SECTIONS 10 - 18) SPIRITUAL JOURNEY

PREFACE: A COURSE OF ONE ETERNAL ROUND  

A) The Significance Of The Tree Of Life In Indigenous Culture

<Royalty Free Image by  Ales Krivec (upslash.com)

>Symbolizes  All Knowledge Given By THE CREATOR

The Tree of Life is a significant symbol in Indigenous culture that represents the connection between all living things on earth. It is believed to be the source of life and knowledge, representing the interdependence and   between humans, animals, plants, and spirits. According to Indigenous beliefs, the Creator gave all knowledge and wisdom to humans through this sacred tree.

Indigenous cultures across North America have different interpretations of what the Tree of Life embodies. For some Native American tribes such as the Cherokee nation, it symbolizes strength and longevity. In their language "U-we-tsi-a ge-yv", which means “tree that stands forever”. On the other hand for Ojibwe people from Canada's northern regions like Ontario or Manitoba it represents community growth.

The significance of this symbol can also vary depending on geography or climate conditions; for example in Pacific Northwest Coast First Nations' culture like Haida peoples - who lived primarily off fishing salmon - they saw it as a representation of abundance because salmon travel upstream every year.

Regardless of these variations though, one thing remains constant: The Tree Of Life holds an important place within Indigenous communities throughout North America due its symbolic expression towards unity with nature.

Moreover reflecting on our modern times where environmental issues are becoming more pressing than ever before – deforestation for example being one major issue affecting ecosystems globally– perhaps we could learn something from ancient traditions about respecting natural resources? The protection values carried by trees themselves might help us understand how we should approach those issues today when considering sustainable development policies.

>Represents The Strength And Foundation Of Life

The Tree of Life holds significant meaning in Indigenous cultures across the world, including Canada. It is not just a symbol of beauty and nature, but also one that represents strength and foundation of life. The tree's roots run deep into the earth, providing stability for the trunk and branches to grow strong towards the sky. Similarly, Indigenous people believe that their foundations are rooted in their connection with Mother Earth – a relationship that provides them with sustenance, shelter and spiritual guidance.

The interconnectedness of all living things is another aspect represented by the Tree of Life. Indigenous communities believe that everything on this planet is connected through energy flows; every element has its own spirit or essence which can affect other elements around it positively or negatively depending upon how they exist together. For example, trees provide oxygen to humans while humans exhale carbon dioxide which helps trees grow – this mutual exchange between nature and human beings shows how we are dependent upon each other for survival.

In many Indigenous cultures across Canada like Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, Anishinaabe (Ojibwe), Dene Nation etc., there are stories where the Tree of Life plays an important role as it connects different worlds- heaven above us and underworld beneath our feet -and even afterlife beyond death. These stories illustrate how deeply rooted this symbol is within these communities' beliefs about life cycles from birth until death; it reminds us about our responsibilities towards ourselves as well as towards others who share this land with us.

Overall, the significance of the Tree of Life lies in its ability to connect people back to their roots: physically grounding them in their environment while reminding them spiritually about what matters most -relationships between all living creatures rather than material possessions or power dynamics among individuals or groups within society.

>Important Symbol In Many Indigenous Cultures

The Tree of Life holds significant importance in many Indigenous cultures around the world. It is a symbol that represents various values including wisdom, harmony, and balance. In some cultures, it is believed that the tree connects heaven and earth while its roots penetrate deep into mother earth. The branches of the tree reach towards the sky representing growth and development as well as spiritual connection. The symbolism of the Tree of Life can be found in different forms such as jewelry, clothing patterns, paintings or carvings on totem poles. Indigenous people believe that everything in nature is interconnected and has a spirit; therefore they treat all elements with respect and reverence. They see trees not just for their physical presence alone but also for their spiritual energies which are said to bring healing powers to those who connect with them. Many ceremonies performed by Indigenous Peoples involve giving thanks to trees for providing shelter during harsh weather conditions or medicinal properties from their bark or leaves.

In Canada specifically, Indigenous peoples have used cedar trees for centuries as part of cultural practices such as smudging ceremony where cedar smoke is used for cleansing negative energy from individuals before important events like meetings or gatherings. Cedar also plays an important role in traditional medicine practices.https://biggle.ca/blogs/news/the-significance-of-the-tree-of-life-in-indigenous-culture#:~:text=The%20Tree%20of%20Life%20is%20a%20significant%20symbol,and%20interconnectedness%20between%20humans%2C%20animals%2C%20plants%2C%20and%20spirits

B) Treasures Of My Spiritual Journey 

-Change Of Heart Through HIS Divine Intervention

It is upon The Spiritual Journey To KIVA, that I find RECOVERY of the body, mind, spirit, heart and soul – 

• empoweRment to begin the journey anew
• indepEndence from the captivity of self-destruction
• choiCe to become cleansed and made whole
• hOpe which gives assurance, based upon faith
• Vision to look beyond the moment and into one’s inner-self
• hEaling which restores the body, mind, spirit, heart and soul
• couRage to make amends and to enjoy a rebirth of personal freedom
• familY bonds which are renewed and strengthened through unconditional love

These Pathways and Treasures await me, much like the trees that lie before – 

·roots reaching ever deep beneath the surface, outward toward one another 

·branches reaching ever upward toward The Sun

Both root and branch are like my spirit, both are like my destination – 

·extending onward and without end

·enduring each and every climb

·progressing through each and every season

·firmly rooted, ever reaching outward and upward toward THE SON.

My Spiritual Journey begins. 

I Discover...

• Life Needs which give me the Empowerment to place myself in HIS keeping.
• Life Values which give me the Independence to recover that which has been lost; restore the damage that has been done in my life and in the lives of those about me.
• Guiding Presence to aid me in overcoming moments of despair.
• Spiritual Needs which give me to make Positive Choices, thus making right out of anything that is good and making achievable,  everything that is right.
• Spiritual Values which give me the Hope to know that all which is taken from a broken heart may become a gift of Divine Healing. 
• Spiritual Expression which gives me the Vision to know it is not HIS desire to condemn me — instead, it is HIS desire to cleanse me
• Spiritual Community which gives me to begin the Healing experience, at HIS side, to further experience  the depth of compassion and mercy.
• Therapeutic Needs, which give me the Courage to accept an invitation to become complete through compassion, full of charity and mercy, for myself and others, firm in my determination to move forward, pausing only for Recovery and Healing Through Restoration And Renewal.
• Hope Through Trust And Faith.
• Peace And Calm Through The Warmth Of the presence of Abundance And Richness Of Charity Through Pure Love
• Forgiveness Through Justice
• Mercy through Prayerful Confession Through Humility And Accountability
• Community of Healing which causes me to remember I am a member of a larger Family – the Human Family

C) Mi Sheberach (A Blessing And Prayer For Your Spiritual Journey) 

by Chaplain Michael L. Benedict

May your GREAT FATHER hear your prayer as you stand at the Crossroads of a new  Journey Of Discovery…

May your Spiritual Journey take you out of the deepest valleys and to the summit of the highest mountain. May your Spiritual Journey take you to find the magnificent creation that lies within. May you Reflect upon what you may become and what you may accomplish through reliance upon HIM. May your acceptance of HIS Guiding Presence enable you to experience a sense of Spiritual Well Being. May you feel enough rain upon your face so as to cleanse your soul. May you always feel the warmth of the sun upon your face. May you always be lifted by the light of THE SON within your heart. May you be guided by the light of the sun that lies ahead.

May you always be led by the voice of THE SON as HE whispers in your ears.

May you discover new Treasures along the way, while cherishing the ones that are already yours. May you know that HIS arms are waiting to embrace you. May you seek and may you accept HIS Guiding Presence. May the course upon which you are about to travel be one that will lead you to HIS fold. May your Spiritual Journey lead to recovery from your struggle. May your My Spiritual Journey lead you to a deeper relationship with THE ONE who loves all of HIS Children – including you.  You are HIS child. HE desires to share all that you may become.

D) Dance I Now by Chaplain Michael L. Benedict

My rhythm and song unite with The Spirit Of My Creator, with Creation.

I dance and sing for protection from temptation to wander on roads that might be strange and harmful. My rhythm and song unite with The Spirit Of The Four Winds.

Their Spirit Voices speak and sing: 

The East Wind as a Herald Of Spring;

The South Wind of the Summer - the mid-point of the day and of The Spiritual Journey; 

The West Wind of Autumn, as a call for reflection upon the ail and preparation for the coming of the final season; 

The North Wind of Winter as a preparation for rest, reflection and renewal.            

For once again, the Season of Spring will bring with it a familiar song. 

All will arise rises and begin once more to dance again, to the whisper  of The East Wind Of Spring.

I dance and sing for protection from all that might destroy – my way of life, my bond of unity with family, friends and community. 

I dance, that we may walk together upon The Good Road – a precision that is slow, soft, quiet and deliberate.  I reflect upon the dances which have taken me from a quiet beginning to a tempo that is full and complete. 

This is my dance, as I place myself in full intent of purpose, a confirmation of who I am, where I have been and where I will be led by The Great Father,  for Guiding Presence upon The Spiritual Journey. Mine is a prayer for abundance, an expression of thanksgiving. My dance and song is of awareness, confirmation, fulfillment.

Mine is a discovery of the rhythm that lies within my heart as I dance to the beating of the drum and the singing of each song. My dance and song is of humility, reverence, devotion. Mine is a Dance of Gratitude for all that I have been given, for all that I am, for all that I have yet to receive and for all that I may become. Like my ancestors, The Four Winds have been Trail Guides along the way. Together, we are one and together, we dance. Ours is also a rhythm and cadence that is as steady as the passing of each day on The Spiritual Journey. My rhythm and song unite with their spirits which, like those of my ancestors, have been wounded and scarred  from the challenge of the journey. Like those who will surely follow, our path will take us onward, toward our destination and to fulfill our destiny. 

Dance I Now - for them in memory and with them in spirit. 

Always in full intent of purpose, to confirm who we truly are - travelers upon a common Spiritual Journey. In precision, in unity, in singleness of purpose – I dance.