Phil Lane Jr. Reflects on Working Toward Peace
A
wise elder once told me, "Grandson, the longest road
you will ever have to walk is the sacred journey from your
head to your heart." Another elder said, "We will
never solve the many critical and life-threatening issues
before us solely through the intellect; for every problem
the intellect solves it creates ten more." Unto itself
the intellect is a sacred gift of the Creator, but, equally,
without an open, visionary, and creative heart, there is
no wisdom. Both the mind and heart are sacred. Both are
inseparably connected.
To help us develop the wisdom of the heart, the wisdom
of peace, we must turn to Mother Earth. "You know Grandson,
the Great Spirit, Wakan Tanka, has given all people wisdom,"
my grandfather told me. "To every living thing he has
given something special. Some people receive their knowledge
and understanding through books. In your life, Grandson,
you too must read and study books, but remember to take
with you on your journey only those things that bring more
unity within yourself and others, that bring goodness and
understanding and help us to serve one another in better
ways."
"Wakan Tanka," he continued, "also gave
our Native people, and all other people who live close to
Mother Earth, wisdom and knowledge through dreams, visions,
fasting, prayer, and the ability to see the lessons the
Creator has put in every part of creation. Look at those
trees standing over there; the alder does not tell the pine
tree to move over; the pine does not tell the fir tree to
move over; each tree stands in unity, their mouth pressed
toward the same Mother Earth, refreshed by the same breeze,
warmed by the same sun, with their arms raised in prayer
and thanksgiving, protecting one another. If we are to have
peace in the world, we too must learn to live like those
trees."
"Look, Grandson," he said, "at the beautiful
teachings the Creator has put in the little stream. Feel
the water and see how gently and lovingly it touches your
hands. It travels through deserts and mountains and many
places, but it never turns its back on anyone or anything.
Even though it gives life to all living things, it is very
humble, for it always seeks the very lowest spot. But it
has great faith, power, and patience, for even if a mountain
stands in its path, it keeps moving and moving until finally
that mountain is washed into the sea. These are the spiritual
gifts the Creator has given each one of us. If we are to
be happy within ourselves and with one another, we too must
develop these sacred gifts."
In all of our actions, we must seek to be living examples
of the changes we wish to see in the world. By walking the
path, we make the path visible. We must find the courage
and dedication to use the wisdom of our elders on the path
of a peaceful and equitable future. Using that wisdom, we
will find we have the power to carefully and lovingly remove
the barriers limiting our development as human beings and
communities. The greater the difficulty in our path, the
greater the opportunity for our growth and ultimate victory;
we can always become more than we have ever been.
We know from our ancient teachings that the sacred eagle
of humanity has two perfectly balanced and harmonious wings-one
representing woman, and one representing man. In our relationships
as women and men, brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers,
we must join together to eliminate all forms of disrespect,
mistreatment, or lack of sharing in the responsibility of
raising the world's children. It is my deepest prayer that
with every new sunrise, we can recognize more and more that
the most sacred and holy of all the wonderful gifts the
Creator has given us is the birth of a child. Everything
we can do to provide our children and communities the best
possible future is a sacred gift and responsibility.
For is not the moment long, long overdue, my beloved relatives,
through the unfailing power and love of our good creator,
for us to free ourselves completely from the hurt of both
the past and present, so we may truly soar like majestic
eagles to the promised greatness of our sacred destiny and
future?
Biography
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