Some of these are very close to the teachings of Buddha - you have to believe it's truth when it is "discovered" by peoples who live thousands of miles apart (in a time of no communication outside your own community) and separated thousands of years. These eternal truths have to come from somewhere outside ourselves to be so pervasive through so many different times and cultures.
Thanks for the lesson - I always appreciate learning about other cultures - I find the differences are what make us interesting. In regard to #11, Buddhists say that "when the student is ready the teacher will come." I believe that we all have the ability to be both students and teachers, and that those who are willing to both learn and teach are creating the true path to Peace on Earth.
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Discussion Topic
Twelve Principles of Native American Philosophy
Posted on 10/06/08, 08:39 pm
Twelve Principles of Native American Philosophy
1) WHOLENESS
All things are interrelated.Everything in the Universe is part of a single whole. Everything is connected in some way to everything else. It is only possible to understand something if we understand how it is connected to everything else.
2) CHANGE
Everything is in a state of constant change. One season falls upon the other. People are born, and die. All things change. There are two kinds of change. The coming together of things and the coming apart of things. Both kinds of change are necessary and are always connected to each other.
3) CHANGE OCCURS IN CYCLES OR PATTERNS
They are not random or accidential. If we cannot see how a particular change is connected, it usually means that our standpoint is affecting our perfection.
4) THE PHYSICAL WORLD IS REAL - THE SPIRITUAL WORLD IS REAL
They are two aspecets of one reality. There are seperate laws which govern each. Breaking of a spiritual principle will affect the pgysical world and visa versa. A balanced life is one that honors both.
5) PEOPLE ARE PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL BEINGS
6) PEOPLE CAN ACQUIRE NEW GIFTS,BUT THEY MUST STRUGGLE TO DO SO
The process of developing new personal qualities may be called "true learning".
7) THERE ARE FOUR DIMENSIONS OF TRUE LEARNING
A person learns in a whole and balanced manner when the mental, spiritual, physical, and emotional dimesnsions are involved in the process.
8) THE SPIRITUAL DIMENSION OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT HAS FOUR RELATED CAPACITIES
*the capacity to have and to respond to dreams, visions, ideals, spiritual teachings, goals and theories.
*the capacity to accept these as a reflection of our unknown or unrealized potential.
*the capacity to express these using symbols in speech, art or mathematics.
*the capacity to use this symbolic expression towards action directed at marking the possible a reality.
9) PEOPLE MUST ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR OWN POTENTIAL
10) A PERSON MUST DECIDE TO DEVELOP THEIR OWN POTENTIAL
The path will always be there for those who decide to travel it.
11) ANY PERSON WHO SETS OUT ON A JOURNEY OF SELF-DEVELOPMENT WILL BE AIDED
Guides, teachers, and protectors will assist the traveler.
12) THE ONLY SOURCE OF FAILURE IS A PERSON'S OWN FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE TEACHINGS
1) WHOLENESS
All things are interrelated.Everything in the Universe is part of a single whole. Everything is connected in some way to everything else. It is only possible to understand something if we understand how it is connected to everything else.
2) CHANGE
Everything is in a state of constant change. One season falls upon the other. People are born, and die. All things change. There are two kinds of change. The coming together of things and the coming apart of things. Both kinds of change are necessary and are always connected to each other.
3) CHANGE OCCURS IN CYCLES OR PATTERNS
They are not random or accidential. If we cannot see how a particular change is connected, it usually means that our standpoint is affecting our perfection.
4) THE PHYSICAL WORLD IS REAL - THE SPIRITUAL WORLD IS REAL
They are two aspecets of one reality. There are seperate laws which govern each. Breaking of a spiritual principle will affect the pgysical world and visa versa. A balanced life is one that honors both.
5) PEOPLE ARE PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL BEINGS
6) PEOPLE CAN ACQUIRE NEW GIFTS,BUT THEY MUST STRUGGLE TO DO SO
The process of developing new personal qualities may be called "true learning".
7) THERE ARE FOUR DIMENSIONS OF TRUE LEARNING
A person learns in a whole and balanced manner when the mental, spiritual, physical, and emotional dimesnsions are involved in the process.
8) THE SPIRITUAL DIMENSION OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT HAS FOUR RELATED CAPACITIES
*the capacity to have and to respond to dreams, visions, ideals, spiritual teachings, goals and theories.
*the capacity to accept these as a reflection of our unknown or unrealized potential.
*the capacity to express these using symbols in speech, art or mathematics.
*the capacity to use this symbolic expression towards action directed at marking the possible a reality.
9) PEOPLE MUST ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR OWN POTENTIAL
10) A PERSON MUST DECIDE TO DEVELOP THEIR OWN POTENTIAL
The path will always be there for those who decide to travel it.
11) ANY PERSON WHO SETS OUT ON A JOURNEY OF SELF-DEVELOPMENT WILL BE AIDED
Guides, teachers, and protectors will assist the traveler.
12) THE ONLY SOURCE OF FAILURE IS A PERSON'S OWN FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE TEACHINGS
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Reply #1 10/10/08 1:26am
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