“The first peace, which is the most important, is that which comes within the souls of people when they realize their relationship, their oneness with the universe and all its powers, and when they realize that at the center of the universe dwells the Great Spirit, and that this center is really everywhere, it is within each of us.” Black Elk
Black Elk was a Souix medicine man who was at the Battle of Little Bighorn and was wounded in the Massacre at Wounded Knee. In his later life, his writings and insight into Native American ritual and spirituality were very important advances in our understanding of Native American culture. My guess is that he probably had a lot of influence on the hippy movement in the sixties as well, but Dad can tell you more about that. This is from the book Black Elk Speaks.
Today, I am meditating on this single idea. God, the Great Spirit, dwells at the center of everything. Nothing begins or ends, nothing lives or dies, nothing at all exists without God. Therefore, the best way to find the peace that you seek, is through God. In this way we can realize that God is a true part of each of us. This gives me a feeling of great courage and faith. Understanding that I am a part of the universe of souls so to speak, can eliminate the doubt and loneliness that accompanies times of trial.
Dad said yesterday, “You are not alone.” This is also the key message from Black Elk, and the surest way to find, the first peace.
Walter
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