Ask PW about her faith

[painted wolf]

All respectful questions answered.
Mind you, this is about my faith, I speak for myself and I am not an elder... I can't tell you about particular nations and there are some details that for spiritual reasons I must keep to myself. But I will do my best to answer any question you may have.

wa:do

 

[Danmac]

All respectful questions answered.
Mind you, this is about my faith, I speak for myself and I am not an elder... I can't tell you about particular nations and there are some details that for spiritual reasons I must keep to myself. But I will do my best to answer any question you may have.

wa:do

Tell me about your faith. I give you my word that emotion will not prompt any of my responses.

 

[Storm]

I don't even know enough to ask an intelligent question.

Perhaps you could give us a brief introduction?

 

[painted wolf]

Where would you like me to begin? I try to walk the path of my First Nations ancestors... Right mow most of my influence has been from elders of Cherokee, Abenaki and Mi'kmaq nations.
I'm not legally a member of any nation (there are government regulations on tribal membership and I don't feel like jumping through the hoops for one... and Cherokee are traditionally matralineal and I get my Cherokee blood from my father.) Thus I make no claims beyond my own experience.

My faith is monotheistic, there are no holy books, no money is ever involved and all spiritual experience is personal.

wa:do

 

[tumbleweed41]

PW,

As a Biologist, do you ever have trouble reconciling your faith with the natural sciences?

 

[Storm]

Hmmm, where to begin?

1) What is the basic theology (theism, pantheism, etc.) and what is Creator's role in our world (is S/He/It an interventionist deity)?

2) How do you live your spirituality? Do you attend communal worship, pray, practice magic, etc.?

3) Does your faith provide you with any particular moral code? If so, can you summarize? If not, why is that?

4) You say you're monotheistic, does that leave room for totems? If so, what is their role?

How's that for starters?

 

[painted wolf]

As a Biologist, do you ever have trouble reconciling your faith with the natural sciences?

Not really... my faith is based on ones relationship with creator and the natural world. The Lakota have a saying: Mitakuye Oyasin "All my relations" that includes all living things, we are all related.

wa:do

 

[Onkara]

Hello
How do you know you are not making it up as you go along or modernising it?
That's fine of course, but I have the impression from post 4 that you are living in continuation of tradition?

This is not passing judgment, just curious.

Respectfully, Onkarah.

 

[tumbleweed41]

Not really... my faith is based on ones relationship with creator and the natural world. The Lakota have a saying: Mitakuye Oyasin "All my relations" that includes all living things, we are all related.

wa:do

Thanks.

 

[painted wolf]

1) What is the basic theology (theism, pantheism, etc.) and what is Creator's role in our world (is S/He/It an interventionist deity)?

Monotheistic. Creator is non-interventionist (at least in the classic, miracle working sense) but there are other spiritual forces that do influence things.

2) How do you live your spirituality? Do you attend communal worship, pray, practice magic, etc.?

Prayer is very important as a key to displaying thankfulness, and generally I spend a lot of time praying. Generally you don't pray to ask for things, though asking for help for others is ok. Communal worship can be tricky when there are not a lot of fellow practitioners around... but occasionally I get to join in some group spirituality at pow-wows. (Dancing is another form of praying in traditional ways, but some dances are just for fun.)
Magic is a no-no... you are attempting to manipulate things for your own benefit and that is inherently antithetical to walking in thankfulness and balance.
I try to purify myself, through smudging and other forms of ritual cleansing but I have to admit, I haven't been as dedicated as I should be on this. Clearly this is an area I need to work on.

3) Does your faith provide you with any particular moral code? If so, can you summarize? If not, why is that?

Generally one is ment to walk in ballance and thankfulnes... don't take more than you need, give what you have to those that have greater need than you...
Think about the consequences of your actions not just on those living now (and not just for humans), but for seven generations beyond yourself. In other words, always place others before yourself.
All parts of creation are equal, none are less loved by creator... Animals and plants are our elder brothers and sisters and we need to learn from and respect them. (the same goes for the Earth)

4) You say you're monotheistic, does that leave room for totems? If so, what is their role?

Totems are specific to Pacific Northwest Nations and are guardian spirits for families. They are not worshiped but are respected. I don't have one as I'm not part of a Nation that has them.
I do have some spirits that look over and guide me... such as Grandfather Coyote. (Grandfather is a term of respect) But I don't pray to him or worship him.

How's that for starters?

That is a good start! Hopefully my answers were clear enough to understand! lol
If not feel free to ask me more.

wa:do

 

[Storm]

Monotheistic. Creator is non-interventionist (at least in the classic, miracle working sense) but there are other spiritual forces that do influence things.

Like what?

Magic is a no-no... you are attempting to manipulate things for your own benefit and that is inherently antithetical to walking in thankfulness and balance.
I try to purify myself, through smudging and other forms of ritual cleansing but I have to admit, I haven't been as dedicated as I should be on this. Clearly this is an area I need to work on.

Isn't that magic? Is there a difference between "magic" and "medicine," or am I just parroting Hollywood?

Generally one is ment to walk in ballance and thankfulnes... don't take more than you need, give what you have to those that have greater need than you...
Think about the consequences of your actions not just on those living now (and not just for humans), but for seven generations beyond yourself. In other words, always place others before yourself.
All parts of creation are equal, none are less loved by creator... Animals and plants are our elder brothers and sisters and we need to learn from and respect them. (the same goes for the Earth)

Beautiful.

Totems are specific to Pacific Northwest Nations and are guardian spirits for families. They are not worshiped but are respected. I don't have one as I'm not part of a Nation that has them.
I do have some spirits that look over and guide me... such as Grandfather Coyote. (Grandfather is a term of respect) But I don't pray to him or worship him.

What's the difference between a Grandfather spirit and a totem?

That is a good start! Hopefully my answers were clear enough to understand! lol
If not feel free to ask me more.

Very helpful, and I did.

wa:do

Thank YOU!

 

[England my lionheart]

Do you use a sweat Lodge in any spiritual cleansing rites,i'm curious because it was something i read a long time ago about them

 

[Magic Man]

Generally one is ment to walk in ballance and thankfulnes... don't take more than you need, give what you have to those that have greater need than you...

So, you're a communist!

Did you learn your spirituality from your parents? Did you have any other teachers/guides?

Sidenote: I notice you mentioned the Mi'kmaq, which I was just reading about the other day in reading about the Acadian expulsion from Acadia. Just funny how things come up like that.

 

[painted wolf]

Hello
How do you know you are not making it up as you go along or modernising it?
That's fine of course, but I have the impression from post 4 that you are living in continuation of tradition?

This is not passing judgment, just curious.

Respectfully, Onkarah.

No tradition or religion is static... But I try not to invent things and stick as closely as I'm able to what elders have taught me.
Granted there are things today that simply couldn't be accounted for 100 years ago... computers for example. How to handle storytelling online and so on.
You can't live as though the past 400 years never happened.. but you can try to harmonize traditional faith and values with modernity.
If there is something I don't know, I seek advice from them and if it is something they don't know, they seek advice from other elders.

The hardest part is being separated from cultural centers where major ceremonies and teaching happens. But I make do with what I have. I hope to be able to visit different Nations and deepen my level of personal knowledge.
I wasn't raised in the faith, so I have a long walk ahead of me... I can only try to be as respectful and careful as possible about the steps I take.

wa:do

 

[Just_me_Mike]

I was in a relationship for a while with a Sac n fox girl (last name Youngbear), and she introduced me to Fry Bread, and I can't remember the name of it, but it was a bushy type incense used a lot, but not like a stick you know.

Anyway, do you love fry-bread too!?

 

[painted wolf]

Like what?

Like Grandfather Coyote.

Isn't that magic? Is there a difference between "magic" and "medicine," or am I just parroting Hollywood?

Magic in the classic sense is using power to harm/manipulate others... medicine is ones personal power, usually over oneself..and your relationship with the spirit-world.

What's the difference between a Grandfather spirit and a totem?

A totem is a family spirit. It is the same for you as for your siblings and your parents... and families have several as they are a marker of lineage. Thus, a totem pole traditionally is an expression of ones heritage and bloodline.
Grandfather Coyote is a personal spirit, he chooses who he teaches individually and for how long and in what capacity.

wa:do

 

[Storm]

Magic in the classic sense is using power to harm/manipulate others... medicine is ones personal power, usually over oneself..and your relationship with the spirit-world.

Tell me more.

A totem is a family spirit. It is the same for you as for your siblings and your parents... and families have several as they are a marker of lineage. Thus, a totem pole traditionally is an expression of ones heritage and bloodline.
Grandfather Coyote is a personal spirit, he chooses who he teaches individually and for how long and in what capacity.

Do the personal spirits have a word, or are they just "spirits?"

 

[painted wolf]

Do you use a sweat Lodge in any spiritual cleansing rites,i'm curious because it was something i read a long time ago about them

I have not... Someday I hope to be lucky enough to be invited to one... but it is a powerful ceremony and not something I would seek out on a whim. It requires a lot of trust on all sides. (and can be deadly if done wrong)

wa:do

 

[painted wolf]

So, you're a communist!

More like a socialist. Communism is state-capitalism and inherently corrupt.

Did you learn your spirituality from your parents? Did you have any other teachers/guides?

No, my parents are members of another faith that just never felt right to me. I have learned a lot from elders I have been fortunate enough to meet. One of whom sadly passed on recently. She was my "grandmother" for many years.

And yes, I love a good coincidence... they make life far more enjoyable.

wa:do

 

[painted wolf]

I was in a relationship for a while with a Sac n fox girl (last name Youngbear), and she introduced me to Fry Bread, and I can't remember the name of it, but it was a bushy type incense used a lot, but not like a stick you know.

Smudge? Usually bound white sage... but you can add others things like cedar, tobacco, sweetgrass and other things. Smoke is widely used to cleanse and carry prayers.

Anyway, do you love fry-bread too!?

Absolutely! :jiggy:
It is perfect for stretching out a meal when you have unexpected (but always welcome) company.

wa:do