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Ongoing Workshops:Two Canoes Press is proud to support the following workshops by Grandfather Sings-Alone. CONVERSATIONS WITH THE GRANDMOTHER and WALK IN BEAUTY: A NATIVE PATH TO DEEP SPIRITUALITY
CONVERSATIONS WITH THE GRANDMOTHER
Grandmother Earth is our life giver. In the Native American way, we think of all
our relations (stones, trees, birds, fish, four leggeds and two leggeds) as the
product of the cosmic and continuing orgasm between Grandmother Earth and
Grandfather Sun.
There is a general consensus between scientists and spiritual leaders that the
Grandmother (Unci Maka) is in trouble. A group of nineteen medicine men
representing several northwestern tribes meet every summer to compare their
visions from the previous year. Two years ago they independently reported that
the Grandmother was in danger of leaving us. When we asked about that later, the
Spirits said that she is turning away in grief because She can no longer protect
all Her children from the indifference of Her human children.
This report has caused such consternation among native people. What can we do?
We worry about the future of our children and grandchildren. We try always to
think of the next seven generations. Without the Grandmother, there can be no
seven generations.
Last summer the Spirits told Grandfather Sings-Alone that he had to become a
warrior for the Grandmother Earth, and he invites you to join him in this holy
work. He has developed a workshop in which we can take several approaches to
helping Unci Maka.
We will look at the practical things we can do to conserve energy and ease our
dependence on fossil fuels.
We will try to open our hearts and minds by prayer, chanting and drumming. The
more spiritual we become, the more we will be in touch with Her.
We will experience novel ways of entering into a personal relationship with
Grandmother. The more we are one with Her, the more sensitive we will be to Her
needs, and the more She will be able to help us.
Wear loose clothing. Bring a cushion so that you can sit comfortably on the
floor. Bring your drums and rattles. Bring any medicine object (stone, crystal,
plant, pelt) with which you would like to enter a deeper relationship. We will
use these as bridges to the Grandmother.
Bring your open, loving, inquiring mind and be ready to have “high” fun.
A fee will be charged but Grandfather Sings-Alone will accept no money for this
workshop. Beyond covering his travel expenses, your fee will be divided between
the sponsoring institution and Green Peace or the National Resource Defense
Council.
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WALK IN BEAUTY: A NATIVE PATH TO DEEP SPIRITUALITY
Many
people are searching for ways to deepen their spiritual lives. This workshop
will explore native approaches to getting in touch with one’s deeper self.
Starting with the recognition that all are one, that we belong to each other,
that in some ways we are the same as each other, and that we are of the same
stuff as the whole creation........... starting here, we will explore ways of
experiencing this sameness and of finding the sacred within ourselves. In doing
so, our spiritual experience and connection to the Great Mystery becomes a part
of our everyday lives.
A long time ago, the Spirits told Sings-Alone that he should begin each day with
a dance of gratitude. He has since understood this dance as including not only
gratitude, but joy, appreciation, and recognition of beauty all around.
Beginning each morning this way has made an incredible difference in his life.
He will teach this simple and yet profound way of beginning each day by walking
in beauty.
An important concept in native spirituality is the phrase, “Mitakuye
Oyas’in”(all my relations). These words are used to close prayers and to signify
the end of any ritual movement. They help us recognize that we are truly all
one. This workshop will use experiential exercises and stories to explore the
meaning of this phrase and to deepen our sense of connection with each other and
with the sacred.
Many Indian tribes have prophecies of the end times, the end of the age. There
is consensus that we are moving through the last years of an old age, and
looking forward to a new age being born. The coming years will be chaotic and
stressful, and the only way human beings will survive will be by depending on
each other, taking care of each other, respecting and loving each other as
Sacred Beings. This workshop is in the stream of teachings aimed at preparing
all of us to fully participate in the birthing of a new age of enlightenment
where all races will be human in the best sense of the word.
Mitakuye Oyas’n
Duncan Sings-Alone
Duncan Sings-Alone, a Cherokee healer and spiritual teacher, has been a practicing ceremonialist for nearly 40 years. Widely respected among the people, Duncan is part of the Georgia Tribe of Eastern Cherokee Indians. He founded the Free Cherokees, an intertribal cultural organization, in the late 80s and is considered their Grandfather Chief.
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Feedback About "WALK IN BEAUTY"
As the Director of Harmony Center I look to offer exceptional classes, and Duncan Sings-Alone's workshops top my "most wanted" list. Everyone who came to his most recent workshop, "Walk in Beauty: A Native Path to Deep Spirituality," spoke about how meaningful this experience was for them. The meditative exercises built upon each other and gently helped them to know, deep inside themselves, that we are all one. And they took home practices that will enable them to continue deepening this knowing.
Lesley Irene Shore, Ph.D.
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Feb. 2010
Duncan Sings-Alone will present at the five-day
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Contact Information
Two Canoes Press, PO Box 334, Hopkinton, MA 01748 or TwoCanoesPress@TwoCanoesPress.com.
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