Indian Spirit (Sacred Worlds)

The book has been a great help to many of my friends. Belonging to a 12 step program the belief in a higher power is the key to our recovery. Growing up a catholic the "GOD" I grew up with ( in the 50's ) is very different than the god that is in my life today. Going to catholic school until the 4th grade when I finally managed to get tossed out, God was a guy I learned to fear. ( remember it was in the 50's ) That's how the nuns handled problem children like me. Bad boys are going to go to hell. Well that belief was very difficult for me to overcome like many others I feared God instead of In bracing Him. My thoughts are that most religious people are spiritual, but you don't have to be religious to be spiritual. My spiritually today is the most important aspect of my continuing recovery, which I've been at for awhile.I give a copy of this book to people who are struggling with the God concept. Indian Spirit looks at the higher power as just that, a higher power who I chose to call God. A loving, caring spirit without having to be religious to be spiritual.A funny thing has happened to me in this journey we call life, the spiritually I've gained in living the steps has put me in touch with "a God of my understanding". The book helps in finding your higher power outside of religion.I know, I've broken a few of our traditions, but as our 5th tradition states " our primary purpose is to carry the message to those who still suffer" and I can't think of a better way than finding ones higher power.

Each page is a poem ten thousand years long. You can never finish the book, because one page opens one hundred more books, and when you're done reading those you will find yourself on an endless journey that will only end-or perhaps begin anew-when you enter the spirit world.It is a native belief system that began here, as all of us born in America did-and that has meaning. It is intuitive, yet tangible. Nothing about it is forced, and no symbol or person represents it. It is everything...and it is nothing. You can find its masters here...on this continent. It's not imported from China, Israel, Iraq, or Tibet. There are no human founders, prophets or leaders living or dead who are worshiped. No symbols to rally an army or angry mob behind.In this book, our American ancestors give you a look across many different tribes, each of which has a remarkably similar spiritual essence, born of the land we inhabit. The deserts. The mountains. The rivers, forests and meadows. While I think it is neat to study other religions and philosophies, they all have men, symbols, houses of worship and styles of dress that identify and define them. How well you memorize, display, adhere to and pay homage to these things of man determines your piousness and how well you are accepted into to their community. Indian Spirit frees you from these things.Perhaps one could study Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Sufism, Judaism, and other philosophies and religions that one respects to nurse out all of the best bits so one can create an amalgam for some personal belief system based on "favorite hits". But why bother? It's like searching endlessly through junkyards to scavenge parts that are only perhaps cosmetically better than the parts you already have on your car. Oooh...a chrome plated ash tray. Wow, a leather covered steering wheel. Nifty, spoked rims.All the ingredients for a spiritual belief system that is in harmony with our country are here. Open its pages and discover your American ancestors and perhaps a new dimension to your own spiritual journey.

At times I just open this little book and see the pictures in it of native american indians, and read the words - and when i do the noise of the world becomes quiet.Here is a little something from this book;..."I am blind and do not see the things of this world; but when the light comes from above, it enlightens my heart and I can see, for the Eye of my heart sees everything; and through this vision I can help my people. The heart is a sanctuary at the center of which there is a little space, wherein the Great Spirit dwells, and this is the Eye. This is the Eye of the Great Spirit by which He sees all things, and through which we see Him. If the heart is not pure, the Great Spirit cannot be seen."-Black Elk

As Christians, my husband and I have long felt our Native American brothers knew the Great Spirit intimately. This little book has been so precious to us, opening our hearts to understanding that they truly surpass us in, in being close to the land, reverent in ways we could learn ourselves. It has made us honor their walk and prayers embedded in the land even more. Their insight is unsurpassed by all our intellectual wisdom.

Good book

I have had this book for several years and frequently pick it up to reread the wisdom of these native Americans. So I purchased this copy as a birthday gift for a friend who shares our love of the Southwest and native wisdom.

thoughtful and great insights.

Inspiring and thought provoking. ....brings the reader back to American roots. Just what I was looking for.

very informative book almost new

What a precious book of wisdom and for such a reasonable price. Well worth it ford words that can shape a life for the better.

my husband was really please with book