When you view a painting, hear a beautiful strain of music or touch a fine sculpture it stirs your soul. Art is much more than an object or something to hear or read. Each piece of art carries with it the energy of its creator, who has been infused with the energy of The Creator.
When I look at the art work of Ralph P. Brown, I am moved to tears. His pictures and stories touch my soul; together we resonate. It is with great delight that I am able to share with you his words this week, for he has agreed to be a Guest Blogger! Since he is as interested in health as I am he has graciously written a series of posts about health from his culture's perspective.
After you have read his words, please take the time to post your comments on this page. And I cordially invite you to look through the Mirrored Windows at the unspeakably beautiful works he has created.
Now, I give you Ralph P. Brown:
"Health and Wellness – The Medicine Wheel Way
Native Americans have an approach to health and wellness that stems from the belief that illness is related to more than the body. We believe that sickness is related to imbalance. Imbalance is not limited to the physical body but rather it is an extension of all the bodies – physical, spiritual, mental and emotional. In this article, I will introduce you to the Medicine Wheel and share with you my understanding of this as it relates to our health and well being. We will then go into depth on each of the bodies and you will learn to use and apply the Medicine Wheel in your life to create harmony and balance.
The Medicine Wheel is both a tool and a guide that was given to us by the Creator and used by Indian people for many things, including healing and wellness. In general terms, illness is the physical manifestation of spiritual, mental and/or emotional imbalance. It has been known for some time that stress and anxiety are linked to health. Our happiness and attitudes are an important part of healing when we do get sick. In the Great Wheel everything is connected; all things are related. The approach to wellness is more holistic - one that looks at a larger picture for possible causes and solutions.
The physical, spiritual, mental and emotional bodies are represented in the four quadrants of the equilateral cross found in the center of a circle. This cross and circle are the symbols for the Medicine Wheel. The circle and/or glyph is symbolic of many things, in fact, they are symbolic of ALL things. The circle is perfection, balance, life, the Universe, infinite potential; the glyph is neither plus nor minus. All things are in and a part of this circle.
As a tool and a guide we can think of the Medicine Wheel like a map. Like a conventional map, there are reference points that serve as navigational landmarks or may be symbolic starting points that we know as the four cardinal directions – east, west, north and south. (There are actually six directions in the Wheel because there is also "above" and "below" sometimes referred to by Indian people as the "above world" and the "below world", or Father Sky and Mother Earth.) Each of the four bodies corresponds with the four directions.
The east corresponds with the physical, the south with emotional, the west with the spiritual and the north with the mental. An easy way to remember the way the four bodies relate to the four directions is to think of the Medicine Wheel like a human body. The head or mind (mental) is in the North just as north is always "up" on a conventional map. The heart (emotional) is in the south just as the heart is lower in the human body. To remember the east (physical) and the west (spiritual), just remember that we depend on the sun for our literal physical existence. We need its light, its warmth and its energy to physically survive. Just as the sun rises in the east to provide for our physical needs and then turns into twilight as it slips into the west, so, too, can you think and be reminded of the spiritual connection to the west. You may have heard reference to the "twilight years" or maybe you have heard the term "the sun setting on your life". Indians believe that when the spirit leaves the body that it goes into the west. The spirit returns to the spiritual realm.
All things are related and all things work together. Such is our health – physical, spiritual, mental and emotional. When you work with this knowledge and place your footsteps in harmony with this ancient wisdom, you will find power!
Our focus will be on the four bodies and their interconnectedness to health. We will also discuss the two other directions - above and below. These represent the social and occupational aspects of our well-being."
Native Americans have an approach to health and wellness that stems from the belief that illness is related to more than the body. We believe that sickness is related to imbalance. Imbalance is not limited to the physical body but rather it is an extension of all the bodies – physical, spiritual, mental and emotional. In this article, I will introduce you to the Medicine Wheel and share with you my understanding of this as it relates to our health and well being. We will then go into depth on each of the bodies and you will learn to use and apply the Medicine Wheel in your life to create harmony and balance.
The Medicine Wheel is both a tool and a guide that was given to us by the Creator and used by Indian people for many things, including healing and wellness. In general terms, illness is the physical manifestation of spiritual, mental and/or emotional imbalance. It has been known for some time that stress and anxiety are linked to health. Our happiness and attitudes are an important part of healing when we do get sick. In the Great Wheel everything is connected; all things are related. The approach to wellness is more holistic - one that looks at a larger picture for possible causes and solutions.
The physical, spiritual, mental and emotional bodies are represented in the four quadrants of the equilateral cross found in the center of a circle. This cross and circle are the symbols for the Medicine Wheel. The circle and/or glyph is symbolic of many things, in fact, they are symbolic of ALL things. The circle is perfection, balance, life, the Universe, infinite potential; the glyph is neither plus nor minus. All things are in and a part of this circle.
As a tool and a guide we can think of the Medicine Wheel like a map. Like a conventional map, there are reference points that serve as navigational landmarks or may be symbolic starting points that we know as the four cardinal directions – east, west, north and south. (There are actually six directions in the Wheel because there is also "above" and "below" sometimes referred to by Indian people as the "above world" and the "below world", or Father Sky and Mother Earth.) Each of the four bodies corresponds with the four directions.
The east corresponds with the physical, the south with emotional, the west with the spiritual and the north with the mental. An easy way to remember the way the four bodies relate to the four directions is to think of the Medicine Wheel like a human body. The head or mind (mental) is in the North just as north is always "up" on a conventional map. The heart (emotional) is in the south just as the heart is lower in the human body. To remember the east (physical) and the west (spiritual), just remember that we depend on the sun for our literal physical existence. We need its light, its warmth and its energy to physically survive. Just as the sun rises in the east to provide for our physical needs and then turns into twilight as it slips into the west, so, too, can you think and be reminded of the spiritual connection to the west. You may have heard reference to the "twilight years" or maybe you have heard the term "the sun setting on your life". Indians believe that when the spirit leaves the body that it goes into the west. The spirit returns to the spiritual realm.
All things are related and all things work together. Such is our health – physical, spiritual, mental and emotional. When you work with this knowledge and place your footsteps in harmony with this ancient wisdom, you will find power!
Our focus will be on the four bodies and their interconnectedness to health. We will also discuss the two other directions - above and below. These represent the social and occupational aspects of our well-being."
Ralph has so much more to say about this...his Guest Post will continue as the week passes, so please revisit this page, and remember to post your comments. I realize his work may leave you speechless, but do let us know how you are moved and inspired by his creativity and expression.
Mirrored Windows
Connie Baum
Mirrored Windows
Connie Baum
I am enthralled. Mr. Brown's art work is really beautiful and unlike any paintings I have ever seen.
ReplyDeleteHe must be a generous man, from the way he teaches as he writes.
Thank you for bringing his works to light!
J.C.
Mr. Brown is incredibly talented, intuitive, insightful, loving, caring and giving. Great info and I'm glad he is sharing it with the world.
ReplyDeleteJC, Anita, thank you for your comments.
ReplyDeleteYes, Mr. Brown's work IS beautiful. He is most generous, and we are very pleased and grateful to be able to bring his work to light.
He has all the characteristics you mention, Anita, and we know the world needs his healing energy, his leadership, and his teachings.
Again, thanks to both of you!
Warmly,
Mother Connie
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