Description
Book SynopsisThe wisdom from these stories can become a companion on your own spiritual journey. Native American Stories of the Sacred are intended for more than entertainment: they are teaching tales containing elegantly simple illustrations of time-honored truths. From tales of Creation to "Why?" stories that help explain the natural world around us, these stories highlight the sacredness of all life and affirm that we are each an integral part of all that is holy. Drawn from tribes across North America, these are careful retellings of traditional stories such as Son of Light's quest to win back his captured wife from the monstrous Man-Eagle; humble Muskrat’s noble self-sacrifice to establish solid land so other beings might live; Water Spider’s creative solution for retrieving fire for all the animals; and White Buffalo Calf Woman’s profound gift of the sacred pipe to the people. Each of the compelling stories in this collection illustrates principles that can guide you on your own spiritual quest. Now you can experience the wisdom of these teaching tales even if you have no previous knowledge of Native American traditions. SkyLight Illuminations provides insightful yet unobtrusive commentary that explains the cultural and spiritual significance of the seemingly mundane objects found in these stories—tobacco, gambling, even the exploits of mischievous tricksters such as Coyote and Weasel—while gracefully drawing comparisons to Christian, Jewish, Buddhist and Hindu religious traditions, among others. Whatever your spiritual heritage, these Native American stories of the sacred are sure to delight and inspire you with the sacredness of all Creation, and remind you that the earth does not belong to us—we belong to the earth.
Trade Review"Reader-friendly.... Enlightening and uplifting." —New York Spirit “Edifying.... Brims with insights into the relevance of Native American spirituality [to] the challenges that face us all as individuals and as a nation embedded in the natural world.” —Spirituality & Health “A gem.... A great group of tales to enjoy by yourself, to read aloud or to discuss with a group.... Timely.” —Read the Spirit “Highlight[s] the sacredness of all life.” —Sacred Journey
Table of ContentsPreface Introduction 1. Creation Stories The Mud Diver Story: Munsee The Making of the World: Huron 2. The Wager for the World The Chickadee Story: Mi'kmaq The Adoption of the Human Race: Natchez Co-No, the World’s Greatest Gambler: Winnebago 3. The Origins of Fire The First Fire: Cherokee Fire-Stealing Fox: Jicarilla-Apache 4. The Sacred Pipe White Buffalo Calf Woman: Lakota 5. "Why?" Stories How Deer Got His Horns: Cherokee Why Deer’s Teeth Are Blunt: Cherokee Why the Blackfeet Never Kill Mice: Blackfeet/Ojibway 6. The Sacred Hero Son of Light Defeats the Monster: Hopi Agulabemu, the Great Bullfrog: Mi’kmaq 7. The Return of the Sun Chipmunk Asks for the Light: Seneca Little Brother Gets Mad at the Sun: Winnebago Raven: Tlingit/Salish 8. Coyotes and Other Tricksters Deer and Blue Jay: Klamath Coyote and Wren: Klamath Coyote and the Salmon: Klamath 9. Nature Spirits, Landkeepers, and Tribal Guardians The Meesang, or Water Babies: Washo The Great Bird Ong: Washo 10. The Spiritual Journey The Stone Canoe: Ojibway/Anishinabi Notes Acknowledgments
