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NATIVE AMERICAN CODE OF ETHICS
This code of ethics is like the one listed at The Good Red Road (click on title to see).
This one was provided by a friend.
1. Rise with the sun to pray. Pray alone. Pray often. The Great Spirit
will listen, if you only speak.
2. Be tolerant of those who are lost on their path. Ignorance, conceit,
anger, jealousy and greed stem from a lost soul. Pray that they will
find guidance.
3. Search for yourself, by yourself. Do not allow others to make your
path for you. It is your road, and yours alone. Others may walk it with
you, but no one can walk it for you.
4. Treat the guests in your home with much consideration. Serve
them the best food, give them the best bed and treat them with
respect and honor.
5. Do not take what is not yours whether from a person, a community,
the wilderness or from a culture. It was not earned nor given. It is not
yours.
6. Respect all things that are placed upon this earth - whether it be
people or plant.
7. Honor other people's thoughts, wishes and words. Never interrupt
another or mock or rudely mimic them. Allow each person the right to
personal expression.
8. Never speak of others in a bad way. The negative energy that you
put out into the universe will multiply when it returns to you.
9. All persons make mistakes. And all mistakes can be forgiven.
10. Bad thoughts cause illness of the mind, body and spirit. Practice
optimism.
11. Nature is not FOR us, it is a PART of us. They are part of your
worldly family.
12. Children are the seeds of our future. Plant love in their hearts and
water them with wisdom and life's lessons. When they are grown,
give them space to grow.
13. Avoid hurting the hearts of others. The poison of your pain will
return to you.
14. Be truthful at all times. Honesty is the test of ones will within this
universe.
15. Keep yourself balanced. Your Mental self, Spiritual self,
Emotional self, and Physical self - all need to be strong, pure and
healthy. Work out the body to strengthen the mind. Grow rich in
spirit to cure emotional ails.
16. Make conscious decisions as to who you will be and how you
will react. Be responsible for your own actions.
17. Respect the privacy and personal space of others. Do not
touch the personal property of others - especially sacred and
religious objects. This is forbidden.
18. Be true to yourself first. You cannot nurture and help others if
you cannot nurture and help yourself first.
19. Respect others religious beliefs. Do not force your belief on
others.
20. Share your good fortune with others. Participate in charity. ___________________________________________________________
Law Through Spiritual Discernment
From - Standing Elk Wambli Izanzan Zizi
My Relations, the Buffalo Nation comes to you to speak of spiritual discernment.
The family is first your relations by blood. This is the genetics that people speak of. Family is also those Spirit Beings that resonate with you. Family is also all relations of Mother Earth.
In truth, in time to come, we will know that we are all related in every meaning of that word "related". Until the time that LOVE is the universal keystone to all life in Universe, there is still need for discernment.
The heart knows who is family. The head has no idea. Therefore, through the heart, feel your relations. Feel those whose spirits are of the same path as yours. This is the surest way to understanding True Family.
The Family of Love is a vast family. Here upon Mother Earth there are many relations in this great family. The Animal Kingdoms teach every facet of Sacred Love. People need to learn the lessons of each of these animal relations. For truly, human being is one of these.
The Plant and Tree Kingdoms are givers of Sacred Love. They are the sustenance of all life. The Sacred Light feeds them, the world, and All Relations of the Sacred Tree of Life. It is the Tree that is the source of our life.
The Stone, Soil and Mineral People are kingdoms that teach the Foundations of Love. Within them is the Sacred Memory, memories that span back to the creation of this Universe.
Therefore, we must honor those that respect, support, feed, and teach us. The Human Being must learn to give away to the Kingdom of Life as much as the Kingdom of Life gives away to the Human Being.
Human being must lay down all thoughts of self and selfishness. Give back of equal measure for the gifts of food, breath, and life.
This is all in that arena called Spiritual Discernment. It is enough for human being to focus upon living with the life of Mother Earth. Come to know the thoughts and the feelings of all the Sacred Relations that are here. For every Star in the Cosmos and every intelligence in the Universe has its representative here on Mother Earth.
If you wish to understand what is out there, first you must learn the lessons of the relations which are here surrounding you. This is the first step to Spiritual Discernment. Learn what is here before you step out to what is out there.
There is a great arrogance among human beings that tells them they are superior to the Relations of Mother Earth. This is one of the greatest lies that have been propagated in this Universe. It is one of the causes-if not the cause - of that which has been called the "fall from Sacredness."
Human being is no more sacred than a grasshopper, a tree or the water that flows by in the river. The human being is a part of all these. Therefore, human being must discern that which is truly spiritual instead of trying to escape above and beyond that which is Real.
Freedom is the second step to Spiritual Discernment.
Human being must set free the Relations, and tear down those fences (especially those fences that are within the mind and those which bind the heart). Human being must come into contact, communion and reunification with the Relations of our Mother Earth.
The third step of Spiritual Discernment is to understand the Heart. This means a journey of a lifetime. The Heart alone has the power of determining what is true from what is shadowy.
The gift that Creator has given to all life is the gift of those Seven Stars, the Whirling Rainbow of Promise. This very power Creator has breathed into the Hearts of all. Therefore, this Journey within the Heart is the Journey of Universe. This is the third step of Spiritual Discernment. This is the highest step that Human Being may attain while walking in physical form. It is a step which leads to Eternity.
Acceptance is needed. A human being rarely accepts another human being fully. This is because of "pain" and "hurt". Pain is simply a teacher. It is not something to be feared. This is one of the second greatest lies in the Universe, that pain is to be feared.
Again, this is a lie which is quite apparent among the peoples of Mother Earth. So, too, dissolve this lie. Accept the truth that pain, is simply surrender, giveaway, and unfoldment.
Prayer is the key to clear sight. Only through bringing forth your inner wishes, the wishes of your Sacred Heart, and putting them forth to Universe with the energy of mind, body and Spirit, can the human being grow. This is what is called "prayer".
Prayer is calling that inner wisdom, those inner desires unto their full Spiritual unfoldment, eclipsing the self so that the eternal Self may reign. Prayer is the unfoldment of the Sacred Heart and the Sacred Heart taking command of the whole being. It is the Victory of Love.
Prayer is the most powerful force in Universe concerning Spiritual Protection. Prayer is digging deep within and finding the strength of Spirit and shining it out! Prayer unfolds the DNA and is the true step upon the Path of Life. Prayer is putting Love in action through thought,deed, energy and consciousness.
When you pray you must use all of who you are to bring about transformation.
Prayer is also your surest path to Spiritual Discernment. For prayer unfolds to you what is truly important. It cleans out everything which is not important, leaving you with only that which is Spirit.
The only law that exists is the law that unfolds from your Heart.
The only illusion that exists is what unfolds from outside the Heart. Therefore, focus upon the gifts that Creator has placed within you as that Sacred Fire. Come to understand what LOVE is through the Journey of Heart.
That is all.
Mitakuye Oyasin
From - Standing Elk Wambli Izanzan Zizi ____________________________________________________________
A HOPI ELDER SPEAKS
"You have been telling the people that this is the Eleventh Hour, now you must go back and tell the people that this is the Hour. And there are things to be considered ... Where are you living? What are you doing? What are your relationships? Are you in right relation? Where is your water? Know your garden. It is time to speak your Truth. Create your community. Be good to each other. And do not look outside yourself for the leader." Then he clasped his hands together, smiled, and said, "This could be a good time! There is a river flowing now very fast. It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid. They will try to hold on to the shore. They will feel they are being torn apart and will suffer greatly. Know the river has its destination. The elders say we must let go of the shore, push off into the middle of the river, keep our eyes open, and our heads above water. And I say, see who is in there with you and celebrate. At this time in! history, we are to take nothing personally. Least of all, ourselves. For the moment that we do, our spiritual growth and journey comes to a halt. The time of the lone wolf is over. Gather yourselves! Banish the word struggle from your attitude and your vocabulary. All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration. We are the ones we\'ve been waiting for."
Oraibi, Arizona Hopi Nation- October 2001 Reference at indymedia website: http://www.indymedia.org:8081//front.php3?article_id=112298 ___________________________________________________________
Natives and Alcohol ......
An old Indian man was asked why people act the way they do when they drink liquor. He said, "This drink is a mixture of the essence of many animals. The first is that of a (sunkhpala) a young pup, then (sunka-wicasa) a monkey, a (kokahanla-bloka) the rooster, a (kimimila) the moth, a (zintkala) the bird, preferably the woodpecker, then the (tatanka) a buffalo, then the (mato) the bear. He says the last ingredient would be the (igmu) the cat and the (kokose) the pig, and in that order. As the drinker begins to drink, these animals manifest themselves as the level of blood-alcohol goes up. When he first starts to drink, the young pup comes to life within him. He greets everyone with enthusiasm, because he feels happy all over inside. Just like a tail wagging pup, he's happy, not a care in the world." He drinks more.
Next the monkey comes out. He mimics children, playing with them. He gestures a lot, telling jokes and trying to make people laugh." He drinks more.
Then the rooster comes out. He feels so good he wants to sing, often starting a song he remembers. But as he bellows out the first push-up, he forgets the rest of the song, so he cuts it there and tries a different song he happens to remember. He's at a stage when he sounds more like a rooster than a (hoka-wicasa) a pow-wow singer." Once he's past this stage and drinks more, he's ready to go out.
At this level, the moth comes out. it doesn't matter to him that it's past midnight. He'll be up all hours of the night, looking for more booze, a party or a snag, whatever the reason. He's walking around and looking for places where people might still be up. He searches for the tell-tale light in windows, very much like the moth that's attracted to it.
He knocks on the door. 'People knocking on doors all night' is an expression common on most reservations. Like the woodpecker that can be heard knocking on wood in the forest, the drinking man goes around knocking on doors.
Drinking more he imagines himself the buffalo, irresistible. No door can hold him out. He batters all restraint. Head down he barges through the house and out again.
Now he is dangerous. He is a wild bear that has tasted meat. His arms crush and his talons tear. No person, old or young, is sacred, or safe.
The next animal that reveals itself is the cat. By this time, the drinking man has been out all night. Very much like the cat that spends his night hunting or looking for a mate, he heads for home just ahead of the sunrise.
Last; but not least, the pig comes out. The man, who is drunk by now, returns to his home and proceeds to raid the kitchen for leftovers or whatever there is to eat. He'll indulge himself beyond an ordinary meal . He's drunk and all he knows is that he's hungry, tired, and sleepy. After he eats up everything in sight, he'll find himself a place to sleep in the shade under a tree or his house, or even if it's the most unlikely place to sleep. The sun is shining in his face, flies are playing tag a few inches from his snoring, gaping mouth, and he'll sleep to his heart's content, very much like the pig."
Yes, even in the face of the chronic, progressive killer disease called alcoholism, the Indian man has found the lighter side of looking at this "very real" problem. This is not to say that all Native Americans are afflicted with this sickness, nor does it mean he's accepted and surrendered to such a painful way to live. There are hundreds of recovering alcoholics leading productive lives throughout Indian Country today. Can you imagine how the Native American would be living today, had he thrown in the towel in the face of a government who victimized him through attempted annihilation, segregation, assimilation and broken treaties, had he not had a sense of humor? ___________________________________________________________
