“To encourage the process of healing at a global level, we must first change the one thing over which we have real power: ourselves.”
Knowing that we only have power over ourselves, how do we go about healing the world?
We start with right now. Right now, we can do one thing that when combined with other people doing one thing can make a difference.
That one thing can be as simple as
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- Taking time to say a healing prayer to the Universe every night.
- Volunteering to help your community.
- Keeping calm and positive despite what is happening around you.
Let’s not have all these negative stories paralyze us to think we cannot make a difference – because we can.
A message of thanks giving
When I read the Haudenosaunee prayer of thanks giving in Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer — I felt inspired to share. I copied it here from the WorldPrayer.org site.
In her book, Kimmerer shows us our need for an exchange of mutual benefit in our relationships. Being in a reciprocal relationship with everything we encounter — the water, the land, the plants, the animals, and the people – can heal us.
Respecting what each has to offer will guide us to a more caring and loving world in which we live. This is one thing we all must do for a better world.
I share the Haudenosaunee message here as we have much to be thankful for and much to protect and respect as we go about our daily lives. This is a great message to repeat in a group – as “now our minds are one.”
Hiawatha Belt
Greetings to the Natural World.
The People
Today we have gathered, and we see that the cycles of life continue. We have been given the duty to live in balance and harmony with each other and all living things. So now, we bring our minds together as one as we give greetings and thanks to each other as people.
Now our minds are one.
The Earth Mother
We are all thankful to our Mother, the Earth, for she gives us all that we need for life. She supports our feet as we walk about upon her. It gives us joy that she continues to care for us as she has from the beginning of time. To our mother, we send greetings and thanks.
Now our minds are one.
The Waters
We give thanks to all the waters of the world for quenching our thirst and providing us with strength. Water is life. We know its power in many forms-waterfalls and rain, mists and streams, rivers, and oceans. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the spirit of Water.
Now our minds are one.
The Fish
We turn our minds to the all the Fish life in the water. They were instructed to cleanse and purify the water. They also give themselves to us as food. We are grateful that we can still find pure water. So, we turn now to the Fish and send our greetings and thanks.
Now our minds are one.
The Plants
Now we turn toward the vast fields of Plant life. As far as the eye can see, the Plants grow, working many wonders. They sustain many life forms. With our minds gathered together, we give thanks and look forward to seeing Plant life for many generations to come.
Now our minds are one.
The Food Plants
With one mind, we turn to honor and thank all the Food Plants we harvest from the garden. Since the beginning of time, the grains, vegetables, beans, and berries have helped the people survive. Many other living things draw strength from them too. We gather all the Plant Foods together as one and send them a greeting of thanks.
Now our minds are one.
The Medicine Herbs
Now we turn to all the Medicine herbs of the world. From the beginning they were instructed to take away sickness. They are always waiting and ready to heal us. We are happy there are still among us those special few who remember how to use these plants for healing. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the Medicines and to the keepers of the Medicines.
Now our minds are one.
The Animals
We gather our minds together to send greetings and thanks to all the Animal life in the world. They have many things to teach us as people. We are honored by them when they give up their lives so we may use their bodies as food for our people. We see them near our homes and in the deep forests. We are glad they are still here, and we hope that it will always be so.
Now our minds are one.
The Trees
We now turn our thoughts to the Trees. The Earth has many families of Trees who have their own instructions and uses. Some provide us with shelter and shade, others with fruit, beauty, and other useful things. Many people of the world use a Tree as a symbol of peace and strength. With one mind, we greet and thank the Tree life.
Now our minds are one.
The Birds
We put our minds together as one and thank all the Birds who move and fly about over our heads. The Creator gave them beautiful songs. Each day they remind us to enjoy and appreciate life. The Eagle was chosen to be their leader. To all the Birds-from the smallest to the largest-we send our joyful greetings and thanks.
Now our minds are one.
The Four Winds
We are all thankful to the powers we know as the Four Winds. We hear their voices in the moving air as they refresh us and purify the air we breathe. They help us to bring the change of seasons. From the four directions they come, bringing us messages, and giving us strength. With one mind, we send our greetings and thanks to the Four Winds.
Now our minds are one.
The Thunderers
Now we turn to the west where our grandfathers, the Thunder Beings, live. With lightning and thundering voices, they bring with them the water that renews life. We are thankful that they keep those evil things made by Okwiseres underground. We bring our minds together as one to send greetings and thanks to our Grandfathers, the Thunderers.
Now our minds are one.
The Sun
We now send greetings and thanks to our eldest Brother, the Sun. Each day without fail he travels the sky from east to west, bringing the light of a new day. He is the source of all the fires of life. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Brother, the Sun.
Now our minds are one.
Grandmother Moon
We put our minds together to give thanks to our oldest Grandmother, the Moon, who lights the night-time sky. She is the leader of woman all over the world, and she governs the movement of the ocean tides. By her changing face we measure time, and it is the Moon who watches over the arrival of children here on Earth. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Grandmother, the Moon.
Now our minds are one.
The Stars
We give thanks to the Stars who are spread across the sky like jewelry. We see them in the night, helping the Moon to light the darkness and bringing dew to the gardens and growing things. When we travel at night, they guide us home. With our minds gathered together as one, we send greetings and thanks to the Stars.
Now our minds are one.
The Enlightened Teachers
We gather our minds to greet and thank the enlightened Teachers who have come to help throughout the ages. When we forget how-to live-in harmony, they remind us of the way we were instructed to live as people. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to these caring teachers.
Now our minds are one.
The Creator
Now we turn our thoughts to the creator, or Great Spirit, and send greetings and thanks for all the gifts of Creation. Everything we need to live a good life is here on this Mother Earth. For all the love that is still around us, we gather our minds together as one and send our choicest words of greetings and thanks to the Creator.
Now our minds are one.
Closing Words
We have now arrived at the place where we end our words. Of all the things we have named, it was not our intention to leave anything out. If something was forgotten, we leave it to each individual to send such greetings and thanks in their own way.
Now our minds are one.
Educational Sources
The Canadian Encyclopedia provides an educational portal for parents and teachers. You can find information and a workbook for downloading at their Indigenous Perspectives Education Guide. This portal is in addition to their Haudenosaunee article.
The Smithsonian Institute also has a guide for educators. You will find it at Haudenosaunee Guide for Educators.
Prayer Sources
You can find this Haudenosaunee message of thanksgiving online at various sites. Like I stated, I first read it in Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. In addition to her book, I’m recommending two sites specifically for you to go and gain further knowledge about giving respect, healing your soul, and keeping peace between nations.
“The World Prayers Project is a nonprofit, educational, public service organization whose founding objective is to gather and present historic and contemporary World Prayers in a unified, multi faith archive on the Internet.”
As stated above, I copied the prayer from the World Prayer site. You can find more inspiration here to help you move into a more positive direction or to inspire you further in your quest of a more caring and loving life.
Their quote by Mahatma Gandhi is worth repeating here:
“Religions are different roads converging to the same point. What does it matter that we take different roads, so long as we reach the same goal?”
~ Mahatma Gandhi
“The Dance For All People is drawn from an age-old tradition of the Great Basin/Plateau indigenous peoples which was practiced for the healing, restoration and renewal of Mother Earth and all her beings…The Dance is about each individual taking personal responsibility to make this mission of healing and renewal for the good of all a part of their daily lives.”
This quote says a lot abut how to live your life — taking personal responsibility. On this site, you’ll find beautiful Native American art accompanying the words. to this thanks giving message. Additional information on this site will help inspire you to honor our world even more today than you did yesterday.
I encourage you to explore these sites and others.
I also encourage you to read Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. I will finalize my book report soon, so you know exactly why I recommend this book to you.
Let’s keep doing what we can to make this world a more loving and caring environment.
Meanwhile, if I can help you in your healing process, give me a call at 1 (416) 203-2744 or email me at ellen@healingtransformation.ca.
I now serve clients from around the world in our clinics. As due to the pandemic, my practice has moved our clinic treatments online. I continue to conduct personal long-distance healing around the world. I’m here for you.
Take care of yourself and remember —
Now our minds are one.
~Ellen
P.S. When we live by this prayer – we can make the world a better place. Let’s be the change.