Aug.30th.2012

All ceremonies evolved from the simple ceremony of thanks for the sun each morning, thanks for the food we eat and thanks for whatever good came your way during the day. Others have evolved as our needs grew more complex. What ever the ceremony you partake of do so with all your being.

Grandmother 1952

Aug.29th. 2012

Grandmother and the other elders taught me long ago that The difference in worship was not difference but a difference in the peoples history. Not a difference in purpose but a difference in language. The difference in creation myths is not a difference but different times for the people and lands to form. Thus despite the attempt to prove superiority over others is but a way to excuse the greed, murder and slavery imposed on other people. Once we were all the same color and family. People have forgotten that.

Big Tree 8/29/12

Aug. 28th. 2012

I have met more then one person who excused poor behavior on just being themselves. My response is if your going to be your self why not be the best self you can. If your actions hurt others, are strictly self serving or just irresponsible they are not being your best self. If your actions and words lead to harm to you or those close to you they are not being your best self. At least try to be the person you would most admire. You might just find others admire you also.

Big Tree 8/28/2012

Aug. 25th. 2012

Everyone on Earth has a lesson we need to learn if we just stop and look and listen. The young children show us how we are supposed to approach life. They are smiling, loving and without worries most of the time. They don't worry about money or any other artificial things.  They only have three needs which even the smallest and newest can express. To be fed when they need it. To have their pants changed when they are full or wet. Last and not least to have love and attention.  Do any of those needs change as we age? Really we only add one other need as we advance in age. The need to have something meaningful to do with our lives. This applies to everyone.  Big Tree 8/25/2012 

Aug. 24th. 2012

Who is your community? Perhaps it's the people you grew up with even though they do not live close. Perhaps your community consists of your fellow church goers or people you work with. Or your community consists of fellow club members or even those you share drugs with. Very rarely does it consist of members of the opposite sex or another race. Why, because you were taught to fear anyone unlike yourself. Like Uncle Gus told me one time when I was visiting him." You see this neighborhood, it looks poor. It's rich if you get to know the people. I know everyone from the black family next door to the Chicano family next to my shop and everyone who i pass in the three blocks from here to the shop. They all have the same hopes and dreams. They all have parents they love or children they hope will grow out of this neighborhood. The only reason I know these people is because I made it my business to stop and talk to them. Take them groceries when I found out they didn't have enough to eat. Get small presents when someone had a birthday. Bought flowers when a death occurred. Celebrate with, shared my thoughts and opinions with them every chance I got and more important listened to their opinions, hopes, dreams and fears. I hope you will learn to do the same."

Big Tree & Uncle Gus. 8/24/2012

Uncle Gus was Gassed in WW1 and in the Vets Bonus march on Washington where he was bayoneted. He always walked with a limp, and could not hold down a factory job so he started making custom furniture and never made much money but always had enough for his needs and a little bit extra for anyone who asked him to help out.

Aug. 23rd. 2012

This is to compare true prayer with false prayer. False prayer is loud long and ritualistic. False prayer is said on street corners, in meetings and at worship service to show everyone how pious and spiritual the prayer is. False prayer is the saying of petitions and such to be relieved of some defect. False prayer is that said to prevent some catastrophe from happening. These prayers never work for three main reasons. First they have no real force behind them. Second they are not performed as true prayer but wishful thinking. Third the problem being addressed is not let go of.
So what is real prayer? Real prayer is something that should be practiced every moment of every day. It is forming a picture of what is desired as if it is already accomplished. You see it, feel it taste,smell or experience it as if you were n the future and seeing the results of your prayer. No words are needed with true prayer and nobody has to know you are praying. When you have sent this you drop all thoughts of the prayer confident it will be accomplished. Then go on to whatever you are doing in your life then. This is the most important step in true prayer, to let go and let your higher self, or whatever power including Great Mystery bring it into being. If you continue to worry and fear that is your true prayer and that is what will be brought into being.

Big Tree 8/23/2012

Aug. 21st. 2012

Gratitude. It's not shared enough or expressed enough. Do you express
gratitude for your shelter at night? Do you express gratitude for the
animals and plants which given their life that you might live each
meal?Do you express your gratitude for the smile and kind word of a
stranger? Do you express gratitude in the morning for another day to
serve and each night for all the good and all the potential friends you
have encountered or lessons learned learned during another day given to
you by Great Mystery?

Big Tree 8/21/2012

Aug. 20th. 2012

Each and every day is a time to make new friends, learn something new or
do something you enjoy. After all that is the purpose of life.

Uncle Bob 1953