Walking Spirit in a Native Way

Elder Wisdom! A teaching given to me by Ojibwe Elder Larry Matrious First: Draw a circle on paper. Second: put a dot in the center of the circle. Third: put a mark at the top of the circle. You can indicate that mark to represent North. Then put a mark on each side of the circle and the bottom. Mark those as East, South and West. T he circle represents balance and the dot in the center represents you. Now write in next to the East, Emotion. Next to the South, Physical. Next to the West, Spiritual. Next to the North, Mental. These are the four parts of your being. The dot in the center can move in the circle depending on what is pulling you. Your task is to keep the dot stable and in the center. Everything in the circle is about you and ONLY you. Everything outside the circle is material things around you. Clothes, cars, home, people, work, food and all that surrounds you. Now. How does it work. You walk into a room, and you see a beautiful flower. It calls to you and your first react...

THE DREAM A few years ago, I had a dream.  I lived in a place that was at the foot of a great mountain and was part of a public domain. My work in that place was to tell stories and care for the people who would come to visit. The warden of that place gave me an area to develop programs. In that area I had several picnic tables and a fire pit. It was a beautiful spot in an open field looking up unto the mountain.  I would greet guests who came to hike or camp and invite them to the fire to hear stories at that place. In time I asked the warden if it would be all right to invite some of my friends to come weekly to have a circle. The warden thought that would be fine, so we started having small gatherings. Eventually I asked if I could put in a lodge for ceremony and I explained to the warden what a sweat lodge is and how it would be a help to show people what Native people use for a healing lodge. I further indicated to the warden the lodge would only be used by those t...

bookishfame Walking Spirit in a Native Way ~ White Mocs on the Red Road November 14, 2025    Book Reviews   Walking Spirit in a Native Way BOOK: Walking Spirit in a Native Way by James B. Beard As an avid reader who reads a lot of spiritual non-fiction, I was struck by how personal and deeply sincere this narrative feels. Beard recounts his transformation from a conventional “three-piece suit” life into a path guided by Native teachings, and the honesty with which he describes this shift makes the storytelling accessible. What really sets this book apart is the tenderness in Beard’s recollection of his teacher, Misho, and the other Elders who shape his journey. These interactions are filled with small moments—quiet car rides, probing questions, ceremonial duties—that accumulate into profound realizations about humility, service, and identity. Even if you’re unfamiliar with Ojibwe traditions, the narrative builds a gentle on-ramp, allowing readers to feel their way th...

 Zaa gidwin (love)   The love of life and creation that is felt by a seed planted as it senses thewarmth of the soil heated by the sun. As it grows it pushes to the light and reaches out to feel the light and warmth. It honors the gift as it opens the petals of the flower to receive the bounties of life. It shares the bounties with all brothers and sisters that have need. Know this love and share it with all. A part of the Seven Gifts of the Seven Grandfathers in Anishinaabe teachings, Wisdom, Respect, Honesty, Love, Bravery, Truth  Walking Spirit in a Native Way by James Beard Buy the book Here Please share this article!

  Corn Soup was good By Peter Schuler        Corn soup was good Singing and dancing better   When I got my second bowl I stood by the booth eating. The little girl who took my money said "you have to go now there is a line' Everyone laughed Then she said, "You have lots of ghosts around you" There was silence I smiled at her and said that was okay I walked to a tree taking the silence with me    Corn soup was good  Singing and dancing better The ghosts have been with me all these many years since I was a boy First time anybody mentioned them to me   The very young speak with a clear mind  They have not been taught to be afraid to speak of what they see. It's too bad that the old no longer see the spirits of their ancestors Nor do they hear them as they point the way to a return of the quiet ways   Corn soup was good   What the children see! - Otter Manitou       ...

Honor the Spirit of the FIRE! Community Circle Gatherings Gathering Circles at Crotchet Mountain  Circles are being held at 495 Mountain Road in Francestown NH For schedule click here    To honor all life!   Sit by the fire and share in the stories told by the storytellers. Come and hear stories told to share the values that sustain a culture.   The value of teaching, sharing, giving    Article By: Cheryl Roth    For a few relaxing hours we sat around a campfire and listened. I felt like I was being bathed in truth and goodness. Noodin invited others to speak several times, but most of us just wanted to listen, to absorb whatever we could glean from his teaching, realizing that there was so much that we still didn’t understand. Everything that was being taught had to do with living for the sake of others, the inter-connectedness of all life, and allowing spirit to lead the way. I was reminded of how important our spiritual l...