During my 23 years of working and playing in Native and Non Native communities and organizations in a multitude of projects, it became obvious there is a need to alleviate the suffering of ordinary human beings. Please read my New Book entitled "Alita's Journey to Truth" for the Spiritual and Psychological answers that you seek. See Thought and wise Medicine men for a pure and simple answer.
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101-5557 14B Ave., Delta, B.C. Canada V4M 2G7 Tel: (604) 943-8720 E-mail: der_123456@yahoo.com
A Spiritual and
Psychological Connection
Harold (Harry) Derbitsky and his company, ACT Training Inc. (Advanced Coaches Training), has twenty-three years of human development and training projects in Native communities, organizations and their members, along with similar consulting and training projects in non-Native education, government and business organizations. He is presently giving seminars to the general public on “The Three Sacred Principles to Happiness and Contentment.”
His new book entitled "Alita's Journey to Truth -- A Mystical Journey into the Three Sacred Principles to Happiness and Contentment" is now in the production stage of publication and will be released around Christmas time. His article, ‘Native Spirituality in Prisons’, has been published in the Encyclopedia of Prisons & Correctional Facilities by Sage Publications, Inc. His first book, in manuscript form, ‘Alita’s Journey to Truth – The Early Years’ reached 14 countries; every state in the United States; Alcohol and Drug Programs; San Diego and Minnesota libraries; Prisons in Nevada, and a Native Doctor in his Teaching/Counseling program. The manuscript book was sold at the 18th Annual Psychology of Mind /Heath Realization Conference. He co-wrote the first chapter in the ‘Self-esteem is for Everyone’ Primer for school children, which was taught to Native and Non-native youth.
Evaluation Form of
"Self-Esteem for Youth" Training in Native Community
How could the teachers have been better?
more control, tell more jokes, we couldn't of had better teachers,
no need to be better, try to explain yourself more, were perfect
for this class, had perfect attitude for this class, let us finish
our play and do more jokes,
What were the major good feature(s) of the teacher(s)?
got along with us, able to relate to us and our thoughts, your
patience, good teachers, nice, good attitudes, understanding,
easy going
PERSONAL LIFE: believe in myself more, speak my own thoughts,
make me believe in myself more, to be more friendly, deal with
bad thoughts to make it better,
SCHOOL: make a lot more friends, enjoyed it more, got better grades,
look at it from a better point of view, starting to work
OTHER: learned more about how to deal with my feelings, we learned
alot from everybody, just helped
Self-Esteem is the inner self and thoughts, a good feeling from
your heart, happiness in yourself, when you are happy and have
good thoughts and feelings, is feeling good about yourself and
thinking positive and all of that, good feelings and good thoughts,
our thoughts and feelings (happy or sad) and learning to deal
with that.
Coordinator, Head Instructor for the Business
Internship Diploma Program for King George International College,
Training of Office Manager for Computerworks Inc. which included
human development, computer and office training (under a grant
from BC Works (lady was on Income Assistance and from Cambodia)),
"Self-Esteem, Morale and Helping the Residents" for
the Seniors Kinsmen Centre, Training of management and secretaries
in relationships for BC Tel.. "Understanding Multi-Cultural
Issues within the Corporate Environment" for TDBC (Training
and Development Council of BC), "A Common Sense Approach
to Stress and Conflict" for the Vancouver Community College,
"The Relationship between Human Learning and Technology"
for Specific clients.
Teaching of 24 unemployed Executives in computer
applications, sponsored by CEIC, Teaching of unemployed youth,
women, and men at Faila, Bonner & Associates school. Training
of women at Success College, plus Special Education Coordinator
for Special Projects,. Training of unemployed women at Burnaby
College, Training of schizophrenic clients for Richmond Mental
Health, teaching students for Vancouver Continuing Education,
Training for the Sto-lo Nation at Coqualeetza College.
Training of President, middle management,
staff in computers, Internet, accounting for Bella Coola Fisheries
Ltd.; Training of management in Project Management for Vancouver
Shipyards Ltd., Bayshore Hotel; computer and accounting training
for staff and President of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory; CEIC
project based grants for numerous companies in office management,
computer and accounting based applications. including Georgia
Straight, Gray Beverages, Pelton Reforestation, Atlas Paint Inc.,
Hadassah Bazaar, Majewski Shaler & Co., Northwest Reinforcing,
Soft Energy Inc. to name a few.
This book is distributed as SHAREWARE.
Please click here and we will mail you a
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This Book has been used as a teaching vehicle
for:
Alita's journey begins as a child in a small West
Coast Native reservation. Her first lessons, from Grandma, on
self esteem and vision serve her well into her journey into adulthood.
She continues to learn from other Elders in her quest to help
her People and their suffering. The story fully describes three
different sweats, and her learning experiences. She also learns
about the power of Thought from the Native and non-Native
worlds, is mentored by a Doctor in Psychology and becomes a counselor
for the People in a small village in the mountains of British
Columbia, Canada. In the last chapter, Alita experience in the
sweat includes her own vision with the Creator. An insight follows
which answers the following question: "Why
do I appear to be powerless to stop my insecure fantasies and
negative urges?" and "the connection between
Psychology and Spirituality".
The author created this book via an interesting medium.
The Elders described in this book are 'real to life' Indian Elders,
primarily from various Native communities in British Columbia,
Canada. Many of the words, conversations and wisdom of this book
are directly from this source. However, the author makes no attempt
to suggest that all the words are actually quotes, or that he
did not add value to Alita's conversations. All experiences in
the sacred ceremonies are first hand experiences.
This book combines the wisdom of many Native Spiritual
leaders with the Truth of the Non-Native world, as seen through
the author's eyes. "Alita's spiritual path was to be that
of a modern Indian, mixing the Old Ways and the New Ways".
The end result is Alita's Journey into the Spiritual/Psychological
World of Truth.
I have read your book twice now and each time I have received
thoughts as well as feelings of pure love and sincerity flowing
from your words. This BOOK has opened my mind and heart to many
aspects of the spiritual path I have chosen to follow. Your words
my friend, throughout this whole book are beautiful truths that
will touch and inspire anyone who reads them. I find your book
to be a cherishable manuscript of truth. And I don't believe any
of it to be offensive, in any way, to any culture. I pray that
this book reaches the masses unchanged as I have been truly honored
to receive its messages. Also, I allowed one of my Native students
the opportunity to read your book . He as well is truly grateful
and has added his words to this letter to show his appreciation.
In two months, I will be back into the mainstream of life.
Is there any way I can purchase a copy of your book? I got so
much from Alita's first and second Sweats. Especially the lesson
in humbling. This (Humbling) has been my hardest lesson to get
to stick. Alita's lessons were so simple, yet….so strong.
This book served as the most appropriate tool to boost my spirits
when I needed it the most.
I feel I've grown about 100 feet since I completed reading
it and I look forward to implementing ALL of the concepts, messages
and ideologies that they represent. Thank you very much for your
thoughtfulness and wonderful words of wisdom. It was sincerely
appreciated.
Our class and clients truly benefited from your book, but,
without a doubt, they loved the "From a Chicken to an
Eagle" story the most. The room was electric after reading
that story.
3 readers from Mailing the Book from Internet Advertising
Thank you for sending me a copy of "Alita's Journey to
Truth". While reading it images of my son's 20th birthday
came to me. I sat down and wrote to him from my heart about spirituality
and the courage to speak and live the truth. Klak-o.
I work for the Yakama Nation Branch of Forestry. When I ordered
the book I figured it would have an inspiring story to share.
I'm glad I sent for it. I am also a Native American and can relate
to the storytelling.
I enjoyed reading the book. I passed it on to one of my co-workers
and will continually pass it on to others. Thank You!
Hi Harry: Thanks for the great experience. Myself, family and
friends have all benefited from your teachings.
Excerpt 1 - "Introduction
- From a Chicken to an Eagle"
Excerpt 2 - "Chapter
1 - Alita's First Grandma"
Excerpt 3 - "Chapter
2 - The Power of Alcohol"
Excerpt 4 - "Chapter
4 - Vision"
Excerpt 5 -
"Chapter 6 - Sharing"
Excerpt 6 - "Chapter
7 - The Sacred Nature of Thought"
One day an Elder, who was passing by, inquired of
a farmer why it was that an eagle, the king of all birds, should
be confined to live in the barnyard with the chickens.
'Since I have given it chicken feed and trained
it to be a chicken, it has never learned to fly,' replied
the owner. 'It behaves as chickens behave, so it is no longer
an eagle'.
'Still', insisted the
elder, 'it has the heart of an eagle and can surely be taught
to fly'.
After talking it over, the two men agreed to find
out whether this was possible. Gently the Elder took the eagle
in his arms and said, 'You belong to the sky and not to the
earth. Stretch forth your wings and fly'.
The eagle, however, was confused. He did not know
who he was. Seeing the chickens eating their food, he jumped down
to be with them again.
Undismayed, the Elder took the eagle on the following
day up on the roof of the house and urged him again saying, 'You
are an eagle. Stretch forth your wings and fly'. But the eagle
was afraid of his unknown self and world and jumped down once
more for the chicken food.
On the third day the Elder rose early and took the
eagle out of the barnyard to a high mountain. There he urged the
king of the birds high above him and encouraged him again saying,
'You are an eagle. You belong to the sky as well as the earth.
Stretch forth your wings now and fly'.
The eagle looked back towards the barnyard and up
to the sky. Still he did not fly. Then the Elder lifted him straight
towards the sun and it happened that the eagle began to tremble;
slowly he stretched his wings. At last, with a triumphant cry,
he soared into the heavens.
It may be that the eagle still remembers the chickens
with nostalgia; it may even be that he occasionally revisits the
barnyard. But as far as anyone knows, he has never returned to
lead the life of a chicken. He was an eagle though he has been
kept and tamed as a chicken.
Just like the eagle, people who have learned to think
of themselves as something they aren't can re-decide in favor
of what they really are.
This is our story -- a story about accepting something
about ourselves that is not true and living as if it were true.
We think we are chickens because that is the chicken philosophy
of life. In truth, we are eagles, with the potential to soar,
to be free to experience our real essence: love, joy, peace, and
freedom.
'I know now you must always kneel down to a child
that is small, so they can feel comfortable and protected. If
you do not take time to listen, they may not understand what you
are saying, and sometimes they do not even know what you are doing.
Alita's Story
Grandmother gave Alita a big hug. "I get
so much from your visits Alita. I love you to visit me."
Alita's eyes sparkled 'I get so much when I visit you too.
Giving is
receiving and that makes it like a circle, doesn't' it, Grandma?'
"That's right Alita, it is like a circle".
A sad feeling came into Grandma. She
closed her eyes and shook her head gently from side to side and
said 'so much suffering, so much suffering.'
Grandma seemed in another world, her heart was feeling the evil
of the alcohol to her community. Her feeling of what she was seeing,
deeply, deeply affected Alita. Alita somehow felt wiser by sharing
this feeling. Grandma was not poisoned by what she was
feeling, she was simply sharing what she understood spiritually.
And she was feeling SO MUCH AND SO DEEPLY, it touched Alita's
heart. Alita knew then that booze is crazywater, the water that
weakens your spirit.
Uncle Eddy's wife, Laura
who was originally from Mount Currie, came into the room and smiled
charmingly to Alita and intervened. 'Your
Uncle Eddy is right, a vision is not easy to explain. My grandson,
when he was 19, his job was working out in the bush. At some point,
he heard some PowWow drumming and singing, and he did not know
exactly what it was. He had never been to a PowWow. He did not
know if it was for real. He felt kind of scared, at first thinking
there was something to be afraid of out there, so he revved up
his powersaw, hoping the noise of his powersaw would chase away
the Indian spirits' singing and drumming . He kept on working,
and waiting for his work partners to return and when they did,
he asked them, "Do you hear that?". They answered, "Hear
what?". He repeated and said the PowWow drumming. They said
"No" and looked at him as if he was a bit crazy. He
did not know what to think, because if no one heard it, what could
it mean. He just kept on, and it was a good hour before it stopped.
He was confused, yet the drumming and singing had come to him
almost like a dream.
'When he came to our house, he was still confused,
with many thoughts in his mind. He explained what had occurred
to him and asked what it all meant. I replied reassuringly, "if
anything happens again, whatever the vision is, ask what it wants
of you. Be quiet within yourself, listen and ask."
Laura continued talking to Alita. 'To me, a vision
increases faith in the Spiritual world, and increases our Spiritual
Identity of being Native. The Native I am talking about is not
only cultural, it includes the spiritual feeling of being one
with Nature, or one with the energy of all things - where the
individual and all of life are whole. To me, this vision was telling
my grandson not to forget that he is ½ Native from me, and
that it is a powerful force within him. This vision was telling
him whom his ancestors are and the Power of the Old Ways. It is
all about harmony, Alita -- in balance with all the forces of
life, as taught by our Medicine Wheel or when you go hunting in
Nature with a wise Elder'.
Alita decided, nostalgically,
to walk back to the sweatlodge. Alphonse was sitting beside his
fire, having camped close by. She sat down beside him. He mentioned
'How his God and the Whiteman's God
are the same, that it must be a cultural difference that allowed
us to experience the same God in different fashions'.
Alita truly appreciated this comment, as it deepened her respect
for this Elder. She said to herself, "I agree that Native
Spirituality is not a threat to anyone's concept of Spirituality.
Many humans prosper from different forms of the same Truth".
A delicious and abundant supper was
then served in front of a fire. Alita went to her tent, picked
up The Missing Link, Reflections on
Philosophy and Spirit by Sydney Banks,
and walked over to Red Elk, asking him to read one of the quotes
from the book. A major strength of Native life is an open attitude
to accepting other people's approach to spirituality; thus Red
Elk graciously read:
Red Elk reflected for a few moments on this statement.
Then he read the next passage:
Red Elk tilted his head slightly and asked Alita
about this last passage. Alita said she had found these words
to be true. For the next 45 minutes, Red Elk read random passages
aloud from the book. The power of peace and reflection penetrated
the listeners. Red Elk noted 'spiritual topics, such as these
are not often found in one book'.
Link to Sydney Banks
HomePage -
Introduction
Comments From Readers on the Book
From a Chicken to an Eagle
A Poem
Tribute of Thanks
Chapter 1 Alita's First Grandmother
Chapter 2 Grandma Ta'7A's Dream about The Power of Alcohol
Chapter 3 The Ancient Ways of Discipline
Chapter 4 Vision
Chapter 5 Alita's First Sweat
Chapter 6 Sharing
Chapter 7 The Sacred Nature of Thought and Its Relationship to
Native Spirituality
Chapter 8 A Native Psychological Retreat
Chapter 9 Thought and Walking Into the Silence -- A Healing Retreat
Chapter 10 Alita's Apprenticeship as A Counselor
Chapter 11 The World of Violence
Chapter 12 Alita's Vision of Truth
THIS BOOK IS NO LONGER BEING DISTRIBUTED.
This book is distributed as SHAREWARE.
Please fill out the order form
and we will mail you a complete copy of this book, for
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PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS BOOK WILL BE AVAILABLE AROUND CHRISTMAS
Finally, various readers have heard my seminar talks and want
to develop a deeper understanding of the Three Sacred Principles
– Mind (Spirit), Thought and Consciousness.
They are fascinated with the connection of Spirituality and
Psychology.
With regards to the last paragraph, I must give a personal
thanks and tribute to Sydney Banks, theosopher, writer and
teacher of these Three Universal Principles.
It was through his understanding that I found some essence of
understanding within my own soul. I heartily endorse all his
books, CD’s, tapes, videos and his website – www.sydneybanks.org.
The sharing of his spiritual insight single handedly has had the
greatest impact on my life, my happiness and my
understanding of what life really is.
In the end, I wrote this book to alleviate some of the
suffering of mankind, and to share a mystical journey with
Alita, one which will reveal the magic and wisdom of life,
as I understand it. .
Other Seminars Self-Esteem and the Job Search
Would you like to know the answer to the following questions:
ACT's 'Sacred Nature of Thought" Model will
change your community. Experience the Principles of this teaching
-- the understanding of the Principles empowers all listeners.
The Understanding of Thought is the Missing Link to understanding
life and will provide the cure and
prevention that you have always
dreamed of for your Native community, family and friends.
Alcoholism is misunderstood by many in the world today. Although
taught by many psychologists and alcoholic programs, alcoholism
is not a disease.
Alcoholism is a thought that became a bad habit in your
life. As a free thinking human being, you simply
began to indulge in the thought, and it became a way of life.
The cause of the drinking was your thought, and later I will suggest
the solution is thought.
Almost everybody tries alcohol, and generally for a long period
of our life. We start drinking in our teens, and we associate
happy times, good parties, sex and relief of stress with the drinking.
We often like it better than our non-drinking state. This belief
can become addictive and a pattern of life. Drinkers state, "whenever
I feel down, I drink". It is their belief and thoughts
that convinces them. It is their free will that asks for the drink,
convinces them to drink and it is their free will that stops them
from drinking when they get sick, broke or fed up with the ugly
feelings.
Once addicted to a thought, interestingly, it does take the appearance
of a disease. Your mental abilities spend most of its time coping
with your guilt, your relapses, your failures to discipline your
mind and finally your lower self esteem. This leads to continued
eroding of your behavior. You become dysfunctional, because the
Thought of drinking has a Great Power over you. Any thought that
occupies your consciousness to such a high percentage will have
this delusional effect.
Truth and Wisdom lies within everyone's soul and spirit. Mental
health lies within everyone's psyche or consciousness. It is our
natural state. When a baby is born, this mental health is evident.
We are born with it. Somewhere in our growing up stages, facilitated
by some of the teaching by our parents, teachers, friends, and
life, we start to develop beliefs about the physical and psychological
worlds -- and forget about our birthright i.e. what is Native
and inherent to our being.
Interestingly, if we do not indulge in negative thoughts, we become
happy and more spiritual. I am not suggesting mind discipline
i.e. you must not drink. I am not suggesting you will be punished,
if you do not stop drinking. What I am suggesting is you SIMPLY
DO NOT POSSESS ENOUGH UNDERSTANDING, or you would stop drinking.
That is why recovery centres work in the short term. Drinkers
stop drinking, which often brings them to a feeling of gratitude
and well being. However, without increased understanding, the
client usually walks back into their addiction.
One day I was watching the Drew Carey show with his brother as
a cross dresser (a man who dresses in woman's clothes, and something
which I have never done). Suddenly, I realized that I could be
a cross dresser, an alcoholic, or indulge in any sexual, terrorist
or murderous behaviors. Inside of every human being are all of
these -'floating thoughts' of each of the above - and yet
I have pretended all my life that this aspect of my human character
does not exist. Yet, not only do they exist, I can become any
of the above if I consciously or unconsciously chose to do so.
Humans choose to ACT or not act, using their THOUGHT process.
Unceremoniously, certain thought processes lead to addictive desires.
These desires create the delusion of overtaking the human free
will, and having a power of their own - thus, we have the definition
of addiction.
Clients and professionals like the disease analysis, because
this gives the power to something outside of themselves, beyond
what is within. But all solutions require the Spiritual
Power within, and giving power to a disease does the opposite,
especially when it is untrue. If we do not see what is Truth,
then we are using our intellect to try to solve a problem which
is beyond our intellect. Denial is not about seeing we are diseased,
but in denying the Truth that we are willing our life, and are
creating, both, our suffering and happiness via three Spiritual
Principles -- Mind, Thought and Consciousness.
Simply said, understanding must include how to psychologically
function on a healthy level. If Thought created a dependency on
alcohol, then that is the FIRST CAUSE of the alcoholism. We all
have a mind, and this personal mind can think whatever it wants.
This personal mind will often take us into lust, greed, addiction
and other bad habits. Ego is a funny thing -- we believe in it
until we realize the folly of our thoughts. The secret to a spiritual
insight is a Quiet Mind. Buddha talked about the state of No Thought.
Our personal thoughts or ego create a false state of identity
or self importance.
However, once our level of Consciousness rises, pure thought
before the contamination of our own personal thinking is experienced..
Pure Thought is Spiritual, and our job is to let it float
on through.
Your personal Thought activated the negative chain reaction
of suffering. Your free will via your thinking created those dysfunctional
behaviors. Nothing outside has ever created those things - not
chemical imbalances, not rape or mental/physical abuse, not your
parents or your teachers or residential schools. Residential schools
were ugly and disgusting, yet carrying those thoughts into the
present via your free will is often destructive.
Syd Banks wrote in "The Enlightened Gardener"
Disease philosophy is simply another way to persuade humans who
suffer to "give up hope". This hopelessness or pessimism
is the sickness which clouds over the core of the human being.
Once a human becomes hopeful, optimism rises. This change of attitude
almost always brings "good luck" and the possibility
of a healing.
Forgiveness is the lubricant to the healing process. Does that
mean I think all bad or negative experiences in the past should
simply be ignored. I am not saying anything of the sort.
I am simply saying forgiveness allows the human being to move
forward into their Spiritual Identity, Health, and Wisdom, as
endorsed by traditional Native teachings. Angry feelings about
the past maintains an angry feeling in the Present. This is not
healthy thinking, and in my opinion in most cases, a very unwise
use of the mind. You must use your mind wisely. However, you are
certainly free to use it unwisely, but be aware, this unwise thought
process creates all they dysfunctional reactions and bad habits
in you. If you want to drink, indulge in guilty and angry thoughts.
If you want to stop drinking, indulge in happiness. This happiness
will guide you to your own Inner Wisdom.
Here is where the answer lies to your drinking, and here is where
you will find the peace, happiness and contentment every human
being so desperately searches for.
If we experience Wisdom, why do we slip into lower psychological
moods? First, it is inevitable. Every day, our state of mind moves
up and down. Secondly, we re-activate those lower mental spaces
with our thoughts. If we see that it is our thinking that is creating
the problem, we wake up at that instant. If we do not see that
it is our thinking, this noisy thought continues until we wake
up.
So my answer to you is Wake Up and stop pretending to yourself
that other people have the answer for you. Your life is yours.
If a therapist, counselor or psychologist suggest to you that
alcoholism is a sickness that will be with you for the rest of
your life, recognize that they are innocent and are teaching Old
Fashioned Psychology as taught to them by their professors. They
believe you are an alcoholic forever, but obviously this is untrue.
What matters is what you believe and what you experience.
I asked a lady who was hooked on cocaine how she stopped, when
she learned what I have just written. Her answer was profound,
"when I found a feeling that was better than the cocaine,
that's where I went".
Every aspect of life is created from Spirit, as symbolized by
the outer circle or sacred wheel. Only the human mind fails to
see this. As the wise medicine men taught in the past, at the
centre of the sacred wheel is our free will to think whatever
we wish. When we go in the wrong direction, we, as human beings,
get out of harmony with the Great Spirit. This is where we have
all those mental problems because we get out of touch with our
Inner Self. An insecure and troubled mind is the result.
We have to find our way back to the centre of the wheel. Our thought
and free will guides us through life. If you want a beautiful
guide, you need to have beautiful thoughts. These beautiful thoughts
guide your life in being a happy, content human being. We need
to clear our thoughts of wrongful thinking, which brings you back
into the NOW. This releases you from the negative past that is
troubling your spirit.
Three Spiritual Principles take you back home. A quiet Mind is
a secure Mind. The power of a secure Mind is an insightful
understanding. Raising our level of Consciousness connects
us to the feeling of the Power Within. However, the connection
between Mind and Consciousness is Thought. Thought is the
spark, the eyes of our consciousness, and the creative agent for
Mind or Spirit. Without Thought, we could not point our minds
in any direction that we might wish
Dealing with Unemployment
Humans who are unemployed generally experience low self-esteem.
Work has a lot to do with happiness. Is it possible to be happy,
secure and content when one is out of work? The answer is YES,
because our self-esteem is not a product of our outside circumstances.
Rather it is a product of what we think of our outside circumstances.
A quiet mind is in touch with our Wisdom. This spiritual feeling
is undeniable, and exudes confidence and pride, even while being
unemployed.
The Job Interview
Yes, it is important to understand what the interviewer is looking
for, and yes, it is important to know what you are talking about,
but the most important aspect of any interview is to BE YOURSELF.
Job Satisfaction
A troubled mind is often full of fear, gossip and stress. Being
in a state of service takes our mind off ourselves and our ego,
bringing us back in contact with our inner Wisdom. Contentment
and job satisfaction is the result. If we are not busy complaining
about our job, our fellow employees and the work we do, then our
minds are naturally free to be content and satisfied. This creates
a mind which is free to think in a productive and effective manner.
The result is we become successful at what we are doing, rather
than creating our own suffering via the wrongful thinking of our
minds.
Stress and Being Unemployed
There is no doubt that being unemployed can be stressful. This
stress lowers our spirit, and severely handicaps our ability to
obtain employment. No stress is good. All stress is bad. So what
causes stress? It's our thinking, and our thoughts. We cannot
possibly experience stress, if our thoughts are positive. A secure
thought creates a positive feeling. Vice-versa, an insecure thought
creates a stressful feeling. It is our choice, but the key is
not discipline or coping with our problems. The key
is increasing our understanding of 'The Sacred Nature of Thought".
Spiritual Thought leads us to paradise here on earth and if paradise
includes employment, then that understanding is where the answer
lies.
Native Spirituality sees the CreatorGreat Spirit as God. Every
aspect of life is sacred; with Spirit being inside every
human. Often, the teachings are via legends, stories
and the wisdom of the Elders, with an intrinsic connection to
land, tradition and culture. It is a religion which is highly
ceremonial and experiential, with the ceremonies and traditions
varying from tribe to tribe.
For traditional Native Americans, there is no separation between
the sacred and the ordinary, nor any special Sunday for religious
practices. Every act, every thought, every feeling walks hand-in-hand
with Spirit.
All religions including Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Native
Spirituality, point to the Power of God, Allah, Mind or Great
Spirit. Perhaps it is the cultural differences and the path of
the original enlightened being that has allowed humans to experience
the same God in different fashions. Native Spirituality is not
a threat to other religions. The Native ceremonies and teachings
are simply a different way of praying, meditating and understanding
what Creator or God intended for us. There is pure Truth in Native
Spirituality, just as there is pure Truth in the words of Christ.
"Rather than going to church, I attend a sweat lodge; rather
than accepting bread from the Holy Priest, I smoke a ceremonial
pipe to come into Communion with the Great Spirit; and rather
than kneeling with my hands placed together in prayer, I let sweetgrass
be feathered over my entire being for spiritual cleansing and
allow the smoke to carry my prayers into the heavens. I am a Mi'kmaq,
and this is how we pray." 2
.
Not all Natives wish to experience their own culture, traditions
and ceremony. Many are more comfortable following a mainstream
religion or their own feelings. This is their religious right.
However, those who do wish to re-discover their Native Identity
or who are attracted to the beauty and positive feelings of Native
Spirituality must be allowed religious freedom in a free North
America.
Presently, Natives are the highest incarcerated population in
North American prisons, and unfortunately, prison sentences are
much longer in the United States than in Canada.
"Like many members of indigenous Tribes of North America
I grew up in a hostile world. From my small Nakona (Assiniboine
or Stoney) First Nation community about 60% of my cousins and
uncles were incarcerated in reformatories and later prison. One
summer day 35 years ago I remember having a conversation with
my relatives. The prisons that they had been in sounded like a
Johnny Cash song: Huntsville, Terre Haute, Leavenworth, Walla
Walla, McNeill Island, Folsom, San Quentin, Atlanta, Yuma, Deer
Lodge, Springfield and Sandstone." 3
With the arrival of the Europeans, the Native Way of Life and
its connection to the land, culture, ceremonies, language and
to the Creator dissolved. Tens of millions died due to sickness
and ill-advised government programs. The US and Canadian governments
instituted policies to force Natives onto reservations to encourage
them to become assimilated into the majority culture. Many would
say the Natives lost their self-esteem, because all that
he knew was forcibly removed from his life. Alcohol, residential
schools, greed and government dependence helped create a broken
society, which the establishment assumed would become assimilated
and integrated within their own culture and society.
Throughout the Boarding School and Termination Era's the Native
peoples were somehow able to hang onto what little culture they
still have, which is a shadow of what once was. It was the Spirit
within the People which allowed them to resurrect, and begin to
walk towards the 'Red Road' once again. The ceremonies and the
wisdom of the People simply went underground, until the government,
churches and society opened their minds and accepted the spiritual
and cultural needs of the People. Much was lost, but the spiritual
essence continued to beat, simply because Native Consciousness
includes Spirit and this is instinctive to the Native way
of thinking. Many had experienced this through the teaching
and stories of their Elders and sacred ceremonies.
However, even with this spiritual understanding, the psychological
hardships and harsh circumstances have proved difficult. The
results were many Natives became dysfunctional and ended up in
prison.
Traditional Native Spirituality has strengths and weaknesses,
and is only as wise as the Elder or teacher. Many of today's
psychological approaches and techniques practiced in prisons are
archaic and harmful. Some Christian chaplains are respected and
appreciated by inmates, others are prejudicial and despised.
In the 1940's and on, the Native population in prisons grew dis-proportionally
to the rest of the population. Canadian prisons have only recently
allowed Native sweat lodge ceremonies in every province; while
approximately ½ the states in the USA allow Native sweat
lodge ceremonies.
"A little over three and a half years ago, the Brothers
of Chillicothe Correctional Institution started a campaign to
fight for our Native rights. We are denied even the basic tenets
of our spirituality, and we are constantly being harassed during
our prayer circles and private meditations. We have filed numerous
grievances and Religious Accommodation Forms, to be able to possess
certain medicine tools, a designated area of the yard for prayer,
and to be recognized as a real religious group. During all of
this time period, we have been met with prejudice, ignorance,
and hate from the prison officials and Christian clergy."
4
"I spent many years with the Arizona Department of Corrections
as a spiritual advisor and I have learned many things that would
shock people as to the treatment towards inmates and the volunteers
or a contractor for religious purposes. I have never been attacked
or hurt bodily by any inmate while on the walk and I have met
the most beautiful people that I will ever meet. I am safer when
I go into the units and am alone with the inmates. This has been
proven a thousand times over as I have had some terrible things
happen to me from staff and clergy members. I have learned about
my own failings and my own ego, and I have been given the gift
of respect, love and prayers that has kept me going on this walk
until I pass on to Creator." 5
As the strength and political awareness of the Native People increases,
Native organizations, such as Native American Prison Support (NAPS),
are fighting to ensure the Spiritual rights of the People.
There is a growing awareness by the Native population and utilization
of the Internet on how to 'fight' this injustice. More and
more sweat lodges, sacred pipes, Elders and other forms of traditional
healing are becoming a part of the prison scenes. However, progress
is slow and there is still much ignorance and prejudice within
many prison systems and the Christian clergy.
There is no doubt that many Natives are suffering in prisons.
They often experience anger, prejudice and lack of forgiveness
for the injustices they see in life. Life in prison is not easy,
and anyone who experiences fear and insecurity on a daily level
is going to have a very difficult time, whether in or out of prison.
"I am the Bundle Keeper, and Pipe Carrier for the Native
American Spiritual and Cultural Council at the Indiana State Prison.
I have something for you to bear in mind. Statistics say that
something like 98% of those incarcerated are going to eventually
be back outside. Would you rather have them pretty much the same
as when they went in, except even angrier, or would you rather
they have used their time to learn about their traditions, ways,
and spirituality?"6
i) Are Prisoners less Spiritual?
Native and Non-Natives end up in prison for different reasons.
In some cases, prison is effective as there is time to reflect
and re-contact their Inner Self or Spirit. I implore the reader
not to make the mistaken assumption that inmates are less spiritual
than normal citizens. In fact, many inmates are more spiritual
than many of the teachers and counselors who go into prison to
help them. Everyone is spiritual and possesses unlimited potential.
ii) Why would One return to Crime when One believes every Thought
is Sacred?
'Every aspect of life is created from Spirit, as symbolized by
the outer circle or sacred wheel. Only the human mind fails
to see this. As the wise medicine men taught in the past, at
the centre of the sacred wheel is our free will to think whatever
we wish. When we go in the wrong direction, we, as human
beings, get out of harmony with the Great Spirit. This is where
we have all those mental problems because we get out of touch
with our Inner Self. An insecure and troubled mind is the result.'
7
This is a psychological fact of life. When a Native American
indulges in pessimistic thoughts, the results are often the repeat
of bad habits. The consequences of these bad habits often result
in re-incarceration. Another lesson in life is required.
'Our thought and free will guides us through life. If we want
a beautiful guide, we need to have beautiful thoughts. These
beautiful thoughts guide our life in being a happy, content human
being. We need to clear our thoughts of wrongful thinking, which
brings us back into the NOW. This releases everyone from the
negative past that is troubling their spirit.' 7
iii) Why practice Native Spirituality in prison and ignore
Native Spirituality outside of prison?
Once again, all humans have the freedom to think whatever they
wish. In this case, many Natives, who possess a high degree of
spirituality, still become lost in their anger, doubt, self-pity
and stressful lives. Many become lost in Native and non-Native
politics. Others simply cannot make the transition from an institutional
life to one of freedom - those in the know would say there are
a lack of understanding and prison programs for the preparation
of an individual once they are paroled from prison.
In the final analysis, the deeper one's connection to Creator
or God, the greater they experience psychological freedom..
Wisdom and self-esteem walk together (much like fertile soil and
a blooming flower) creating a secure Mind for the individual.
This is the cornerstone of why Native Spirituality in
Prisons is necessary and fundamental to the healing process for
those who wish self-expression in this direction.
Larry Petersen, a 33 year old Lakota Native American is presently
incarcerated at High State Desert Prison, a maximum security
prison in Nevada. He carries a sacred eagle pipe, conducts sweat
lodges on the prison grounds and teaches a Spiritual/Psychological
class for fellow prisoners. The chaplain encourages his activity
within the prison.
His is a great story - he went into prison 14 years ago possessing
a strong spiritual understanding via his Native teachings, and
in prison, at Health Realization classes, he came to grasp the
basic principles of a healthy psychological life. He has now
had the privilege to teach these principles to 287 fellow prisoners
in a class in Prison, as well as guiding them in the ways of Native
Spirituality.
One the students, MJ - "When I came in the class, I blamed
everyone around me for being in prison. Now since I have been
in this class on the 3 Principles of Mind, Thought and Consciousness,
I see that there is no one to blame but me. Now today, I change
my thinking in a better way. Today I can relax, I don't have to
have stress or anger in my life. Now I can be a better person
and help others. I can be a happier person today and I will make
good choices today in my life." 8
References:
ACT
First Nation Projects
ACT
ACT EVALUATION
FROM STUDENTS AT TSAWWASSEN FIRST NATIONS
1. Did you enjoy the class? Yes (9) No Sort of (2)
Are you glad that the class was introduced? Yes (9) No Sort
of (2)
2. Did you ever pick up a good feeling in the class? Yes (8)
No (2)
3. Did you feel that the teachers understood Self-Esteem?
Yes (11) No (0) Sort of (0)
Did you feel that the teachers tried their best? Yes (10)
No Sort of (1)
4. What did you learn that helped you the most?
9. What is Self-Esteem?
ACT
"Alita's Journey to Truth"
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After reading this book, if you appreciate or enjoy this shareware book, please mail a cheque or money order to ACT Training Inc. for $10.
In many ways this is an unusual book; every reader who likes it has been attracted to it for different reasons.
Some are drawn to the Native Alita, the sweats and her understanding
of Native mythology and ceremony. Others who experience specific
psychological problems such as loneliness and grief or the death
of a loved one; this book has helped them to understand the
healing power that lies deep within each human being.
Some have been attracted to Alita’s wisdom, which is often far
greater than the general level of professional advice given in
today’s world, while others have been attracted to Alita’s love
relationship. The Power of a SECURE
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