Native American Spirituality

By Richard D. Saxton

Introduction
It is important to note that there is no one American Indian religion. Just as there is no one
American Indian culture. However, there are many beliefs and ceremonies which are common to
many Native American religions. In this cyber-paper, I am going to focus on these common beliefs
and also explain symbolism and ceremonies which are common to most Plains Indians and some
others. I am going to focus on the Plains Indians for two reasons. First, because when I think of
American Indians, I tend to think of Plains Indians. Second, because I was particularly impressed
with the beliefs of Black Elk, an Oglala Sioux. Furthermore, I hope to show that the concepts held
by Native Americans are valid and that many of these concepts are shared with other philosophies
and religions.

Common Beliefs
As I have mentioned, Native Americans share many common beliefs. The first thing that is
noticeable about most Native American religions is that they do not recognize a dichotomy of the
sacred and the profane. In one sense, Native Americans have no religion because their religious
beliefs cannot be separated from their daily life and their beliefs about the world. To them, all things
are sacred. This is true whether the phenomen is natural or supernatural. Their religions tend to be
pantheistic. To them, everything that is in the universe, both visible and invisible, is a part of God.
However, God is more than just the sum of all the parts of the universe. In the book "The Sacred
Pipe", which is Black's Elk's account of the seven rites of the Oglala Sioux as recorded by Joseph
Epes Brown, Black Elk puts it this way:
"We should understand well that all things are the works of the Great Spirit. We should know that
He is within all things: the trees, the grasses, the rivers, the mountains, and all the four-legged
animals, and the winged peoples: and even more important, we should understand that he is also
above all these things and peoples. When we do understand all this deeply in our hearts, then we
will fear, and love, and know the Great Spirit, and then we will be and act and live as He intends."
Furthermore, because all things are part of God, they believe that people are related to all things
through the Great Spirit. Black Elk has also been quoted as saying:
"Peace ... comes within the souls of men when they realize their relationship, their oneness with the
universe and all its powers, and when they realize that at the center of the universe dwells "Wakan
Tanka" (The Great Spirit), and that this center is really everywhere, it is within each of us."
Native Americans consider Mankind as the guardian of Nature, rather than its master. It seems to
me that if all Americans adopted this belief to a greater extent, the environment would be in a much
better condition, and the world would have a brighter future.
Another common attribute is the Native American belief about language. Generally, words are
thought to have a force which is related to their specific sounds. Basically, words are not considered
as symbols for reality, but rather as forces themselves. Since the breath is identified with the
principle of Life, and since words are spoken with the breath, words are considered sacred and must
be used with care. Also, since words are considered as forces, it is thought that the spoken word can
have a direct affect upon the natural world. This idea is similar to the concept of magical
incantations and the use of mantras. Native Americans are not the only ones who consider sound or
vibration as a creative force. Consider this quote from the Holy Bible. The gospel according to Saint
John (Chapter 1 verses 1-4) puts it this way:
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was
in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; without Him was not anything made that
was made. In him was Life; and the Life was the Light of Men."
The "Word" or Logos is an ancient Greek concept. It is basically the idea that everything manifests
through vibration. Furthermore, ancient Greeks believed that everything came into existance by a
sacred Word spoken by God. As a matter of fact, at the molecular level, everything is vibrating.
Furthermore, if a note is intoned at the proper pitch, a glass or other object will shatter, thus proving
that sounds are forces. So the American Indians and the Ancient Greeks may be right.
A third belief is that natural materials used in arts and crafts express sacred powers which are
related to their nature. The art form is seen as having its own power. It is not merely a symbol, but
an actual power. There is no distinction between the art form and its message or power. All art
objects radiate their powers. In some cases, these powers must be activated through a rite, a song, or
a prayer. However, the power is alwas latent in the design and materials used. One example of this
is the Navaho sand painting which is used for healing purposes. When the sand painting is
complete, and the form activated by prayer, it is believed that the god or power animal it represents
is actually present and exerting an influence on the people present. Furthermore, when a person
making an art form or especially a ceremonial object, the person may fast and pray in preparation.
When making the object, the person is aware of the meaning and potency of the art form. It is
believed that the proper attitude enhances and strengthens the power of the completed form. It is my
opinion that many ancient people of Europe and the Middle East held similar ideas concerning their
idols and sacred objects. They did not believe that the stone statue was a god, but rather that the
power of the god manifested through the statue which was made with loving care.
Another belief is that time is cyclic, rather than progressive. The seasons come in cycles. The sun,
moon, and stars move in cycles. This concept is expressed in rituals and art forms. As Black Elk has
said:
Everything the Power of the World does is done in a circle. The sky is round, and I have heard that
the earth is round like a ball, and so are all the stars. The wind, in its greatest power whirls. Birds
make their nests in circles, for theirs is the same religion as ours. The sun comes forth and goes
down again in a circle. The moon does the same, and both are round. Even the seasons form a great
circle in their changing, and always come back again to where they were. The life of a man is a
circle from childhood to childhood and so it is in everything where power moves. Our teepees were
round like the nests of birds, and these were always set in a circle, the nation's hoop, a nest of many
nests, where the Great Spirit meant for us to hatch our children".
The concept of the "Power of the World" working in circles is well known to scientists. Electrons
move around the nucleus of an atom in circles, and the planets revolve around the sun in an eliptical
orbit.
A fifth belief which was common to most Native American religions of the last century is that
animals to be killed for food must first be propitiated in some way. This might involve a ceremony
before and after the hunt, or it might involve praying before hunting. During the hunt, the hunter
held a respectful and grateful attitude towards his prey. In addition, it was thought that the hunter
must follow certain taboos or the animals would not present themselves willingly. Animals were
thought of as having immortal souls. So when the animal was killed, his soul was either reborn or it
returned to its spiritual home. This idea relates to the concept of Man as being the guardian of
natural forms. It would be unthinkable to the American Indians of the past to waist any part of the
animals which gave their bodies to the hunters.
A sixth common belief is that the world is filled with spirit beings associated with natural and
supernatural phenomenon. Natural forces or forms such as wind, various species of plants and
animals are believed to be controlled by a spirit of some kind. These spirits are not ghosts, but
rather consious aspects of the Great Spirit which control a specific part of the natural or
supernatural world. They might also be considered sacred powers. These powers are thought to be
transferable to other beings or even to objects. Animals possess powers and characteristics
associated with their spirit owner. However, humans are capable of possessing all the powers in the
universe. These might be obtained by propitating the various spirits associated with the power
desired, or they might be obtained in a vision quest.
The final common belief I am going to discuss is the concept of Mana. This is a universal force
which is in all things. It is similar to Life Force. In a sense, all things including rocks and soil are
considered to be alive to varying degrees. This relates to the pantheistic view held by most Native
Americans. This force can be used for good or evil. Before using it, the person must make special
prepartion or he could be harmed by the force. The concept of Mana and pantheism is shared by the
Hindu religion, yogic philosophy, and others. Mana is called pranya by yogic philosophers. It is the
force that makes up the universe. Although Hindus worship many gods, these gods are really
aspects of the universal consciousness called Brahman. All that exists is said to be part of Brahman.
The Bhagavad Gita, one of the most sacred Hindu texts, has this to say:
"Behold the gods of the sun, and those of fire and light; the gods of storm and lightning, and the two
luminous charioteers of heaven. Behold marvels never seen before. See now the whole universe
with all things that move and move not, and whatever thy soul may yearn to see. See it all as One in
me."

Common Symbols
In addition to various common beliefs, most plains Indians have common symbols. One symbol is
the cross within a circle. This represents the four directions with the Great Spirit in the center. This
is similar to the pentagram of the ancient Hermetic philosophers which represents the dominion of
the quintessence over the four elements. Both symbols also represent the relationship of a person to
the world. The cross within a circle is painted on many ritual items, and is the pattern for the Sun
Dance. Another symbol is the teepee. It is a symbol of the universe with the Great Spirit at the
center where the fire is. The smoke hole at the top symbolizes the path of liberation. This
symbolism of the teepee is the main reason they are used in powows. Finally, the sacred pipe is a
common symbol. Each grain of tobacco placed in the pipe represents an aspect of creation. The
name of each aspect is spoken and invoked into the pipe. Prayers are offered to all the powers of the
universe. When the pipe is filled, it represents the entire cosmos. The different parts of the pipe
represent aspects of the smoker. When the fire of the Great Spirit consumes the tobacco and the
smoke is drawn in with the breath, this represents the union of the smoker with all the aspects of the
universe and with the Great Spirit. As the smoke rises to the heavens, it is a visible prayer.

Common Ceremonies and rites

There are three ceremonies or rites that are common to most Native American religions. These are
the sweat lodge, the vision quest, and the Sun Dance. The sweat lodge or purification rite is
performed in preparation for all major rites including the vision quest and Sun Dance. The
purification is performed on the body, soul, and on behalf of the entire tribe or nation. The process
begins building a dome shaped lodge with sixteen willow saplings which are covered by canvas to
make it dark inside. A small pit is dug in the center and it is filled with hot rocks. These rocks have
been preheated outside. The leader sprinkles water on the rocks and spreads sage on the floor.
During the purification rite, there are four periods of sweating. Each of these four periods is
dedicated to a direction which contributes to the physical and spiritual pruification of the
participants. During these periods, prayers are said, songs are sung, and the sacred pipe is
ceremoniously smoked. After the fourth period, the door is opened and the light enters into the
darkness. When the participants go into the light, this symbolizes leaving the impurities behind and
being liberated from the darkness of ignorance.
Each part of the structure of the lodge is symbolic. The lodge as a whole represents the universe.
The pit in the center of the lodge represents the presence and the power of the Great Spirit. The
willows that support the lodge symbolize all that grows in the earth. The rocks represent the earth
and the indestructable nature of the Great Spirit. Finally, the water which is sprinked on the rocks is
the flowing and Life giving nature of the Great Spirit.
The vision quest is another common rite. In some tribes, only a few people have a vision quest.
While in others, everyone may have one or several vision quests during their life time. The vision
quest is usually practiced on a hill in an isolated place. The area is marked off by the colored flags
of the four directions. Usually, strings of tobacco are strung between these flags. The rite involves
prayers and fasting from food and water for up to four days. The object of a vision quest is to obtain
a spirit guardian and receive a sacred name. When the vision appears, it is usually in the form of a
power animal. The vision seeker establishes a relationship with the spiritual essence of this form.
This relationship will continue for the rest of his or her life. It will have an effect upon daily life. A
person may have a relationship with many power animals as Crazy Horse is said to have had. He
received visions of the rock, the shadow, the badger, a prancing horse (after which he was named),
the day, and the spotted eagle (a symbol for the Great Spirit). In addition to obtaining a spirit
guardian, a vision quest might produce a sacred song, a new art form, or a new ceremony. The
content of a vision quest is usually kept secret. Occasionally, the person seeking a vision is
instructed to share the knowledge gained with others. Black Elk has stated several reasons for a
vision quest:
"There are many reasons for going to a lonely mountain top to "lament". Some young men receive a
vision when they are very young and when they do not expect it, and then they go to "lament" that
they might understand it better. Then we "lament" if we wish to make ourselves brave for a great
ordeal such as the Sun Dance or to prepare for going on the war path. Some people "lament" in
order to ask some favor of the Great Spirit, such as curing a sick relative; and then we also "lament"
as an act of thanks giving for some gift which the Great Spirit may have given us. But perhaps the
most important reason for "lamenting" is that it helps us to realize our oneness with all things, to
know that all things are our relatives; and then on behalf of all things we pray to Wakan Tanka that
He may give to us knowledg of Him who is the source of all things, yet greater than all things."
Another common ceremony is the Sun Dance which is an annual spring ceremony of world renewal
and self renewal. Its original purpose was to renew communion with the earth, the sun, the spirits,
and the winds so the tribe would have health and fertility. The prepartion for the Sun Dance is as
sacred as the ceremony itself. The ritual equipment and costumes are prepared with an attitude of
sacredness. Even the preparation for the Sun Dance involves a ceremony which includes the sweat
lodge ceremony. The participants fast and dance for three or four days. They dance all day and most
of the night. They dance inside a circular open frame lodge which is constructed especially for the
Sun Dance. A new lodge is constructed each year. In the center of the lodge is a sacred tree which
has been especially selected for the occasion on certain criteria. The lodge represents the universe
and the tree represents the union between the microcosm and the macrocosm, or between Mankind
and the Universe. The dancers move to and from the center of the lodge and concentrate on the top
of the pole or on the sun.
In conclusion, I feel that American Indian religions express a spirituality which is comparable to the
great world religions. Many Native American religions share common ideas whith Hinduism and
Buddhism. They conceive of one ultimate God which is part of His creation, but yet above it. They
believe in a universal Life Force which permeates the universe. And their main goal is to unify
Mankind with God so that we may fully express God's will. As joseph Epes Brown wote in his
book "The Spiritual Legacy of the American Indian";
"If this spirituality has not yet been fully recognized as existing among Indians, it is partly due to a
problem of communication, since their conceptions are often expressed through symbolic forms that
are foreign to us. If we can understand, however, the truths the Indians find in their relationships to
nature, and the profound values reflected by their many rites and symbols, then we may become
enriched, our understanding will deepen, and we shall be able to give to the American Indian
heritage its rightful place among the great spiritual traditions of mankind. Furthermore, if Indians
themselves can become more actively aware of this valuable heritage, then they may regain much of
what has been lost, and will be able to face the world with pride and diginity that should rightfully
be theirs."