The True Birth of a Nation - The True Native Influence
by David R Cobb 

The influence of native American culture on our supposed unique governance, is being more revealed recently as we struggle to understand our own basic origins. The founding fathers had to search for examples of free governance when they were creating the present so called American experiment. Coming from Europe, where their only rulers for thousands of years were either autocratic or monarchial. They had to look elsewhere for models in which to create this new way of governing they had wished to ideal. The Native Americans, as much as they wanted to conquer them, and as much as they wanted to minimize their way of life, had many unique and integrating forms of governing. Of particular interest was the Iroquois Confederacy, which historians have argued wielded a significant influence on our very own US Constitution basic structure. Their tribal system and societal organizational skills served as a perfect example for governing in this new system of democracy. Simply put, a society that had small councils of oversight for regional areas, with an ultimate single supreme body for final governance of all. 

Specifically, the history channel and a few others have well documented this native influence on our constitution and its ideals. So much so that in 1988, Congress passed a special recognition given to the Tribe and its council for its role in our democratic formation. 

They were all barbarians was just a lie to justify their inhumane actions against native Americans for most of the last few hundred years. As much as new settlers wanted to incorporate the new territories heritage, the new government sought to re-educate anyone away from living in the ancient ways. It wasn’t just a demonization of an entire civilization; it was a hand washing of the realities of ancient knowledge from the minds of the present populace. The ancients believed that the creator force was present in all of us. Not only making us all equals, but uniting us in an energetic way that created a unique way of living completely divorced from what the Europeans so harshly minimized. 

If you believe that the tree is made up as the same cellular components as yourself. That everything is droplets of the main creative force or energy that exists in the world. Much like yourself or any other living thing you do acknowledge as existing. Then why can you not realize that trees breathe, grow, feel pain, have illnesses, even communicate? Like you and any other living thing on this planet that you deem to recognize. Is it because it’s not on your level? The tree is beneath you, so there is no need to respect it. Certainly, no need to be cognizant of its feelings or needs, unless maybe its not as pretty in your front yard as you would like it be. Then you do nothing but see it. 

The masters describe ultimate spiritual evolution, as one’s realization that everything on this planet is a living breathing entity that should be recognized and worthy of mutual respect. Seeing as they are all from the same source, not such a stretch. But how does that translate into a philosophy of living as demonstrated by the ancient natives. 

When you walk on the ground, you step lightly in respect to mother earth, in that you are walking on the largest living entity in this equation. You ask a tree if you may trim it as to further its health and prosperity. You compliment the grass on its healthy growth and color as you walk on it, thankful for its footing and beauty. 

An ancient would pause in front of the tree. Inquire of its health. Humbly ask that he may trim his limbs for his betterment. The tree interacts with the ancient as it communicates to those that can hear its inner voice. From a distance one would have witnessed a true ancient ceremony. One never written down or memorialized as a unique act. For it is just one of the everyday ceremonies that occur as an ancient would live their everyday life. 

Did anyone understand that this deep level of respect and understanding of the world, and this planet, was not out of ignorance nor barbarianism. It was a true extension of higher living. To this day tree huggers are marginalized as being out of touch with reality. Talking to a tree is still considered either ungodly or farcical. A marginalizing adjective used by the ignorant. Yet as I am taught the ancient ways of growing our medicinal herbs and plants, I am constantly led to the door that has a direct communication to plants and all of the surrounding planet. 

Does the plant need water? I don’t know, ask it. You can touch the soil, examine the leaves, but ask it. Just ask the plant how it feels and what it thinks it wants. It will tell you immediately if you care to listen. Notice.... care... to.... Listen......If you are doing anything else but listening, you won’t hear anything. Writes out pretty funny but the ability to communicate with Mother Earth and all that inhabit her is very fundamental, and very elemental. Meaning it resonates with us on a basic level, or a soul connection is what I like to characterize it as these days. Because it is living with an understanding that all things around us are interacting with us continually, and recognizing it will elevate us to higher living. 

The principal condemnation of the ancient native Americans was their direct relationship with the Creator. Religious persecution, who would have thought? For them God is in every living thing and it was to be respected and that doesn’t fit the model of governance of the masses. Pretty simple contradiction of focus and end goals. So, it invalidates the present example as being evil and barbarian, and introduces the new and improved. And better make sure it’s some form of governance that doesn’t allow tree huggers, that talking to trees stuff is ridiculous. 

Ancient native culture is ripe with stories of ancient ceremonies, but saddled with mostly inconsequential facts about the specific nature of them, and their words and actions. The basics of rituals exist in different forms but again, not a record of really what and why they did exist. Sure, they were used to induce protection, magnify crops, and many times solicit weather more favorable to their growing needs. But as to the power and origin of their beliefs, it seems a mostly empty hodgepodge of very little specifics. 

The ancients would give thanks to mother earth, father sky, and many other recognized parts of the universe and it's planets. Many major celebrations corresponded to the equinoxes and celestial bodies that affect seed planting, harvesting, and other greatly important tribal decisions. But these ceremonies have not have been translative to present modern living. Even tough present action is needed to live in these different times we are in. People fail to see what is required to restore balance and reverence on this planet. 

What is completely not comprehended by the modern wisdom seekers, is the simple understandings of the ceremonies in everyday living. 

I was first apprenticed in ancient healing over 15 years ago, and my first rounds of teachings the ancients shared with me incorporated the fundamental concept that each day was a new day. Any preconceived thoughts from previous days would be ruinous to a successful new outcome. Each day one was to rise and go to the stream, cleanse their face and neck from the nights slumber and adventures. 

One was to give thanks to the east, the west, and the north, and south. As the person then would rest on the side of the stream and wait for the emergence of the intuition for the path for that specific day. What forest to forge, what fields to find viable game, what riverbed to explore, all with the understanding that each day is a new day. Nothing like following a “to do list” of how to find a way to make the world bend to our daily desires and wants. 

We don’t need to learn ancient ceremonies to start living like an evolved person. We simply must re-embrace the need to recognize every living thing around us on a continual basis to reconnect to higher living. Living in recognition of all, respecting all, and living a life that seeks betterment for all. 

Make this really a new nation by returning to the ancient ways of connecting to everything around us, and we will truly be living in heaven on earth. 

DC