Native American Stories of the Sacred: Annotated & Explained - Evan T. Pritchard

Drawn from a variety of indigenous peoples of North America, these stories preserve the voices of Native communities by depicting their perspectives on creation, the origins of fire, the paths of their spiritual journeys, respect for the Earth, and more. n nThe wisdom from these stories can become a companion on your own spiritual journey.n nNative American Stories of the Sacred are intended for more than entertainment: they are teaching tales containing elegantly simple illustrations of time-honored truths. From tales of Creation to Why? stories that help explain the natural world around us, these stories highlight the sacredness of all life and affirm that we are each an integral part of all that is holy.n nDrawn from tribes across North America, these are careful retellings of traditional stories such as Son of Light's quest to win back his captured wife from the monstrous Man-Eagle; humble Muskrat's noble self-sacrifice to establish solid land so other beings might live; Water Spider's creative solution for retrieving fire for all the animals; and White Buffalo Calf Woman's profound gift of the sacred pipe to the people. Each of the compelling stories in this collection illustrates principles that can guide you on your own spiritual quest.n nNow you can experience the wisdom of these teaching tales even if you have no previous knowledge of Native American traditions. SkyLight Illuminations provides insightful yet unobtrusive commentary that explains the cultural and spiritual significance of the seemingly mundane objects found in these stories--tobacco, gambling, even the exploits of mischievous tricksters such as Coyote and Weasel--while gracefully drawing comparisons to Christian, Jewish, Buddhist and Hindu religious traditions, among others. Whatever your spiritual heritage, these Native American stories of the sacred are sure to delight and inspire you with the sacredness of all Creation, and remind you that the earth does not belong to us--we belong to the earth.n