In the worldview of the First Peoples of the Americas, this world is a school. We are on a journey toward ever more grandiose and subtle manifestations of the One Light. This light is impossible to define with words, but reveals itself to us constantly through the world. Impermanence, the continual and perpetual transformation of all that exists in this world, illustrates and demonstrates that the form we hold in this moment is an illusion if we attribute to it any importance or permanence other than that of nurturing the life of all our relations. Thus, we can return to the present moment knowing that all is well, that all is as it should be, that all is perfect just as it is. There is the breath, the inhale, the exhale, the truth of the present moment that is the guarantor of what is real. There is no use in worrying or complaining. In a moment everything will be different. It is what we bring into the now that creates the next moment, the following day, the next year, the next life and those that follow.
This is why the true spirituality of the First Peoples of the Americas was not so concerned with words, or with any particular spiritual teaching, but rather with weaving into daily life the attitudes and gestures that predispose us toward the good of all our relations. Spiritual teaching resides in practice, in the way of thinking, speaking and living. Not in words and elaborate, detailed philosophies that can lead to confusion, even if what they describe is true. For one becomes attached to the form, to the words, to the illusion of giving importance to the ego that has learned this and that. What is true is this moment now. What am I thinking? How am I acting? Is it for the good of all beings? Are my words true and always a reflection of reality? Do they help those around me?
Thus, the spirituality of the First Peoples of the Americas was taught in the reality of daily life. Let us pause for a moment in the life of our ancestors, who brought awareness of the instant, of pure and total consciousness to their children… by saying: how do you walk? Do you carry your weight on the ball of your foot or on your heel when you set your foot on the ground? Be aware that when you move through the forest, if you place the ball of your foot down first, you will feel the ground and be able to set your foot down without making noise, respecting the life of all our relations so that they are not afraid of our presence. Also, if you walk on the ball of your foot, you spare your whole body, for you add suspension and spring to your walk and your run. For this we wear moccasins, soft shoes that allow us to feel the ground. Walking on the heel denotes an attitude of domination, of arrogance. Thus, these people arriving on our shores, who add thick heels to their shoes, are in need of wisdom. They would do well to understand our spirituality. Let us be tolerant and understanding, and bring at the right moment the words of wisdom and truth that may inspire them toward greater respect and pure awareness of the importance of all life around them.
It took a very long time before some descendants of the European colonizers in the Americas and throughout the world began to grasp the incredible wisdom and depth of our spirituality. But our prophecies had forewarned us of this reality and had indicated the right moment to begin this sharing.
Thus, for the greater good of your being, and of all beings, bring awareness into the present moment. See that we are all one great family. Have compassion and care for all life, in all its forms. Tend to each moment of each day so that the practice of true spirituality — that which spreads the light of goodness and truth — is manifest in every step you place upon the ground. You will then see that pure and total consciousness transcends the world and gives you all knowledge and all power to help all beings in all worlds and in all times.