Ralph P. Brown

Personal Power: A Native American Indian Perspective



Posted: Sunday, November 09, 2008

by
Mirrored Windows

Indian people use the Medicine Wheel to guide them in many areas of life as it is both a tool and a guide that was given to us by the Creator. Our happiness and attitudes are an important part of our lives; recognizing and using our personal power will help us succeed in all areas of life. In the Great Wheel everything is connected; all things are related.

There are two "powers" - one in the North and one in the South of the Medicine Wheel. Both powers have their place in the Wheel. When you make the effort to truly understand them, they will bring many gifts. Seek their nature and they are like weapons (spiritually speaking) wielded by the warrior.

The power of the North is one of brute strength, force and personal will. It is the most common form of power and is generally understood and accepted. The power of the South is more subtle. It is one of ease, surrender and, rather than coming from will, it comes from love. Both of these are powerful in their own right -  but the power of the South comes from love, and is therefore closer to the source, the Creator. Love is a force that is gentle in nature but powerful and mighty.

The North and South can be viewed as "up" and "down". On a compass, North is always "up" while South is "down". In the North is found male energy (think of Father Sky or Sun), while female energy is found in the South (think of Mother Earth). Male energy bears down and female energy rises up. Perhaps there is an easier way to remember these powers. A living example of the two powers can be seen in the story of "The Oak and The Willow".

On the banks of the Great River, there lived two trees. The first was a mighty oak tree. The oak tree was tall and given to bragging about just how strong he was. He would look at the willow and think, "How weak and soft she looks. So unlike my own powerful stature."

The willow for her part would sway gently and comfortably, letting the oak tree say and believe what he wanted. He was, after all, very strong.

One day the wind began to blow. As the day went on, the wind blew harder and harder, and all of the creatures who could take cover did so. The wind raged on, growing stronger. The willow bowed humbly to the wind's power, but the oak tree remained stiff and resisted the force of the wind until he was snapped in two!

After the wind had quite blowing, the willow said to the oak, "Mighty brother, had you only known that to meet force with resistance is to create a greater force - and in that force, something must give."

Every warrior must learn there is great strength in surrender. If he does not surrender, he will be broken like the oak tree.

In a piece of art entitled "Winter Man's Marriage", I illustrated the powers of the North and the South. You will see how the "male" and "female" energies are expressed. We all have both of these energies within us. The key is to learn how and when to use them, which is why we must learn of their natures. The buffalo is a symbol of the gifts that are found in this learning as the buffalo is considered to be the "gift animal" of the people. Women must learn the power of the male as she is the one who gently guides this power. Men must learn there is great power in surrender and being kind and gentle.

May you find the gifts in this and walk with these understandings, and may all the Creator's blessings be yours.
In spirit, Ralph P. Brown (Tawennihake)

Ralph P. Brown (also known as Tawennihake) is a Mohawk Indian of the Akwesasne tribe. He currently resides in Nebraska, creating his art and delivering his message from Earth Lodge Studios. Ralph is a self-taught artist who uses a stipple style to create the pointillistic impressions of his cultural and spiritual ideas. Ralph is the author of "Awakening the Eagle: A Guide to the Medicine Wheel" and "13 Virtues to a New Life: A Journey Around the Medicine Wheel".  Visit his web site at http://www.mirroredwindows.com for additional insight, stories, lessons and visual creations related to many native American stories. Copyright 2008. All rights reserved worldwide. Please contact the author at the website mentioned above for permission to reprint.
Ralph P. Brown (also known as Tawennihake) is a Mohawk Indian of the Akwesasne tribe. Ralph an author and self-taught artist who draws inspiration from his native culture, nature and his unique perspective on the world and his spirituality. Ralph is also a ceremony leader, pipe carrier and musician. He is the author of "Awakening the Eagle: A Guide to the Medicine Wheel" and "13 Virtues to a New Life: A Journey Around the Medicine Wheel" available at www.RalphPBrown.com. Visit his website at www.mirroredwindows.com for additional insight, stories, lessons and visual creations related to many Native American stories.
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