Randy Woodley points to the values that have been essential to Indigenous wisdom:
Why would human beings promote systems, structures, ideologies, and lifestyles that work against their own survival?
Good air quality is also a medicine. So is clean water. And healthy soil. Even a stress-free life is known to prolong people’s lives. It seems to me that people in the Western world are working against their own self-interest—against their own healing—and against their own grandchildren’s well-being. What will it take to change?
The only way I see such a destructive lifestyle changing is if people begin adopting different values and then living out these values. Our Indigenous ancestors figured this out—by trial and error and through necessity—so many years ago. These are the ancient values … that help us reconnect to sacred Earth.
- Respect: Respect everyone. Everyone and everything is sacred.
- Harmony: Seek harmony and cooperation with people and nature.
- Friendship: Increase the number and depth of your close friends and family.
- Humor: Laugh at yourself; we are merely human.
- Equality: Everyone expresses their voice in decisions.
- Authenticity: Speak from your heart.
- History: Learn from the past. Live presently by looking back.
- Balance work and rest: Work hard, but rest well.
- Generosity: Share what you have with others.
- Accountability: We are all interconnected. We are all related.
This is by no means a comprehensive list. But if we nurture these values in our lives, we will become more rooted in the community of creation. Begin working your way down the list and incorporating these Indigenous values into your own life. Search for songs, ceremonies, and stories from your own ancestry. Look for friends who align with these values. Then commit to immersing yourself in a new way of living….
Remind yourself that you are part of the community of creation. Choose one or two of the values on the list and try to embody them today.
Very wise words, the World would be a far better place if everyone followed (or tried to follow) these rules. Very Christian in it’s outlook.
Ireland joined the United Nations in 1955 when a Fine Gael Led Govt was in power and Liam Cosgrave as Minister for External Affairs, addressed its General Assembly with a (Comely) Maiden Speech on behalf of our Nation.
Speaking ostensibly about the conflict in the Middle East he advised the contending fighters to behave
like Christians,
There was once an American politician whose every speech had glowing references to his constituents in
Buncombe County and Cosgrave was recognisably keeping the craw-thumping tendency in his affluent South Dublin bailiwick in mind.
Not that there much forgiveness, tenderness or mercy in the Blueshirt tradition, Christian or otherwise.