Why the Red Road?

W hat is the red road? The red road is the Native American spiritual path, your life's journey. To me it is not about re-living ancient ways as much as it is about living in harmony with your environment: being awake and aware of nature, the animals, the ancient ones, having community, learning an oral tradition, being reminded of strong life principles....living in integrity with yourself. As a westerner I am fascinated by bridging the old ways and the new ways. To me the red road is a a technology, one that comes from the earth: drumming, songs, lodges, sacred dances are technologies that are 1000s of years old. I have chosen to be on the red road for a variety of reasons. 1. my passion for leadership and ways to face fears to live out my dreams, 2. a need to understand my life's very spiritual experiences that my French cartesian upbringing could not explain, 3. a passion for history and culture, 4. an opportunity to learn from an oral tradition rather than a written. Your mind is asked to operate at a very different speed and I find that fascinating. Intelligence is not sufficient, you need to develop a very keen eye and the art of observation which in today's world is dead as we have become very complacent and blinded by stress. I consider it is a true miracle that so many of the sacred songs and stories can still be passed on despite the campaigns to "kill the indian" If we were to lose electricity or oil, it would not be long for us to lose our ways. The men and women on the red road would not be changed, their songs and cultural traditions are anchored. However unlike simply taking the SATs or GMATs and getting into a school and graduating, the red road requires commitment, sacrifice, none of the true songs nor writings can be found on the internet: it's the real world. As such I express much gratitude for the men, women, ancestors who have risked their lives and sacrificed for these ways to remain. If you are interested in knowing a bit more, here are some books and media I can recommend. for more info contact me via email. The Lakota Way by John Marhsall III A series of short stories and tales that remind you the essential core values: humility, perserverance, respect, honor, love, sacrifice, truth, compassion, bravery, fortitude, generosity, and wisdom. These are all principles that characterize true leaders. It's important to be reminded that we be brave and have perseverance and fortitude when times seem difficult. Media: DreamKeeper: a grandfather shares with his grandson various tales and stories of the first nation's people. Into the West: Steven Spielberg's beautiful done rendition of the Conquete de l'Ouest. It is important for us to be aware of the history of the land we live on. While it is a bit hollywood, right now it's the best media there is. Aho Mitakuye Oyasin