Mother Earth Spirituality: Native American Paths to Healing Ourselves and Our World (Religion and Spirituality)

Good book

I owned a copy of this book since the early 1990s and found that Ed "Eagle Man" McGaa had written a very candid and respectful book outlining the spiritual ceremonies and tradition of the Oglala Lakota Nation, of which he was a part. This book was released back in the day when the Lakota issued their Declaration of War against those who would exploit their spirituality. Even though McGaa caught his own bit of flak about discussing these things in book form, he did invaluable service in showing Indigenous perspectives and doing it in a respectful manner.The exploitation of Indigenous cultures across the globe continues; however, this book puts into sharp focus of how we are all connected and how we must come together to help save the planet that we share.zThe downside is that there are many within the Lakota Nation who feel that McGaa had absolutely no business talking about the sacred ceremonies to non-Lakotas. There has been a lot of infighting and bitterness in Indigenous communities, and although McGaa wanted to shed some light on it, not everyone was happy about it and have been quite vocal about it.My personal experience is that in spite of all that has happened to them and the poverty that far too many live with daily, the Lakota People are extremely generous about their culture and traditions when and if asked in a respectful manner. I am currently studying the Lakota language and everyone who is Lakota that I have interacted with has been patient and kind - as long as they are treated with sincere respect, dignity, and honor. Really, that's true of everyone.In my opinion, and I admit I could be wrong, McGaa did try to bridge the gap between Lakota culture and the dominant culture most of us live in. The book won't make you an expert, but some of it provides valuable insight int a world that is all-too-often misunderstood.

This is an excellent easy to read and follow book, that is well written and organized. This book has a lot to teach, very rich in natural spirituality with some religious beliefs. Much of the practice is unnecessary, but it can be helpful. Mainly many are disconnected from the Divine Source and of nature, and such ceremonies is best for those people.As a wisdom seeker, much of the belief of dirction of rain, snow, and so forth one knows isn't correct. Since rain and snow can come from the south direction as well SW, W, NW. But if one is a wisdom seeker, then one must keep in mind to respect all beliefs. One does not need to smoke a pice pipe for prayers, one can just do smudging. One does not have to do a sun dance to connect with nature and pray to the Creator, all one needs is meditations. But this book is very rich in knowledge, and is important for one to read on the importance of reconnecting to nature and Great Spirit. Like the Tao teaches, those who are diconnected from the Tao will suffer. It is same wisdom on will find in Native American Spirituality. Which is truth, but one has to meditate on this knowledge for any real, or else it is just a belief and not truth.

This was the first book that I read about Native American spirituality and it was a great foundational piece. The book is filled with beautiful prose and great descriptions. I would highly recommend this to anyone who is interested in beginning their journey in understanding Native American Spirituality.

I bought this book to read again because I love it, and did not open it soon enough to return it. Unfortunately it had the "Mother Earth Spirituality" cover but James Hillman's book "Revisioning Psychology" was inside. How does this happen????? It deserves 5 stars for content and I want to promote Ed McGaa's book, but the publisher made a huge boo boo and put his cover on the wrong book. I guess I will try a used copy hoping for the best.

This is not about a Native American religion or anything, it is about spirituality and how we live our lives. In the time of climate change that will destroy our earth we need to go back to the meaning of living in balance with the earth. The Native American knowledge shared is for all of us today. It offers a perspective on how we can take this knowledge and incorporate it into our lives and thoughts. It also tells us about the real base of democracy and the Native American values that were incorporated into the U.S. Constitution. It is time to share this knowledge and most importantly act on it.

I normally do not rate the many books I have read in the Christian and Spiritist world and have sent them back to Amazon for credit on the purchase of new books. I rated this book 5 stars as it's a keeper. That means I will be re-reading and referring to it from time to time. The author has shared information that is usually reserved for the Red man with the White man. He also shares a few ofhis personal stories which reveal how the spirit world has touched his life. You can tell he speaks truthfully. The theme is one of the Rainbow tribe where all races are united in the quest to protect, honor and preserve our Mother Earth...I will be following my Red road interests and have ordered additional Native American spiritual books as I find their views are of great importance to me. If you are interested in the Native American spirituality and history, you will no doubt find it interesting. I will also be reading Black Elk Speaks and The Sacred Pipe...