SECTION EIGHTEEN) SPIRITUAL JOURNEY Family

This Outline may be used for Individual Reflection or Group Discussion. Please indicate the source of New Feather Village (kivafeather.com) A complete Reflection Journal on this topic is also available. Contact Us - newfeathervillage@gmail.com

 A) Discovery Of HIS Love For Me

My GREAT FATHER blesses me to be one in Family, like unto the ever-living Pine Tree.

Given to me through HIS Companionship -

…finding that which is for the very best for myself and those with whom I travel,

…growing in A Unity Of Purpose with all who travel with me 

to remain on a course that is sure and true

…a Covenant of Fidelity, a Bond of Loyalty

…a deepening of the ties that create relationships

…a binding of hearts and souls through HIM

The Pine Tree symbolizes Creativity, Peace and Harmony.

-Meaning of Trees (warpaths2peacepipes.com)

-Royalty Free Illustration by Gretchen, South Carolina (https://unsplash.com)

My GREAT FATHER Loves Me, HE Is My Tree Of Life

HE loves me as HE seeks to remain present within me and I with HIM. 

HE grants me an awareness of HIS constant embrace. 

HE gives me the opportunity to seek an awareness of HIS presence. 

HE gives me a realization of HIS wishes to raise me in my most difficult hours.

I look all around me for HIS presence. 

I find HIS influence deep is within me, after all.

I know now that I have never been lost to HIM, for it is HE who brings me into HIS presence. 

I feel a return to innocence when I place my trust and dependence upon HIM. 

HE takes me to a place that is pure and without that which might lead me astray. 

HE loves me to hear my Prayer and my Confession, that I might receive HIS mercy. 

HE loves me to know that I have never been forgotten by HIM, for HE knows me and HE knows my heart.

B) In The Spirit Of My Elders 

I learn that the lessons of Family are given through those who have gone before me. It is from them that I understand that Unity is to enter into an unbreakable and expanding bond. The circle and cycle of Creation is expanding, ever outward. Our embrace with ancestors and those who have yet to come, brings Harmony to our hearts, with the beating of a continuing rhythm and a herald to THE GREAT FATHER who has made us and who claims us. Together we sing and we dance. All of Creation joins us, for we are one. 

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

• familY Bonds Which Are Renewed And Strengthened Through Unconditional Love
• Reflection upon union with a Guiding Presence as well the Creation of which all is a part
• Discovery Of Community Of Healing

C) My Destination (Spiritual Based Outcomes) 

• Acquiring Positive Life Influences
• Making A Positive Plan For The Future
• Realizing that being alone does not occur, for all are united on a common journey 

D) Pathways To Self-Discovery

• Pathway 29) Obtaining Fulfillment Through Meaningful Relationships with Self and with Others 
• Pathway 30) Being Encircled About By An Endless Love 
• Pathway 31) Entering Into A Never Ending Bond Of Family 
• Pathway 32) The Endless Spiritual Journey – Capabilities Beyond Limit

E) Treasures Of My Spiritual Journey

• Obtaining Fulfillment Through Meaningful Relationships With Self and with Others
• Being Encircled About By An Endless Love
• Entering Into A Never Ending Bond Of Family      
• Capabilities Beyond Limit
• THE GREAT FATHER is always present within the vastness of all that lies before
• The embrace of Creation and THE ONE who is THE CREATOR
• Total, complete union of purpose and hearts with the ones who matter the most
• Opportunities that are endless, limitless, abundant and evolving – as The Spiritual Journey itself

F) 1st Nation (Tribe Unknown) - Family  Prayer

Great Spirit we thank you for the gift of family, whether it be the one we were born to or the one we adopted on our Red Road journey.  Remind us Grandfather, of the old ways of our People,  when selfish need was weighed against the good of the tribe and family.  Help us to hold fast Native values and moral righteousness, that was born from a time of seldom concern of indecent lust and evil abuse. You know Grandfather as time passed;  traditions were hard to keep. Today we are returning Grandfather and we need time to heal. We hold sacred the seventh generation, we know too, Grandfather, that we must heal and love ourselves to be of good character and moral leaders of the children. Let us not forget our Elders, to do so is a crime against you Grandfather, and our Mother, for we know what is done to the Mother, will soon be done to us. We have seen this. May it not scar us for eternity. Today Grandfather, as we remember the times of past let us know, we must act as a family to raise our children. Aunties are important and able teachers. Uncles are caretakers for the Elderly. Each brother, sister, cousin has a necessary role. Unite us again as family as we cast off the patriarchal teachings of western society and return to what we know to be true.

-Mashie Chope Papa

http://www.manataka.org/index.html

G) We Are Bonded By Our Love by Chaplain Michael L. Benedict 

A bond of love to share is ours, a gift as from beyond. 

High above the shining stars, GOD  looks upon us all.

Our voice and hearts we join in song, our joy we cannot hide. 

For love and joy forever more cannot be denied.  

Love is given for us to share, a gift as from beyond, to bind our pain, make light our cares, give peace for which we long.

We walk with each other, we will work side by side. 

We walk with each other, we will work side by side.
Our work becomes one’s dignity, to restore another’s pride.

We will hear one another, we will share Hopes and dreams.
We will hear one another, we will share Hopes and dreams. 

With each other we'll come to share, the dreams we have of life. 

For we know we are bonded through our Hope, through our love – 

yes, we know we are bonded through our love.     

For we know we are bonded through our Hope, through our love – 

yes, we know we are bonded through our love.

What cherished joy we have come to share, a tender loving bond. 

The love we hold so fast, so dear, a gift as from beyond. 

We will meet each other there, another place and time.

We will recall the love, the joy we shared in this our mortal life.

A bond of love to share is ours, a gift as from beyond. 

High above the shining stars, GOD  looks upon us all.

H) My Dance Of Family And Community Of Healing by Chaplain Michael L. Benedict
My Rhythm, Song and Harmony unite with The Legacy of all who have gone before and The Heritage of all who have yet to come. All are entwined within he same circle that governs the arrival and passing of each day and each season. All are bound together upon a common Spiritual Journey for all have been placed upon a pathway that is to be shared. There are no strangers within the midst of fellow travelers. All are placed here by THE GREAT FATHER. That which lies before is the experience that is to be shared. There will be no end to the circle, for it will continue to expand, as it draws all closer to the destiny and destination that awaits. The Spiritual Journey, is the destination. Sharing as fellow travelers if the common destiny.  A knowledge of the presence and purpose of THE GREAT FATHER is the tie that draws all together. The common bond of love is more than an experience.  It truly is the object of HIS Design.

This becomes My Rhythm Of Union. 

This becomes My Song Of Renewal.

This becomes My Harmony which unites with: 

The  Loyalty Of The Cougar, 

The Intelligence Of The Coyote, 

The Endurance Of The Ox, 

The Introspection Of The Panther, 

The Helpfulness Of The Duck, 

The Industriousness Of The Prairie Dog,   

The Generosity Of The Turkey.

Dance I Now - My Dance Of Family And Community Of Healing.