Customer Reviews: Read 9 more reviews...
 Logic mixed with ancient spirituality mixed with contemporary society September 4, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I'm glad I've read this book.
I like books that combine logic and spirituality, and ones that cross reference religions, and Bear Heart does these in his book.
(especially with Christianity).
Then it all adds up as evidence of these ideas being possible truths in the theories of life, universe 'god'/'spirit' and everything.
I'm not saying that I necessarily believe all the theories in this book to be definitley true, but I think there are many probable truths, and much wisdom in the theories in this book, and some valuable life lessons in this book, to be learned or revised, depending on your point in your spiritual path.
One problem I have is in his eating meat. He stresses respect for animals, and says that tribes asked animals if they could eat them, as they needed to, in order to survive, and in turn their human bodies in the ground would feed the plants that the animals ate, and the animals, the story goes, agreed.
However,
today, the vast majority of the world do not need to murder animals in order to live. As the Chippewa Indian 'No Eyes', in Summer Rain's book says, why eat animal if there's no need? Of course, plants are part of life, part of us too, but we still need plant foods to live, whereas the vast majority of us do not need to eat animals, and they are not as similar to us as animals are.
And with eating fruits especially, we can be of service to the plants, by planting the seeds of their fruit to grow into new plants in all kinds of different places.
It is good to read books that highlight the respect of nature, the earth, plants and animals though, and good to know that children are brought up knowing this respect.
I would have liked more shamanic techniques in the book, but that's me, that's what I was looking for, and the book contains a lot of information as it is.
the prayer techniques in the book, (which are shown in the back of the book too) are excellent techniques though.
Very beautiful.
Not so beautiful is the treatment of the settlers which is shocking and absurd, and sickening. While I had heard about the brutality that occurred as some of the settlers acquired their lands, to hear such detailed descriptions of how cruel they go is extra-sickening.
(I wish people would stop calling the settler abusers 'whites' though, as if it was all white people! I expect it wasn't even all settlers. While that may not be meant by people that do this, it really annoys me, as it sounds if all white people come from the same ideas/beliefs/backgrounds/attitudes), many 'white' people themselves have, in their history had their land taken from them by settlers/invaders themselves -
And, while I know how easy it is to go along with the collective perceptions of reality, I know that if I was around in those days, I would not have agreed or gone along with that brutality...
... Just as I do not go along with the torture and murder of adult and child animals now. Maybe one day the shocking treatment of animals will also soon be looked down upon by as many people as look down on the treatment of Native Americans today.
But, maybe the treatment isn't looked down enough, as,
why hasn't America given back some of the lush lands that were stolen/forced from the Native American people yet?
As well as compensation for those affected by slavery, compensation is owed to Native American. Native American's should be given back some of their lush land at least. Yosemite Park, the island of Alcatraz being a couple of places that spring to mind - it is stated in Yosemite Park that Native American's were forced out/killed, so why it hasn't been given back already, I don't know. I think it is time. The treatment of the island of alcatraz especially shows the selfishness and abomination of the US government.
Hopefully the tribes would let us share at least some of the beauty, allowing travellers/tourists to still visit places like Yosemite park.
...Of course many Native American tribes know that the land does not belong to us, we belong to the land as the famous quote goes, but you know what I mean, let them live in their homes there again, let them take care of these areas again, and let these areas take care of them.
I've heard that the Aborigine's are having some of their land restored back to them in this way- the public land that isn't being lived on by other people at least - so i'm hoping for justice.
(I know, to give everyone who has been invaded their lands back would be complicated and difficult, i know, but it is something that needs addressing, not just in america,australia, and africa, but in scotland, wales etc too. While a few people control the majority of land, there is much than can be done - in a peaceful, sharing, way, scotland has already made a tiny start, mugabe in zimbabwe has shown us how not to do it.
A 'must read' book July 8, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is the most wonderful book, I can't praise it enough. It really makes you think about what you do, and how you deal with things in your life.
I lent it to my daughter, and it really helped her put things in perspective. Bearheart is a wonderful person, and I would recommend this book to everybody.
 I love this book July 5, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I really do love this book. It's like a little friend! The first part of the book deals with American Indian philosophies - simple but loving. Bear Heart's warmth and humour permeates the pages and it is simply a joy to read. I did find that the last part of the book was much more difficult to read and this is due to the subject of global warming which I have my own personal doubts about...
I love it April 6, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Every time I read a book where a native american speak I am in tears, the beautifulness and simplicity of their speech, and at the same time the deep meaing of their words and they connection with the Earth and all life is so natural for them....Only I can say that I am glad that they have been wise and very coraegous to keep hidden until now their own traditions, maybe not everything, but the most important, their connection with the Creator and the strengh that gives the certeinty that sirituality is not just a word, they live it, and still they can teach us how to reconnect with this part of ourselves that we are cut off, and therefore lost our own path in this materialistic and shelfish way of life.
Enjoyable and thought provoking February 19, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Highly recommended to anyone interested in exploring a different way of looking at the world. It makes you think!
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