Way Beyond Green

In the last few weeks I have been really looking at the direction of Way Beyond Green and trying to hone in on who my audience is…who am I speaking to and why.  The book, The Heart of Marketing, has been fantastic at forcing me to ask some of these questions of my self. 

The answers for me always point to the heart of who I am, as a human being.  In sharing the concepts of Way Beyond Green, that means going deep into my indigenous roots, into spiritual understandings based in native ceremonies and of being an indigenous woman.  That’s where it all makes sense to me. 

My relationship with the Earth, and all my relations, has come from a profound relationship that has come primarily out of awareness created in and through native ceremonies.  And yet by cultural protocols, spiritual limitations as well as out of respect for you and those sacred ceremonies, I cannot share with you anything in entirety or without filtering it.  I can’t give you a true, direct relationship with it.  So everything I share with you here is already minimized, shielded, filtered or changed.  Get the problem?  I want to share with you the heart.  Deeply, so that you share in the same opportunity for healing,growth and understanding that I have experienced, and that I feel is so vitally important to us all.

I am looking, searching for the best way to do that.  Realizing this requires a new direction.  It may mean that some of you leave the conversation, I hope that’s not the case, but it is quite possible. If this is goodbye, I wish you the best.  And in all cases, I hope that this means a deepening of our conversation, I hope it means that it becomes even more real and takes on more dimension for us all.

So for now, I am putting Way Beyond Green on hold.  I’ll keep you up to date here when I get clear on all of this. 

I hope that you’ll keep us on your radar and check in from time to time.  You can also find more regular updates through twitter @gbenton789. 

Until then,

gemma

Today they’re running a special on their book, spend $10 for their book ($4 for shipping) at Amazon and you get to be a part of a great network and support the thought that marketing and selling is not just about making money.

From an indigenous perspective I absolutely love this book, even more so because it’s becoming a top seller and there is a tremendous network that is growing out of it.  Even better that it’s not indigenous based because if it were it would have never got off the ground.  I’m thrilled with it. So much so that while money is a little tight around here also, I bought an extra copy for a friend that works within the banking industry who’s trying to make changes there also. 

I also think as indigenous peoples in business that ‘hard selling’ is contrary to our natures and that’s why we’re so bad at it.  We are uncomfortable ‘hard selling’ to our families and friends, especially if there’s any question about the quality.

So here’s why I get excited and hope that you will invest $14 to get connected to this group and use the book as a networking tool with others. 

In the Heart of Marketing, authors Judith and Jim talk about ‘Selling Is A Spiritual Service’ .  Now taken on the surface that sounds a little sappy.  But it’s true.

As native peoples we’ve always believed that everything has a spirit, some of it comes from the person that is providing it and some of it is innate within the object.  The old people wouldn’t buy or take something (no matter how bad they needed it) from an enemy or someone who had bad ‘mojo’ or ‘wuju’ as I call it.  That’s a native thought.  Something handmade from someone who really had a good heart, and did things traditionally like praying with it as they made it, now that’s something worth having!

We’ve all gotten to expect that things are made from crap.  We’ve gotten into the thinking that we can’t afford anything but crap.  Even if it will kill us, we’ll take cheap or free.

I’m talking especially to those of us that are native or indigenous.  Our communities are typically poor and economically challenged.  We take what we can because it’s free or cheap.  We take free health care even though it’s the worst possible healthcare.  Even the doctors/providers hate it.  No one’s heart is in it.  Bare minimum health care, with hate and resentment all up in it.  No wonder are people are dying from disease. 

Our old doctors, medicine people lived with, loved and care for their people.  They had a responsibility born of love and spiritual obligation.  Sometimes they got sideways, but often there was a direct relationship between making people well and the doctor’s wealth and health as well.  You see what I’m talking about here?  I’m a little upset about the health care issue, because our granddaughter is dealing with MRSA (a antibiotic resistant strain of staph that doctors can’t/won’t do anything about) that I am sure that she got in an Indian Health clinic.  I’m pissed.  But on a much higher level, it is forcing us all to rely more on the traditional medicines that we should have depended on to begin with that actually will cure it.  (Anyways enough ranting..but wanted to share a little of ‘why’)

We buy crap from the $1 store because that’s what we can afford, not because it’s good.  And it becomes the standard.  We buy food off the $1 menu or $1 frybread (I know it’s gone up - just bare with me here) and call it traditional native food.  Frybread’s not traditional, it’s not even native.  It is a symbol of our SURVIVAL, how we made nothing into something.  That mindset is keeping us stuck!  Maybe we could skip the frybread and eat something a little better, like some native beans or soup.  Maybe there’s a little more heart in a pot of beans cooked with love than something off the $1 menu and maybe in the long run it really is better for us.

I hope that each and every one of you has their own business of some sort. Even if it’s selling frybread on roadsides (been there). Learning and being a part of the greater marketing exchange makes your voice even more powerful.  As a consumer, your voice is important also.  If you can’t afford organic, go native.  Grow your own foods, start trading for value.  Incorporate as much heart into everything that’s in our homes and carried on and in our bodies.  Start valuing who we are as much or more than the things we buy.

I hope that this triggers a bunch of stuff for you.  It does for me..  Here’s the link for the book,

http://theheartofmarketing.com

Let me know if you get it… I’d love to hear who else is taking it to the next level.

Spirit Horses by Annie Humphrey

Also wanted to pass on another great Native blog: http://ojibwaymigisibineshii.blogspot.com/
Share a word of encouragement if you would and let Cecilia know that you heard about her from Way Beyond Green : )

I wanted to update you a little on what’s been going on inside my head and some of the “why” that is going on behind the screen… 

There are invisible boundaries in the world of traditional knowledge, what gets shared… in what context and with whom. Lots of boundaries, most of which are unspoken but very much present.  Boundaries are kept in place by very important and very valid belief systems, structures and ‘taboos’ so to speak.  Things that just aren’t done or said…and if they are…well, the wrath of the Gods is very real. 

Translated into more common understanding, this gets into some serious stuff.  There are serious consequences to all of this.  Some of them are social: say the wrong things or share the wrong information inappropriately and you may be blacklisted from the whole conversation.  Or worse, the whole conversation may go completely sideways and unleash a multitude of demons manifested in the forms of thoughts and words that can wreak havoc and chaos into lives.

From an indigenous sense, it’s not as simple as ‘living your own vision’ or ’speaking your own mind’ and letting the chips fall where they may. Our thoughts and words have power, real power. Multi-dimensional power. That’s not Indian mystical crap, its real! Each of us is connected, every thought and action, and we all have a responsibility to all of it.  That is really the truth of it.

I hope this all is making sense.  I’ll share more later but wanted to at least acknowledge this process that’s happening here.  Way Beyond Green was created as a means to express my desire for healing for our selves, our communities and the planet through traditional indigenous understanding and relationships.  It was also borne out of frustration that traditional knowledge is largely unknown and unavailable as part of a larger conversation.

Few know what TEK or Traditional Environmental Knowledge is, native or not.  That’s scary.  Worse yet, of those who know about TEK, fewer still are able to break that knowledge down into a practical way of life outside of a tribally specific context. 

How do you live with traditional principles in a urban setting?  How do we start living with traditional knowledge?  How do we become ‘native’ to where we live without some understanding of the thoughts/beliefs/understanding/knowledge of the native peoples who once lived with the land that we all now call our home? 

For the sake of the planet, our Native Elders and Indigenous Leaders all say it’s critical that we do, but bridging the understanding is difficult at best and restricted in most cases.  The heart of our cultures and knowledge is largely spiritual and contextual, you can’t strip that out without stripping out the power of it and you can’t share something that powerful outside of that context. And you can’t bring just anyone and everyone into the context, it doesn’t work and it’s downright dangerous. 

Way Beyond Green is bound to hold these structures and limitations in place because it also holds in place the integrity and potency of native traditions.  Damned if we do and damned if we don’t.

How do we start getting deeper into solutions without violating these important rules and structures?  THAT is the thought that is consuming my thoughts and prayers.  And what keeps me from writing and sharing more. 

I believe that I am on the verge of answers, they may require that we take yet another turn in the road, but often these great journeys lead to incredible growth and discovery.  Hang in with me, share your thoughts and ideas. I’m anxious to hear more from you on this..If you have stories or experiences to share, please do.  We’ll all benefit from the experience…

Until then,

G

Another link in the chain…

This article holds two points of particular significance to me.  The first is that this was held on the Kumeyaay reservation near San Diego where there was held a Sundance ceremony some ten years ago.  The idea then was to use the ceremonies as a bridge between the old and new. Bring back the old ways and start the healing.

At the time very little tradition was happening around the rez. As always, and on every reservation, there were plenty of people dying, old and young.  And with every burial hopes get buried; hope for the future, as well as any hopes of salvaging traditions of the past.   The Kumeyaay knew more would follow unless something changed.  In their wisdom a few of the Kumeyaay elders decided to put together a ceremony.

Although the Sundance was not part of the the Kumeyaay’s ceremonial tradition, it served to bring the community together around a single spiritual cause. Of course the usual “It’s not our way” arguments made by the usual suspects offering little to nothing to improve tradition, culture or spirituality, and created more unnecessary conflict but in the end the ceremony was beautiful and powerful for the community.

Fast forward to today, and I read in Indian Country Today about yet another healing ceremony provided by an Andean healer bringing yet another opportunity and another layer to the continual healing for Kumeyaay, their land and their peoples.  For a tribal people previously disabled with apathy this community seems to be leading tribal nations on a path of healing and reconnection. Old with new, North and South married in tradition.

The second significant point for me is that you’ll notice further down the article a reference to the year 2012.  While not direct related to the Mayan calendar, many of the indigenous prophecies seem to validate our present circumstances as the ‘crossroads’ of mankind.  Mayan Elders seem to be indicating through recent presentations that the thought/actions/paradigm shifts we are creating in this moment may be leading us through the shifts that will carry us through 2010 and into an unforetold future.  The seeds, if you will, of healing.  Interesting huh!!!  See if within that context, this article doesn’t take another level of significance for you….

And if so… we’d all love to hear…

Download North to South Connecting…

In search of old ways, Andean healer brings medicine to reservation | Indian Country Today | National & World News

In search of old ways, Andean healer brings medicine to reservation
By Victor Morales, Today correspondent

Story Published: May 1, 2009

Story Updated: Apr 24, 2009

ALPINE, Calif. – The gym at the Viejas Reservation was soundless except for soft shrills coming from a small gap between Don Martín’s lips. For the 100 people listening, the healer’s incessant chant was occasionally engulfed by the swift whooshes coming from a two-foot condor feather being swung by the shaman’s apprentice.

Tears fell from Kristie Orosco’s face. The Kumeyaay woman would later say she felt her ancestors near and a revelation that the old medicine ways were returning.

For four days in early April, the Andean shaman (known as a curandero in Mesoamerica) healed and enlightened a following of Indians and non-Natives on the mountainous reservation, about 30 miles east of San Diego.

With eyes closed, Don Martín expounded in Spanish and Quecha, (the ancient language of the Incas) on the cycle of reciprocity among human beings and Mother Earth. He warned of the affliction, el susto, (the fright) that makes people depressed, arrogant and otherwise corrupt and comes from exterior forces that penetrate the soul.

It was the first time Don (an honorary title used in Hispanic cultures) Martín Pinedo visited a North American Indian reservation and begins an effort, Viejas leaders say, to reconnect them with healing ways not practiced in generations.

“I was stunned. He talks about things I heard as a child growing up on the
reservation,” said Anthony Pico, a former Viejas chairman.

Spanish Catholic missionaries worked to convert the Kumeyaay from 1769 to 1834 when the missions were secularized under Mexican law. By the late 18th century, 21 Spanish Catholic missions and four Spanish presidios (military forts) had been established from San Diego to Northern California.

“If you look at documents of the missionaries, they talk specifically of the spiritual and temporal conquest of the Indians,” said Steve Newcomb, indigenous law research coordinator at the Sycuan Education Department. “It was a direct attack on the core of Native peoples (in California).”

And while ongoing efforts to revitalize language and culture have had some success, Kumeyaay people still rely on western medicine.

“One of the things we have not been able to bring back in southern California, I would say, is our old medicine practices because of the genocide,” Pico said.

That could change. Pico, who was responsible for bringing the renowned curandero, said he plans to host him regularly and eventually fuse Kumeyaay components with his teachings. The eagle could replace the condor. The sage leaf is interchangeable with the coca leaf.

“Your intent is what’s important. We could use our own language here, our own mountains to pray to,” Pico said.

With eyes closed, Don Martín expounded in Spanish and Quecha, (the ancient language of the Incas) on the cycle of reciprocity among human beings and Mother Earth. He warned of the affliction, el susto, (the fright) that makes people depressed, arrogant and otherwise corrupt and comes from exterior forces that penetrate the soul.

“Don’t be sad because you make me sad. Smile, it’s part of the medicine,” he said.

Photo by Victor Morales

Kristie Orosco, (right) closed her eyes during the condor meditation at Viejas Reservation. An Andean shaman guided a group of about 100 through the 45-minute session.

He prophesized that life-changing ways would begin to renew the Earth around 2012.

Using up to 50 items such as seeds, grains and candies, he performed despachos, a gift ceremony acknowledging the life-giving elements of the Earth.

Tishmall Turner, Luiseño, came to hear Don Martín with her mother. They were among the people waiting in line to receive a cleansing.

“Yes they are other customs, but really it’s the same philosophy, our philosophy,” she said.

Don Martín’s practices seemed natural to the Indians attending the sessions. The 45-minute condor meditation culminated with emotional hugs among some of them.

“I am so happy we got to have this today, happy for our people,” Orosco said.

And although the medicine brought by Don Martín originated about 7,000 miles in the Apu Pachatusan, one of the sacred Andean mountains of Peru, continuities exist both in their cosmology and geography. The Kumeyaays have lived for thousands of years around the area now known as the Cleveland National Forest that extends from the Sierra Madre mountain range, one of two that connects North and South America and the Andes Mountains.

One component of Andean cosmology prophesizes that the north American eagle will fly with the south American condor unifying both.

“He is a mountain shaman, so it’s very powerful that he came and helped connect those two places,” said Dr. Michael R. Verrilli, an osteopathic physician who maintains a practice of shamanic healing in Massachusetts and has known Don Martín for 11 years.

Marco Nunez, Don Martín’s apprentice acknowledged the aboriginal connection.

“We are happy to be here with them (and) to help recapture their medicine,” he said in Spanish.

I happened on this on @Indigenity twitter stream and wanted to share it all with you.  It’s not the same as being there, but it’s the best we could on short notice.  And it’s a great way for you to sample the wealth of knowledge these indigenous representatives have.  The subject is Global Climate Change but you will find a great variety of topics discussed, song and culture exchanged. Please consider what is being said deeply, it may not seem related in a linear sense, but it most definately is. Beautifully so. What a great way for us all to experience these ancient solutions to climate change.

This is footage from the 3rd day of the conference, Mother Earth Day! After Morning Salutations, the Keynote speaker is Winona LaDuke, White Earth Anishanabe. She presents about cheap oil, food sustainability and a lot more. Would love to hear your thoughts!

Just a teaser, I am planning an interview with a special guest who will talking about new understandings about the Mayan prophecies and what it means to us, and the significance of the year 2010.  I’m curious if you have specific questions that you’d like to ask, please post them here.

Out of respect for traditional values and ensuring our guests are comfortable us and technology, we will not be opening this particular call up to listeners for questions and comments.  I hope that as our guests become more comfortable, they will visit with us again and then perhaps we’ll be able to opening lines up and receive questions directly.  Until then, I’d love for you to share your questions and ideas here and even dialogue about it further in the next couple of days. 

So let’s get started.

I have been sick in bed for over a week now.  I am getting better, the combination of allergies, high winds and some kind of flu has really kicked my butt.  But I wanted to share some of my thoughts as I was watching this week’s episode of “We Shall Remain”.  If you haven’t watched it is well worth watching and certainly offers fuel for additional thought and conversation.

As I watching and listening to this show about Tecumseh there are some thoughts that I wanted to share with you and open up for conversation.  

I was struck by the similarities between Tecumseh, Wovoka and the Mayan prophecies.  Part of it is due to the timing, as this time of the year is when the Ghost Dance happens and it always provokes such interesting reactions from people. (More about the connection with Mayan Prophecies later, I have a special interview in the works and will be sharing that with you soon!)

Here’s the heart of the issue:

Every time native, or indigenous peoples speak of ‘taking back the land’ or talk about visions of ‘bringing back the old ways’, it conjures up powerful fears for people.  Why? 

My belief is that it is seeded from guilt. Old and festering. Really think about it.  Go deep.  This is a guilt that is deep in our cells, over choices that were not our own but carried through the generations, through our very dna.  This guilt is over old injustices and crimes. Those done to us as well as against us.  Camoflauged as fears, prejudices, jealousy, a sense of indebtedness, a sense of wanting to make things right, even by over romanticizing native peoples, culture and spirituality. 

Guilt because we realize that what was done then was wrong, we could have all done it differently and the of course the United States, the world would be a different place. Fear because we know that what we give, we receive and that is a thought too frightening to consider playing out. Then, but also now.  I know it’s getting touchy now but hang in with me, let’s look at this further.

This guilt plays out for native peoples too.  We want to make sure that ‘others’ know that they owe us, that we were victimized.  We were robbed and our visions were murdered. 

All of that is true.  But I think there is more to look at and consider.  If we look at native traditions, native ceremonies, there is always at least two possibilities.  Stay with me and let’s keep looking.

Throughout the Americas, there were prophecies about European arrival here in America.  Elders, medicine people throughout had visions of the coming atrocities and genocide long before they ever happened.  We knew it could happen… Could… And of course, it did and then some. Why didn’t we stop it and just kill Columbus on the beach??? 

Why? Because they saw another possibility, it could have been different. 

Every thought and action leads to another equal or greater thought or reaction.  Right?

The Elders and medicine people who tell of the prophecies always saw two possibilities. And they were willing to take the chance, hoping for better of the two.

Some would say, “Well, we know what happened. Natives got murdered and their land taken.  End of story.”   That’s partly true.  The Elders told us about two possibilities, both were real.  We stopped talking about the ‘other possibility’ when we lost in our pain. 

So right now I am talking about a spiritual reality, which to native peoples is more often more real than the reality that we touch and feel in the material world.  I honestly have never heard of what the other visions, the ‘other possibility’ looked like.  As I’ve gotten older and understood more about the power of healing, I wished I would have asked. But in many ways, we’ve been given clues.

Tecumseh dreamed it, Wovoka dreamed it and the Mayan Prophecies foretold it.  What these visions seem to keep saying is to ‘bring back the old ways’.  What does that mean? Why are we so hesitant to give us our current reality/path for something else?  Why are we so willing to dismiss another vision of what’s possible? What are our fears about that?  That is what is blocking real progress.  We are doomed to repeat history unless we learn and heal from it. Right?

Bringing back the old ways does not have to be replay of history, by healing our guilt and our fears, by really looking deep at our selves, our perceptions of our world. Forgiving our self and others, forgiving our choices in the past new possibilities opens up.  Or perhaps new journeys down old possibilities.  Isn’t it time? 

There exists another possibility, it was also foretold.  Two roads: Red and Black.  Two choices; healing or perpetuating the pain.  

Every thought and action leads to an equal or greater thought or reaction.  Right?

What thought dominates you?  Pain, guilt, hate, fear?  Hope, faith, healing, forgiveness?
These old stories tell us a lot about our selves, our past and what we choose then as well as what lies before us. What do you think?  What does Tecumseh’s vision tell you?  Please share…