Preparing for the National Day of Prayer & Mindfulness – Reflections by Nii Gaani Aki Inini (Leading Earth Man)

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EVERY PRAYER MATTERS

Reflections by Nii Gaani Aki Inini – Leading Earth Man (Dave Courchene) on the National Day of Prayer & Mindfulness As we prepare for a National Day of Prayer and Mindfulness on August 6, let us do so with the understanding that when we come together in the spirit of prayer, this brings the heart of unique peoples together. Within the diversity and uniqueness of humanity is knowledge about what it means to be people with values. The world has to change if we are ever going to reach a level of understanding and peace.   We need to rebuild as individuals, communities and nations with the help of Spirit. Spirit will bring the visions that can unite us in our efforts to making the necessary changes. As the Original People of the land, over thousands of years we have gained an understanding of the values and protocols needed to live as stewards of the land. We are willing to share our Indigenous knowledge and understanding with the rest of society. We were given instructions to bring love into the world, and we rely on our connection with the Spirit and our ancestors to help us do that. Many others within the uniqueness of the human family have gifts of understanding to share. We each bring knowledge of values from the four corners of the earth, based on our cultures and spiritual traditions, which show us how to be kind and how to relate to each other and the Earth. Everyone has something to contribute in knowledge and gifts. We have to find a way to share that. Let us be inspired to share our knowledge with each other, so we can reach a greater understanding of our purpose and existence as human beings. The tone of the international conversation has become harsh and divisive. And yet we share a common humanity. What is that? We all depend on the earth for our survival, and we have a shared responsibility to take care of each other and to take care of the earth. We have to move beyond being divided. Our values are what set a foundation for our conduct. We need to find the memory of our original values and responsibilities. We need to embrace our spiritual traditions and ceremonies. We need to defer to the leadership of the Spirit in our lives. We need to live our lives based on actions inspired by Spirit, making peace with each other and making peace with the earth. We need to come together to embrace values that we all share. We must place these values as a foundation in our lives. Together let us take the people to a higher level of humanity. The peace we are seeking must begin with the help of Spirit, which will lead to defined actions. These actions must be in union with the Spirit, following our spiritual and natural laws, teachings and ancestral values. They must be based on love, kindness and respect. People misunderstand prayer and ceremony and think that our work is limited to prayer and ceremony. We must combine our prayers with direct action, based on direction we will be given through dreams and visions throughout our Nation. Prayer and ceremony creates a direct relationship with the Spirit that begins to guide us. In our understanding we have to meet the Creator half way and do the work that the Spirit asks of us. The true power lies in the Spirit, and in the power of the individual connected to Spirit. We must believe in the power of love and respect. To pray together is about taking back our power. It reflects the need for us as human beings to value our spirituality and spiritual ways of knowing. The ancestors hold the original instructions and the memory of how to take care of the land, retained through song and ceremony and prayer. Our ancestors still walk in spirit upon our homelands, holding this memory of a higher knowledge. They are prepared to share it to lead all of us out of the darkness of this time. They need places to come, sacred lodges to honour their presence, ancestral schools of knowledge where their knowledge can be shared with all people. As the Elders and Knowledge Keepers of our Original Nations, we ask for you to help support our ancestral schools of knowledge that share our knowledge of values and protocols in acting as stewards of the land, that can help all people make peace with each other and make peace with the earth. Join us as we walk in the footsteps of our ancestors as they lead us to fulfill the vision of our Great Creator, to bring love into this world! Nii Gaani Aki Inini – Leading Earth Man (Dave Courchene) is the founder of the Turtle Lodge. Click here for more information on the National Day of Prayer and Mindfulness.  
2 Comments for : Preparing for the National Day of Prayer & Mindfulness – Reflections by Nii Gaani Aki Inini (Leading Earth Man)
    • Virginia Petch
    • August 6, 2017
    Reply

    I can’t be there today, but please send prayers to the Sayisi Dene at Tadoule Lake who are struggling with the loss of three dear members last week. I pray the Creator can wrap arms around the community and give them strength at this time of need. Meegwetch

    • Geraldine Guilfoyle
    • August 6, 2017
    Reply

    Thank you for the leading this call to action based on prayer, reflection and an embracing of spiritual guidance and traditions. Our Baha’i community in Squamish hosted a gathering to honour and participate in this effort. We were joined by friends from Muslim and Christian traditions. We read out your statement and prayerfully reflected on how we can walk a path of love, kindness and respect together.
    May our small action encourage you in your efforts and may we all be united and blessed in this journey together.
    “Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch. Deal ye one with mother with the utmost love and harmony, with friendliness and fellowship.”- Baha’u’llah

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