Elders Step Up: Historic International Meeting of Indigenous Spiritual Elders

But even that was resolved in beauty and harmony when Hopi spiritual Elders came down from their Mesas and met with the other Elders on Dineh’ land…. that, in itself, historic and moving.

Perhaps the most ludicrous difficulties were the accusations made by those not at the gathering that ICA was making huge money off this event when the reality was that every penny was spent on the Elders, their transportation and care, the cost of the event and various facilities.  ICA is a non-profit organization and no one associated with it receives a salary.

But the difficulties were all minor issues when compared to the many significant and profound messages and happenings that did take place, on every single day, for those who were there.  Clearly, the spiritual experiences and learning the people received will guide and evolve within them for many years to come.

Whether it was by a Hindu fire ceremony, a Lakota Sweat Lodge, a Havasupai dawn ceremony on the rim of the Grand Canyon, an African rain ceremony, an Aztecan Four Color Ceremony, an Algonquin dance ceremony, an Australian Aborigine prayer ceremony, a Tibetan fire ceremony, a Mayan morning ceremony, or any other of the many ceremonies performed, there is no question that many lives and understanding were changed.

Yet, the greatest gifts were the Elders themselves.  Many things were learned about the various countries, beliefs, and spiritualities.  But the humble words and actions of the Elders, clearly always from the heart, touched everyone.  They created the realization that we really are, indeed, One.

In the end, this event proved the simple Truth that, while the semantics and names might change from culture to culture, the spiritual messages are universal.  We are all related as humans in this sacred circle of life.  Further, the Elders tell us the time is Now for us to step forward and heal humanity and our Mother Earth.  We are the ones we have been waiting for.  We must do it, we can do it, with the help of the Divine.

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