Spiritual Health: Finding Balance in Natural Spirituality

Sacralization vs. Desacralization

'A simple yet deep reverence for the power that lies within.' My personal supposition is that the old time North American Indian did cultivate a remarkable insight into this rewarding, sacralizing attitude. The European newcomers desacralized Nature and we are now experiencing the tragic results. Many Indians believe that the European's real God is materialism. Fortunately for the American Indian, a great ocean kept them insulated for centuries but alas we all know what took place. I do not believe the American Indian "owns" any of the Nature-istic beliefs however, anymore than the ancient Celts did. Both belief systems are remarkably similar, at least when comparing Siouan and Celtic. Some Native Americans think that they do, and have recently placed 'bans' on some forms of their ceremonial practices. I do not think human can be 'banned' by mere man from seeking solace on a mountain top or a badland butte and beseeching for a period of time to their concept of their Higher Power. Did not Christ and Moses go out into Nature for spiritual communication? I also do not think the practice of entering a steaming lodge to beseech with a group to their Higher Power upon the floor of Mother Earth should be attempted to be banned by mere human. Various European Ethnic groups utilized steaming lodges for centuries for spiritual beseechment. I do believe that in the interest of human harmony and respectful friendship that if the Plains Indians do not want non-tribal members using their peace pipe for ceremonial beseechment, then why not offer back a respect for that request and go on and beseech (pray) without one? Does the God of one's choice (Creator) really care? I have been utilizing a small stone that happened to flash in a streambed to gain my attention (four times, no less) after my 2nd sun dance, out of a Black Hills stream. It has been my beseechment 'wotai' (wotawe) ever since.