Ancient Origins

The origins of the American Indian peoples and the teachings that are at the very root of their culture may lie hidden in their myths and legends. Certainly among the stories of various tribes and hints of an ancient wisdom that was the foundation of all religions and was brought by "wise men" who came from "afar".  Some people have speculated that the stories refer to the survivors of lands now submerged beneath the seas as a result of a cataclysmic ecological disaster that changed the configuration of the Earth's land masses many thousands of years ago, whilst writers like Erich Von Daniken make strong suggests of visitations by intelligent and more highly evolved beings - space travelers from another planet.

Basic to Ameridan Medicine teaching is the idea that the human being has cosmic origins. They imply we come to Earth to learn through many lives and that there is a form of space travel, which is a journey of the Soul.

In all Native Americans have psychic gifts and abilities, which they have passed down from generation to generation having no fear but a deep respect and understanding using their gifts with wisdom and knowledge. Below we will discuss various ideas of the Native American.

We are now going to talk about their medicine wheels, earth medicine and medicine ways.

Earth Medicine is derived from the Medicine Wheel, which was known among the ancients as the Creation Wheel - the Key Driver Wheel that drives the "wheels within wheels" within the spirals of Creation.  Earth Medicine can help us to extend and raise our perspective and to consciously create an infinity movement that will put us in balance and harmony and result in a more fulfilling life.

The Elements can be referred to as the Four Planes of Reality.

Earth: is related to the physical, Material Plane of ordinary, everyday reality- the world of matter which is perceived through the five physical senses of sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell.  Earth is related to the physical body and is associated with the sensations. Earth people may find that stability and the need for security is an essential part of their nature.

Earth contains. Earth is stability. Earth is the foundation of the Elements and the one we are most comfortable with because it is stable and solid and dependable. Earth is the realm of abundance and prosperity. Earth expresses itself particularly in:

Practicalities.

Patience and persistence.

Sensuality.

Conservatism

Cautiousness

The polarity of Earth is yin (-) because it is fertile, nurturing and fruitful. Earth seeks expression through work in its three ways of activity – through initiating work, through completing work, or by changing the way work is done.

Water: is related to the Astral Plane- the plane of desire-whose reality is perceived through the feelings and the emotions. Water is related to the soul and is associated with the emotions and feelings. Water people are likely to be adaptable and easy-going, and may find the necessity of fitting in with their surroundings and with others essential to their feeling at ease.

Water dispenses. Water is a fluid and constantly changing. It is the element of absorption and germination. Water is the realm of love and the emotions. Water expresses itself particularly in:

Imagination.

Sympathy and understanding

Sensitivity

Introverted behavior.

The polarity of Water is yin (-) because it is receptive.  Water seeks expression through ideals – through formulating and establishing them or through modifying them to suit the changing times.

 Air: is related to the Mental Plane- the realm of thought and creativity-whose reality is perceived through the mind. Air is related to the mind and is associated with the thinking-with thoughts and ideas. Air is the great transforming element the is in constant motion. So air-orientated people may find themselves darting hither and thither, busying themselves in all sorts of activities, or perhaps, only finding satisfaction when there are plenty of things to do. They need activity or they become easily bored.
Air stimulates. Air is clear and uncluttered. Air provides impetus. Air is the realm of thought and the intellect, and expresses itself particularly in:
      Mental and verbal communication.
      Ideas.
      Social popularity.

The polarity of Air is yang (+) because it is active and expansive. Air seeks expression through communication – by taking the initiative in communication, by putting into form what has already been communicated and by changing the methods of communication.

Fire: is related to the Spiritual Plane, which is perceived through the heart. The Spiritual Plane is experienced through giving itself can the isolated, individual self experience the being of another, and by so doing experience the very essence of life itself. Fire is related to the spirit and is associated with the intuition. Fire people will have a fiery enthusiasm for almost anything that captures their interest as a particular time, and may find a need to curb a tendency to be so all-consuming that they become possessive.

Fire energizes. Fire ignites and consumes. Fire is the element of transmutation – it brings about dramatic changes.  Fire is the realm of spirituality, of sexuality and passion. It expresses itself particularly in:

Creativity.

            Enthusiasm and drive.

            Extroverted behavior.

            Versatility.

The polarity of Fire is yang (+) because it penetrating.  Fire seeks expression through ideas – by initiating new ideas, consolidating accepted ideas, and by making changes to ideas to meet fresh circumstances.

The elemental forces seek to express themselves in three-way cycle activities:

1.      The Way of Creating and Initiating.

2.      The Way of Preserving or Consolidating.

3.      The way of Transition or Changing.

So the first stages of the cycle of activity are initiatory. It is getting things doing by application of energy (Fire).  The second state is to ensure that what has been started is going to hold and be made more permanent, so what has been started must be consolidated. The stability of Earth is applied. The action of Fire produces gas (Air), which, through condensation, becomes Water. So the mingling of these two previous stages produces change. The third stage then is Change, or the transition from one condition to another. Water, therefore follows Air in this cyclic pattern.

CENTRING YOURSELF

Centring means balancing ingoing and outgoing forces. It is a form of meditation. It requires the recognition that you are at the centre of your own universe, and that you can also be at one with the infinite power of the universe.

Meditation is a means of finding the Centre, of discovering your own centre, and by so doing benefiting physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

For meditation to be effective on all four levels of one’s being, it is necessary to create four essential conditions. You need to:

            Create the Time. You have to exert the will to set aside a period in the day to meditate.

            Create the Space. To mediate effectively you need to find your own space – your own place in the universe, which is entirely yours and where you can be free from distraction and interruption.

            Create the Power. As a preliminary to meditation itself, it is necessary to relax the physical body and the mind and to release any tension that might otherwise block the flow of vital energies through the chakras. It is best to wear something loose fitting, sit comfortably, then relax the body by simply letting go of all bodily tensions, starting at the feet and working up to the head. Relax the mind by letting go of all mental worries and anxieties, and all the cares and concerns about your work, your home, and your family. Close your eyes and picture a peaceful beauty spot. Listen for the sounds of Nature all around you – the gentle lapping of waves on the sand, the song of the bird in the trees, the soft dance of flowing water. Smell the tang of the sea air, the musky freshness of the trees the clear fragrance of grass and heather and wild flowers. Feel the soft sand under your feet, or the springiness of grass. Let your imagination activate your inner senses in this way you will be creating for yourself a beautiful, relaxing mind-space where you can go anytime and be secure, safe and tranquil.

Another element in the air, which is not recognized because it cannot be seen or measured, is what the Chinese call chi and the Japanese call Ki. It means life force. It is not a physical substance but pure spirit-energy. It permeates all things and activates every atom, keeping everything that is in existence shimmering and vibrating. It comes to us in the food we earth, in the water, in light from the Sun, but we have access to it in its most immediate form through air.

Rhythmic breathing is a way of exacting more of this life force and by channeling it through the chakras, utilizing it more. By so doing the more vitality you will possess, the greater will become our sense of awareness, and the more effective will be your creativity.

Create the Vision. Visualization is the creation of a mental picture of an object or a situation. In visualization you are making use of the power of our imagination, which is part of the creative energy of the universe, to create for you an image of what you want.

Native American Earth Medicine & Information have been taken from the books  “Earth Medicine” by Kenneth Meadows and “The Medicine Way” by Kenneth Meadows. You can find further information on Native Americans in these books are similar books through your local library or book stores.