I have always felt a strong pull and affinity toward the wisdom of Native Americans. In my reading recently, I ran across the Native American Code of Ethics and thought that it felt timely and worthy of sharing with you. I hope you will appreciate the beauty and simplicity of it’s teaching as much as I do.
- Rise with the sun to pray. Pray alone. Pray often. The Great Spirit will listen, if you only you speak.
- Be tolerant of those who are lost on their path. Ignorance,
conceit, anger, jealousy and greed stem from a lost soul. Pray that
they will find guidance. - Search for yourself, by yourself. Do not allow others to make
your path for you. It is your road, and yours alone. Others may walk it
with you, but no one can walk it for you. - Treat the guests in your home with much consideration. Serve them
the best food, give them the best bed and treat them with respect and
honor. - Do not take what is not yours whether from a person, a community,
the wilderness or from a culture. It was not earned nor given. It is
not yours. - Respect all things that are placed upon this earth–whether it be people, animal or plant. Honor the Spirit in all things.
- Honor other people’s thoughts, wishes and words. Never interrupt
another or mock or rudely mimic them. Allow each person the right to
personal expression. - Never speak of others in a bad way. The negative energy that you
put out into the universe will multiply when it returns to you. All
persons make mistakes. And all mistakes can be forgiven. Bad thoughts
cause illness of the mind, body and spirit. Practice optimism. - Nature is not for us, it is a part of us. They are part of your worldly family.
- Children are the seeds of our future. Plant love in their hearts
and water them with wisdom and life’s lessons. When they are grown,
give them space to grow. - Avoid hurting the hearts of others. The poison of your pain will return to you.
- Be truthful at all times. Honesty is the test of ones will within this universe.
- Keep yourself balanced. Your mental self, spiritual self,
emotional self, and physical self–all need to be strong, pure and
healthy. Work out the body to strengthen the mind. Grow rich in spirit
to cure emotional ails. - Make conscious decisions as to who you will be and how you will react. Be responsible for your own actions.
- Respect the privacy and personal space of others. Do not touch
the personal property of others–especially sacred and religious
objects. This is forbidden. - Be true to yourself first. You cannot nurture and help others if you cannot nurture and help yourself first.
- Respect others religious beliefs. Do not force your belief on others.
- Share your good fortune with others. Participate in charity. Be
willing to give back to the people, so that People will live.
~ Terri Jean, from The Good Red Road, The Turquoise Butterfly Press
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