Spiritual Health: Finding Balance in Natural Spirituality

Sky Power (Blue)

Father Sky spoke and said the things of the air would be with Black Elk to help him in his struggle. Could these "things of the air" also be the open space of communication which now can transcend across the globe? Can it also be the satellites – "things of the air," beaming back video and radio waves so we may see and talk directly across the skies? Human is allowed a great range of worldly communication. I perceive that what the Sky Power said could be closely associated with the advance of more peaceful people upon the earth because the things of the air are helping to promote peace and harmony. It is happening right before us.

Ed McGaa with his granddaughter

Earth Power (Green)

Mother Earth, the Sixth Power, is the provider. She is our home. Not long ago it was unfathomable that mere human could actually alter or harm such a powerful Mother. Black Elk's vision was over a century ago yet Mother Earth focused only on the Blue Man, for obviously she visualized the serious threat way back then. She took Black Elk to the danger that was confronting the earth. This danger was the Blue Man of greed and deception that was already harming the living things. This Blue Man symbolizes the corruption, insensitivity, greed and ignorance that are upon the Earth. The Blue Man would wreak great destruction using lies and untruths and would have to be addressed, or else all creatures, including two-leggeds, would perish. Untruth is the Blue Man. Every day we observe much deception by those who lobby our political leaders in Washington with disregard for the environment and the ongoing dilemma, human killing human. As the situation worsens, more eyes will be opened and eventually the old ways of real Truth will have to be accepted in order to finally destroy the Blue Man. Hopefully, it will be in time for the planet to have a chance to regain the old harmony. Two-leggeds will discover that there is no other choice. Religious fundamentalists will no doubt keep on praying, ignoring and waiting for miracles, but the realistic and workable solution will be to turn away from the worship of extreme materialism that is not working. The ozone layer depletion, planetary heating, gone resources and the population spiral will not wait for miraculous curing. Water resources, great aquifers deplete as humans increase. Some tragic consequences are about to happen.

In 1804, human reached one billion in world population. 123 years later, two billion was reached. In 1960, three billion (33 years later). Thereafter, it took 14 years to reach another billion, then 13 years for another billion and in 1999, 6 billion was reached. We are swiftly on our way to 7 billion. The spiral is unsustainable.

The Six Powers demonstrated the need for two-leggeds to destroy the corruption, lies and greed of humankind that, in turn, are destroying our environment. Environmental ignorance continues to perpetuate despite the vast increase in communication. Everyone is free to choose their own interpretations. We shall wait and watch how the succession of new political administrations in this land shall deal with the Blue Men that surround them daily. I expect little from them, and I hope that they prove me wrong. I have more faith in the people rising up with a renewed Nature based spiritual imagery and consequently destroying the Blue Man. Maybe if enough people realize and accept the Natural Way, a 'Grass Roots' movement might take hold. Nature herself will force disastrous change if we continue on our present course of unconcern.

Ed (Eagle Man) McGaa is a member and tribal leader of the Oglala Sioux tribe and was born on the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota. An attorney by education, he is a graduate of St. John's University and the University of South Dakota Law School. Ed also studied Sioux tradition under the holy men Chiefs Eagle Feather, Fool's Crow and Ben Black Elk. He has been honored for having participated six times in the Sun Dance ceremony. A decorated Vietnam War veteran, he flew 110 combat missions as a Marine fighter pilot. He is the author of 6 books, including Mother Earth Spirituality, Native Wisdom, Eagle Vision and Nature's Way.