17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
honest and well intentioned, March 25, 2003
This review is from: Native Wisdom: Perceptions of the Natural Way (Paperback)
This book is a compilation of Ed McGaa's lectures at an "upper income, midwestern, metropolitan suburban school". In it, we mainly get his personal views and experiences of the "Natural Way" which, generally speaking, represent the tradition of his native Lakota Sioux. McGaa's credentials are pretty good: he claims to have studied with Frank Fools Crow and Bill Eagle Feather, without doubt two of the most influential Sioux medicine people. This therefore is an opportunity to partake of life experiences of an insider who is willing to share his views of God, religion, spirits and interconnectedness of life. We learn of such key elements of Lakota worldview as the 6 Powers, the Wakamaskan (animal brothers), yuwipi, Sun Dance, details of Black Elk's vision and the attitude of reverence and respect towards the "Great Mystery". Native Americans cannot comprehend the concept of a wrathful, revengful God, nor can they understand the concepts of sin and "being saved". They have seen what we have forgotten - that what makes a person harmonious, kind and peaceful is their closeness to Nature which gifts them the power of presence (is it therefore surprising to see that the people who wreak discord in the world are characterized by their disconnectedness from Nature and their own bodies?)
McGaa has a lot of beef with organized religion and by golly do I agree with him. According to him, the concept of heaven and hell was great for the priests trying to to keep in control ignorant masses. The more we shed our ignorance, the closer we get to the Great Spirit and the freer we are from the leeches trying to take over our spiritual life. This is why, says McGaa, knowledge is so crucial. Knowledge leads to wisdom, wisdom leads to understanding, and understanding leads to peace. The key to developing knowledge is observation. We do not have to believe anything : it is enough to be patient, observe and draw conclusions for oneself.
In short, this is an eminently practical book written by a knowledgeable person of great integrity. I recommend it.
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Must read for environmentalists and spiritual seekers, March 25, 2001
This review is from: Native Wisdom: Perceptions of the Natural Way (Paperback)
Eagle Man makes a compelling plea for environmental and social responsibility, in a context of First Nations (specifically Oglala Sioux) history, spirituality, and worldview. I found this book was a great introduction to Oglala culture including information on further resources and an extensive glossary of Lakota terms. It has inspired me to pursue further study of Lakota spirituality. I look forward to reading Eagle Man's other writings.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This book is cabable of changing the world., July 15, 2006
Dear Eagle Man,
For the past few weeks my family and I have been on a journey of discovery. The first week was about discovering Yellowstone and Wyoming. While camping and at one with nature, I was able to free my mind of the ties to the illusion of life that man has created and instead, be come reconnected to to the way life should be. I felt connected and at peace.
Soon after reading a book I found in Cody, WY called The Soul of the Indian by Charles A. Eastman, I found myself at the Crazy Horse memorial in the Black Hills of South Dakota. There was a calling for me to be there as my interest was piqued to learn more about the way the Indians viewed life, religion, nature, and spirituality.
That is where I discovered a woman selling beads, jewelry, etc. It was as if she called me from across the room without saying a word. She introduced herself as your daughter and began telling me about the four books she had of yours. I bought them and started with "Native Wisdom" because it seemed to be right were my mind was.
I cannot tell you how much this book has opened my eyes. It truly has hit home with me in a way I cannot describe. It has helped me see clearly in a way that I have never been able to. I have always felt a connection with nature but this book has helped me reach a new level of discovery. I feel connected in a way I never have before.
I truly believe that this book could change the world if enough people were exposed to it. With this statement I mean that I believe there is a hunger for something people can attach to and believe in. There are so many of us spiritual people who are turned off to the ways of the preacher, the church, catholicism, and the man-made organized religions of the world. Especially in light of what the leaders of this country are interpretting religeon and using as a tool to keep support in their cause.
I believe that if the words of yours and Black Elk were to reach out to more people, it could cause a monumental change in the lives of the people of the world. Your approach to writing this was done perfectly. It was in a manner that did not come across as preaching to the reader. It left the reader to decide if was something they could accept and understand.
I find myself so attached to nature. More than ever. I've been showing my young children the ways of the Sioux and Black Elk. It is something they really can relate to.
If you are ever speaking in the NY State area or on the east coast, please let me know. I'd truly like to thank you in person and ask you a few questions.
Thanks brother Eagle Man. Your ability to communicate in this manner, truly reaches down into the readers soul and makes it so that they can't help but make them understand your point of view.
It has changed me forever. It truly has.
If there is any way I can help you in spreading your message, please let me know. I think it is important for more people to hear about these thoughts. It could be the lever that helps get this world back on track. It is such a powerful message yet simple enough for all to understand.
In the meantime I intend to look for some way I can observe a Sun Dance and continue to connect to Black Elk's words and yours.
May the wisdom of the Great Spirit continue to spread through the words you write and from others who read them.
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