The Medicine wheel

Old Native American wisdom. We need to gather as one people to save earth and all people.

 
 

Wisdom of the Medicine wheel
 

I have been  lucky.  Many kind Native Americans took me under their wing and taught me how to find peace.
 
At the Mall I went to the so-call Native American store. A Middle Eastern man tried to sell me a Chinese made items.  I touched a Medicine Wheel.
 
I told him:  "A proper Medicine Wheel has the power of the four winds."

I touched a  Dream Catcher." A real one would protect your spirit and keep bad dreams away."
 
He grinned at me. He didn't understand a word that I have spoken. He told me. "It does the same things." I left the store with nothing.
 
I sat with my Apache Friend and his family outside the gate of Fort Hood, Texas. I sat and listened to him.  His skin hardened by the Texas sun. I came and sat with him every Saturday for many months.

He had a story for every item he sold. I brought him food and water.  His stories were passed on to him by family and elders.
 
He gave me a Medicine Wheel. He rose up and made a circle with his hands. He told me.  "All people are part of the circle of life.  We all have a purpose, he had sadness in his voice. We Apache and Native Americans were responsible to protect Nature. We did a poor job."
 
"The white people were responsible for the fire. They shared their gift and now fire is held in every corner of the planet. His eyes looked at the ground, then he raised his eyes and looked to the sky. The fire was taught Atomic and nuclear power too well."
 
"The black people held the strength, wisdom and honour. The wisdom of the black people lost direction. We need their strength before we kill off all that is good."
 
"The yellow people have courage, leadership and clarity. The gentle and calm souls will be necessary for this world to seek peace."
 
"The medicine wheel is a compass to all life. We must know all four directions."
 
At a Pow Wow in Texas a few Native Americans danced and invited all of us to join the dance of friendship. A old Apache man moved around the circle. Burned sage and blessed everyone who came.
 
He welcomed us. He began to speak.

"We were the last Americans allowed to dance our Native dances.
We were the last allowed to speak our language in public.
We have not forgotten. 
We go on and hope for better days."
 
He blessed all of us and his kind eyes show respect for all.
He raise his hands and spoke to the sky.
"Teach us the four winds. 
Give us wisdom. 
Teach us humility. 
Show us clarity. 
Allow us to trust our brothers."
 
I'm proud of my Ojibwa heritage.  I'm proud of my Mexican/white heritage. The Medicine wheel showed us we are one. We need to work together. Red, black, white and yellow were given gifts.
 
Old Apache raised his hands to the sky. Then created a full circle. He moved slowly around  the inner circle and looked in all our eyes.
 
 
"We are one.
Let's pray for peace."
 
East wind - Yellow people - Path of light - Spiritual - courage.
West wind - Red people - Path of vision - physical -prayer
North wind - White people - Path of quiet - Mental - wisdom
South wind - Black people - Path of peace - natural - trust

 
This is a view of many years of learning. Every teacher tells the story differently. I believe we are one people. Peace will come when we learn to work together.

Black, White, Red and Yellow are the four corners of the Medicine Wheel. All with important gifts to bring to achieve peace with each other and the planet.


                                     Coyote

 
 

Author's Note

If mistakes. Please tell me. Never too old to learn.

Reviews

[Neville]

What a truly inspirational and important poem we have here. Until now, I did not appreciate the true significance of the 'Medicine Wheel'
I have learn't many things this evening and am subsequently both humbled and very grateful to you my dear friend Coyote.................All Good Things, Neville

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Neville. The Medicine. A symbol of peace. One people and one earth.

[Neville]

Amen to that..........

[no.cristeaux]

This gives me hope despite the chaotic events going on throughout our world, very thoughtful work.
Spoken like a true sage.

k.k.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you for reading and the comment. When we learn. We are more the same than different. Would be a better world.

[terry smith]

...ah like the teachings of Carlos Castaneda...very well spoken my friend...wish it were so easy. :)

[Coyote Poetry]

I have Carlos Castaneda books above me. My step-dad had his books and I enjoyed his story and journey. Thank you Terry for reading and the comment.

[terry smith]

I have his first five books....used to meditate but made me feel like a foreigner to this planet.

[Coyote Poetry]

I still meditate. Keep me sane. I used his version to meditate combine with yoga.

[terry smith]

I would lay in bed or sit in a chair...forget my body...then quiet my mind till I would hear a crackle like static then blue and clear. at first i fell asleep alot but after a while I got conditioned.

[Coyote Poetry]

I like the Native American breathing tech. Breathing control our flow of mind and body.

[-Scribe in Style-]

also please check out http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Smile-in-Style/1631557/

It is a little lengthy I admit but it is somewhat similar to this however on a different theme. Your thoughts would be much appreciated.

[-Scribe in Style-]

Very well combined. You have intertwined the elements of people with their tendencies and characteristics and the elements of power given to the world. Inspiring! We have been given the power. If only we knew how to harness it. We can not survive without the other. If only we knew how to apply an understanding of this.

[Coyote Poetry]

Would be a better world. If the four corners of the world learn. We need each other to survive. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[Teresa Elde]

I like how it started off with the shop where the medicine wheel was made in china, and then you told the story of what a medicine wheel made by natives meant. It really opened the story up and pulled me in from the beginning. Good job.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Teresa. I appreciate the comment. The Medicine wheel is real Native American myth. Also a prayer for peace with each other and nature.

[LadyAnn68]

What an incredible communication you have here. I wish I could have been there to see it! You presented this well and the feeling and emotion carry through your wording. Well penned and well received...the gifts of the Earth and the different cultures to carry out in unity! Blessed write for sure! I hope all find peace together!

[Coyote Poetry]

Me too. I prayer for peace and calm. For the sake of all children and thank you for reading.

[LadyAnn68]

Oh it is totally my pleasure~ wow still in awe~

[Ralph Rosell]

Wow! Didn't even know about the medicine wheel! Love it! Made me research! We are one for sure.. Ubuntu. Like the way you portrayed the concept. Just wanted to say that I only found 3 spelling mistakes:
were the last Americans allowED to dance our Native dances. And there were other two having problems copying and pasting.. But it was raiseD his hands... And createD a circle.. So nothing big, just wanted to let you know.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Ralph for reading and the comment. I appreciate the help on the edit also.

[MelissaAndres]

Very nice! At the very end when you say, 'Peace will come when we learn to work together' - that is so true! Won't that be a wonderful day? You did a good job with this. I enjoyed it very much!

[Coyote Poetry]

I wish we could learn common sense. We may be different in the place we live, color of skin and needs. But we love our children and we need opportunity for a safe place to sleep, opportunity for work and a chance at a good life. Thank you Melissa for reading and the comment. I do appreciate.

[MelissaAndres]

You are very welcome. I think that, sometimes, if we learn about other cultures and someone's background we could learn a lot of things too. Just knowing where someone comes from and why they do what they do can give us compassion and understanding.

[LapseOfMind]

Wonderful writing, puts things into perspective. If only more people understood this why might live in a world of peace and respect, instead of chaos and noise.

[Coyote Poetry]

I wish we will learn soon. A lot of dangerous actions in the world today. We need to slow down and find even and similar ground to know and find peace. Thank you for reading and the comment. I do appreciate.

[paulina misiewicz]

This is a GREAT piece of writing Coyote, totally uplifting! it should be spread and read worldwide! for we all play our part in this life and are ambassadors of peace. I absolutely loved it and I'll share it with all!

[Coyote Poetry]

Please do. When we learn. One earth and one people. Every life is needed and worthwhile. Will be a better world. Thank you Paulina for reading and the comment.