Walking on the Wind: Cherokee Teachings for Harmony and Balance (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

How does one learn from the wisdom of Native American cultures without adding to the violence that has been done to the sacredness and integrity of those traditions? In this volume, Garrett, an Eastern Band Cherokee who teaches education at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, provides profound and beautiful answers to that question. As he notes, the book has two goals: to honor his people's vision of a balanced life and to share their accumulated wisdom about health and wellness with the larger, contemporary culture. Each chapter features delightful narratives of Cherokee stories and myths?the love of Moon for Sun, how the animals teach humanity to respect the harmony of nature, why possum's tail is bare, why turtle's shell is scarred, as well as recollections from Garrett's childhood. He notes that his father taught him that it was his task "to discover through the stories?the beauty and lessons offered to us through everyday experience." Garrett discusses lessons learned about how to make difficult choices, how to hear our intuitive sense of right and wrong and how to deal with painful experiences. Also included in this wide-ranging book are descriptions of the purposes of Pow-Wow, Iroquois False Face Societies, managing a modern kitchen in ways that respect the balance of nature and brief discussions about acid rain and greenhouse gases. Written in accessible language, Garrett's book is a useful primer on Native American spirituality.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"[Garrett's] blend of the traditional Cherokee stories and ways with that of science and psychology illustrates that both Native and non-Native peoples can learn to thrive together, and that they have a lot to learn from each other for the betterment of humankind."
(

Native Peoples magazine

)

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Product Details

• Paperback: 204 pages
• Publisher: Bear & Company (May 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1879181495
• ISBN-13: 978-1879181496
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #140,564 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just incredible!, August 19, 2001

By	earthcup "earthcup" (Blairsville, GA) - See all my reviews

This is one of the most beautiful books I have ever read.

I had read Medicine of the Cherokee already when I saw this in a shop and recognized the name of the author.

I was going through a little spiritual crisis when I began to read it and within a few chapters I could feel the good medicine in the book working on me.

If you're trying to find your place in the web this book can help you find it.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing!, May 8, 2000

By	W. Lambdin "Two Bears" (Ellensburg, WA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This book is a continuation of the earlier book "Medicine of the Cherokee: The Way of Right Relationship" written by Michael and his father J.T. Garrett.

I would recommend that people also read the earlier work because "Walking on the Wind" fails to discuss the totem animals used in the sacred circle (more commonly called the medicine wheel).

This book is clearly written and a fun read.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly Awesome, November 4, 2000

By	Vrtreena R. Jenkins (NC) - See all my reviews

This is a wonderful book! I fell into it immediately. It's written in a manner that is informal and very easy to understand. It took me from tears of joy on one page to laughing out loud on another. This book has helped me to heal, to face fears, to become more balanced, and to look at things from a different perspective... and for that I am forever grateful. I highly recommend it!!!!