Mythral The Mystic – Digging deep into the occult

I first got to know about the Native American peace pipe from a Native American friend. I often noticed that he used the expression “Smoked the peace pipe” whenever he referred to patching up with someone after a fight. One day I got curious and asked him about it. He enlightened me on the ancient tradition of smoking a peace pipe by the native Indians. The peace pipe also known as medicine pipe or calumet is used by many Native American tribes as a symbol of peace and as an offering to Mother Earth for her bountiful gifts.

Peace Pipe

I had the fortune of trying out the ritual myself thanks to my friend. He had saved up the smoking pipe that his forefathers had used years ago. Along with the pipe came a pipe bowl which is usually made of red pipestone. The ceremony began with the pipe being loaded with tobacco, and then being pointed to all four directions – East, West, North and South with respect to Mother Earth (Gaia) and Father Sky. It finally ends with the final ceremonial offering to the Great Spirit. On one hand I held the pipe firmly by the bowl and pointed the stem of the pipe to the east. On the other hand I held a pinch of tobacco, which I sprinkled on the ground to the wise and prosperous Mother Earth and also in recognition of what I have taken from Her. After this I inserted the tobacco in the bowl of the pipe. The sprinkling, it seems, is also a message to the spirit world that a portion of the tobacco is for the powers from the East. The last step is the holding up of the pipe pointed straight upward, into the centre of the universe as Wakan Tanka is regarded to be above, said my friend, although Indians admit that God is everywhere. I had to chant ritual words which included praises and thanking each of the directions for the various gifts.

After chanting the ritual words I turned to the south and pointed the pipe stem facing the south. I held another pinch of tobacco slightly above eye level in the south direction. And I chanted the respective verses. Next I turned west and added another pinch of tobacco. The west is where, according to their tradition, we gain our spiritual wisdom from. Then I sprinkled the tobacco to the north and then inserted into the bowl. After all four directions were accredited I touched the pipe bowl to the ground. I sprinkled tobacco on Mother Earth and then pointed it at an angle into the sky. We performed the ceremony in day and hence I had pointed it to the sun. My friend told me that I should point to the moon if it was night. This was an acknowledgement to Father Sky. Then more tobacco is sprinkled on the ground and the pipe is again loaded and held almost straight up to end the ritual.

My friend said he still believes that the ritual of the peace pipe gives him peace of mind. I borrowed it from him for a week and realized it was true. Many of these customs and traditions though different in many ways are aimed at making a better world. I was glad I was open to such cultures and having learnt more about the Native Americans.

//Bruce

I had some of the most wonderful experiences while researching the field of spirituality. Spirituality is not born out of any religion. It does not have any parent, or origin. It teaches the morality and spectrum of life. In other words, I have found out that Spirituality is nothing but absolute science. It goes straight into the matter, without any levels of research or links. While many religions preach about their Creator and their scriptures, Spirituality deals with logic of life.

Spirituality

One of the most essential and basic principles of Spirituality is that there are infinite paths that lead to God. We can worship and reach out to God through any form, such as music, art, dance, sculpture etc. One of the moral values of Spirituality is to reach out to God, without hurting or provoking violence and cruelty amongst fellow men. In my research I have discovered that Spirituality seeks insight and provides us with various options in the style of our prayer, guiding us rightly and strengthening our faith.

In addition to the above mentioned, I have also discovered that an average human is surrounded by 75% unhappiness. The science of Spirituality fights to discard this make way for bliss and supreme happiness. Spirituality is indeed above all sciences in this world. When the door closes at the intellectual level, it opens to a wider perspective, the spiritual level.

Native Indians have a long-standing tradition of spirituality mixed with their customs and religion. The fusion of spirituality in daily practice is often quoted by various spiritual gurus to make life extremely contented and happy. So I ventured to find out more about Native Indian Spirituality and came to know that they believe that earth is a living super organism. Mother Earth or Gaia has given birth to all that is present in the world.  We, humans are also Gaia’s children varying only in ancestry. Thus all their spiritual endeavours are intended to strengthen our self, our families and friends, our relationships with each other and finally Mother Earth Herself. They speak of secularism in respecting each other and pray for the common good of all. They envision peace and hope in the world. They do not claim to convert you, just to ensure that you become a better person than what you already are. They perform various ceremonies to please the various sacred presences for prosperous living. The ceremonies themselves differ according to the various tribes. Each tribe has a different method that is limited by the resources available and modified to suit needs.

Christianity has yet again tried to suppress the native Indian traditions by many wars and years of oppression. But even today, Native Indian spirituality exists and is being slowly recognized for its ways and means of peaceful living. No one is yet to be an expert in this field of rich tradition. I would say that I’m still learning about their beautiful spiritual undertaking to make this world a better place to live in for future generations to come.

//Bruce