One Way to Achieve Oneness

Whenever I get the opportunity to teach a workshop on the Medicine Wheel, or Medicine Shields, or to lecture on Native American Lifeways, I take it. And in each of these I will teach early on what I call the Relationship Exercise, which goes something like this. I begin with a somewhat lengthy discussion of language differences between European (industrial) cultures such as English, French, German, Spanish, etc. and Indigenous (subsistence, or non-industrial) cultures; Native American, for instance. This goes well beyond words and grammar. Outside of most European languages there is no direct translation, only transliteration, an approximation of what a phrase or word might mean. Add to this the complexities that absent referent, cultural assumptions, economy and technology bring and it becomes apparent why there have been so many problems communicating with one another throughout history. But the biggest difference, in my limited view, is that industrial-based languages are noun based and non-industrial languages are verb based. What does this mean? Noun based languages (cultures) name everything, and to such a degree that anything with a name becomes an object. Once objectified, it is much easier to take possession of, to control, and to separate from (in the mind). Verb based languages (cultures) think in terms of relationship. That is, instead of cultivating a possessory mindset, or worldview, Indigenes think in terms of what their relationship is to everything in their universe, animate or otherwise. This may seem subtle, even insignificant, at first. But when it comes to how people relate to literally every other person, animal, plant, indeed their entire environment and everything in it, the differences in worldview and of one’s relative place in the universe are profound. They are, in my view, at the very core of how cultures not only see themselves, but of how they treat literally everything in their respective realities, from land to animals to the environment to religion to other people. It is much easier to bring war against objects than people, for instance, and to prosecute those wars the same way we build cars and computers; through mass production. Needless to say, my vote is cast with those who think in terms of relation and relationship. For those of you actively pursuing the Red Road Lifeways, this is critical, because most of us come from mainstream culture, which is definitely noun based. And for those of you interested in creating a more productive life experience, please consider this as well. Once you’ve done this exercise for several months, your shift in thinking will astound you. You’ll have a genuine appreciation of all that is around you and you’ll become acutely aware that you are in relationship with literally every thing and with every person, animal, plant, and more in your universe and beyond. And it’s simple. Stop naming and stop possessing. Start relating and start allowing. It is no longer, "My wife, Louise..." it is now, "She who walks by my side." "She who brings me great happiness." "She who makes me laugh." "She who believes in me, even when I don’t." And every time you think of her, or him, or them, or the institution, think of a different aspect of your relationship with that person, place, institution etc. and address them as such. When you start, pick just one person (easiest) that is close to you, and focus on just that person for the day. The next day, take someone or something not as close. Alternate days, going from the very familiar to the not familiar. Pick someone or something new every day. When you call that person or thing by its old noun based name, with any of the many implications and assumptions attendant to it, no biggie. Simply remind yourself to hop back into relational thinking. And continue. Do this forever, until the day you leave this planet. The more you do, the more deeply you’ll understand this whole idea of Oneness, that "we are all one," what the Lakota refer to in the phrase mitakuye oyasin, loosely meaning "all my relations," and the Algonquin in nto' tem, what you may know as totem, meaning "my kin." In time you’ll see that you have a real, tangible relationship with literally every thing and every Being in your world. And it will change your perspective in a good way like nothing else can. I teach this wherever the opportunity presents itself, to whoever will listen. I consider understanding and acting on this a critical imperative for those pursuing any kind of higher consciousness, or awareness. It is at the very foundation of all efforts to recast our thinking and feeling (emotions) in order to bring about the change we keep hearing so much about these days. Think about it. Thank you.

About the Author:
Rick McBride is a mixed-blood Tsalagi (Cherokee), sundancer, inipi leader, and presents workshops and lectures on Native American Lifeways. For information, FREE newsletter, or to register for an upcoming drum workshop, please visit our modest website.