Barefoot on the Sacred Earth
Barefoot on the Sacred Earth
Excerpt from the book "Barefoot on the Sacred Earth" by Ohiyessa – Charles Eastman.
Ohiyessa, also known as Charles Eastman, was a writer and physician of Dakota (Sioux) origin.
His writings express the worldview of Native peoples of North America and their deep relationship with nature, silence and harmony with the living world.
This text is by Ohiyessa – Charles Eastman:
“Childhood I knew how to give; I have lost this grace since I became civilized. I once lived a natural life, whereas now I live an artificial one. The smallest pretty pebble had a meaning for me; every growing tree was an object of reverence.
Now I worship with the white man a painted landscape whose value is estimated in dollars! Thus the Indian is reconstructed, as natural stones which are crushed to powder and reformed into artificial blocks to build the walls of modern society.
The first Americans tempered their pride with a strange humility. Spiritual arrogance was foreign to their nature and their teaching. They never claimed that the power of articulated speech was proof of superiority over the mute creation; speech was to them a dangerous gift.
They believed profoundly in silence — the sign of perfect harmony.
Silence is the absolute equilibrium of body, mind and spirit. The man who preserves the unity of his being remains calm and unshaken before the storms of existence — not a leaf stirs on the tree, not a ripple on the shining surface of the pond — such is, for the unlettered sage, the ideal attitude for the conduct of life.
If you ask him: “What is silence?” he will answer:
“It is the Great Mystery (Wakan Tanka). The sacred silence is His voice!”
If you ask him: “What are the fruits of silence?” he will say:
“Self-control, true courage or endurance, patience, dignity and reverence. Silence is the cornerstone of character.”