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..........

[Einstein Noodle]

just beautiful ..as i read i felt my inner self calming more and more ..tho the notion of love and unity is ageless but we forget so easily like (as the Bible puts it) looking in a mirror ..turning away ..and forgetting what we look like ... there are editing mistakes that perhaps is a language thing (edit edit edit;)
the way you tell your story put me in it easily ..i saw you both each day sitting ..felt the heat and smelled the dust of Texas ... i think this is a beautiful story ..well told ..and a cultural gem of wisdom ..
E.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you my friend for reading and the comment. The world is getting. We must get along.

[annalysiar]

And you are so right I couldn't agree more there isn't a better way to deliver that message. This was an amazing story you are so welcome thank you for letting me read it

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome.

[Ian]

Fascinating! I love this.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Ian. I wish we would learn. One earth and one people. We must get along for the sake of the children.

[silverwritinggoddess]

I really loved this and especially where you say that you believe that we are one people. We should work together as one. It's just a shame that there are those who don't feel that way. Anyway, excellent work!

[Coyote Poetry]

I wish we could. Life would be better if we got along. For the sake of the children of our world. Thank you Jennifer for reading and the comment.

[McBear]

I really, really liked this! Nice image c:

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Poison. I appreciate the comment.

[Nadia Gerassimenko]

So much wisdom here. Indeed we are all ONE (not separate beings as we think to be, though we are individuals). And we should stand as one for better humanity and future of following generations. Only love, compassion, harmony, and peace matter. I wish some people would finally understand that.

[Coyote Poetry]

Me too my friend. One planet and one people. We must get along.

[alifeacoustic]

A story we should all listen more closely to. I agree that everyone is part of the whole and has a place within it. We may not see the bigger picture, or the part we play within it, but a part we have to play all the same. You could be hailed a hero and feted for saving someone's life, or you could be a part that seems insignificant to some, but leaves just one person with the inspiration required to achieve greatness and not even know it, yet has immense consequences within the wheel.
Superbly written and a lesson to us all.

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree. When we learn. The world is small and we are one earth and one people. We must get along for the sake of the children.

[Roselyn Rose]

I can see an amazing message that could change the view of each of us if we would want to understand it. People need to read this mesmerizing story. Well done my dear Coyote :)

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Bayari for reading and the comment. Native American like all ancient wisdom. Taught example of life as teaching. Not forced upon. I wish this world would learn. One people and one planet. We must get along.

[.]

-- the essence of peace expresses itself beautifully in this story... -- the only way to deal with racism is by reading and writing such stories...

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree. Need leaders like a Bill Clinton. Can communicate and hold respect. Poor leadership took us to a bad place. Thank you serah for reading and the comment.

[.]

-- you're very welcome... :)

[A.marie.speaks]

Beautiful. If only all people of the world would read and appreciate this message, then we may have a chance at change. Thank you for sharing!

[Coyote Poetry]

I wish we learn ASAP. One people and one earth. We must get along for he sake of the children. Thank you for reading and the comment.