Earth-based Spirituality

Earth-based Spirituality Saturday November 17 1:30pm to 3:00pm $20 with Grandfather Rick McBride Most people are surprised to learn traditional Native Americans do not practice an organized religion. When the word "religion" is applied to Indian culture, it is an accommodation to mainstream-think. The word, religion, also has certain legal benefits now that the Civilization Regulations are no longer forcibly imposed against Indian Country. Among the benefits of attending this lecture is learning a contrasting worldview that will help you understand more fully a way of living that supports inner peace and respect for that power which created the universe and life, unobtrusively integrated into everyday living. For instance, you may come to accept and value personal experiences with Spirit more readily, something many Christian religions eschew, claiming this interaction ceased after the ancient Hebrew prophets left the planet. Do indigenes pray, and if so, to who, and how many? Do indigenes "worship" the sun, or animals, or blood-letting? Are indigenes "warrior cultures?" If so, what exactly is a warrior? (this one might really surprise you). Do indigenous men dominate women, and demand they be "in submission" to them? Are indigenous ceremonies "barbaric," based on ignorant superstition? Do indigenes live in fear of an angry superspirit, of the Earth, of the weather, of death? In 1990 about 8 percent of adults self-identified as "spiritual, not religious." By 2013 that number more than doubled, to 20 percent. The number of spiritual, not religious people under the age of 30 is about 35 percent!It is reasonable to assume there is a growing core within this population dedicated to non-religious spiritual practice, given other evidence. For some, to be “spiritual, not religious” is a path closer to Creator, free of the agenda and factionalizing of organized religions. If you find greater peace sitting in a forest than in a pew, if you would rather listen to Spirit sing through the birds harmonizing with rapids in a river than sit inside four walls, if you hear the animals, or trees, or stone people when they talk, then you might just be ready to step more fully into an Earth-based spiritual life. Join us in this presentation and connect with other like-minded human beings. Rick McBride is mixedblood Tsalagi (Cherokee) who has walked the Red Road for over 30 years. He was named Cante Lute (Schan-tay Lou-tuh) by the spirits through his sundance chief, which means Red Heart. He is a sundancer and has been traditionally trained and authorized to lead ceremonies, such as inipi (purification lodge), prayer with the Canunpah (Pipe), drum healing and so forth. He has been publicly teaching these ways for some ten years now. Workshops and lectures are one way to learn from the wisdom of Indian Country. Ceremony brings this knowledge to life. Combined, teaching and ceremony render practical guidance to everyday living. And so, Rick sees his role as that of "translator" of indigenous ways so that mainstream-educated people get the full benefit of these ways. It has taken him years of dedicated interaction with many Elders, as well as his activities as ceremonial leader to get to this place in his life. For further information, visit his website: http://www.mixedblood.info