Step six is requesting higher guidance to understand the overall picture of the situation at hand. You choose to journey to the Sky Kingdom because you are nervous and want confirmation that what you are thinking is correct. Here you are met and greeted by a god who is known as the Lord of Transformation. He appears to you in this youthful form and informs you that although this might seem casual, you and the person in question will have a profound effect on each other. In order for this relationship to grow, you are advised to release expectations of how your relationships and attempted romantic relationships have ended in the past. He counsels you to be in the present moment and truly see the person who is in front of you and not compare them to someone of your past. He also counsels you that regardless of outcome, you will be richer from having had a friendship with this individual, and he gives you confirmation that it will not distract you from your life path or spiritual growth.
Step number seven is to sit with all the information that you have gathered. It helps you get it into perspective that although it is worth pursuing this relationship, you do not have to stake your Heart on it. This allows you to relax and enjoy the natural unfolding of this friendship, and now you know that you have to be the initiator but then to be patient and allow this person to respond in their time.
Take time to go through the steps that are needed. As you begin to grow in your practice and your relationships with the spirits of your guides and helpers, you will be able to streamline this process and perhaps even come up with your own methods. Although it is a seemingly long and slow procedure in the beginning, as you begin to better interpret what is being shared with you and know where to journey to find what you need, you will see that this process can go very quickly. At times when you are frustrated or impatient, it might be sorely tempting to use a shortcut. The result will be that your mind and Heart will begin to argue. Remember that on this Good Red Road, the Heart and head (which is your mind) need to work together like two horses that are in perfect step. This will help avoid confusion and you will feel a sense of security in the decisions that you make. This is because, as we would say, “all of you is in one place,” which means you have responded to all aspects of your needs and thoughts satisfactorily.
Never forget that life is in flux! The information you receive is useful, but remember to pay attention to how situations can change. Adapt and act accordingly.
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Maintaining Your Connection
in Daily Life
To Walk on a traditional Native American shamanic path is to keep strong your connection to the sacred both in this world and in the realm of spirit. It is not one of journeying only when you need something. Training to be a living bridge between the worlds is not simply a set of skills that you practice sporadically. It is a way of being that defines how you will move through your life. This requires careful cultivation on a daily basis. Let me describe the different ways.
Self with the Great Spirit
It is said that all things come from the Creator and all things go back to the Creator. It is the Breath of the One that moves us all. Take time every day to give thanks for your life and the gift of free will. It is customary to give these prayers of thankfulness upon rising and retiring for the day. Some tribal practices are offering smudge with prayer, singing a traditional song, drumming, or playing the flute. The benefit of doing this is that it prevents you from focusing only on the negative things that may be happening in your life or around you. It keeps the perspective that the blessings are always there if you but reach for them. I ask for you to make it a practice to focus on four things that you are grateful for every day. I recommend reflecting on two of them upon rising and two of them before retiring for the day. This is a much better use of your time than surfing mindlessly on the internet or switching from one TV channel to the next because you are bored.
Take time to sit still and connect with your own Heart at least once a day. In this sacred place within you is where the Creator dwells. Your Heart is a place of peace where you can center yourself no matter where you are. When you are here, you can release whatever pain or sorrows have been burdening you. Allow yourself to feel the fire of life and know that you are loved by the Great Spirit because you are part of the Medicine Wheel of life. The benefit of this practice is that you will be able to feel subtle messages regardless of where they come from because you will be accustomed to listening with your Heart.
Let me share with you a practice that I like to do daily. In Native American spiritual tradition, simplicity is a value. Every day I focus on a blessing that I would like for myself and for the world. Say, for example, that I choose love. I meditate on what divine love means. I envision it as a color, usually pink. Then I feel the energy of it within my Heart. With every heartbeat, I allow this energy to fill every fiber of my being. As I inhale, I receive love, and as I exhale, I send the love that is in my Heart back out into the world and as a gift to the Creator. I then consciously do my best to embody divine love as I go through my day. In order to get the maximum benefit of this exercise, choose a different word every day and explore various expressions of it.
Self with Sacred Self
As you have learned, journeying is done both in this world and the spirit world, and because of this, taking care of yourself and connecting with your sacred self will be key to keeping your health and strength upon this path. At this time, I would like to reiterate that maintaining your body by eating well, getting enough rest, and getting proper exercise is showing respect to yourself by preserving the vehicle that houses your soul. Sustaining yourself should not be a drudgery. Take time to discover what you enjoy that also reinforces your health and your overall well-being. This means doing things that help you release and relieve stress as you go about your everyday routines. This will help you in your shamanic practice because you will have the vitality you need for journeying, and your mind will be receptive to messages from the spirits and All Your Relations because it will not be preoccupied and restless.
In the native teachings, the environment is an extension of our bodies. It would be counterproductive to take excellent care of yourself while being in a personal space that is dirty or toxic. Keep your place clean and uncluttered. Let your home hold things that give you joy and are a reflection of who you are now. Just as clear air is healthy for your lungs, a tidy space generates clean energy that supports your spirit body. I also recommend creating a space, no matter how small, in your home for your sacred practices. It is good to have a sanctuary for yourself. It will give you the comfort of knowing you have a place of serenity that you can count on. From a shamanic standpoint, this special space will be conducive to going into the Dreamtime and will be a spiritual workshop. Since it will be strictly attuned to these energies, it will also be easier to receive messages from your Guardian and helpers.
Let me give you an idea of what a personal sanctuary might look like. It would be in a quiet spot in your home and preferably painted in your favorite soothing color. It would have a comfortable place to sit and no electronics other than the technology you use to listen to drumming or peaceful music conducive to journeying and spiritual work. There would be different items honoring your personal Medicines. I will describe what some of these items could be a little further on. The space should also have a table or piece of furniture that can hold your items for smudging and other sacred tools. Ideally, this is a space where you have the option to dim the lights or safely use a candle if you require softer lighting for journeying or meditating. The only people who should be allowed to enter are those who have your explicit permission and who truly understand that they are going into your personal sacred sanctuary.
Self with Personal Medicines
Your personal Medicines are an extension of your sacred self. This includes your Guardian Spirit, your personal Power Animals, and all sacred and divine beings that are assisting you in your journey.
As I mentioned previously, placing items that represent them in your sacred space is not worshiping them but is a way to strengthen your bond with Medicines. These items also make it easier for them to connect with you. As these objects are sacred, they should be stored in your sanctuary or at the very least in a place that is out of the way so no one touches them without your permission. Which, quite frankly, should be hardly ever if at all.
Objects that are chosen to represent your personal Medicines can be practically anything at all. They can be stones, pictures, small statues, or even a fabric, like a tapestry, that has certain images of the being that you wish to honor. The important part is that whenever you see or touch this sacred object, it helps you make an instant connection with your Medicine. In truth, these items act as a conduit so that divine energy channels from the Dreamtime into this Middle Kingdom.
Studying and researching are key to developing a deeper intellectual understanding of what these sacred beings are all about. It will help you connect with your Medicines in a more meaningful way if your mind can follow what your Heart already knows. The effort that you put into your studies and practices will demonstrate to your helpers that you genuinely care to learn about them and want to grow a deeper relationship with them. There are many places to get information, but you must discern which ones are accurate and true. Books, reference materials, and websites can only go so far. I encourage you to seek out teachers and elders that are respected and recognized for the knowledge that they keep. This means looking up and respectfully asking questions about the backgrounds of these potential mentors by asking who their teachers were and how they came to hold the lessons that they share. Working with a teacher who has experience with your type of Medicine will make things so much easier than trying to figure it out all on your own. In person, an elder can show you nuances that would be lost in translation in any other medium. Properly living what you are taught also ensures that in some way the ancient traditions and teachings carry on into the future. I do not want to discourage you from learning on your own. In truth, it takes both forms of study, by yourself and under a skilled teacher, to fully develop your shamanic gifts.
Objects may hold the energy of your spirit helpers, but they are only physical representations. You must interact with what they represent and practice what they are trying to teach you. Strive to embody the essence of your Medicines. In this manner, you are honoring them spiritually. Doing this also has the benefit of you more easily being able to identify and channel their energies smoothly when you are performing your shamanic practices. Do your best to incorporate the different lessons and advice as they are given to you. Do not follow blindly what is said to you. Remember, this is meant to be a lifelong, ongoing conversation. Here your questions are always welcome, and the insights and answers presented to you by your teachers seen and unseen are reasonable, enrich your life and the lives of others, and make sense from a bigger perspective.
As I mentioned in an earlier section of this book, when I first started as a young apprentice, one of the first Medicines that came to me was the Wolf. Back then, there were no books written on the topic and the internet did not exist, so I had little success researching what spiritual meaning or lessons this personal Power Animal held. Although I did study from a biological standpoint the survival strategies and social structure of this animal, it still was not clear how this pertained to me as a human being and for my shamanic development. It was my Medicine Teachers at the time from both the Iroquois Nation and Seneca Nation who taught me the spiritual elements of this sacred animal. It was these elders who showed me how this related to me as an individual and how this was relevant to our community. I am grateful that they showed me the different prayers and rituals that allowed me to fully embody—or as we would call it, Walk—with this Medicine in the sacred way. Under the guidance of my Medicine Teachers, I ritualistically journeyed with the spirit of the Wolf. My first drum was created shortly after that. I could feel the Power of the Wolf just by holding it! Every time I used it to journey, it reinforced my bond with my personal Medicine. Each time I drummed, I would remember the lessons of this sacred animal. This is one of the ways I was made to honor the Wolf.
Not all Power Animals are serious, and embodying their Medicine to honor them can be very enjoyable depending on who it is. River otters are fun-loving animals. You can tell they truly get great pleasure just from gliding in the water and being with each other. They are very affectionate and even hold paws when they are snoozing on the river so as not to lose each other. You might find that you like water and playing in the water because it is therapeutic for you. You could literally learn to play games and introduce humor and lightness of being to various situations and into your routines. Showing more signs of affection to your family and close friends is another way you could mirror the behavior of this particular Power Animal. All these activities would be an excellent way to Walk with and honor this Medicine.
This goes far beyond your personal Power Animals! The same process should be followed when learning to work with Sky Beings. One can read up on Lord Feathered Serpent, White Buffalo Calf Woman, Lady Sekhmet, an archangel, or any other divine being, but you will find that the relationship will be much richer only through interacting and journeying with Them on a consistent basis.
This is a very basic ritual that you can use to turn one of your items into a sacred object: You can ask for one of your objects to be empowered by one of your Guardians. After studying and researching that specific sacred being, journey into the Fire of Your Heart with that Guardian while holding on to the object that is meant to honor them. Ask the spirit to fill that item with their Power so that it becomes Medicine. Realize, however, that this will only work for your personal items. To make Medicine for others takes years of study and careful practice under the supervision of a teacher.
Self with All Your Relations
Native American cultures, like most indigenous cultures around the world, have a tribal mindset. It is impossible to only think about the individual without also thinking of the impact on the whole. I agree with the thought that what we do to the earth we do to ourselves and would extend that thought by saying that what we do to ourselves we also do to the earth. Here is a simple example of what I am talking about: Around the world, thousands of people put on sunblock in order to avoid sunburn and skin cancer. However, since the vast majority of people are not aware that these lotions are not friendly to our oceans, they are accidentally poisoning the sea. In turn, the sea life swims in these unclean waters and ingests these unnatural chemicals. Completing the circle, the waves of the ocean become toxic as well as the fish we harvest for food, and in the end, we poison ourselves too.
Walking on the Good Red Road as a shaman means setting an example for others by mindfully stepping as gently as you possibly can upon Earth Mother. “Living green” is not a modern concept. It has been a way of life for centuries for indigenous people around the world. Embrace this teaching that says that the earth does not belong to us but to the generations yet to be born. This means not only the human children but also the offspring of All Our Relations! Living ecologically is one way that you can strengthen your connection to nature in this century. You will also be preserving your Medicines and your kin. It is honoring the Sacred Hoop of Life, which is one of the fundamental lessons on this path.
Never take more than you can give, and always be mindful of closing the circle. As much as you are able, when you buy things, pay attention to how they will be disposed of at the end of their use. Try always to purchase food items from sources that are responsibly sustained and harvested. Give back to the earth by planting trees. It does not have to be complicated. It could be as simple as picking up trash you see as you walk along the shoreline of the beach or strolling through a park. These simple acts of kindness to Earth Mother and All Your Relations will earn you love and trust from the Ancestors of the Land and Waters. You will find that as you Walk with love
and respect upon the earth, the animals, the plants, the stones, the waters, the trees, the skies—indeed, all things—will wish to communicate with you and assist you on your life’s journey. I personally cannot count all the times when my life has been so difficult that I have needed to go out for a walk completely preoccupied with my thoughts and had All My Relations reach out to guide and heal me. You will find this will be true for you too. You could go for a simple stroll expecting nothing at all and feel the embrace of the breath of the trees and the energy of joy from the birds.
A best friend of mine one time wondered if this was just coincidence or if this was for real. She is a very amazing and kind person and had been studying with me on and off throughout the years while learning to Walk on this traditional shamanic path. I will never forget the bright, sunny winter day when we were on a cruise with some of our very good friends and we docked at a port. We all decided to go on a self-guided tour to the island’s botanical gardens. We were all having fun and laughing as we were talking about nothing at all, as friends will do. At one point, we saw a blur darting through the air. We stopped to see what it was. It turned out to be a hummingbird! The hummingbird stopped in front of my best friend. She laughed and looked up at it. The rest of us did as well, thinking that the bird was only curious and would soon take off. But every time my best friend moved or changed her position within the group, the little bird consistently stayed squarely in front of her face. It was only after she acknowledged the feeling of joy in embracing life that the hummingbird was trying to convey to her that it nodded its little beak at her as if in salute and then buzzed away in a flash.
At that point in her life, she was asking the Great Spirit and All Her Relations to show her what she needed to focus on to improve her life. This tiny messenger came to her because she Walks so consciously upon the earth and cares for nature. And so it is that we will go out for stroll, and it is no longer an uncommon thing ( but it is still quite remarkable) for different animals to come up to one of us, wait to be acknowledged, and make sure that the message has reached our Hearts so that we know what it relates to before going back out into their homes in the wild. Remember that Our Relatives are wild and will act true to their natures, so always respect them by keeping a healthy distance and observing them only from afar!
Journeying Between the Worlds Page 15