SMUDGING

The burning of sage, sweet grass, fungus is called smudging. It is traditionally used to prepare and purify a person, place or thing for a time of openness and truth in the presence of the Creator. Prior to a room being smudged, the eagle feather is smudged. Then you can go around and smudge everyone. If people do not want to partake, they can pass. Sage and matches can be made available for people who are late.

When we smudge. we do it for these reasons:

Mouth - so that anything we say will be positive and helpful to others who hear us.

Ears - that what we hear and listen to will be positive and help us to learn.

Eyes - that what we see is positive and we can see that in others, not to look at the outside.

Mind - that what we think or how we react will be positive, with only the well being of others in mind. Not to be clouded by anger, lust, greed, etc.

Heart - that our hearts will feel our pain and joy, to be able to heal and use that to help others.

Body - that we will use our bodies in positive ways and take care of our physical

NATIVE SPIRITUALITY

Each day I wake up; I pray to my Creator
For good things
I thank him for the four-legged,
The two-legged, the things that fly,
And the things that swim.
I thank those that gave up their lives, so
That I could eat today
I thank Mother Earth for growing the
Vegetable, fruits, and medicines
These things I use everyday.
I thank the Creator for my Family,
for without them I would not be here
I thank him for my Sisters, otherwise
I would be lonely.
I thank him for the positive and the negative
things that happen during the day, for
these are not to hurt me, but to help me learn
I thank the Creator for all the good things
in the world.

For the world is my teacher and my playground
Everything here is for my pleasure
If I do not see the beauty in this, then the
fault is me.
At the end of my prayers, I am pleased with myself.
For I am ready for this day.

ALL MY RELATIONS