Native Born

If you are born in your town you are considered a native of that town. If you are born in this country you are considered a native countryman. But the true native born in America is the Amerindian. Calling the North American continent home for over 11,000 years, they may actually have been in place longer, perhaps 13,000 years or more. Prior to that era earth’s tectonic plates were positioned differently and formed land bridges where oceans now exist.

That’s the theory behind immigration of Mongolian stock people to Arctic regions, who then moved south along the Pacific coast to settle in places currently in Oregon, California and interior mountainous regions.

American Indians have been here far longer than the white man can calculate with any precision. Because of this I have long been interested in Indian philosophy and theology.

I don’t know who ‘Shanti R.’ is but he/she shared these thoughts on the internet the other day:

            “The 10 Indian Commandments

1.      The Earth is our Mother; care for Her.

2.      Honor all your relations.

3.      Open your heart and soul to the Great Spirit.

4.      All life is sacred; treat all beings with respect.

5.      Take from the Earth what is needed and nothing more.

6.      Do what needs to be done for the good of all.

7.      Give constant thanks to the Great Spirit for each day.

8.      Speak the truth but only for the good in others.

9.      Follow the rhythms of Nature.

10.  Enjoy life’s journey; but leave no tracks.”

Perhaps it is presumptuous of me to do so, but I feel the need to comment on each of these listed items.

First, in the physical world planet Earth is our home, our natural ‘mother’. We did not come from the air or outer space. We were born on this earthly planet. If we hope to retain the planet as a healthy home we surely need to take care of her. Poisoning her streams, rivers, lakes and oceans certainly kills our water and food supplies; now, or soon, and for certain the long term. Why chance such a calamity?

Some people do because they see a short term advantage, either for themselves (selfish) or their clan-nation (politico-centrist). Either one is selfish and short sighted.

We witness large corporations – some multi-national – seeking rare earth minerals, ores and fossil fuels within the earth. They sell these to others for profit. They reap the profit; others reap use of the products. But at what long term cost? Spoiled forests, oceans, soils, air and water supplies? Yes. We know this is true; either in the long run or short term. Both are unacceptable.

The Indians knew this instinctively, intrinsically. Are we so self-centered that we don’t get this?

Second, honor all your relations. This is the base of getting along with everyone else on the planet. We rely on them. They rely on us. Mutual aid. Back then, Indians populated the land sparsely. They either trusted each other or fell prey to suspicion, distrust and perfidy. Much easier to trust and nurture each other. Like family. Healthy families one hopes! These relations expand outward to include other tribes, the ‘foreign’ world to them at the time.

Third, opening oneself to the Great Spirit – God or higher power, whatever works for you – is the healthy human realization that we cannot control the world by ourselves. We must get out of our lonely existence and seek otherness. The spiritual dimension of this is both natural and healthy. Life is bigger than me. Life is bigger than you or us combined. Let that reality exist; accept it. Live accordingly!

Fourth, all life is sacred; respect it all. We have self respect; why not all other things in creation?  Enough said.

Fifth, take only what you need from the Earth; nothing more. Do not plunder for your own sake. This husbandry ensures supplies for the future, both for your own use as well as for others. Friend or foe, each of us deserves access to what we need to survive. It is just. It is fair. It is right.  Basic truth.

Sixth, doing things that are more than good for you but for many others, establishes right relationships at the very start of things. It is not just a generous thing to do; it is a much needed ingredient in establishing and maintaining the common good of society. If one part of our human family is hurting, we all hurt – either now or eventually. Why chance the negative?

Seventh, give thanks to the Great Spirit each day. This is our reminder to give thanks for that which we freely have. We didn't earn all things; most of it was given – the land, air, life, food, each other – thus we must appreciate it. Call it thanks or not; it amounts to the same thing.  Appreciate that which you have received. You alone are not the focus of the earth or society. You are but one among many.

Eighth, speak the truth; a good thing in and of itself. But this lesson goes further: speak the truth of good in others. Do not speak ill of others. It poisons the minds of self and others about the other person. We have our flaws. Each of us. Speak of the good so the balance shifts away from the bad, the negative. Speak of the good to nurture more of it. In this way we avoid the evil, the temptations that sour and destroy relationships. It is hard work; but speaking good of others is an investment.

Ninth, follow the rhythms of Nature. The seasons, the comings and goings of human life and animal life. Food cycles, nurture and harvest, all are natural and not in our control. We give up personal power to gain the fruits of what Nature provides. We learn to save our crops as food for a later day. We store up the goods we need for the long term, from short term labor. We synchronize our lives with the natural order of things. There is harmony in that. It is externally focused, as well. We are not our own masters. Nature is our master. Humble thyself to accept this reality and prosper accordingly.

Tenth, we are now able to enjoy life’s pathway on this planet. We shall live within the specifications of the journey – what it demands of us and the rewards it provides – without spoiling the planet for others who will surely follow our time on earth. We use today and preserve for tomorrow – for others.

I don’t know about you but these commandments make a great deal of sense to me. They are unselfish. They support all life on the planet. They speak of a just existence.

Not bad. And just think, all before white man, TV and the internet! Something to think about!

February 11, 2014