Customer Reviews

Mitakuye Oyasin: We Are All Related

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This a wonderful piece of work. A.C. has brought together so many insightful beliefs that many of us have and can not put into words as eloquently as he has. This is a must read. I'm glad to know so many of us think alike and believe that we "are all related", to eachother and to everything around us.

This book is thought provoking,inspiring,and empowering.I feel I am a better person for just having read it.Now I shall proceed to buy 10 copies for my friends and family to "pay it forward".It didnt feel like I was reading a 215 pg book, but rather it felt like I was listening to my wise old uncle explain very complex matters in a manner that would not be too deep for my very shallow mind.For anyone considering reading this book I would implore them to READ THIS BOOK!!!Its Fantastic!..then tell all your friends and family to read it!..Dont be stingy:)

Just terrific, this book needs to be enjoyed by all. Ehanamani is not trying to prove a point, form opinions, or provide examples for the reader to draw conclusions. He is extending ideas handed down from his D Lakota tribe's oral tradition. It inspires the reader to consider the inherent energy contained within each of us. The balance of logic and feeling is now an imperative part of my life. A friend of mine met him, and Tom deserves a large thanks for sharing this author's work with others.

The book, Mitakuye Oyasin, is not necessarily long, in regards to the number of pages it contains, but it is a long read as one tries to dessiminate all of the abundant information that the author provides. His view of the relationship of mankind and the existence of Atlantis makes total and complete sense when one looks at the facts that are presented in this book. Even non-believers of the existence of Atlantis will be scratching their heads while reading the theories and the proof that is presented here.

This book is excellent in that it compares and contrasts elements of Lakota religion (Sioux) to other major religions. The striking resemblance to Buddhism is what fascinated me most. I was created and carried on Rosebud Res and was raised believing many of the things in this book, but I had no clue what my Star Quilt was for or the significance of the stars.

I would say this book would be fit for classroom discussion and reading, especially if used in a religion or cultural class. The author does go a bit into his own opinions that are separate from Lakota religion (such as Edgar Cayce), but if you can look beyond it and use it as a tool to better understand the way of the Red Path, you will thoroughly enjoy it.

Hope this helped!

First off, the title of this book is taken from a Lakota term that when translated means "we are all related" thus the full title of poet's Jim Greenwald's book is "Mitakuye Oyasin: We Are All Related." When reading his poems you can see very clearly that the title fits the poetry within the pages. Jims' Native American Ojibwe heritage comes through in great evidence in all his prose. This is another of his wonderful books of poetry and this may be his absolute best work to date.

The feeling you get from this themed book of poetry is that there is a connection with nature and the natural world around us. His words are like a walk in the woods with someone who truly loves being outdoors and appreciates the trees, the birds and all that surrounds him. So, it becomes a joyful and pleasant journey of prose as we transverse through this world that he observes.

His poetry has a message of respect and love for "Mother Earth" but also for each other. His words and phrasing are like a pathway to the inner heart. He knows how to connect with nature but he also connects with people. These poems are uplifting and hopeful. It was a pleasure to wander through his words and feel what he must have been feeling when he wrote them.

Some of his poetry asks questions as a way of pointing out a problem such as in his poem "Window."

He hears no animals, no insects, no birds,
only the noise of horns blaring,
as he breathes the poison engines spew out,
The air burning his lungs.
He sips his water from a bottle
as he stands beside a stream so polluted it stinks.
Grandfather, I do not understand.
Why would one destroy that which gives life?

The poet and poetry become one and the same as you read his book. Wonderful verse and wise words! Certainly a poetry book of substance and spirit! I recommend it for poetry lovers and those who like Native American philosophy. It is a gentle reading experience and one that will fill you with peace.

Ehanamani (Dr. A.C. Ross) grew up on reservations, attended a Christian high school and joined the military. While serving overseas he was embarrassed that a German knew more about his culture than he did, so he decided to learn more. He asked himself, "Why do we do certain things or believe certain stories? There must be a reason behind our traditional beliefs." This book summarizes his research into Native American beliefs arrived at through a multitude of synchronistic events.

Ehanamani discusses Native American beliefs and ceremonies, Jungian psychology, energy, chakras, metaphysics, reincarnation, Edgar Cayce, Christianity, physics, spirituality and other esoteric topics, deftly tying them together into a holistic worldview.

Several chapters detail cultural, religious, and ceremonial similarities between the Native Americans on the North American continent and neighboring continents, which he believes confirms the Native American belief in islands called Mu (in the Pacific Ocean) and Atlantis (in the Atlantic) from which these peoples emigrated.

The message I got, which was perfectly timed, was how important it is for me to participate in more right-brained activities to find balance and improve my connection with That Which Gives Life.

This is an easy book to read, written in a conversational style of a friend just sharing what he's learned over the years. I really enjoyed this book, and it will stay in my library to be read again.

The chapters are:

Preface: Mitakuyapi "My Relatives"
Iyeska: Interpreter
Jungian Psychology and Brain Hemisphericy Compared with Traditional D/Lakota Thought
Original Techings of the Red Man
Red Road for Educational Synergy
Origins of the Red Man Part I: Atlantis
Origins of the Red Man Part II: Mu
Taku Wakan Skan Skan: Something Holy Moving
The Flowering Tree
The Center Moved: A Triad of Creation Stories
The Power of Telekinesis
Sacred Above is Like Sacred Below
The Purification
Strategies for Global Harmony
D/Lakota Philosophy and Ceremony
A Journey for Peace
Epilogue
Bibliography
Addendum

As a psychologist working with many Lakota Sioux youth, I find this book very useful in helping patients reconnect with their heritage and their spirituality. The helping nature of this book with this clinical population is very real. I bought three copies of the book so that I can lend them to the Native youth I work with. Cultural sensitivity in treatment is essential to positive outcomes. Dr. Ross's work "Mitakeuye Oyasin:We Are All Related" helps bring these young people back to their roots and helps instill hope for a better future.

A Beautiful alternative to therapists.

I have had the luck to meet Dr. Ross before actually having read his book. The way Dr. Ross impressed me also made up my mind about his book. And I really recommend it to spiritually interested people and for educational purposes e.g. as a reading at schools.