Native Americans' Ten Commandments

By Michael Smith (Veshengro)

There are at least two version of the “Ten Commandments according to the Native Americans” and both of those two versions that I have found are equally valid and important and we, Western, supposedly educated and whatever, man would do well to take heed of them.

The first one here is attributed to Blue Feather Spirit:

1. The Earth is our Mother, care for Her.

2. Honor all your relations.

3. Open your heart and soul to the Great Spirit.

4. All life is sacred, treat all beings with respect.

5. Take from the Earth what is needed and nothing more.

6. Do what needs to be done for the good... of all.

7. Give constant thanks to the Great Spirit for each new day.

8. Speak the truth, but only of the good in others.

9. Follow the rhythms of the nature, rise and retire with the sun.

10. Enjoy life's journey but leave no tracks.

And the second one, which is equally as valid, goes:

1. Treat the Earth and all that dwell thereon with respect.

2. Remain close to the Great Spirit, in all that you do.

3. Show great respect for your fellow beings and especially respect yourself.

4. Work together for the benefit of all Mankind.

5. Give assistance and kindness wherever needed.

6. Do what you know to be right, but be careful not to fall into self-righteousness.

7. Look after the well being of mind and body.

8. Dedicate a share of your efforts to the greater good.

9. Be truthful and honest at all times and especially be truthful and honest with yourself.

10. Take full responsibility for your actions

We really would do well if we took heed of those ten commandments and applied them in our lives.

Had we been living by something like those above rather than the ones that many of us in the so-called Christian countries have been living with maybe, just maybe, we would not have ended up with a planetary crisis as we have.

Even if climate change is not – or not entirely – down to us the rest of the destruction of pollution of the Earth, our Mother, is, and there is not getting away from this.

It is amazing that already in the 1960s and 1970s we al were talking about recycling and the need to reduce waste and pollution but the powers-that-be, due to the lobbying by the vested interest groups on the side of the polluters decided to do nothing and the poisoning of the Earth was allowed to continue unabated.

We must be mad...

© 2011