"You have noticed that everything an Indian does is in a circle and that is because the Power of the World always works in circles and everything tries to be round. In the old days when we were a strong and happy people, all of their power came to us from the sacred hoop of the nation, and so long as that hoop was unbroken, the people flourished.... Everything the Power of the World does is done in a circle. The sky is round and I have heard that the Earth is round like a ball and so are all the stars. The wind, in its greatest power, whirls. Birds make their nests in circles, for theirs is the same religion as ours. The Sun comes forth and goes down again in a circle. The Moon does the same, and both are round. Even the seasons form a great circle in their changing, and always come back again to where the were. The life of a Man is a circle from childhood to childhood and so it is in everything where power moves." -- BLACK ELK (Oglala Lakota), 1931; Native Wisdom; ISBN 0-06-251172-6, pages 82-83

I follow the Spirit that dwells within me. It was first awakened in me in 1978 during a family vacation from Chicago to Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park. During that two-week trip, I discovered a number of books concerning the Native American Sioux Nation and its struggle to remain free during the 1800's.

Over the following years, I read a number of other related books and traveled with my family to many places documented in American literature relating to confrontations with the Plains Indians in that different era. It was during a 1981 trip to Little Bighorn Battlefield in Montana that I felt a closeness to the Spirits that still consecrate that ground.

I visited the Four Corners region of the United States on that same 1981 trip. I purchased my first Native American jewelry there. A white Abalone shell carved as an eagle in a string of turquoise beads (shown below). It is one of my prized possessions.

In 1985 I came into the light after visiting a number of other off-the-road memorials to some Sioux battle locations. I found a couple books on Red Cloud (shown below) and absorbed the thoughts and meanings of his words.

In the following years I yielded to the calling within me. I read a number of Sioux books and felt their meaning intensely. I don't know why, but I identify more with the religion of the Sioux Indians [1; 2; 3; 4], than any other religious group I have been exposed to or was once a part of. As far as I know, I have no Native American blood within me, and although I did have ancestors that lived in North Dakota during the late 1800's, no record of their lineage exists.

There is only one God. Each human who has ever perceived that God, has done so in his/her own way. Sometimes there have been ancient words written down by well intentioned people who had good thoughts about humanity. Many people in the world today follow ancient words and philosophies and that brings comfort to them. That is a good thing.

My vision and perception of God is no better, no worse than anyone else's. My God is a God of Peace as well as War. There is only one God and all mankind that believes, chooses their perspectives as they will. It is still the same God. It is only mankind that choose the way to perceive.

Below are the commandments I could come to accept as an adult, in line with my life experiences, intuitions, and realizations:

1. Treat the Earth and all that dwell within with respect
2. Remain Close to the Great Spirit
3. Show great respect for your fellow beings
4. Work together for the benefit of all mankind
5. Give assistance and kindness wherever needed
6. Do what you know to be right
7. Look after the well-being of mind and body
8. Dedicate a share of your efforts to the greater good
9. Be truthful and honest at all times
10. Take full responsibility for your actions

I do not believe in humans having dominion over the Earth. I am a part of the Earth and someday my body will return to it. If I'm lucky, someday I'll have dominion over me. That's about the best I can do or any other human being can do for themselves. We're just kidding ourselves if we try for anything more.

Don

Book References:

The Four Agreements
The Four-Fold Way
The Soul of the Indian
Black Elk Speaks
Crazy Horse: The Strange Man of the Oglalas (50th Anniversary)
Crazy Horse and Custer
Discover Inner Peace
Native Wisdom
The Lakota Way
The Sioux
The Way Is Within