Читать книгу American Indian Creation Myths - Teresa Pijoan Phd - Страница 7

There are parts of life that are lost in busy every day needs. We the people believe that we are significant, made from the Creator, made to carry on, to hold life precious, to be the ones who do not forget. Yet, much is lost with television, magazines, movies, material needs, and domination. There are those who forgot and they suffered for it. Will this happen to us?

Creation is the basis for religion. Societies draw inferences about their origins from their civilization, coming from observations made from their spiritual concepts. Theologians classify religions different from the Judeo-Christian as “myths” in today's society. This term reflects a distorting stereotype of these societies which is not positive. In primal religions man is held in harmony with nature and people live in a sacred universe where there is not a separation between the physical and the spiritual world. There are universal similarities between native religions and traditions which emphasize common categories and religious expressions.

Religion is a total way of life, a practice held in every action, every thought, every vision. This is a vision of reality that provides harmony in the world, the community, the family, within the individual. The creation describes the balance of the cosmos since the beginning of time. Creation stories portray the cosmos related to the sacred, revealing the mystery, the balance, the purpose, the wisdom of being human. Most creation beliefs are not monogamous, but have a balance of spiritual beings who watch, protect, guide, punish, and bring forth life again and again.

The Beginning brought the Male, Female, and the Hermaphrodite. Creator is the Boss of the Spirit World. The desire for Power brought the conflict of Good and Evil. Wind brings confusion and chaos. Rain drowns Evil. Lightning burns the corrupt. Dark of night brings healing. Each holds purpose.

The Creator designed the fragile yet beautiful Earth, the Holder of Life. She was molded and sculpted with mountains, mesas, valleys, peaks, and plateaus. Water came from the Rain Spirit. Heat came from the Sun. Moon brought rest.

The Creator germinated life. Some beliefs have the arrival of plants, trees, grasses, fields of flowers, cactus, peyote, lilies, and poisons coming first. Creatures were made to fly and sing over the beauty. Water beings were born to breed in the fast moving rivers, quiet lakes, mountain springs, vast oceans and rippling streams. Water beings are sacred for not only do they bring life, but they also test the humans of their endurance and respect.

Next, animals arrived to move across the land. There were hideous monsters who died or were defeated by Monster Slayers. Animals survived to live above the ground to be hunted, others roam the land at night, sleeping underground during the day. Large, awkward, fast, small, slimy, slithering, furry, hairy animals were designed by the Creator to have purpose on Old Woman Earth. Each living thing holds power given to them by the Spirits.

Old Woman Earth cares for each one with a grandmother's love. Last to come, were the First People who were ignorant, selfish, and argumentative. These were killed by the Spirits' floods, fires or earthquakes. More First People were created and survived only after being taught through harsh consequential testings. Respect was a harsh lesson learned. Ceremony brought peace and balance. Medicine was learned only through great sacrifice. First Man lost his ability to speak the universal language when he became disrespectful of animals and plants. The Creator did not put evil in people, people allow Evil Spirits to enter into them when they are weak and ignorant. The battle continues.

The beliefs in this book are only a sampling of the many that still exist today. The people hold the stories. May they continue to tell and share with their families, communities, and the outsiders. We have much to learn from Creation, from each other, and from the holders of the stories.

We are here. Goodness will prevail if we listen and protect. Evil is still here for the ignorant and selfish.

Emptiness is illuminated with Wisdom. Judgments are formed as guides on how we lead our lives, using knowledge as the most profound element of life, we can share and believe with respect for all. Life is sacred.

—Teresa Pijoan