J. T. Garrett - Meditations with the Cherokee: Prayers, Songs, and Stories of Healing and Harmony

MEDITATIONS WITH

The Cherokee

Prayers, Songs, and Stories of Healing and Harmony

J. T. Garrett, Ed.D.

CONTENTS

PREFACE AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

T his book focuses on the meditations of life, rather than on representations of the historical ceremonies that were once an integral part of Cherokee life. It is a journey through old teachings that will often be referred to as the Old Wisdom. The Old Wisdom was taught and shared by several Cherokee elders, including my grandfather. It was referred to as Old Wisdom because the elders did not know where it really originated. Another way to express this is as the old way of our ancestors or the old ways. It is important for the reader to understand that to preserve the sacredness of various ceremonies and occasions, certain details will not be presented in this book. This is not intended to leave anything out, but to preserve something special for the Cherokee way of life. Cherokee cultural teachings and language reserve certain ceremonial elements as sacred for the members and families of the tribe. These are unique because of tribal heritage. As one elder said to me, Everyone has their own understanding in mind and spirit for those things that are sacred to them. When sacred to someone else it is to be respected and understood as unique for them, not for us to know or understand. Be thankful for whatever is shared, because it is a gift. I thank the many elders who shared with me, so that I can share with you.

I want to thank the Cherokee elders who meant so much to me while I was learning Cherokee Medicine. I will do this with tobacco prayers when the book is published, as they do not wish to be recognized. While respecting their wish as Medicine Men and Medicine Women, I also want to honor their memories; with a couple of exceptions, all of these elders have passed on to the other world. These men and women used their gifts and were helpers to many. Their time and sharing was a very special gift to me. Those elders will stay in my spirit, and their names will stay in my heart. I am glad to share some of their wisdom with you.

The Cherokee elders who taught me Indian Medicine also encouraged me to share with others, but with caution. As one elder said, Sharing is also opening yourself up to those who would have other intentions. When you write a book or publish an article, it is out there for anyone to see and hear. If they are true of heart, then they will appreciate and respect your words. And that must be your focus. Dont worry about those who differ with your teachings; just recognize and show respect for their way. Keep yourself clear and protected from those who are of another mind. Just let them know this is your way, your teaching and understanding. Wa do (Skee)! (Thank you!)

My vision was always to be a teacher and writer, rather than a healer. When I taught the healing, it was in a group setting. Little did I know back then that I would become a health and hospital administrator in my career, as well as an environmental health professional. In retrospect, this seems fitting to my way of life. My initial interest in biology and botany was satisfied with my enjoyment of herbal remedies and keeping up with the latest advances for good health choices. My vision became my way of life in later years.

I want to thank my mother for encouraging me to use caution, but to continue my vision. My father passed away in May 1978, but he encouraged me to continue my studies in the traditional teachings while completing my formal doctoral degree in public health. Being from a long line of Irish who suffered their own experiences, he wanted me to be educated and free to make my own choices in my life. Near his passing I could see the gleam in his very weak eyes that assured me of my path. Those strengths in my youth started me early on my path to be independent and to make positive life choices.

Several of the Cherokee and other American Indian tribal elders felt that a sign had come in the form of a star or comet, allowing for information to be shared that would otherwise not have been shared. They referred to it as a sign of changing time that, from that celestial moment forward, people would be able to listen to and understand the ways of American Indians for the survival of Mother Earth. The time was 1987. According to one of the elders, The sign was clear for us to go back to the real reason we are here on Mother Earth, to be a protector of her, as we relearn to be a helper to humans and all living things on Mother Earth. Several elders encouraged me to listen to the signs of Nature. Several events captured my attention, but no one sign or event was a clear message. The passing of Doc Amoneeta Sequoyah in 1981 and his message to listen closely to the changes in Mother Earth made me more aware of the time of change coming about in 1987. Clearly, it was time for many cultures to come together and for more of the Old Wisdom to be shared.

I want to thank my daughter, Melissa, and my son, Michael, for encouraging me to share this gift of information learned from the elder Medicine Men and Women of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Myrtle Driver has been a very special friend and interpreter of the Cherokee language and the Old Wisdom. Frances Reed has been especially helpful with the pronunciation of Cherokee words and expressions. Many in my tribe have shared with me and encouraged me to write this book and to continue writing and presenting this important information on Cherokee wisdom. I especially want to thank Ella Sequoyah, whose husband was Doc Amoneeta Sequoyah. He was my teacher and mentor for many years in Cherokee. His special gift and Ellas special way of encouragement, her smile and laugh as a way to communicate, helped me to look beyond the treetops for special guidance in my life.

Wa do (Skee) to all who have encouraged me to share and preserve the Cherokee teachings for future generations.

INTRODUCTION TO CHEROKEE WISDOM TEACHINGS

T he traditions and early teachings of the Cherokee and other North American Indians provide us with keys to unlock the Old Wisdom, or old ways. These culturally oriented traditions provide values and knowledge about nature that can help all of us in preserving Mother Earth. We are one with Mother Earth. Destruction of her is destruction of ourselves.

Understanding these lost social and spiritual ways of American Indians is critical to our survival in the future. After all, survival was the primary basis of almost all actions in an earlier time. While our perceptions about survival have changed, our feeling about the need to go on is primarily unchanged in our collective memory, or spirit memory. It seems ironic to me that survival groups replete with fortresses and guns have formed to protect their members against other people. In an earlier time it was more likely to be other mammals that were considered a threat; they were stronger and faster and would eat us for their