Inspiration
The Sacred Hoop is a way of stating that all things are interconnected and that all appearances are interconnected. All beings are relatives in the dance of life, vibrating to a mysterious pulse. The imagery of the Sacred Hoop reminds us that how we speak and think and what we do, moves through the environment and returns to us. The water is our relative… Ven. Dhyani Ywahoo, Learning Cherokee Ways: The Ywahoo Path, p.27)
Water is Life:
“In Tsalagi [Cherokee], water is ama, consciousness, like mama, and when we awaken to the cleansing properties of water, then we may wash away the obstacles to good relationship with self, others, the Earth.” (Ven. Dhyani Ywahoo, Voices of Our Ancestors, pg.117)
Caretaking water is our collective responsibility:
“Just as our organ systems are supported by Mother Earth’s compassion, she [Mother Earth] is supported by our caretaking. To return to Earth appreciation and caretaking of her waters, mountains, and atmosphere is the responsibility of her children [human beings}. That is our song in this time.” (Ven. Dhyani Ywahoo, Voices of Our Ancestors, pg. 117).
Everyone deserves
access to clean water:
“Wisdom, a stream ever flowing, a sense of our oneness with all beings, an understanding that that which crawls, walks, flies, or swims is some relative to each of us. In recognizing that stream in ourselves, there is a sense of wonder and respect for life as it manifests in every part of the stream.” (Ven. Dhyani Ywahoo, Voices of Our Ancestors, pg. 113).
Indigenous Grandmothers Reflect on Water:
Water is Life
“Water is what sustains us. Water is what brings us into this world, and water is what keeps us in this physical world. And so it’s our life.”
Elder Janice Longboat, Mohawk, Six Nations, Ontario
Water is Sentient, Water Forms Relationships
“There’s that feeling of sensing Mother Earth. There’s times when I stand by the water, and I can feel the pulsing, the pulsing of the water standing by the shore. I can feel that connection myself with the water.”
Elder Josephine Mandamin, Ojibway, Lake Superior, Ontario
Water Can Heal
“Water will agree to help you with anything you ask of it.”
Elder Ellen White, Coast Salish, Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Reciprocity, Responsibilities, Hope
“We’ve known for a long time that water is alive. Water can hear you. Water can sense what you are saying and what you are feeling. There’s been a place where I put tobacco in the water, where the water is so still. It was dead. I prayed for it. I put my tobacco in the water and my tobacco started floating around. So the water came alive. It heard my prayers. It heard the song. So I know it listens, and it can come alive if you pay attention to it. Give it respect and it can come alive. Like anything. Like a person who is sick… if you give them love, take care of them, they’ll come alive. They’ll feel better. It’s the same with our mother, the earth, and the water. Give it love.”
Elder Josephine Mandamin, Ojibway, Lake Superior, Ontario
You can help:
“How does water carry a song? It is vibration formed in space. The sweet water of forgiveness enables us to erase the thought forms of fear. How? By forgiving ourselves and others for what might have been, could have been, or should have been.
Water can be like a flood of emotions running wild. Water can be like the tears of joy as a newborn opens his eyes to look at his parents. Sweet water, this is the medicine. The sound of forgiveness is conveyed in our voice and our choice to see each person as containing the same elements as we do.”
(Ven. Dhyani Ywahoo, Stepping Out of the Matrix, Online Wisdom Class)
“We need both technology and ceremonies. Everyone needs to be aware of the world and the global water situation and take action in some way.” (Aboriginal Women Water and Health p.29)
There is a song arising in our hearts as a community of human beings sharing and co-creating an environment. … Realize that our thought and action shape tomorrow. (Ven. Dhyani Ywahoo, Voices of Our Ancestors p.74)
You can make a difference; check out the Action page for practices you can accomplish anywhere anytime.