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EDITORIAL 02/19/00

      Remember, a beautiful life is merely prayer in motion, and a world without prayer has no center to it.  God bless us all.

A Word of Caution

    In the past I've tried to keep certain aspects of my life fairly private. I'm sure that you  can understand that while as a performer, much of my life is open like a book.  Yet my family, friends, home, business associates, and surroundings are not a part of being onstage, nor did those people ask to be dragged into the 'limelight'. And they are entitled to their privacy. However, recently some things have occurred that make me realize I need to speak out, not just for me, but for everyone who is in a similar space.

    2 weeks ago, I was contacted by someone claiming to be Dine'. She also told me that she was a blood relative of a Chippewyan from Saskatchewan, Canada. Strange, as the two are not related. Initially saying she was a 'Shaman', she began to tell me of a gift she had, and how it might benefit me and my family. Explaining that I wasn't interested, this person continued to press.

Later in the week, we received a mail from this person, who portended to have had communications with my son, who left this world just over a year ago. When one of my family members asked her to not contact us again, and informed her that her mail would not be forwarded as it was hurtful, painful, and full of prevarications and misplaced concept, this person replied to my family member, saying:

"You cannot say you know Douglas..not enough to know what he is going thru.  No one can know anothers spirit or heart..as that is something so private and deep within.  Seems that he has such a watch dog..I will never get to relay this message to him.. but now it rests on your concious.  That you have turned something very precious and sacred away..for another person. I hope people dont go stopping you from things that are meant to be. We are to walk our own paths..this journey..not choose the paths for others. Some how I know the Creator will help me get my message to him, without your assitance..or understanding. When something is meant to be..no one can stop it."

             Now, I'd ask that you recognize these words as coming from a person who had sent several mails, all based on the writer believing that they were a spirit guide that my family and  I needed to accept, needed to believe in, and needed to listen to. Even though she had been twice asked to not write us about this sort of thing. In short, Dine'/Navaho culture doesn't allow for contacting those who have left this earth. To do so is considered 'chii'ndii'', or evil. Witchcraft. Unforgivable. But this person continued to push her belief that she had 'information' that my son wanted me to have. That she had a 'gift' that I needed to listen to. That she needed to press her beliefs upon me and my family. That we were wrong to not accept. Force is evil, in any guise. Even that of Christianity.

    My point in this editorial isn't so much about me, but about the fact that there are people out there with very sick and twisted agendas, portraying themselves as reincarnated Native medicine men, or holy people, or shamen. Or whatever name you choose to give them.  They aren't really interested in your spiritual well being, but rather more interested in empowering themselves by getting others to support their fantasies. (Most Nations don't believe in reincarnation, nor do most beliefs allow for contacting those who have left this world)

    If you go to most Nations and look for a Holy Man, more often than not, they will not tell you about themselves. They will ask questions, such as why do you seek a holy man,  why did you seek this person, who sent you there, and the like. They might say, "I might be able to help you out, I don't know, we'll have to see. Come back tomorrow." Those that advertise, talk about their 'powers', or induce others to look at their way of thinking are what most call "Plastic Shamen." And those persons should be ashamed of themselves, for preying on the minds of those seeking truth and help.

    Watch out for these people. On one level they are harmless and misguided. On another level, they could easily be a tool of evil, placed there in disguise to prevent you from accomplishing a goal, from reaching a destination, to destroy what good you may have set out to do.

    I'm often asked by people to recommend a 'medicine man'.  I can't. I know who I see, and who means much to me. But that person is for me. He doesn't advertise, doesn't look for 'business', and doesn't press his feelings on others. He doesn't speak English, doesn't often leave the protection of the 4 sacred Mountains. That's the way most holy people are. They don't leave their space. Because that's where they are most receptive to whatever power, ability, or consciousness they have. So my advice is to go to the reservation and humbly ask, if this is the way you choose to go. Beware those who are off the reservation. Dark Skin and long black hair don't bestow spirituality. To assume so is a racist point. It's like assuming that all black people are Baptist. Or assuming that all Hispanic people are Catholic. Know who you are dealing with. Because searching people are so easily found. And so easily flummoxed.  Often times, a person may show up in your time of need, saying, "Let me help you by doing this ceremony for you" when what they are really saying is "I don't believe in myself, but if you'll let me help you, then I can believe." The harder they push their assistance on you will be directly proportional to their ability to not help you.

    There is an old saying, "Those who say, don't. Those who don't say, now they know something." In other words, those who express their spiritual ability probably have none, and are trying to convince themselves they have it. If you support their belief, then you also validate their fantasy. Those who are reluctant to talk about what they might be able to help you out with, are probably 'the good guys.'

    Another tipoff; The more mysterious the person behaves, the more likely that it's part of their facade. Spirit isn't a mystery. It's a feeling that is either there, or not. I've experienced  ceremonies where the medicine man is joking alongside the intensity, I've experienced where farts, legs falling asleep, bad coughs,  jokes, mice running up a pant leg, and shoes catching on fire have been present. Because that's a normal part of life, and having something done for you in a spiritual way is equally a normal part of life. It's not mysterious. It's not about power. It's about a holy man who has been trained to recognize certain things, both of this world and not. It's that simple. If they use big words, words out of character, then the person probably is a character. And might be fun and entertaining to watch. The more regal and royal the words used, the more humorous it becomes.

    Finally, I'll point out that since the release of the movie "The Sixth Sense," we've seen a lot more of this 'spiritual fadism." Just be aware of it.  None of this is to say that there are no Native Spiritual leaders off of the rez, or to say that there aren't good people out there. But the ratio of those who really are trained vs those who just 'wannabee' is severely curved in the wrong direction.

    Then again, I'm just a guy. I'm a parent, musician, friend, human being. What do I know?

 

Hozho naa'naa'

             o all h

As an addendum, after this editorial went up, and after all of the comments on our chat room (deleted as they became quite nasty) after being threatened with an attorney, this same person contacted my family again, in an attempt to prove their 'gift'. If it appears that I'm desirous of 'belittling' this person, my goal is not to hurt this person as an individual, but rather to bring to light the lengths that the evil, and plastic people will go to in order to bring people around to their way of thinking. And it is also my belief, that persons who act in this manner, while being 'plastic shamen,' also are tools of 'chii'ndii', or evil. And yet they are so caught up in the self-belief, they are completely unaware. Strange how evil may guise its appearance in the form of 'goodness.'

 And in final commment, perhaps this person DOES have the ability to speak with lost ones. However, it goes against all traditional belief in our culture to do so. For this person to communicate with, purport to communicate with, attempt to communicate with, a person from someone else' family without seeking permission from that family is a crime in and of itself. Who is to say the danger to a soul, family member, or any other person as a result of this individuals behavior? It may be for God to judge, but it is for my family and I to be angry. Then again, I welcome your input, because I'm a little too close to the forest on this issue.

 

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