The Way of the Three Steps

A Native American Way to Begin the Day:

Stand on Mother Earth. Face any direction you choose. Take one step forward, looking all around.

O Great, Holy Spirit, I take this step into the day you have given. I embrace all I see - the season, the wind, the fragrances, the weather. Let me always accept the day given with a grateful heart.

Take another step forward.

O Spirit of Life, I put my arms around myself, all that I am, all that I can be. I stand here in my own history, with all my mistakes and victories. I hold all those I will meet today, in my journeying and in my work. I try to walk gently on this earth. Let me walk gently through the lives of my work companions and friends. Though they make way for my passing, may they spring back, neither broken, nor bruised.

Take another step forward.

O glorious Spirit of Mystery, I put my arms around you. I do not know what will happen to me today, but I accept it. Give me a heart of courage and believing, so I may put my trust in you, and fear nothing.

From the Plains tribes: North American, found in WomanPrayers edited by Mary Ford-Grabowsky.

As a little girl my mother used to tell me that my paternal great great grandfather, who was Irish, married an Apache woman. Because my parents divorced when I was young, and I lost all contact with my father and his family, I was never able to confirm this. Nonetheless, it might explain why I have always had an affinity for Native American prayers, jewelry, artwork, and spirituality.

Comments

revkjarla said…
this is gorgeous.
thank you for sharing it.
Sherry said…
I recall being told that there was Native American in our family too, from Ontario. I have the same love. Every year as a kid, we got rings and mocassins from the NA store in upstate Michigan. I got to spend some time with Navahoes in NM a number of years ago. I'm still in love with the South west and with turquoise today. I tend to feel close to NA spirituality. Thank you for this!
That's beautiful. I love the part about walking gently.
I have always found such richness in Native American liturgies. This is beautiful.
Grace thing said…
This is really beautiful. Thanks for sharing it.
Barbara B. said…
Wow, I love this! (In fact, I'm printing it out!) My grandparents farmed in the Dakotas -- and there were Native American prayer circles on their pasture land.
Rev Honey said…
This is beautiful. What a wonderful way to pray into the day...thank you+
Gorgeous, thank you.

Popular posts from this blog

The Bleeding-heart: a poem by Mary Oliver

A Funeral Sermon: Healed by Love

Luke: A Mary Oliver Poem