07/07/2024
🪐💫🌏🌈✨💞🌎🙏🌍💞✨🌈🌏💫🪐
From my Dakota perspective, the journey of human existence begins long before we take our first breath in this physical world. In the world of the matrix, we are enveloped in a sacred and nurturing environment, receiving the fundamental endowments and capacities necessary for our journey into human life. This primordial stage is where we are infused with the essence of life, guided by the Creator and the wisdom of our ancestors, preparing us for the trials and tribulations of earthly existence.
Our physical and spiritual senses are delicately formed and developed in that embryonic state. Our eyes, symbolic of vision and insight, begin to take shape, preparing us to perceive the beauty and challenges of the world we are about to enter. Our ears, symbolic of understanding and awareness, are crafted to hear the wisdom of our elders, the songs of nature, and the heartbeat of Mother Earth. These senses are not just physical attributes but are imbued with spiritual significance, readying us for a life where we must balance the seen and unseen, the physical and the spiritual.
As we transition from the matrix to the physical world, we are greeted by the vast expanse of creation. Here, our Creator has provided everything we need for sustenance and growth. Mother Earth offers her bounty. The waters nourish us, the air gives us breath, and the fire warms us. These elements are not merely resources but sacred gifts we must honor and protect. Our physical abilities, honed in the matrix, allow us to interact fully and appreciate these sacred gifts.
Yet, our journey does not end with our birth into this physical realm. Just as we were prepared in the matrix for life on Mother Earth and this physical world of time and space, we must now prepare ourselves for life beyond this world.
Our Dakota teachings remind us that our time here is a brief passage, a preparation for the next phase of our spiritual journey. We must cultivate virtues such as compassion, love, wisdom, justice, and resilience in this physical world of time and space.
These are the forces of divine existence that we need to acquire, mirroring how we gained our physical senses in the matrix.
Our spiritual preparation involves deepening our connection with our Creator, our ancestors, and all creation. It requires us to live harmoniously with the natural world, respect the interconnected web of life, and uphold our community's values. Through ceremonies, prayers, and daily acts of love and kindness, we strengthen our spiritual muscles, preparing for the journey ahead.
In essence, life is a continuous cycle of preparation and transition. From the matrix to the physical world and from the physical to the spiritual realm, we are in a perpetual state of becoming. Each stage is a sacred opportunity to grow, learn, and align ourselves with the Creator's divine purpose. By embracing this perspective, we honor the sacredness of our existence and ensure that we are always ready for the next phase of our journey, wherever it may lead.
The term "matrix" has several meanings. Still, it carries profound significance in this Dakota perspective on the journey of human existence. From this understanding, the "matrix" is a foundational, nurturing environment where life emerges and develops. It is a place of origin and formation where the essential elements of being are cultivated and prepared for the next phase of existence.
Multiple Layers of Meaning:
Womb: On a literal level, the matrix refers to the womb, where human life begins. In the womb, a developing embryo receives the nutrients, protection, and environment necessary for growth, forming the basis for its future physical existence.
Source of Life: The matrix symbolizes the primal source from which life springs forth. It is the initial stage where the fundamental capacities and endowments for human life are bestowed upon us. This includes not only physical attributes but also spiritual and emotional foundations.
Nurturing Environment: The matrix is a place of nurturing and preparation. Just as a womb provides all that is necessary for the development of a baby, the matrix in this context is seen as providing all the essential qualities and potentials that we will need in our physical existence.
Spiritual Foundation: Beyond the physical, the matrix may be seen as a spiritual environment. It is a realm where our spiritual senses and capacities are formed, preparing us for the earthly journey to balance material existence with spiritual growth.
A Dakota Perspective on the Matrix:
From my Dakota perspective, the matrix is not merely a biological concept but a profound spiritual metaphor. It is a sacred space where the Creator and our ancestors' wisdom imbues us with the qualities and strengths we need for our life journey. This perspective emphasizes the interconnectedness of all stages of existence, highlighting the continuity between the spiritual preparation in the matrix and the physical and spiritual experiences in this world.
Preparing for Future Existence:
Just as the matrix prepares us for entering the physical world, our life here is seen as a preparation for the next stage of existence. This cyclical understanding of life underscores the importance of spiritual development and acquiring virtues and wisdom that will serve us beyond our current reality.
In summary, the "matrix" is a profoundly meaningful term encompassing the womb, the source of life, a nurturing environment, and a spiritual foundation. It represents the initial stage of our journey, where we receive the capacities and endowments necessary for our earthly life, and it serves as a reminder of the continuous preparation we must undertake for our ongoing spiritual journey.
Shunkmanu He Me Yedo! Chanupa Sapa He Me Yedo!
"A little while and I will be gone from among you, whither I cannot tell. From nowhere we come, into nowhere we go. What is life? It is a flash of firefly in the night. It is a breath of a buffalo in the wintertime. It is as the little shadow that runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset."
Chief Crowfoot (1830-April 25,1890)
Chief Crowfoot (Issapóómahksika) was a revered leader of the Siksika Nation. His parents, Istowun-ehʼpata (Packs a Knife) and Axkahp-say-pi (Attacked Towards Home), were members of the Kainai Nation. After the death of his father during a raid on the Crow tribe, Crowfoot's mother remarried Akay-neck-simi (Many Names) from the Siksika people, with whom Crowfoot was raised.
As a warrior, Crowfoot participated in nineteen battles, enduring numerous injuries. Despite his prowess in battle, he was a staunch advocate for peace and worked tirelessly to achieve it for his people. Crowfoot played a pivotal role in the negotiations for Treaty Number 7, a significant agreement for the Blackfoot Confederacy.
He passed away from tuberculosis at Blackfoot Crossing on April 25, 1890. Eight hundred members of the Blackfoot Confederacy and government dignitaries attended his funeral, highlighting his importance and respect within the community.
Chief Crowfoot's legacy extends beyond his lifetime, with many memorials commemorating his contributions to the Blackfoot Confederacy. In 2008, he was inducted into the North America Railway Hall of Fame, honoring his impact on the railway industry and recognizing his broader influence. His life and work remain a testament to his leadership, negotiation skills, and dedication to the well-being of his people.
