was not naive or in denial. She was just showing us how to live when you are dying. After all, we are all really just living on our way to dying. A month or so ago, during one of our visits, Jeanie demonstrated once again her deep resolve to live every moment of her life, even to the last, with a thankful heart. She had been given the bad news that her cancer had returned and that her odds were very slim. She told me that the news devastated her, and that she had been sad and depressed for - get this - two whole hours. Two whole hours! After that, she said she snapped out of it, realizing she had wasted two hours of what little time she might have left on this earth. Jeanie never looked back. As she approached her death, she did so with astounding grace, and dignified acceptance. A stronger spirit I have never known. I am honored to have known her, and to have called her my friend. May we all learn a little lesson from Jeanie as we look to the year ahead.... Live fully and completely in all your moments, no matter how small they may seem. Be thankful and seek happiness in each day. And love deeply, as in the end, love is what this life is all about.... Thank you Jeanie. Thank you....


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

Hello friends, this being the last newsletter of 2010, I should share some bit of incredible wisdom... “Should” being the imperative word. But the only bits of wisdom I can think of right now are:
Two things
#1 have fun, enjoy this moment
#2 if not having fun at this moment, then hold on, the next one may be better

I have been in some pain for the past two weeks, so having fun has not been a real option,
however, I am hopeful and also thankful, because things could always be worse.
We have big plans for 2011, so stay close to our Facebook, My Space and Website for updates.
Hope to see many of you this New Years Eve in Rogers AR for our last concert of 2010. If you haven’t got your tickets yet, you can get them here: TICKETS
We will be in Kansas City January 29th 2011 for a special appearance and musical performance at Stone Spirit Lodge. Call 816-561-7900 for tickets.
Blessings and hope for a wonderful New Year…you are all so special and important to us!


WEST - Wiyohpeyata - Black or Blue (We are STILL Here!)
Peace on Earth....
I dream of peace on this earth between all peoples, all cultures, all races, all nations, all religions.... There are two things that prevent peace, and only two. They are hate, and arrogance. Which means the weapons we must use to bring about peace on earth are love and humility. When we hate, we divide and destroy. When we love, we connect and heal. When we are arrogant, we oppress and take from others for our own gain, and we hunger for power. When we are humble, we put the needs of others before our own, and we thirst for wisdom. For far too long, hate and arrogance have run amok in this world. “I’m right and you’re wrong, and if you don’t see it or do it my way I will force you to, or kill you trying.” Really?? Thousands of years and humanity is still stuck name calling in the sandbox? “I know you are but what am I?”?! It amazes me that we have not yet figured out that everybody simply cannot be completely right all of the time. Sometimes we are wrong, even when we think we are right. But it takes humility to see and accept these truths. So, as we enter 2011, let us all pray that our human family somehow, some way, some day, will choose love and humility over hate and arrogance, and that one day the dream of peace on earth, will become more than a dream....


NORTH - Waziyata - White (Words of Wisdom)
Some tidbits from my daydreams....

Whether the grass is greener over there or not, is a matter of perspective....

The moon will always appear to be over my head, and not yours....

No two people will ever share the exact same view of anything....

The Pine tree has never expected the Oak tree to become a Pine....



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)!

Nov 29, 2010

November 2010

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)
I belong to a give-away culture. Indigenous people the world over are a people with a give-away spirit. What does it mean to have a give-away spirit? So many of the non-verbal cues and subtle messages we get from modern society are about keeping things for ourselves. The problem with this way of doing things is that it steals the power of faith from our lives and replaces it with fear. When we are afraid to let go and give away, we can find ourselves trusting in only that which we can see, touch and measure. The irony is, that by trusting only in those ‘measurable’ things, we actually cause ourselves more fear and doubt, because the truth is, only Spirit is immeasurable. Only Spirit can make something where once there was nothing. Only Spirit can show us the way to a life of purpose and meaning. Listen, all the fancy ramblings aside, this life is about the flow of energy. When we give away, the circle of spirit flows out from us, and blessings then return to us. When we refrain from giving away, this flow stops, and no one receives. It takes faith and trust in the unseen world of Wakantanka, the Great Mystery Creator God, to give away. Especially when it doesn’t seem you have much to give. But trust me, there is always something we can give. So.... what does it mean to have a give-away spirit? It means our thoughts are more often about others, than they are about ourselves. We all have a give-away spirit within. May we all reconnect to it. In doing so, we may find real meaning in this life....

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

Dear friends
With Thanksgiving behind me and the large Art Show I promote in Eureka Springs…the future has a way of looking quieter. The constant phone calls and endless e-mails and questions will end for a short season and I am soooo looking forward to that. The wonderful thing about winter is the pure sacred silence. We all need this time of hibernation and self nurturing.

We have two more concerts left in 2010. The JTH Christmas Concert in Eureka Springs, AR this Sat. night Dec 4th at 7:00pm, and the New Years Eve Concert Celebration in Rogers Arkansas Dec 31st at 7:00pm. Please come and spend some quiet time with us before the year ends.

JTH here.... Just wanted to say that I look forward to seeing you at my final two concerts of this year. I always love these two shows. The Christmas Concert is always a sacred, beautiful experience. And the New Year's Eve show gives me a chance to include lots of music I haven't performed in a while, so that is always a great time. So.... two more shows, and then it's back to the studio for my 19th musical release! See you there!
Click Here To Get Your Advance JTH Concert Tickets

While you are doing your Christmas shopping, please keep us in mind! Check out our holiday specials at:
JohnTwoHawks.com and NativeCircle.com with CDs as low as $10 each.

Consider the gift of a Retreat for yourself or for a loved one.

I want to let you all know we only have four of the ‘Earth~Fire~Water~Wind’ JTH Signature Flutes left. So do not hesitate if you are wanting one. You may call ahead to make sure you are not too late at: 888-790-9091

Enjoy this festive season of love and giving!
Peace,
Peggy


WEST - Wiyohpeyata - Black or Blue (We are STILL Here!)
This has been a season of dear Elders for me. I have found myself in their company even more than usual as of late. Always, I am impressed with them, as I have been since I was a small boy. Yet this year, I have been even more deeply moved by the many Elders I have spent time with. Each of them is currently enduring one or more of the many struggles that inevitably come with growing old. The loss of dear loved ones, the loss of physical ability, the ever present awareness of the journey’s end getting near, and so many other challenges that our Elders bear. We who are young and strong cannot begin to fully comprehend what it means to stand in their place. As I have sat with these fine people, I have been amazed and overwhelmed at their honesty, courage and humility. I have marveled at their humor, their resilience, and their candor. They are indomitable spirits, and yet they know the wisdom of surrender. They spin the stories and tales of their remarkable lives like the thread of a great Lakota star quilt, weaving human failures with profound wisdom. I treasure each second, each moment I have to listen to, and be with these incredible human beings of spirit and light. Each of them is a force of life, and I love them all very, very much. None of us lives forever, but I want as much time as I can have with the Elders in my life. They are the finest gems in my world. Nothing has more value to me than the moments I share with them. Do you have Elders in your life? If so, count yourself blessed, and spend as much time listening and laughing and learning with them as you possibly can. For they are the keepers of knowledge, real history, and deep wisdom.... Wasteyelo!


NORTH - Waziyata - White (Words of Wisdom)
a few thoughts from my solitary contemplations....

Respect is that which can only be received by giving....

Honor does the right thing, even when no one is looking....

Humility is the ability to see, and accept our imperfections....

Wisdom is the flower that grows from respect, honor and humility....




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)!

Oct 8, 2010

October 2010

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)
I don’t much do phone calls....
Are you like me? Do you positively loathe talking on the phone? Some people love it. Not me kemosabe, not me. And yet, the selling of phones is a worldwide mega-business. Another worldwide mega-business is spacebook and myface (lol). Texting is another new phenomenon, so new in fact, that my spell checker thinks the word “texting” is not a word! What is it with phones and spacebook and texting that is such a big deal? Well, it goes back to a basic human need - connection. We all need each other. The world we live in today has become so plastic, so detached, and so fragmented, that we have lost touch with one another. The massive popularity of phones and myface and such are clear examples of how desperate we are to reconnect. And so, in that context, they are good things, because they at least give us a way to reach out to one another and communicate. And yet, none of that changes the fact that I am not a fan of phones. My friends, it is good to reach out, whether by phone or text or e-mail or spaceface or twitter tweet. But what I think we are missing is that the reason these things are used by so many is that we are craving human contact - actual, physical, eye to eye, hand in hand, arm in arm, face to face human contact. We spend way too much time isolated from real communication and connection. This lack can bring about imbalance in our lives. Human contact restores it. Just as our contact with the natural world restores it. So, keep reaching out. Keep making those phone calls to your loved ones, sending those texts and e-mails, and spacebooking each other. Just don’t allow those things to take the place of real human contact.... because we need to touch and feel, to be truly and fully alive....


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

Here are the latest updates on our Fall Schedule:
Oct 21st thru Oct 24th - Mending Medicine Retreat, Eureka Springs AR
Oct 23rd - Circle of Nations Banquet and JTH Concert
Oct 15th - JTH Concert, Davis Oklahoma
Nov 13th - JTH Concert, Tupelo Mississippi
Nov 27th & 28th - Arts Eureka Fall Art Show, Eureka Springs AR
Check out all the wonderful opportunities to see John Two-Hawks in concert at his Events Schedule

PLEASE VOTE
John Two-Hawks Flutist of the Year - Native American Music Awards!!

Coming Soon…. www.circleofnationscommunity.com

Still time to buy the incredible fall special ….Great Christmas Gift!

See ya all soon
Peace,
Peggy
Native Circle
John Two-Hawks


WEST - Wiyohpeyata - Black or Blue (We are STILL Here!)
Ever had someone steal your joy? Ever had a total stranger come along and ruin your day? We human beings are curious creatures. We can be showered with love and praise from those who know and love us, and yet that one malcontent comes along to attack us, and then that’s all we can think about! Silly! Why do we do this? Well, my friends, it is quite simple.... survival. Our natural instinct is to give attention to any perceived threat to our well being. And so, it is perfectly normal to feel a strong reaction to any kind of ‘assault’, whether it be physical, verbal, real or imagined. Of course, this instinct serves us well when we are in real danger. However, most often, our perceived threats are not life or death experiences, but rather those unexpected encounters with someone rude or mean spirited. And yet, our physical reaction to these encounters can be as upsetting as if someone pulled a gun on us! The worst part of it is that they can steal your peace, cause you stress and even adversely affect your health. So.... The next time someone tries to steal your joy or ruin your day, take a minute to consider what I have come to know as the absolute truth: that they are either just having a bad day, or that they are just an unhappy, miserable person. Either way, they do not deserve to rob you of your happiness! So, take a deep breath, find a way to separate yourself from them, say a little prayer, and then let it go! They are no real threat to your well being anyway. So focus your energy on the positive things, the love you have around you, the good friends and family you have, the beautiful moments that bring joy and happiness in this life. We are always going to run into schmucks with nothing better to do with their time than to throw stones at others. Don’t give them the time of day. We only have so many breaths, so many moments in this life. Fill them with goodness, kindness and love. After all, I think you are awesome!!


NORTH - Waziyata - White (Words of Wisdom)
Some thoughts from my contemplations....

Appearances should never determine judgement....

Grace is only real when under fire....

When someone puts you down, stand up taller....

Blessings are like wildflowers, they don’t always bloom where you expect them to....



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)!

Sep 9, 2010

August/September 2010

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 of these old ways? The sacred circle, the wisdom of the four winds, the power of the Canupa (Sacred Pipe), the healing gift of the Inipi (sweat lodge) ceremony.... Can they change the world? Can a quiet Lakota song, shared in the darkness of the Inipi heal the planet? Can the silent prayers of a young Indian boy in the sacred circle bring back the balance we have lost? Can a small prayer tie given in confidence, or hung in a special place that few will ever see, move the hearts of the masses? Can a little dream catcher, made with care by a boy with deep hurt, bring about a new vision for the future of humanity? Or are all of these things too small an effort for too large a task? Here is what I know.... I have seen a man go into the Inipi wounded, and come out healed. I have seen people changed forever by one touch of the Canupa. I have witnessed the smoke of sage restore purpose to a lost soul. I have watched the making of a small dream catcher replace despair with hope. And I have watched a troubled boy find deep meaning in a humble little prayer tie. I have seen lives transformed by the wisdom of these old ways. And so it is that I have to say yes, I believe there is no need too large for the power of a small prayer. There is no hurt too deep for the healing touch of compassion. There is no struggle too difficult for wisdom to overcome. And there is no crisis too overwhelming for Wakantanka to resolve. A quiet song, a silent prayer, a humble prayer tie and a small dream catcher.... all carry the power to heal the world. Just as the mustard seed carries the power to move a mountain. All that is required of us, is to believe....

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

Autumn is in the air. What a magical season. It always brings me back to the innocence of my childhood, to school girl days and football games. The last hurrah before winter silence.
We will be on the road a lot these next few months, two Retreats coming up in Northwest Arkansas. Five concerts… St. Louis MO, Eureka Springs AR, Oklahoma, Mississippi, please check the Schedule for details.

The new John Two-Hawks Signature Flute hit the website last week, “Earth~Fire~Water~Wind” and they are absolutely incredible. They look and sound awesome! Only 28 of this 2010 flute will ever be made, so get yours ordered now.

The Summer Special has been replaced by the Fall Special. We are offering 3 of the best selling JTH CDs “Elk Dreamer” “Honor” and “Come to the Fire” for an incredible price of only $30.. that saves you $18 off of the retail price. Get this special at: http://www.johntwohawks.com

Make sure you take time to visit the Circle Studios Records You Tube Channel and say hello!

Blessings to you all, enjoy the beauty of this season and magic of every new day!
see ya all around,
peace,
Peggy
Native Circle
John Two-Hawks


WEST - Wiyohpeyata - Black or Blue (We are STILL Here!)
The west is the place of storms. The west wind comes to push against us, that we can be freed of our dead limbs. As those dead limbs tumble to the ground, so do the seeds of change. Often, we do not see it during the storm, but those seeds for tomorrow are planted by the winds of struggle. The storms shake us up and force us to find our inner strength. They teach us the gift of perseverance and determination. The west winds bring transformation. So when the storms come rolling into your life, bend with the strong winds as the trees do. And know that when the storms pass, what will remain are seeds of hope for what is to come. As I have always said, there is one thing in this life that we can consistently count on.... Change. Accept it with humility, courage and honor, and the sun will rise on a new day, and Spirit will show us the way....


NORTH - Waziyata - White (Words of Wisdom)
Some thoughts from my contemplations....

Hope is a choice....

The world needs more ‘we’ and less ‘me’....

Do not live today as if you are guaranteed tomorrow....

The things that mean the most, are the things that take time....



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)!

Jul 26, 2010

June/July 2010

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)
There exists in the twilight a powerful opportunity to try out your ‘spirit eyes’. It is during the twilight period each evening that the hawk lies down for the night and the owl awakens.... The hawk has day vision. A hawk’s sight is such that, if it was able to read, it could read a newspaper from two miles away. The owl, on the other hand, has night vision. It can see in the night like the hawk sees during the day. Thus, there are two kinds of ‘seeing’. Day vision is like our physical eyes. We see the physical world around us with our ‘day vision’. There are few mysteries and we can see most everything in our world without much trouble. Night vision is like our spiritual eyes. The night is like the veil that exists between the two worlds. The things of the night are often a mystery to us, much like the things of the spirit. One must spend a lot of time out in the night to develop the vision of the owl. Night sight is not easily achieved. Developing your spiritual eyes takes time. One must be willing to commit to walking a spiritual path and to accept that sometimes your ‘night eyes’ will play tricks on you! You may not always immediately comprehend that which your spirit eyes see. Some things may seem strange or unusual. This is why we American Indian people call our Creator ‘the Great Mystery’! So do not be afraid of the ‘dark’ of the spirit realm. Allow your eyes to adjust, and you will soon discover that you really can see. You will learn to look beyond the paradigms of this physical world to a place of infinite wisdom. You will be filled with humility upon realizing your weaknesses, and this will empower you. Do not believe everything you see.... Instead, believe in that which you do not see. Seek that powerful place where day meets night.... It is a window into the spirit world....

(Excerpt from the 'Good Medicine' Book by John Two-Hawks)


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

Well it has been awhile since the last newsletter, we have had our Ohio Flute Discovery Retreat, Been to Ireland, had our Women of Wisdom Retreat and tribute Concert for Nancy Cooper Maier.
Time has been just flying by. I am actually dizzy from the activity. But there are still many dates and new concerts for me to tell you all about. Some are still in the works and some are set in stone. Summer Special is a BIG HIT! 2 CDs Earth ~ Fire ~ Water ~ Wind (Newest) and Wind Songs (Grammy nominated) both for only $20.00... will continue for a few more weeks, get this deal while it lasts!

July 30th thru August 1st - Mending Medicine Retreat in Dayton Ohio... Sign up now

July....... 31st – Earth ~ Fire ~ Water ~ Wind Concert in Dayton Ohio....Tickets still available online

Aug....... 7th - Grand Ledge Michigan Art Show
14th - Yellow Spring Ohio Art Show

Sept....... 10th, 11th, 12th Flute Discovery Retreat in Eureka Springs, AR... still a few openings. Sign up today.
18th - St. Louis Missouri TBA watch website
27th – Chattanooga, TN (closed to the public)

Oct 21st thru 24th - Mending Medicine Retreat in Eureka Springs, AR - register online or by calling 888-790-9091

Oct…….23rd - Earth ~ Fire ~ Water ~ Wind Concert, Eureka Springs, AR tickets online
Oct…….23rd - Circle of Nations Honors Banquet tickets online

Nov……. Mississippi - TBA - Earth ~ Fire ~ Water ~ Wind Concert

Check out the NEW John Two-Hawks Signature Tea!

Thank you all so much for your support and good energy.... little drops of rain wear away the greatest of stones.... now go and Heal your World!
Peace,
Peggy


WEST - Wiyohpeyata - Black or Blue (We are STILL Here!)
The storms of life will come. No matter who you are or where you come from, the Wakinyan Tanka will visit you somewhere along the path of your life. There is no escaping it. When I was 6 years old, my mother and father split and went their separate ways. The storm rolled into my life then, and got more and more intense and destructive as the years passed. It was nearly 20 years before the clouds dissipated and the sun broke through, but there I stood, damaged sure, but not destroyed. What I learned from the storm, and took with me throughout my life, is that the rain will soak into you. When you find yourself in the midst of a storm, you will be saturated with it, you may indeed be afraid and you may also be wounded in some way. There is no escaping the mark a storm will leave on your soul. But the lesson doesn’t end there. The final lesson is about choice. It is about choosing to either let the lightning destroy you, or using it to empower you. There is a powerful gift which is absorbed into the spirit from the storm. Look deep into those marks left by the storms of your life; for it is there that you may find your medicine and your power. It is there that you can find compassion, empathy, and even wisdom. And it is there that you will discover that courage is born in strong winds, and that you have prevailed. And because you have prevailed, you have lived to tell, and have a story rich with experience, pain, joy, sorrow, defeat and triumph. This is the gift of the Wakinyan Tanka, the Thunder Beings, and it is rarely realized in the midst of the storm. It is a gift which reveals itself once the thunder and lightning have passed, and with the sun on your face, you can contemplate your life and the wisdom you have gained and taken with you along the way. I have learned that the power of the Wakinyan Tanka stays with us long after the storm has passed. And it is up to us what we do with that power. We can choose to ignore it or even use it in a negative way. Or we can choose to use it to reach out to others in the spirit of mending and healing. This, my relatives, is the gift of the Wakinyan Tanka.

(Excerpt from the 'Come to the Fire' Book by John Two-Hawks)


NORTH - Waziyata - White (Words of Wisdom)
Some thoughts from my reflections....

Worry is the expression of a deep belief in that monster under the bed....

Thank the earth when you take from her. This is respect....

Keep your word when you give it. This is honor....

Seek happiness, and you will always find your way....



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)!

May 15, 2010

May 2010

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)
You cannot see the wind. Yet it is there, mighty and mysterious in its power. Wanbli, the eagle, trusts that unseen power to carry it to the highest altitudes, where perspective is gained. And yet, that flight is not without unexpected twists and turns. It takes practice to learn the unseen wind currents of the Great Mystery, and faith to lean into them as we are guided on our way through this life. Sometimes they take you to places you would never expect - some good, some bad. And yet, both can be part of the greater plan for our life. Often, the greatest gifts are found just on the other side of a seemingly bad experience. Many times, the road to our sacred path goes right through a patch of thorns. It is important to remember that the patch of thorns often holds the key we need to take the next step on our journey. So keep your eye out for it. Our life is like the flight of the eagle - a journey of faith. We ride the unseen winds of the sacred path of our lives, sustained by our faith, held up by the Spirit, and taken to new heights by our willingness to dream. So do not let fear overcome you. Hold out the wings of your spirit, leap into the unseen journey ahead, trust the Great Mystery to lift you up, and you will rise like the eagle to the places where visions become your guide, and dreams become a reality....


SOUTH - Itokagata - Red (Red Earth)
Please have a look at our Summer Special... it’s a great deal. Thanks!

A word from Peggy....
I have a lot of housework to do this morning. That is probably why I chose to write. I’m not the most organized person, so papers seem to pile up. Dust and dirty windows have their way with me too. But forget all that, life is short, writing newsletters is more important. Anymore rationalizations? No, I think that is enough. We are only days away from hitting the road to Ohio. The Flute Discovery Retreat will be held outside of Dayton Ohio in Yellow Spring. You still have time to sign up. From Ohio we will be heading to Ireland. We will be having an evening of music and spirit with our friend Seamus. For more information about that keep your eye on the schedule...

What is New!
John Two-Hawks Signature Tea by Nuwati. Absolutely wonderful! Even John says he would rather have a cup of this tea then a Mountain Dew…. NOT!
But take my word for it is very tasty. And John loves it too.
We are going to be taking to the road. Watch our website schedule page closely. And if you have some suggestions for great camping places or festivals to play in your area let us know. We are gonna be free wheeling it for the summer, bringing the music back to the people.

Enjoy the sunshine and the rain!
see you all soon
Check out my blog at: http://wingsandthings-peggy.blogspot.com
Check out our youtube videos at: http://www.youtube.com/user/CircleStudiosRecords

Peace,
Peggy
Native Circle
John Two-Hawks


WEST - Wiyohpeyata - Black or Blue (We are STILL Here!)
Earth ~ Fire ~ Water ~ Wind.... We cannot live without you. Speak to us once more, that we may hear the voice of ancestral knowledge, and return to our place in the Sacred Circle....

Oil in the gulf.... The struggling economy.... Earthquakes and volcanoes.... Wars and terrorism.... Hate and greed.... Now is the time for the mending of the sacred hoop. Now is the time for humanity to return to the source of the sacred four elements, to regain humility and move forward with wisdom into a new day. Now is the time for the sacred songs to be shared, and heard. This is the moment when we must reach out with whatever gifts we’ve been given and do what we can to make the world a better place. Now is the time for the music of ancient wisdom to sing a new vision for the future of our world into the hearts of humankind. Now is the moment when we must do what we can, however small, to help heal the broken strands in the web of life. The wisdom of indigenous, earth-based, ancestral knowledge must finally be heard, and listened to. This is the time when the humble, quiet, trembling voice of a lone wooden flute will prove to be more powerful than guns, and stronger than hate or fear. The time has come for us to gather at the sacred fires of ancient truth, close to the earth, and close to each other.... to heal our broken-ness, and to find once again, our place in the web of life. So do what you can, and offer your prayers for the rest. Do your best to be happy. Be kind to others. Be patient with yourself and with those you meet along the way. Be at peace. Know love. There is a lot of good in this world. Look for it. And when you find it, celebrate it. Together, with humility, one heart at a time, one step at a time, one breath at a time, we can, and we will, mend the sacred hoop....


NORTH - Waziyata - White (Words of Wisdom)
Some thoughts from my contemplations....

The things that matter in this life are not made of matter....

In the end, material possessions are really immaterial....

It is always better to be kind, than to be right....

Love is the door through which peace enters....




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)!

Apr 5, 2010

April 2010

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)
Time with Elders....
Today was a day for me to sit with my family Elders and listen. We rose early this morning and hit the road for a two hour trek to the home of my 78 year old Sioux Grandfather, Bob. Grandpa Bob is a fascinating man, and I consider myself lucky to sit and listen to the words of a man who has spent nearly 8 decades gathering knowledge and wisdom. Now, just for the sake of clarity, let me make it clear that Bob would never claim to be a ‘wise man’. Maybe a ‘wise guy’, but never a wise man! He is unassuming, humble and soft spoken. He is not the Indian man you remember seeing at the powwow. In fact, the camera people at the powwows usually pass on by Grandpa Bob so they can photograph the Fancy Dancers. Never mind that Bob’s regalia consists of authentic articles, some over 100 years old! Nah, the camera folks don’t care about that, they just want the colorful feathers. Looks better in the paper. After all, a 100 year old breastplate made from hair-pipe created by rolling up the brown commodity food wax paper used on the reservation in the 1890s isn’t flashy enough for a photo op. Wow, I am starting to sound like Grandpa Bob! Bob does a lot of complaining and lamenting about what was. He wonders out loud if Indian “kids” today are losing the wisdom of our old ways. Perhaps I am lamenting as well. Bob is an Elder with a tremendous amount of wisdom. We left him today with an awful lot of food for thought. And he concluded by apologizing for talking too much! Ah well, such is the humility of real Indian Elders....
Two hours drive back home, and we find ourselves in the presence of yet another family Elder, Mama Carley. I have spent over 15 years learning from this incredible Matriarch. She is strong, gentle, kind and gracious. She is also highly intelligent, with wisdom I doubt she even realizes she possesses. I would be remiss if I did not also mention that she can be feisty and even a bit stubborn! And yet this is all part of the multi-colored character of a woman who has lived long enough to know what she wants, what she loves, what she feels and what she cares passionately about. She is having to accept more help these days from others. Not easy for a woman who has such an independent nature. I admire her resolve as much as I admire her surrender. She is an incredible woman, and Elder. I have gained profound wisdom from just being around her, and even more from listening....
Reach out to the Elders in your life. Seek them out. Spend time with them. Listen to them. Their wisdom will give you perspective, and draw you closer to the simple truths that matter most in this life.
I realize this section hasn’t been ‘lofty’ or ‘poetic’, but I hope it has meant something to you. The truth is, the wisdom that Grandpa Bob and Carley impart is pretty straight forward stuff. But hey, words don’t need to be fancy to carry a powerful message of truth and wisdom. They just need to be spoken - and heard....


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

I decided to take up the South Section today to talk about our Retreats. The south is the place of passion and the retreats have for many of us in the Circle of Nations been our passion. People ask me all the time to explain the retreats and I do my best, but each retreat has a life of it’s own so it is like putting spirituality in a religion box. Our retreats refuse to be boxed in. The only constant is that they are changing and evolving. I can, however, give you more of the concepts and the skeleton of each retreat.

In April we hold the Creative Expressions Retreat. We used to call it the Artists Retreat. The name was changed because each one of us is a creative force and some people don’t feel they are an “artist”. We all have plans and dreams for our life. Your plan may be to meet the love of your life, a soul mate. Your plan may be to be a professional athlete, a teacher, a chef, a writer, a mom, an accountant. Each quest is a creative expression. Your relationships are creative expressions. The way you dress, write, believe. We spend the weekend creating beauty. In the past we have painted a tipi, designed a medicine garden, created prayer flags, written poetry.As a whole we create, but also as individuals. I have seen people embrace their creative selves and go on to run successful businesses or to just find balance and pleasure in the creative process of their daily lives. We discover the deep beauty and profound meaning of our inner selves, the child who wants to paint outside the lines is welcome as well as the child who loves to paint within the lines. The creative expressions retreat is the third weekend in April in Eureka Springs Arkansas. It is a small retreat with 12 to 14 in attendance.

The Women of Wisdom Retreat is held in late June in Eureka Springs, however this year we have opened up 3 new retreats in Dayton Ohio The men’s retreat, the women’s retreat, and the flute discovery retreat.As women we share a sacred bond, a sisterhood. The women’s retreat is about healing and discovery. It is about laughter and connecting. We play, we cry, we write, we create, we sing, we grow and we do what women do best, we communicate.
The Men of Honor Retreat is held on the same weekend and I wish I could tell you more about that, but you will have to refer to John for his explanation of that weekend… but I know it is awesome. The Women and Men’s retreat in Ohio will be held the middle of May

The Flute Discovery Retreat is a weekend led by John Two-Hawks. He helps those who love the flute and those who are barely acquainted with Native flute, to learn the deep ways of this healing instrument. There are many hidden truths in the music of the flute and in the wonderful cultures that the flute has come to us from. The weekend is full of music and stories. A time to experience a richness in the gifts of the American Indian Cedar flute, its wisdom and mystery. This retreat will be held outside Dayton Ohio in May and in Eureka Springs Arkansas in mid September.

The Mending Medicine Retreat... We hold 2 of these retreats a year. One in Dayton Ohio at the end of July beginning of August and one in Eureka Springs Arkansas the third weekend in October. This is our main retreat. We hold it as a three day retreat in Ohio and as a four day retreat in Arkansas. The Circle of Nations Global Community has been born of this retreat. All who attend become members of this group, if they so choose and are added to our membership to receive our e-mails and other considerations. This retreat is based on the ancient teachings of the Medicine Wheel and the wisdom and mystery that this symbol teaches us. We explore Lakota spirituality as well as many other indigenous cultures from around the world. We experience the profound simplicity of these teachings and the healing nature of the wisdom therein. It is a time of healing, laughter, connection and life enhancing change. We enjoy music, laughter, good fun and make some life long friendships. This is a larger retreat, we can take up to 30 people at each location.
The cost of most of our retreats includes lodging and meals. You will find that we are the lowest priced retreats out there, because we have always made a commitment to leave the door open to all who would want to attend. We charge a little over the cost of lodging, food and supplies.
For more information or if you have questions or want to register call 888-790-9091

We have the incredible 'Earth ~ Fire ~ Water ~ Wind' T-shirts
available in larger sizes for 2x and 3x sizes. Call 888-790-9091



John will be performing with the Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra on April 10th
and he is doing a FREE Earth ~ Fire ~ Water ~ Wind concert on April 11th at the First-Centenary United Methodist Church!
Don’t miss the Earth ~ Fire ~ Water ~ Wind concert in Rogers AR on April 24th
Mothers Day Earth ~ Fire ~ Water ~ Wind concert FREE for moms on Mothers Day May 9th
We will be in Hannibal Missouri on May 1st for a CD and Book signing, In-store Meet & Greet event

Check our Schedule for all our new concerts and events!
Hope to see many of you at concerts and retreats… come and say hi!


WEST - Wiyohpeyata - Black or Blue (We are STILL Here!)
“Answers”
The way of the western world is to explain everything. All questions must be answered. If there is no answer, then something must be wrong, or there needs to be more research to find it. Often, if a suitable answer is not found, one will be fabricated. This is how fixated western society is on having answers. For Indigenous cultures, the focus has never been on answers, but rather on questions. For Native people it has always been perfectly acceptable to not always have an answer. In fact, ‘not knowing’ is part of the fabric of Indigenous spiritual culture and tradition. It is understood by Native society that there has always been - and will always be - mystery in this world. No matter how high tech western science gets, and regardless of how smart western society’s great thinkers become, there will always be questions that cannot be answered. There will always be mystery. Mystery keeps us humble. Humility leads to wisdom. Wisdom leads to healing. And healing leads to peace. On the other hand, knowledge makes us proud. Pride can lead to arrogance. Arrogance leads to conflict. And conflict leads to destruction. So.... Allow me to assert that ‘answers’ are far overrated. Not having all of them is okay, because it causes us to lean on the Spirit, and each other. Accept mystery in this life, and wisdom will offer herself to you in the humble spaces. For when high technology and lofty intelligence find that they have failed to come up with the ‘answers’ to the world’s problems, old grandmother wisdom will be there waiting to soothe them, and show them the way....


NORTH - Waziyata - White (Words of Wisdom)
Some thoughts from my contemplations....

The spiritual power of a tipi is greater than any castle....

Silence and Listening are both requirements of wisdom....

Authenticity is only experienced up close....

Truth and Knowledge are not always the same thing....



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)!

Mar 3, 2010

February/March 2010

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)
There are many things to care deeply and passionately about in this life, and it is good to do so. War has ravaged nations and cultures throughout history, and it is important to try and understand why, and to work toward a day without war. Politics have an affect on many things in this world, and being engaged and involved is essential if we wish to bring about positive change. Social justice and human rights issues have plagued societies for centuries, and it is imperative for humankind to move away from nationalism, racism and egocentrism if we are ever to live in peace on this planet. And speaking of the planet, living with the earth instead of against it cannot happen soon enough. So, all of these things and more are important, and well worth our time and our concern. Yet, there is something more important than all of the above at the end of the day, or the end of a life. That ‘something’, is love. If you are involved with all the issues of the world, and fight for the causes of the world valiantly, but you do not have love, then your efforts will all be in vain. I have listened quietly to individuals who speak proudly and loudly about all the good things they do, and then have witnessed first-hand their rude, arrogant and belligerent behavior. On the other hand, my friend Richard is an Elder in every sense of the word. He is quiet, humble and deeply loving. He doesn’t toot his horn. Throughout his long life he has always cared passionately about the many pressing issues of the time, and he has acted. But even in the midst of his activism, he proceeded with love. In the beginning, Martin Luther King Jr. exemplified a gentle approach, and Malcolm X embodied justified anger. And yet, in the end, even Malcolm X found that love is more powerful than rage. Rage has its place, but never in front of, or in place of, the all consuming power of love….


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

I woke up this morning to a slight dusting of snow on the deck… I am looking for daffodils and
robins, for sunshine and garden spots…….not snow.
So I had to readjust my expectations and my attitude, a warm cup of coffee took care of that.
We just finished our release of Earth Fire Water Wind this past Sat. What an awesome spirit time we had. I was completely blessed by all the Circle of Nations people who were there and so blessed by the commitment to the earth and change that so many people are embracing.
The music from the new CD is absolutely incredible and the videos are awe inspiring. Please
stop and see them at the You Tube links below:

T’at’e Wakan - Sacred Wind Music Video

Beautiful Earth Music Video

Click here to see the New CD!

Also please stop and read my new blog. I am spending a few minutes each morning sharing some bits of humor, a dash of wisdom and some very special recipes from my kitchen. Here is the most recent post from my blog...

"Even when we stumble, even when we fall, even then there is light around it all!" words from Nancy Cooper Maier.
Today, March 2nd 2010, I am thinking about mis-takes.
I have made my share and I know why. Even with this blog thing, I just jumped in with both feet, clothes on and nose plugged. Then I learn as I go.... should have, how to, shouldn't have, try this, try that. So bare with me, this is the way I roll. It drives my husband absolutely crazy. (Sorry)
I must have been born this way because it is the only way I remember I have ever been. The results have been a life full of adventure and learning. You see, we mostly learn from our mistakes. You would think I would be a genius by now, but if I am you would never know it because you would probably just see my errors.
I am making light of this (also my way), but this light that illuminates our frailty is an important light to keep turned on. Next to my bed on my light on the night stand is a little sign that says "Always make new mistakes".... Not the same mistakes - that would be stupid - but new mistakes means taking new steps, taking a new path accepting a new adventure, being alive, taking risks. The more fully you live, the more new mistakes you will make. Playing it safe is not really safe. How about risking it all for love! Why do you think they call it falling in love? They might as well call it stumbling in love (lots of mistakes to be made here).
Humility is born of being able to be wrong...... being wrong is cool.
What is cool is being ok with yourself when you are wrong, and even better, being ok with others, because we are all just human. Sounds like acceptance, tolerance, forgiveness... that is for another day.
Go out and play today and try to make some new mistakes!

Click Here to go to Peggy’s Blog ‘Wings’

Don’t forget we have our wonderful “Spirit Mountain” Retreat Lodge available for short and long stays when you are visiting Eureka Springs Arkansas.… super discounts for Circle of Nations Global Community Folks.

Hope to see you at concerts and retreats this year… for dates and times check the schedule.

Special thanks to Morten Storeide for the Great Videos of Sacred Wind and Beautiful Earth!
Join our You Tube Channel and see all of our exciting videos.

enjoy the moment,
peace,
Peggy
The Official JTH Website
The Native Circle Website


WEST - Wiyohpeyata - Black or Blue (We are STILL Here!)
I recently placed a post on my facebook profile that reads as follows:

‘My friends…. There are those in this life who tear you down, and there are those who build you up. There are those who talk loud and have lots of words, and there are those who speak volumes with silence. There is bad and there is good in this world. Let the bad strengthen you, and choose good. This is the way to wisdom….’

There were many responses to this post, so I would like to elaborate on it a bit more. If there is one thing all human beings have in common it is this: we have all been verbally abused or hurt by someone. One way or another, along the way, each of us has experienced what it means to be torn down, insulted, attacked or abused in some way, shape or form. What a sad testament to humanity. It is tempting to exact revenge on a verbal abuser. Sometimes it is necessary to stand up for yourself. But in most cases the wise response is no response at all. To give a response to a verbal attack is to give energy to a negative intention. A response simply feeds the hunger of a verbal abuser, and they will come back looking for more! Inappropriate anger and abusive behavior does not warrant nor deserve a response. Oh sure, it is tempting to give a bully or an abuser a taste of their own medicine! But it is rarely wise. After all, it is a small mind that seeks to verbally abuse someone. So the next time you find yourself assaulted by the hurtful words of another, resist the temptation to jump down into their mud-slinging pig sty. Give yourself some time to put things into perspective. When you do, you will often come to the conclusion that no response is necessary, and you can then let it go and get back to living a life with meaning, purpose and happiness. As I said in my post, there is bad and there is good in this world. Let the bad strengthen you, and choose good. This is indeed the pathway to wisdom….


NORTH - Waziyata - White (Words of Wisdom)
Some thoughts from my contemplations....

He who conquers the world, but not himself, has conquered nothing....

The truth of anything is rarely found on the surface....

If you are wrong, speaking louder will only make you more clearly wrong....

Wisdom and arrogance cannot live in the same lodge....



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)!

Jan 26, 2010

January 2010

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)
Maka etanhan wicasa wan pelo.... I am a man of the earth. Indigenous to the soil, the fire, the water, the wind.... the fabric of my being deeply woven into the web of all life.... one with the strands of connection which exist within and between all things seen and unseen.... feeling the life force of every humming insect, every silent tree, every soaring eagle and all that dwell upon this earth. I cannot be far from the sacred heart of the ancient earth for long before I hear the voice from the forest calling, the whisper of the pines beckoning, come home child, come home.... and home I must return. To my quiet place on the ground.... the place where silence is language and stillness is prayer.... the place that hums with the energy of life, and where the Indigenous heart beats as one with all that is....

We are all made of earth, fire, water, wind.... the sacred four elements, which were fashioned by Wakantanka, the Great Mystery, for the creation of life and all that is. Long ago, we were close to the sacred four, and to Spirit. Now we have lost our way. We must return to our place in the web of life, touch the sacred elements we are made from, and come home to our quiet place on the ground. Only then will we hear the voice of ancestral knowledge, and find once again the sacred balance....

These are the things the music on my newest ‘musical messenger’ expresses. I humbly invite you to experience:

The NEW ‘Earth ~ Fire ~ Water ~ Wind’ CD


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

I had high hopes for 2010 and especially was ready to bid 2009 farewell. Now 24 days into the New Year I am even more full of expectations and joy. For a very long time, over 10 years now, John and I have had a vision for a musical project that would express the depth of our hearts for a true healing and mending of the sacred hoop.
With Earth ~ Fire ~ Water ~ Wind, we have seen that dream vision unfold. So with the project now pre-released, I am basking in a sea of contented satisfaction. Besides that I found a handbag at the Doggie Thrift store that I can carry to the Grammy’s for $2.50 so I am very happy right now.
It always seems to be the little things that carry the greatest pleasures in life.
I am watching the way the world is coming to the aid of Haiti and the beautiful Haitian people and it rejuvenates my soul and reminds me of all the good in the world. This is what it means to mend the sacred hoop of nations. Haiti will need our prayers, our volunteering and our financial help for a long time and so we will have many opportunities to give and giving is a good thing!

Hope you all enjoy the new CD, it is available for purchase now at www.johntwohawks.com
Please check out the schedule updates, we are adding new concert and retreat opportunities in 2010.

blessings, peace
Peggy
http://www.nativecircle.com
http://www.johntwohawks.com


WEST - Wiyohpeyata - Black or Blue (We are STILL Here!)
Are you going green? Are you living a sustainable life? Do you recycle? Do you car-pool? Do you utilize solar or wind energy? Do you compost? Do you use less detergent, only wash clothes that are actually dirty, turn off the water when you brush your teeth, close the refrigerator door for the few minutes you need that gallon of milk, turn lights off when you leave a room, etc., etc....? Sound like a lot to think about? I want to encourage you. When you do these kinds of things, you are reconnecting yourself to the web of life. You are showing respect for the earth, something humanity has lost touch with in this time. These acts of respect and conscientiousness may seem small or insignificant, but they are not. Many drops of rain wear away the greatest of stones. We must think of the 7th generation, or the next generation for that matter. We are borrowing this earth from them. Let us do our best. We have distanced ourselves from the sacred four elements, and have forgotten that our very lives depend on them. We rarely touch the actual earth very often anymore. For many, fire is felt only by way of a furnace or the occasional candle. Water is experienced mainly through a faucet of some kind. And wind is kept out by walls and windows. I extend my heart to you with love as your brother and say - come back home.... put your feet on the earth again.... feel the warmth of fire again.... let the waters of a river wash over you again.... and let the winds caress your skin again. Earth ~ Fire ~ Water ~ Wind.... You are part of them. They are part of you. Reconnect with them in this real way, and when you recycle that bottle or turn that light out, it will mean something to you. You can’t really ‘go green’. We are already ‘green’, whether we know it or not....


NORTH - Waziyata - White (Words of Wisdom)
A few thoughts from my contemplations....

Humility is the only way to peace....

Life’s answers come slowly, like the opening of a flower....

Live with the earth, not on top of it....

Go last....



Something I want to share....
I was recently nominated for a Grammy for my ‘Wind Songs’ CD. I will be attending the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards Show in Los Angeles this Sunday, January 31st. Within the last few years a Platinum Album award and an Emmy nomination have come my way as well. All of these things are very special to me as a musician. It means a lot when your peers give you a nod of appreciation, and I am deeply humbled and thankful for these moments. Having said that, I want to also share that what matters more to me than anything is that the music I dream to life is filled with the sacred energy that comes from that place in the deep forest I spoke of earlier. Nothing means more to me than to hear that my music made a positive difference in another human being’s life in some way. That is the greatest award I could ever dream of. The Grammy Awards is a long way from my quiet place in the woods. And yet, wherever I am, the silent stillness of that place is with me. It is the whispering wind that calls me home.... Thank you all for not only listening to my music, but for really hearing 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)!

Dec 8, 2009

December 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)
As we enter into the winter solstice, some of us may find ourselves contemplating what it all means. In the old Lakota way, the solstice is a ceremonious occasion. It is a time to reflect, to acknowledge triumph and failure, to ask - and give - forgiveness for wrongs, and to celebrate acts of valor, courage, wisdom and humility. In short, to the ancestral Lakota, the winter solstice was a time to reconnect with the true meaning of life - to gain a perspective on our reason for living. It is in this spirit of the wisdom of old Lakota tradition that I pose to you the question that human beings have pondered throughout the ages.... Why am I here? Some of the answers to that question are a mystery for each individual to unfold in that quiet, sacred space where you and Spirit commune. But my spiritual contemplations have yielded me at least one answer to this question which I am certain of. I know this - you are here for me. And I for you. We are not here for ourselves. All the strife, war, poverty, and insanity of our time stem directly from the fact that we have lost touch with this truth. Human societies around the world have increasingly become ‘me’ fixated. This ‘me, me, me’ condition has directly contributed to everything from economic crisis to global warming. The more humanity comes to know that this life is about ‘we’, not ‘me’, the more we will begin to heal the wounds we have inflicted upon each other and the world. Mending the sacred hoop is only possible when ‘we’ becomes the reason for our lives on this earth. Now that does not mean that we are not supposed to seek joy for ourselves! But true joy is found in seeking happiness for others. ‘We’ first, ‘me’ last. So my sisters and brothers the world over, seek to give joy to someone during this season. Be generous with your time, your gifts, your spirit. Focus your thoughts on the hearts of others as you reflect on this past year and look ahead to the next. For it is only together that we can realize the possibility of peace on earth....


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

Well, winter is waiting at the door here in Northwest Arkansas. We like to leave her waiting out there as long as we can. I think we may be able to hold off our chilling visitor for a couple more weeks. Then we kind of like to see her around Christmas. I for one would be happy to see a little white dusting from about 7:00pm to 9:00pm on Dec 24th and that would be enough for me. I realize some of you just love the cold and the snow. I had enough of it my first 45 years living close to Lake Michigan. As a child, though, it meant the most wonderful magical event (a day off of school)!
But as I grow older I see how necessary the hibernation months are and I actually do look forward to slowing down and sipping hot chocolate by a roaring fire… with little of nothing to do.

So I do have some suggestions for Holiday giving...
We have a wonderful special of 2 books and 2 CDs for a very low price of $28.00
Also if you purchase a retreat weekend for a loved one, we will send them a free Christmas
Card with a voucher for the retreat. We can send this e-mail or snail mail, you choose.
Check out all of our wonderful gifts at:
http://www.johntwohawks.com or http://www.nativecircle.com
Between now and Jan 1st any JTH Signature Flute will come with a $25-off voucher for the Flute Discovery Retreat.
Be sure to get your tickets now for the last John Two-Hawks Concert of the year, the New Years Eve Concert! Seating is limited so don’t wait! The concert takes place at the Rogers Little Theater, in Rogers Arkansas at 7:00pm.

Thank you so much for all your support in 2009. It helps us to keep the Circle of Nations Global Community dream of world peace alive.

Wishing you and your families a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and the hope of a peaceful, joyful New Year
Peggy

ADD-ON DEC 06

CONGRATULATIONS JOHN TWO-HAWKS
GRAMMY NOMINEE!!
After watching you in concert last night I am utterly amazed and realize why I am a huge FAN
You deserve the Nomination and you deserve to WIN
thank you, thank you, for all the beauty, peace and healing you put into the world
Peggy


WEST - Wiyohpeyata - Black or Blue (We are STILL Here!)
Wow.... what a lucky man am I, to have a wife who is my biggest fan!? Yes, as Peggy said, I have been nominated for a GRAMMY for ‘Best Native American Music Album’ of the year for my ‘Wind Songs’ CD. I am, of course, very happy about this! And yet, what makes me happiest is that I have love, meaning and purpose in my life. Life is a mixed bag. It comes with highs and lows, joys and sorrows. But when you find love and purpose in your ups and downs, the true meaning of it all becomes clear. Seek this truth in your life, and your life will take on a new meaning. Your days will become rich with possibility, potential and passion. A life filled with love, meaning and purpose is a life worth living! May the coming year bring you more of all three....


NORTH - Waziyata - White (Words of Wisdom)
Some thoughts from my contemplations....

Faith without works is a game of slim chances....

Hope is only laughed at before it becomes reality....

The power of love is always underestimated....



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)!

Nov 10, 2009

November 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)
A few weeks ago we had our Mending Medicine Retreat and Circle of Nations Global Community Reunion. As I sat at that dinner Friday night and looked around at all the faces gathered together, I was deeply humbled and happy. On paper, it says that I am the ‘Founder’ of the Circle of Nations community. In truth, all I did was agree to take the journey. Oh sure, I’ve done a thing or two, but the real ‘Founders’ of the Circle of Nations were sitting at that Friday night dinner a few weeks back. Incredible people like Carley & Fr. Bob, Bill & Jan, Phil & Jo Ann, Luella, Seamus, Morten, Jim & Mary, Sue, Van, Poco & Sir Charles, Jim & Kathy, my sweet Peggy, and of course the esteemed Richard Seifried, just to name a few. There were many others who I came to know for the first time that weekend who are equally incredible human beings. What amazing people I get to spend my life with! Now before I totally take myself out of the equation, I will say that as I quietly observed the room that night, I saw the first manifestation of my lifelong vision. People from countless backgrounds, from all over the United States and the world, from Ireland to Norway, all gathered in the spirit of peace, love and healing. My heart leapt in my chest, as it can do when a dream hints at becoming reality. And yet, being a contemplative, my eyes are rarely closed. I see the sickness of the world. The madness. The brutality. The rage. And the sorrow. These things have weighed heavily on my soul throughout my life. This I know, light washes away darkness - darkness cannot wash away light. Water washes away fire - fire cannot wash away water. And love washes away hate - hate cannot wash away love. If you are reading this, I want you to know that, to me, you are united in spirit with those people I sat with at our Friday night Mending Medicine Retreat dinner a few weeks ago. You are part of us. We may never have seen your face, but you belong, nonetheless. And when I think of all of you who are part of our Circle of Nations Global Community, I see more than hope. I see the mending of the sacred hoop of the nations of the world happening right before my eyes....


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

Hello friends, family and all you wonderful people of peace in the Circle of Nations.
Well we finally have our awesome Arkansas fall.. beautiful warm sunny days.
We just completed our Mending Medicine Reunion retreat and honestly words cannot
describe the love the healing and the laughter and warmth of those four days of spirit connection. So I won’t even try, but if you were there you know.
I understand that many of you are connecting on myface or spacebook or something like that!

I have so many feelings that I wish I could express……. the main one I think is gratitude
Pure thanksgiving….. In a world torn with troubles, I see a community of people with hope, love and vision. We have what it takes to put goodness and peace back into this world and it only takes one honest four letter word, love. Not the mushy gushy false romantic version, but the “give you my time, my care, my life”… sacrificing love. The love that hurts a little, the love that can get rid of ego and MY WAY to consider THE way. The love that listens, the love that laughs and cries, the love that doesn’t count the cost and has courage to take a risk. That passionate, wild, spontaneous, undaunted, radical, fearless love…… that will change the world……….that we all have in us, and that is what the Circle of Nations Global Community is all about.
Wow, so much for nothing to say (lol)!

We are currently celebrating our 10 Year Anniversary of Native Circle/Circle Studios!
So listen up!!!
On Nov 10th for just 10 days we will be offering a 10 CD special for $10 each
That is 10 JTH CDs for only $100 …. 10 Christmas gifts for an incredible price!
But only for 10 days….from 11-10-09 to 11-20-09
And on top of that every order will receive a free gift!
So do your Holiday Shopping with us at:
John Two-Hawks
Native Circle
Look for other incredible specials in Nov and Dec.

Where we will be:
To finish up our 2009 touring
Nov 17th Conway AR
Nov 28th 29th Eureka Springs AR Fall Art Show Inn of the Ozarks
Dec 5th Eureka Springs 7th Annual JTH Christmas at The Aud Concert
Dec. 31st New Years Eve Concert, Rogers Arkansas, Victory Theatre
Get Tickets Here!

Watch soon for 2010 Schedule
Feb - Botanical Gardens Fayetteville AR New CD release Concert
April - Chattanooga Tennessee Symphony and Creative Expressions Retreat in Eureka Springs
May - Dayton Ohio area 2 retreats 2 weekends Women’s Retreat and Flute Discovery Retreat
May and June – off to Ireland! Late June - Men’s and Women’s Retreats in Eureka Springs
July – Spain
August - Dayton Ohio, Concert and Mending Medicine Retreat
Sept - Flute Discovery Retreat in Eureka Springs
Oct Mending Medicine Retreat in Eureka Springs
Check out the Schedule page… More dates and cities to be added!!

Love ya!
Peace,
Peggy


WEST - Wiyohpeyata - Black or Blue (We are STILL Here!)
Let me just come out and say it with gentle conviction: There is a right way, and a wrong way, to conduct traditional American Indian ceremonies. In fact, the way to conduct all of our traditional Indian rites is quite specific, exact and complicated enough that it takes actual years to learn, if you are so called by the Spirit to do so. Yes, it is true, ceremony is indeed all about experiencing the Spirit. And it is also true that the Spirit can and does move in many ways, even to the point where, on rare occasions, the protocol of the ceremony changes. But don’t take that to mean that the Spirit is without form or order. Indeed, it is that very order, those small details, the specifics of how to conduct a given traditional ceremony which actually unlock its power. To better understand this, imagine that a ceremony is like a very sharp knife. If you know what you are doing with it, and have learned how to properly utilize it, it can help to feed and nourish you. If you do not, you can badly hurt yourself or somebody else with it. This is the way it is with all instruments of power, whether they be a physical object or a ritual activity. It is for this very reason that we insist that people who participate in a handful of our traditional ceremonies resist the urge to start trying to conduct their own. Such limited experience can be a recipe for disaster. The tragedy several weeks ago in Sedona Arizona is a sobering example of what can happen when someone learns just enough to be very, very dangerous. That so-called ‘sweat lodge’ was the furthest thing from a traditional Inipi purification ceremony I have ever heard of. My heartfelt prayers go out to all who were hurt by that senseless, tragic event. And so.... just as it takes a Catholic Priest decades to fully understand and appreciate the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of conducting ceremony, so it is with our ancient traditional rites and those of us who are called to serve our people in this way. Just wanted to share that from my heart to yours, as a brother and a friend....


NORTH - Waziyata - White (Words of Wisdom)
a few thoughts....

Real ‘medicine’ happens when no one is looking....

Be kind, you may not get another chance....

This moment will never come again....

You can never give too much compassion....



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)!

Oct 6, 2009

Sept/October 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)
Seasons of change....
The changing colors of autumn are upon us. Like the heartbeat of an ancient drum, the rhythm of Mother Earth gently beats with the shifting seasons of life. The four sacred seasons all have much to teach us, but the autumn time has a special gift.... the gift of change. There is very little in this world that stays the same. Yet this I know, the one thing that remains constant in this life - is change. For many, change is difficult, confusing, and even frightening. How do you feel about change? Do you fear it or embrace it? Your home, your family, your car, and your reflection.... all change with the passing seasons of time. Nothing stays the same. This you can count on! In the autumn, the leaves on the trees blaze in brilliant colors so beautiful they can take your breath away. And what is it that causes those leaves to become so colorful? It is because autumn is the elder sister to spring. The renewal of spring cannot happen without the loving release of autumn. Those leaves are so beautiful because they have lived, and they have experienced the wonder of spring and the joy of summer, and now express their gratitude with dazzling color as they embrace and accept the wisdom of change. Winter will come soon enough, the time of silent return to Earth and Spirit. And so with pastels and earth-tones we honor and celebrate the seasons of change, for they are the gift of Spirit, who gives us mystery that we might find humility and acceptance in this life. Do not fear change, for change is that season in which we find ourselves, our path, our purpose and our need for Spirit, and each other. Embrace your season of change, and the colored leaves of what was will let go and return to the earth, giving birth to a new day, and new life which will spring forth with hope and vision for the seasons to come....


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

When ever I start one of these letters I always look outside the window in my office. This morning I see autumn upon us. I feel a nip of fresh cold air every time I step outside. I see the squirrels busy preparing for winter and the deer are hunkered down. I, for one, have always loved this time of year. In just a couple of weeks we will have our Mending Medicine Retreat and I will get to visit with creative, open individuals from all over the globe. I will get to make new friends and rekindle the fires of long lasting friendships. In this season, we begin to prepare to slow down. It is funny as we grow older how so many things become less important. Love, friendship, families, spirit, breath… these things are what is important. I am still missing Fr. Bob a lot, I sometimes don’t take the time to think of him, because I don’t know if I am ready for tears. You know it really is not all that healthy to make appointments for tears… but I admit I do it.
But I know one thing… he knows that I love him and I know he loves me.
The drama and petty judgements that can consume the moments of our lives are so useless.
The ‘me’ moments…my way… I’m right…what about me… useless and empty.
We are here, interdependent. We are here as part of a sacred hoop. So when someone throws a fiery dart at you, let it go. Move away, separate yourself from the friction, the drama, and find a space to surround yourself with beauty. Some situations you cannot escape, but even then you have a choice how to react or how to not react. I, for one, hate injustice and so I am learning a peaceful way to fight for justice. I mostly see the anger and the ignorance of those who choose to tear people down and I begin to pity those people, knowing that life for them is very hard. To live in peace and love is really an easy and wonderful life… so choose it and live it!

NEWS

Circle of Nations t-shirts and canvas bags will be on sale at our retreat and fall concerts this year
and at the new Circle of Nations website coming soon!

Check out our calendar for all of John Two-Hawks’ appearances for 2009
Some FYI in 2010… We will open up 2 new retreat events in the Dayton Ohio area
May 2010… Women’s Retreat and Flute Discovery Retreat
April 2010 … John will be performing in Chattanooga Tennessee with the Symphony
Spain is in the air for a 2010 tour, and much more

Have you heard about ‘Gentlemen Broncos’? Coming to theaters near you around Oct 30th.
Music from John Two-Hawks - Cedar Dreams - In a comedy… go figure!

'Two-Hawks' 2-CD Set is still on sale… don’t miss it
Peace on Earth CD is also still on sale for a very limited time!
Oh, by the way, we are down to only 3 Insignia JTH Signature Series Cedar Flutes left.
Once they are gone they will never be made again. Now is your chance to pick up one.

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


WEST - Wiyohpeyata - Black or Blue (We are STILL Here!)
The way of the peaceful warrior....
I used to be quite a fiery political activist. I was angry and vocal. I spoke out against injustice, stereotypes and racism, and ticked off more than a few adversaries. I have sat on open forum panels alongside Winona LaDuke and other tribal leaders, discussing and arguing the issues of racism toward Indian people in sports and media with community citizens. In short, I was a fiery advocate for Indigenous human and civil rights, and I was not afraid to go to battle. As I look back now on those times, I can smile. I smile because although I remain an activist, I am no longer angry. I smile because, although I remain fiery, there is no rage. I smile because, in many ways, I am a much wiser, more seasoned and more effective activist now than I ever was in my youth. You see, the healthy expression of anger is good, as it serves to heal those who are angry and can often be the only means by which a dialogue is opened. But anger is not always the most effective tool of change, as it mainly serves the one who is angry, and polarizes the issues, pushing each side further apart from the possibility of resolution. Instead, though we may begin in a place of anger, it is grace and civility that brings about the greatest change. War begets war. Peace begets peace. Hate begets hate. Love begets love. Mutual respect is not earned by force, it is earned through humility, kindness and friendship. I may get your attention with anger, but I will win your heart and your respect, with love. This, my sisters, brothers and friends, is the way of the peaceful warrior. And it is the only way we will ever heal the world....


NORTH - Waziyata - White (Words of Wisdom)
a few thoughts from my contemplations....

You cannot know what lies beneath the surface, if you never kneel and dig deeper....

Respond to hate with love, ignorance with knowledge, and foolishness with wisdom....

The one who speaks the least usually has the most to say....

The one who speaks the most usually has the least to say....



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)!