An Indigenous Philosophy Of Living
Daily Herald January 23, 1988
- All things are interrelated. Everything is part of a single wholeness.
It's connected in some way to everything else. It's only possible
to understand something if you understand this connected-ness. Things
may be different, but are interrelated and all have value in themselves.
- Everything is in a state of constant change. One season falls
upon the other. We are born, live and die. All things change. There
are 2 kinds of change, the coming together of things and the coming
apart of things. Both kinds are necessary and are connected to each
other.
- Change occurs in cycles and patterns. If you can't see how one
change is related to something else, it's often because your point
of view of looking at it restricts your being able to see the total
picture.
- The physical and spiritual worlds are both real. They are two
aspects of one reality. Breaking a spiritual principle affects the
physical world and vice versa. A balanced life is one that respects
both worlds.
- People are both physical and spiritual beings. You exist, but
you also have a reason or purpose for existing.
- People can learn new gifts & talents but it's a struggle.
True learning isn't easy. It's a process of developing new personal
qualities.
- There are four dimensions to 'true learning'. You learn in a whole
and balanced manner when you're aware of, and meet your mental, spiritual,
physical and emotional needs.
- The spiritual part of ourselves consists of 4 related capacities
to:
-
- a)have, and respond to dreams, ideals, goals and principles;
- b)accept the above as a reflection of our unrealized potential;
- c)express our potential, using symbols such as speech, language,
art or mathematics;
- d)use the above in activities directed at making what may
at first appear only to be "possible" to become "real"
in your life;
- People must actively take part in developing their potential and
life.
- People must decide to develop their potential. The path will always
be there, for those people who decide to travel it.
- Anyone who sets out on a journey of self-growth or self-development
is helped. Others will assist them on the journey as guides and protectors.
- The only source of failure is a person's own failure to follow
the teachings of the above principles of living.
The above principles can create a challenge
and make life meaningful. They're traditional to Canada. They're the
philosophy of the original Canadians, the Indian people. It reflects
a heritage we all can use in our own personal journeys of growth and
development, providing we decide to use that opportunity to discover
our potential. It can be used within ourselves and within the world,
since both are part of one reality.
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