Hardly. But I was suggesting that one's pedigree and the colour of one's
skin is not the proof of authenticity of ANY tradition. There are NO
aboriginal traditions of any kind "unsullied" by contact with Europeans,
felicitous or infelicitous. In my opinion, one of the great things we
have in this day and age is the mixing of cultures and traditions; perhaps
that belies my own predilection for diversity: I speak a lot of languages,
which has given me the good fortune of meeting many people from all over
the world and talking with them, learning, and teaching. I have worked
with --but wouldn't say dabbled in-- many religious forms as well. In my
experience, spiritual understanding has come from experiencing that
diversity. I don't know how to speak one language, or think about Spirit
in only one way. I own no tradition, but lay claim to the beauty of many
of them as part of my HUMAN heritage.
> I honestly believe
>that, given the complexity of Native traditions and the sheer ignorance
>of these "medicine people," this seemingly ludicrous analogy is not far
>from reality. Islam and Christianity are well established, politically
>powerful faiths and will undoubtedly survive a few of these isolated
>attacks; however, Native American religions, misunderstood and degraded by
>the dominant society, ar more likely to suffer greater damage in the long run.
>Moreover, these "spiritual leaders" tend to appoint themselves as spokes-
>persons for Native peoples causing further damage to their societies. If
>wannabees are so respectful of Native spirituality, why do they pay money
>to see one of these quacks instead of learning from legitimate sources?
>Instead of garbage, why don't they buy a real book such as Lame Deer Seeker
>of Visions or the biography of Fools Crow? Of course someone makes money
>out of these publications too but at least they are authorized by legitimate
>medicine men.
I don't know how someone who knows nothing about Native spirituality can be
expected to KNOW what the real books and the unreal books are. It is my hope
that even the wretched wannabees be able to find Light when they seek it.
Many such people turn toward "alien" religions because they were unable to
find strength, solace, or sense in the watered-down versions of (for example)
Christianity which they were fed as children.
I am of the opinion that we EuroAmericans (a term of influence which goes
both ways across the Atlantic) would do well to learn from traditions in
which balance with the Earth is emphasized. It is my hope that Native
teachers will make their voices heard. Hopefully even in some of the
less obviously authentic works that some Light leaks forth.
>The problem with this Euro-American approach to spirituality is that they
>only want the "neat" stuff; no politics, no hassle. A few chants spiced with
>the right amount of hocus pocus to amuse friends and ensure admiration and
>praise from a group of naive followers.
This is a little unfair, and a little racist. Frankly, I am proud of the
fact that in me is the blood of Celtic, Germanic, and Scandinavian ancestors.
Those ancestors were not all people I'd care to have to dinner, I'm sure.
But they're my ancestors, and I owe them me, and all the things they've taught
me have not made me some bubble-headed twit whose brain is addled by a little
Lakota chanted in a dark lodge. Don't lump us all into a "They"; plenty of
us did that to you for too long.
> They fail to realize that it is
>impossible to "join" an Indian religion; either you are it or you are not.
>Spirituality is an integral part of life, the surrounding environment, and
>the interaction with other humans. It cannot be conveniently separated
>from "un-neat stuff" like alcoholism, poverty, racism, and religious freedom.
>To support the opposite is just another mainfestation of the Hollywood Indian;
>always seen through the eyes of a white person, a noble savage is destined
>to disappear; too bad but such is life! so, before it is too late, let us
>learn as much as possible of his or her wisdom and metaphysical powers so
>that we can become a singular being: white outside but Indian inside.
Wisdom is for all of us. I support anyone's Path towards it. The body is
a shell.
>Furthermore, becoming a spiritual leader is not a matter of personal choice.
>One can't become a shaman in 10 easy steps and 20 minutes a day of beating
>a drum or listening to a tape of "shamanic music," just as one can't
>possibly become a mathematician by reading about prime numbers. Similarly,
>the fact that Native people share certain ceremonies such as a sweat with
>an outsider does not give this person the right to conduct sweats for other
>people later on; especially if it is in exchange for money.
I could not agree with you more. I think all that I am saying is very much
more idealistic than many people's experience might comfortably support.
I never met a shaman yet, and would probably go the other direction if
I met someone who called himself one. (If you meet the Buddha on the road,
kill him, goes the story.) The most genuine spiritual teachers I have met
have been the most genuinely humble people I have ever met. When they
asked for money, as some of them did, it was for them to make ends meet--
and it was a joy to give to them, and hardly fair exchange.
>Finally, I cannot agree more with Krista; every person has the ability to
>be the best by being their own. If one has some kind of spirituality, be it
>what it may, that is usually the seed to begin effecting personal and societal
>change. I'm not saying that one should not learn from other forms of spiritua-
>lity; but it should be done respectfully. If Euro-Americans want to go
>back to ancient European beliefs such as the goddess religion, so be it;
>after all, they do have a claim to it. But leave Native American spirituality
>alone; it is not theirs and it will never be.
I guess my position is clear, I don't know how to delineate "claims" to
traditions. I learned a lot from the Lakota and Cheyenne people I sweat
with. I didn't go out and build a sweat lodge, though one of my Cheyenne
friends told me how, and said that if one day I did he saw it as a good
thing. But I think about those experiences sometimes still in a hot sauna;
sometimes I stay a little longer than I would for my comfort. I claim the
good of that as part of my own tradition now, with grateful thanks to those
who shared theirs with me.
Michael Everson
School of Architecture, UCD, Richview, Clonskeagh, Dublin 14, E/ire
Phone: +353-1-706-2745