The Seven Grandfathers

 The Seven Grandfathers

LOVE

Knowing love is to know peace.

Our love must be unconditional. When people are weak, that is when they need love the most. Love is a strong affection for another, and this can form between friends and family. Love is an attachment-based upon devotion, admiration, tenderness, and kindness for all things around you. To love and accept themselves is to live at peace with the Creator and in harmony with all of creation. Love knows no bounds. We must take it sincerely and give it freely.

RESPECT

A way to honor creation is by showing respect.

There should be no part of creation that should exclude from the honor that we are to give. We demonstrate respect by realizing the value of all people and things and by showing courteous consideration and appreciation. We must give respect if we wish to be respected. We honor the traditional roles we fill and the teaching we have been given. We honor our families and others, as well as ourselves. We are not to bring harm to anyone or anything. Respect is not just an action but a heart-grown feeling.

BRAVERY

Facing a problem with integrity is an actual demonstration of bravery.

We do what is right even when the consequences may be unpleasant. We face life with the courage to use our strengths to face difficulties, stand tall through adversity, and make positive choices. We must stand up for our convictions and have courage in our thinking and speaking. All of these actions together will lead to ceaseless bravery.

TRUTH

Truth knows our cultural teachings.

It gives us the ability to act without regret. We must understand, speak, and feel the truth while honoring its power. Truth should not lead us to deceptions. We know who we are in our hearts, and by knowing that, we also know the truth. Our emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual gifts will guide us in our journey.

HONESTY

Facing a situation is to be brave, but having the courage to not only do the right thing but also say it, is honesty.

We must allow truth to be our guide. We must first be honest with ourselves, enabling us to be honest with others. We must give total value to both our efforts, our own and others. When we walk through life with integrity, it is then that we know honesty. Be truthful and trustworthy. We must also remember to accept and act on truths through straightforward and appropriate communication.

HUMILITY

Humility is to know that we are a part of creation.

We must always consider ourselves equal. We should never think of ourselves as better or worse than anyone else. Humility comes in many forms, including compassion, calmness, humility, gentleness, and patience. We must reflect on how we want to present ourselves to those around us. We must be aware of the balance and equality with all of life, including humans, plants, and animals.

WISDOM

The mixture of these teachings, combined with life experiences, is what we refer to as Wisdom.

It is given to us by the Creator to be used for good. Wisdom carries other meanings, which also include intelligence or knowledge. We also love our understanding when we cherish our learning or intelligence. We must use sound judgment and the ability to separate inner qualities and relationships. We must use a good sense and course of action to form a positive attitude. We must remember to listen and use the Wisdom provided by our Elders, Tribal leadership, and Spiritual leaders. We must also not forget that Wisdom comes in all shapes, sizes, forms, and ages.

Other Practices:

1. Rise with the sun to pray. Pray alone. Pray often. The Great Spirit will

listen, if you only speak.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Do not take what is not yours, whether from a person, a community, the wilderness, or a culture. It was not earned nor given, and it is not yours.

6. Respect all things that are placed upon this earth – whether it be people or plants.

7. 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.

8. Never speak of others in a wrong way. The negative energy you put into the universe will multiply when it returns to you.

9. All persons make mistakes. And all mistakes can be forgiven.

10. Bad thoughts cause illness of the mind, body, and spirit—practice optimism.

11. Nature is not FOR us. It is a PART of us, and they are part of your worldly family.

12. 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.

13. Avoid hurting the hearts of others. The poison of your pain will return to you.

14. Be truthful at all times. Honesty is the test of one's will within this universe.

15. Keep yourself balanced. Your mental, spiritual, emotional, and Physical self need to be strong, pure, and healthy. Work out the body to strengthen the mind. Grow rich in spirit to cure emotional ails.

16. Make conscious decisions about who you will be and how you will react. Be responsible for your actions.

17. Respect the privacy and personal space of others. Do not touch the private property of others – especially sacred and religious objects, which is forbidden.

18. Be true to yourself first. You cannot nurture and help others if you cannot encourage and help yourself first.

19. Respect others' religious beliefs. Do not force your belief on others.

20. Share your good fortune with others. Participate in charity.