Is the Universe A Medicine Wheel?

 

At first, Grandmother Pa'Ris'Ha's ideas and teachings regarding the Medicine Wheel seemed rather strange to me. Nevertheless, slowly but surely, I embraced the wisdom and power of these ideas. I loved and respected my teacher, Grandmother Pa’Ris’Ha. Indeed, I had asked her to teach me!  Intuitively I felt that much would be gained by remaining open and curious—on the Medicine Wheel and on so much else!  

 

Here I would like to explain how I personally arrived at an understanding of what and why the UNIVERSE can be seen as a veritable Medicine Wheel! Or to use a mathematical formula called an “identity” to describe my thesis, UNIVERSE=Medicine Wheel.

 

I’ll start by asking: What is the UNIVERSE??? Many would likely agree, if asked— that “UNIVERSE” is the best word for describing the BIGGEST place that exists and it contains everything! For the sake of discussion, I am going to just say that The UNIVERSE is that which contains ALL things, and inside this HUGE UNIVERSE there are wild cosmic phenomena such as stars and Quasars, and Black Holes…and galaxies, and solar systems and little planets, and smaller oceans, and molecules and atoms, matter and anti-matter, energy, life and death, cats, humans, ET’s and so on. Let us say that the word, “UNIVERSE”, —the thing I am talking about here—also contains (if such things exist at all) such tricky, weird phenomena as parallel universes, Heaven and/or Hell, and/or the Bardo or the Woo. In other words, for the sake of discussion—here on this little computer—I am going to say that the UNIVERSE is EVERYTHING that exists—the Whole Kit and Caboodle, in other words. And that’s why the first part of the word, UNIVERSE, is “UNI”, meaning “ONE”. When taken as a unified whole, there is only ONE of “All That Is.”

 

Now surprisingly enough, I know that whoever is reading this is likely a human being who has the enormous, wonderful capability of Imagining inside their brain, just what I have described. You can see, with little effort, in your mind’s eye, THE UNIVERSE. Maybe you have to sort of scan back and forth to see it all. Or you may have to conjure a spiral galaxy and let that disappear into blackness and then look at a blazing star next. But you have probably seen enough pictures of astronomical phenomena to, in a manner of speaking, “see” the UNIVERSE in all its glory with one magnificent sweeping effort of your imagination. 

 

Just as a reminder, let me say that although I spent years using a Medicine Wheel for doing prayers and ceremonies and heard many teachings about the Medicine Wheel from Grandmother Pa’Ris’Ha, —Living is Learning! I make no promise that my grasp of the Medicine Wheel is perfect! And in this small space, I’ll really just be giving very basic, “basics.” I hope you will find wisdom and joy in my words!  As I heard a lecturer say once: “Don’t say ‘no’—just say “‘Oh!’”

 

Can you imagine now, what is at the base of all the swirling galaxies and nebulae and suns? Of what is all that “out there” composed? Why does it appear to be filled with darkness and empty space while we are told by scientists that energies of immense magnitude truly rule both this empty space and the objects that populate it? Electro-magnetism, plasma, gravity, quantum fields, frequencies, etc. We humans are dwarfed by the mysterious energies and forces at play in our UNIVERSE…and many humans pay little attention to this Great Mystery that unfolds endlessly before us during our lifetimes. 

 

Once upon a Time…there was an entity that was believed to be a Living Force, a Divine Creator, hidden behind all the darkness and behind and within the light as well. Cultures world-wide proclaimed and celebrated this entity (or entities) this Sacred Being or (or Beings.) The general English word we use today for such a Creative Force is “God.” Many still believe!

 

But there are so many distractions! Wars and rumors of wars. Lockdowns. Pandemics. Financial crises. NFL Sports! Children to care for. Parents to care for. Injustice. PTSD. Sexual identity. And on and on and on. Who has time to contemplate the gods?

 

Oh…I‘m just kidding around with you. Instead of priests and churches, here in America, self-help coaches and yoga teachers are a dime a dozen these days. And of course, scientists are also easily found too. They all have answers. 

 

One of the very popular wisdoms of the day that I’ve embraced is that “We create our own reality.” It seems pretty obvious to me that our material reality is (to say it in very simple terms) created out of condensed energies. Matter is composed of energetic phenomena such as electrons, protons, neutrons that in turn are shaped by waves or frequencies that do not appear to physical/materialistic observation but which organize sub-atomic particles prior to physical manifestation. Thus, our reality is brought into physical existence through a process sometimes called “Downward causation.” 

 

 But how does all this relate to the Medicine Wheel?   

 

Grandmother Pa’Ris’Ha taught from her own native heritage, the Cherokee, and so it is the Cherokee Medicine Wheel that I am familiar with. 

 

Let me very briefly describe it. I am in no way an authority in this matter but one need not be an authority to make the points I wish to make, which is that symbolically speaking, the Medicine Wheel paints a symbolic picture of the UNIVERSE. Or it represents a kind of “As above, so Below” context where one can create one’s own reality. That is, interacting with the Wheel creates a mini-UNIVERSE where-in one can activate one’s own personal influence in the UNIVERSE at large. 

 

Imagine a flat piece of land where rocks have been laid out in a circle in the manner of a clock. Let us say it has a diameter of 20 to 30 feet. Rocks (roughly the size of a basketball, more or less) are placed on the circumference particularly in the place of “the Four Directions”, North, South, East and West. This placement creates four quadrants.  The stones at the Four Directions represent the “Gates” that are kept by Four Gatekeepers. In this Cherokee Wheel, Yunsai, White Buffalo, is in the North; Waya (the Wolf) is the Gatekeeper in the South; Awahili, the Eagle, is the Gatekeeper of the East.

 

(Three other stones are placed in the Center of the Wheel, representing the Above, the Below and the Center.) 

 

The Medicine Wheel is, among other things, a Way to see the UNIVERSE. If you stand in a field, raise your arm and point to the horizon, and turn in a circle, the universe extends out from you as if a giant circle! As the words in the original Broadway production of The Sound of Music go:  “Every star and every whirling planet, And every constellation in the sky, revolves around the Center of the Universe, that lovely thing called ‘I’.”  You are uniquely the center of YOUR Universe! 

 

Each of the Gates and Gatekeepers are characterized by attributes.  Grandmother Pa’Ris’Ha shared with us a long list of attributes held by the Buffalo, Eagle, Black Bear and Wolf.

 

The attributes of the White Buffalo, for instance, are the following: Will, Wisdom, Water, Freezing Winds, Creative Force, Intuition, Death, Life, Star-Seeds, Allowing, Potential, Path of Success, Power, Action, Control, Priorities, Goals, Accomplishments, Results, Recognition, Effective Action through Thought, Testing, Tempering for Defeat of imbalanced and destructive thought forms, Give-A-Way, Renew, Freedom Creation. From the Frozen Waters comes the promise of the Future. Color is Pale Blue or Blue. 

 

It took years for me to come into a relationship with the Medicine Wheel as a representation of the entire Universe. But today I feel confident that with that wonderful gift of the imagination, I can stand and look to the North and imagine and “see” in my mind’s eye, the attributes of the North flowing toward me, empowering me, gifting me, blessing me, teaching me. But I do not just imagine these things.  I can FEEL them as well.  I can activate my heart with love, appreciation and caring for the Gifts. I can smile and celebrate these Gifts! I can influence by creating a frequency of Appreciation within my Being, within my heart, my soul, my Spirit and mind…. thus, I set up the proper conditions for the manifestation of all good Gifts right here on the planet Earth in my life. If I choose, I can chant and dance in celebration of the Attributes which is a very powerful way to draw something into manifestation.

 

To put it another way, I could imagine the UNIVERSE NOT as just an endless, empty darkness with no rhyme or reason— as a mindless, infinite field of matter, frequency and energy but still out of my reach. But understanding the dynamics of manifestation of reality, I now choose to see the UNIVERSE as a multi-dimensional Medicine Wheel that can enable me to assist in the transformation and healing of my planet. 

 

For your edification, here are the attributes of the other three gatekeepers that I have come to know.

 

South—Waya—Wolf—Regeneration, Action, Adolescence, Earth, Wet Winds, Path of Duty, Innocence, Reason, Logic, Information, Design, Pathfinders, Teachers, Responsibility, Stewardship, Appropriate, Thoroughness, Precision, Principles, The Plan, Activity, Abundance, Fire Keeper, Future, DOING. Color is White.

 

West—Yona—Black Bear—Introspection, Integration, Assimilation, Wind, Blazing Winds, PATH of Service, Manifestations, Balancing of Experience, Birthing the New, Friends, Team Work, Sensitivity, harmony, Watchful, All Seeing, Listening, Attention, Consensus, Merging with Spiritual consciousness, Death of Ego, Old Age, Trusting, Nurturing, Oneness, Being. Color is Black.

 

East—Awahili—Eagle or Red Tail Hawk—Illumination, Integration, Fire, Gentle Winds, Path of Pleasure, Personal excitement, Fame, Talking, Inspiring, Motion, Coming and going, Stimulation, Ideas, Intent, Understanding, Having, Leadership, Hearty, BEGINNINGS, PHYSICAL, VISION, INTUITION.  Color is Red. 

 

Where, you might ask, does God fit into this portrayal of the UNIVERSE?  

 

Well, when I dance or pray in the Medicine Wheel, (or even as I walk down the street gazing at all the beauty around me) -- I suggest that I am acting in harmony and co-ordination with a Divine Creator--the ONE THAT IS IN ALL THINGS--a malleable Great Mystery whose body IS the veritable, infinite UNIVERSE. This Godly Being gives of itself and manifests from thoughts and feelings and beliefs that I send out to it! My consciousness counts!

 

The universe, in my view, is a Holy and Sacred multiplicity of phenomena that if view as a tool for Creation. Wisely viewed, it cooperates very handily with the human being. Each and every human is simply and profoundly the Co-Creator if one makes the decision to be so. It’s our decision. And if we master these sorts of Teachings, we can do "Medicine" and heal the Earth and her Peoples!

 

Now, I give much appreciation to Grandmother Pa’Ris’Ha and her Cherokee tradition for her generous conveyance of wisdom!

 

-BDW

 

Grandmother Pa'Ris'Ha

We are now living, some may say, in difficult times.

If I look around, I see fear, fear of what is going on at every level.

The government is taking away our liberties, controlling us more and more with all kind of laws and restrictions, all that for the benefit of everybody; this is what they say!

 

Because of the pandemic there are problems of supply at every level, a lack of workers everywhere and a lot of chaos.

For two years and a half it has been going on and on.

It is not always easy to see and adjust ourselves to the reactions of others around us, including friends and family.

Everybody having his own opinion and criticizing those who do not share their way of thinking; for many it is disturbing and questioning.

It is a good thing I know a grandmother called Grandmother Pa’Ris’Ha.

I met her many years ago at the Sundance Ceremony in Ohio.

She is from the Cherokee family.

She is never far away from me.

Sometimes I see her in my dreams, other times in my meditations or during my walk in the forest.

She helps me and many others to understand and face the disturbance we are in now.

I would like to share the teachings I have with Grandmother Pa’Ris’Ha about these troubled times.

You can see for yourself that we have been for a long time under fear and manipulation.

Just observe it.

The minute you go into fear you become paralyzed and loose your skill to make good decisions for yourself.

Just look what is going on now.

Are you afraid to get that virus? Afraid of being very sick and maybe die of it?

Then we had the second wave, a third and so on.

We had to wear masks and were confined for a long time.

Go inside and see how you feel about it.

Maybe you were all mixed up with all the recommendations and restraints you received from your government and the health board.

Maybe you feel angry because you lost your freedom.

Maybe you feel desperate because you do not know when there will be an end to this.

                                                     

Grandmother Pa’Ris’Ha says

Be aware and choose not to be involved in this insanity. Let the natural phenomenon occur without interference. You do not have to have an opinion on everything. Just relax and observe. If you judge you become cause and effect. In reality if you are against someone or something, you will have arguments with other people and will confront them. Doing that you give more attention, more energy, more power to it.

 

In addition, you think more and more about it and look for reasons to comfort yourself in your way of thinking. You do not understand why others do not share the same ideas.

Now you exclude them.

Maybe some of your friends or family too.

The same process happens if you think to the contrary.

Let’s say that you find something is good for you and others.

You want to rally everybody to your idea.

But not everybody agrees with you. It is like the Yin and Yang process.

That is why Grandmother Pa’Ris’Ha says observe what is going on

Do not become emotional, just stay quiet and see what is going on.

You have to be clear in your mind.

You are the field.

Know who you are.

Working on you will help many.

Your first commitment is to take care of you, putting yourself first.

“You are the field” includes everything and everybody.

Know the word opposite.

In this world we are living in duality: outside of us in the external world like

Day and night

Cold and hot

Dry and wet

It is similar for humans;

Sad and happy

Crying and laughing

Angry and joyful

If you want to resolve a conflict you can’t put emotion in it or it is over. When you judge you become cause and effect.

This is why Grandmother Pa’Ris’Ha insists that we invest much time in knowing who we are and what we want to be.

It is time to observe what is going on, what is the what, what is really there?

You become the seeker and the watcher.

To master yourself is the goal (mindfulness).

Learn to focus where it is important. Be more aware.

What am I experiencing?

Bring peace to yourself. The importance is your mindset.

Remember Grandmother Pa’Ris’Ha says:

Energy follows your thoughts.

When you are judging people, you are attracting the same energy.

Know what you want to be.

Do you want to be part of the solution oriented? If so, you want to observe and see the Yin and Yang everywhere.

Choosing always Love permits everybody to be who they are with their differences.

When you are facing somebody different you can say: help me to understand what is your vision of that.

Then you make a solution and understand it is possible.

“Health, Wealth and Happiness” is for everybody

Now can I say like Grandmother Pa’Ris’Ha

The best for you always                    

MB

My life Since I Met Grandmother Pa’Ris’Ha

I went for an appointment with a Tibetan monk, because I had at this time articulation problems.

He told me: “reading books is not enough, you should have a master.” 

I told him I had a few, but when I did know them better, they were not an example for me.

He said: “a real master acts the way he teaches! That is the way you will recognize the good one.”

 

Few years later I met Grandmother Pa’Ris’Ha.

I was in a workshop with her in Québec. During those two days I felt her love, her consciousness and her wisdom.

She is the person who walks her talk!

I realised that I met the Master who will show me the many possibilities that the great Spirit gave to me.

Each breath brings me to the next point.

Listening to birdsong and let them heal my heart.

Observing Beauty of nature and clouds showing messages.

Welcoming the kiss of the soft wind on my cheek, hearing “you matter”

And that

My finger print is unique and the world needs me.

Life is precious and short. There are so many distractions!

I have to be aware of my choices.

Each day, each week I keep on looking for more comprehension about humanity and the vastness I can explore. Learning is a real passion for me.

My Elder, Grandmother is always there! Challenging me, opening my eyes and my heart. What a gift.

 

Health Wealth and Happiness!!

This is the mantra she repeats.

Looking for Balance all the time, Grandmother Pa’Ris’Ha teaches me

·         To be available helping humanity, to serve (while I am serving, I am in pure love and compassion, I receive as much as I give)

·         To spend time to improve my knowledge (How can I recognize truth with a lack of education)

·         To find in myself a passion and to realize it (the Medicine Wheel is a good tool to use)

 

My Elder is living this way each minute and it is the most powerful example because I know then it is possible!!!

 

Everything is sacred for Grandmother Pa’Ris’Ha

 She has opened many doors for me, she is the Light who illuminates my road.

 

 Numerology: I know that when she recommends a book, the author can be trusted. I still have many things to integrate and I am happy because getting older gives me time to keep on my learning.

 Sciences of the brain: she introduced me to the work of Dr Joe Dispenza, which helped me in “breaking the habit of being myself.” Living in the past and focusing on my wounds doesn’t help me. Visualization and writing my story, my script; how many times Grandmother said that it was so important to journal.

 Food: a body without acidity is healthy. Sugar, tomatoes, red meat contribute in an acid body.

Eating sugar like bananas for breakfast increases the need of sugar for all day.

Benedictions. My love is in every meal I prepare.

Choosing the right ingredients, helping with my purchases the small biologic farmers.

Consciousness when I eat and how I share the food to be sure that every person gets a part.

Clothing choosing natural fibers to be in contact with my body altar. For me creating beauty when I get dressed is a way to respect life and all the people I’ll meet in my day.

 

I had the privilege to travel with Grandmother Pa’Ris’Ha.

I learned a lot about love in a couple. With a great simplicity she shared with us her personal experiences and what she picked up in observing people with the eyes of the heart.

Last week I used what I learned with her advising my grand-daughter. She was at a turning point with her boyfriend; they want to live together now and she was afraid of making a lifetime decision!

I told her some native people make commitments for one year at the time. Each year the couple review what was positive in the past year and what is to improve for next year. Bingo!  Now she gets the tool! She was so happy! When I lift myself I lift up others!

 

I am so grateful to be part of Grandmother’s life.

Since I was very young, I dreamed to be born as a native girl, the reality is that my Elder bathes my soul in her Cherokee wisdom.

As far as I can remember spirituality and intuition were so important for me. But not prayers like a parrot!

I once asked a priest why he was saying the same words each mass, I didn’t get any answer just big eyes from my teacher.

The problem when you like to laugh and have fun, people around you get surprised when you talk about healing you can generate in a group by focussing on Love. In group there is the circle.

The power of the Circle. Each one having the right place. Connecting with the ancients that used the order and this circle to resolve and listen to everyone.

I see that in this time of chaos the talking circle would help humanity to respect the one facing him.

 

Let me share you a moment I had.

I was in Ohio for a Sun ceremony for the first time. Stretching my mind was the beginning.

How many hardwired thoughts did I have?

The huge need in sleeping hours, the need of coffee and food at regular time, all this became useless.

There was a ritual to prepare, a time to respect and I was able to extend my consciousness traveling on Grandmother Pa’Ris’Ha wings.

Each task was important. Working in group and consciousness. I saw how fast a disagreement between two persons didn’t last long. To be in the present moment, letting go the past.

The kids.

When kids are four years old in native tradition, they have to bring food on the table and participate. I noticed how mature each child was, Grandmother was taking time to educate them, asking everyone to include them in the work so they learn to participate and find their skills.

 

When the daily life brings me teachings my cells always remember the lesson.   Some people had to find boxes with vegetarian food, let’s say 40 meals. All day long they were phoning everywhere around even 200 miles away from where we all gathered without result.

At the end of the afternoon, Grandmother Pa’Ris’Ha talked to the two persons and told them. You were so sure that you won’t succeed that you didn’t get what you were looking for. The power of the intention, creating our reality.

The lesson if I do want to succeed: I have to get a clear intention and listen the inner voice who guides me in this fantastic Life.

Beauty is all around

MG