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Seven Grandfather Teachings part 2
11-14-2016
First Nations traditionally passed down knowledge from generation to generation through telling stories. These stories carried the values, morals, and spiritual beliefs of each tribe and helped them live in strong supportive communities. One main story found coast to coast is that of the Seven Grandfather Teachings.
It is said, long ago the Seven Grandfathers noticed human beings were living in misery. They sent a messenger who found a young child. The Seven Grandfathers gave permission to the messenger to teach the child how to live a good life through upholding seven foundational principles: humility, courage, wisdom, honesty, respect, truth, and love. An animal was selected to represent each virtue to deepen the understanding of how the seven gifts lead to a full and healthy life.
In our last column, we studied humility, portrayed by the wolf, and courage, demonstrated by the mother bear. This week we will examine wisdom, honesty, and respect.
Wisdom – The Beaver. Beavers build dams with engineered precision using their formidable teeth as tools for cutting trees and carrying them. The sharp teeth and knowledge of how to build are innate gifts given to the beaver to provide food and shelter for his family. Beavers who stop building run the risk of having their teeth grow so large that they become a nuisance and prevent them from being able to eat. The beaver reminds us that gifts and talents are intended to be used. Look to the beaver for models of forethought, determination, strong will, productivity, and achievement.
To cherish knowledge in order to create something that benefits oneself and others is to know wisdom. The building of a community and a society is dependent on the gifts given to each of us by the Creator and how we choose to use them. To have wisdom is to recognize the complexities of situations, to weigh the variables, and anticipate the results of your actions. Observe life. Appreciate differences. Respect limits. Live consciously. Sound judgment, the ability to see patterns and relationships, and clarity in decisions all lead to wisdom. Knowledge can be learned. Wisdom must be lived.
Honesty – The Raven or The Sabe (a giant man-like creature who roamed the earth reminding humans to remain true to their natural self). Both the raven and the sabe are self-aware. They recognize their own flaws but do not dwell on them. Instead, they use their natural talents to survive and thrive without pretending to be something that they are not. An honest person is said to walk tall like a sabe – morally upright. The highest compliment was “There walks an honest man. He can be trusted.” Ravens and sabes signify resourcefulness, wit, modesty, and gratefulness.
When we go about our day with integrity we model honest. We keep our promises to the Creator, to others, and to our self. We speak truthfully intent on open communication that is straightforward yet empathetic. When we are honest we avoid deception and fraud. We seek the truth and speak the truth. Honesty keeps life simple.
Respect – The Buffalo. The buffalo gives every part of her being as gifts to humans, not because she is of inferior status, but because she respects the needs of others. Although the buffalo is physically strong she is also gentle and lives in harmony with the herd and with nature. The buffalo stands for abundance, stamina, provider, sacrifice, and sacredness.
We respect creation when we make conscious choices about how much we truly need and are not wasteful or greedy. But the buffalo shows us that the core of respect is to give. We show respect to others when we give attention, appreciation, good-will, trust, compassion, and cooperation. Accepting everyone without judgment and acting honorably with them is the ultimate form of respect. Just as the buffalo is not aggressive, respect is not to be demanded. We must give respect freely from the goodness of our heart if we wish to be respected in return.
The Seven Grandfather Teachings are simple yet profound. In the next column, we’ll bring it all together with the final virtues of truth and love. But for now, as you go about your day, practice the humility of the wolf, courage of the bear, wisdom of the beaver, honesty of the raven or sabe, and respect of the buffalo to live a good life.
Zainab Dhanani can be reached at z_dhanani@yahoo.ca
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