They told me I had been sick twelve days, lying like dead all the while, and that Whirlwind Chaser, who was Standing Bear's uncle and a medicine man, had brought me back to life.
Interpretation
The quote illustrates the power of healing and the significance of spiritual figures in recovery.
In this quote, Black Elk reflects on a transformative experience where he was ill for twelve days and felt as if he were dead. The mention of Whirlwind Chaser, a medicine man and Standing Bear's uncle, emphasizes the deep-rooted connection between spirituality, community, and the act of healing, suggesting that not only physical but also spiritual support is essential for recovery and resilience.
In practice
This quote can be used in a speech on the importance of spirituality in recovery processes.
I cured with the power that came through me. Of course, it was not I who cured,it was the power from the Outer World; the visions and ceremonies only made me like a whole through which the power could come to the two-leggeds. If I thought that I was doing it myself, the hole would close up and no power could come through. Then everything I could do would be foolish.
The song and the drumming were like this: Behold, a sacred voice is calling you; All over the sky a sacred voice is calling.
The Universe is circles within circles, and everything is one circle, and all the circles are connected to each other. Each family is a circle, and those family circles connect together and make a community, and the community makes its circle where it lives on the Earth. It (the community) cares for that part (of the Earth) but cares for it as a circle - which is to say in a cooperative and egalitarian way, where everybody is cared for, and everybody is respected.
And as he spoke of understanding, I looked up and saw the rainbow leap with flames of many colors over me.
Out of the Indian approach to life there came a great freedom, an intense and absorbing respect for life, enriching faith in a Supreme Power, and principles of truth, honesty, generosity, equity, and brotherhood as a guide to mundane relations.
You see, I had been riding with the storm clouds, and had come to earth as rain, and it was drought that I had killed with the power that the Six Grandfathers gave me.
I was so hooked by the fight for freedom that nothing mattered to us so long as we fulfilled the dream of years and years of our people being liberated. I thought normal life would come the day after.
If you win non-violently, then you have a double victory, you have not only won your fight, but you remain free.
Black man, you are on your own.
There is always more spirit in attack than in defence.
No matter what kind of difficult situation one may find oneself in, some opening, some opportunity to fight one's way out, can always be found. What's most important is to hold fast to Hope, to face the future with courage.
For states that support terror, it is not enough that the consequences be costly-they must be devastating
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