This entry is about the video located at:
http://culturecollective.org/html/Indigenous/palden.html
A few years ago, when Garchen Rinpoche established his residency in Arizona, we brought a Hopi elder from the Bear Clan to meet Garchen and have a corn-planting ceremony to welcome The Tibetan presence in the area. Garchen and our Hopi friend greeted each-other like old friends. The Hopi man knew and understood Tibetan words, which amazed us, he said that Hopi knew many languages and remembered them from their migrations all around the world...
In our talks, the issues of forgiveness were a focus. The Hopi have been facing great changes to their ancient culture, and The Tibetans are great role-models for maintaning culture in the face of extreme violence, genocide, and re-location. In addition, there are many cultural similarities between Hopi and Tibet. So bringing together elders from both cultures was a natural, and it is also part of the prophecies.
In the years after that first visit, we had many talks with our Hopi friend about the issues facing many indigenous people and on Hopi, and the importance of forgiveness during this time of great change on Mother Earth. When Linda Pearlman at Bodhi Tree in Phoenix brought Palden Gyatso to Arizona, our good friend, Muyamana contacted us and we set up a trip for him to Hopi.
The night before we left, Palden spoke at a local venue in Prescott, which is where the video was shot. The following morning, we headed up to the mesas. Palden was mostly quiet in the car, chanting and praying, while his translater, Darjay shared with us stories of young children walking over the Himalayas (many in bare feet through the snow) to escape the Chinese in Tibet.
When we arrived in Hopi, we were hoping to film, but The Hopi did not want any cameras. There was a translater for Palden, and a translator for The Hopi elder. The energy in the room was very powerful, yet gentle and peaceful. The 2 elders compared oral histories of their culture and their missions/instructions as keepers of these ancient cultures. After a few timeless hours, the 2 agreed that they must be ancient relatives based on their cultural similarities. They share a common desire to pray for all life, to help reduce suffering, respect the earth, and be representatives of peace. The Hopi elder expressed that Hopi has been welcoming home many of their ancient relatives at this time.
They spoke of their shared cultural struggles. There is a Hopi word "Oookywah" which is close to the word compassion. It means "I feel what you are feeling". Palden spoke of the importance of taking the suffering inside and healing it with compassion in the heart. His perspective on suffering as a medicine that can open the heart to deep love and compassion was profound. He gave a copy of his book, and we shared mutton stew with Hopi corn.
Cultural change can be very hard on a community. Often, when people are oppressed, they turn it back on their own people, or their children. When elders can have compassion for their young ones, and understand that children are growing up in a very different world than what existed just 50 years ago, the connection between generations gets stronger. When elders stay rigid, and pressure children to learn old ways, the kids often rebel, and ancient wisdom is lost. Humor, compassion, and forgiveness are tools to keep young ones interested in keeping their culture alive. As the world transitions, hopefully there will be a balance and equal respect for ancient wisdom as well as emerging wisdom. This balance can help both old and young integrate the information needed to birth a better world for future generations.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Monday, June 18, 2007
Coming soon!
Under the Featured Videos link http://culturecollective.org/html/Featured/h20pi.html Is the video about the historic Hopi Run for water from Hopi Mesas, Arizona to Mexico City and the pyramid of the sun. This was told in the prophecies of the coming together of the eagle and the condor, a symbolic re-uniting of the indigenous people of North and South America.
I have been asked why the video has "to be continued..." at the end. The reason for this is that some of the ceremonies related to this event have yet to be told. With a special thanks to Brian Hardin, and Knewways Media, we have footage of the eagle dancers from Hopi at the base of the pyramid on summer solstice, 2006. The footage will be posted alnog with more of the unfolding story in the coming weeks.
This summer, as a response, there is agroup of Mayan runners running from Mexico to Hopi, and other pueblos to complete this ceremony, and fulfill a 500-year old prophecy. The Mayan runners will be bringing with them the sacred fire to re-ignite the spirit of the people and the indigenous wisdom of North and South American original peoples.
We are witnessing a cultural healing that goes back to the fall of Montezuma at the hands of The Spaniards, and the vast civilization that was scattered to the 4 directions, leaving the ancient pyramid cities. Though many of the pueblos existed prior to Montezuma's fall, there was much trading between people, and many displaced people migrated to the American Southwest to live on mesas with Acoma, Isletta, Hopi and others. This is a family re-union that symbolizes a great transformation for the people, and the end of a dark period in history. Stay tuned to learn more as this historic drama unfolds!
I have been asked why the video has "to be continued..." at the end. The reason for this is that some of the ceremonies related to this event have yet to be told. With a special thanks to Brian Hardin, and Knewways Media, we have footage of the eagle dancers from Hopi at the base of the pyramid on summer solstice, 2006. The footage will be posted alnog with more of the unfolding story in the coming weeks.
This summer, as a response, there is agroup of Mayan runners running from Mexico to Hopi, and other pueblos to complete this ceremony, and fulfill a 500-year old prophecy. The Mayan runners will be bringing with them the sacred fire to re-ignite the spirit of the people and the indigenous wisdom of North and South American original peoples.
We are witnessing a cultural healing that goes back to the fall of Montezuma at the hands of The Spaniards, and the vast civilization that was scattered to the 4 directions, leaving the ancient pyramid cities. Though many of the pueblos existed prior to Montezuma's fall, there was much trading between people, and many displaced people migrated to the American Southwest to live on mesas with Acoma, Isletta, Hopi and others. This is a family re-union that symbolizes a great transformation for the people, and the end of a dark period in history. Stay tuned to learn more as this historic drama unfolds!
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Wild Fire
Culture Collective has been receiving about 500 visits per day! Keep spreading the word, and the excitement. The enthusiasm and response has been more than I could have ever expected. Blog posts will start becoming more regular now that the initial phases of launching the site are behind me. New videos are in the works.
At the beginning of April we raised the funds, along with a grant from 9 Gates Mystery School, and Kenosis, to send a Hopi teen and his father to Peru for sacred ceremony with The Q'ero. They return tomorrow after being there for 2 weeks. You can learn more by watching the "Hopi Seminole Wisdom" video under the "indigenous wisdom" link on the site, or you can visit their blog at: www.waterclan.blogspot.com
I've had a few people ask me about the video with Palden Gyatso titled, "Forgiveness" under the "Indigenous Wisdom" link. Yes, we did bring Palden to Hopi to speak with elders. It was quite amazing, though we were asked not to film. There are a number of words in Hopi that are the same in Tibetan, after a lengthy discussion (through 2 translators, 1 Tibetan, and 1 Hopi) it was decided that Tibetans and Hopi are indeed ancient relatives. There is more to come on this topic later.
Living Folklore hits the road here shortly, and we will be following those colorful clowns to music festivals in Colorado and California, and promoting Culture Collective along the way.
Independent Film-Makers, if you have, or are creating content that would fit under the Culture Collective Mission, stay tuned. I was in Sedona this past week spending time with Ronald James of The Sedona World Channel, a new online station in the Red Rocks of Sedona. It looks as though there will be many opportunities for collaboration, as they have a wonderful HD studio for filming. This will open up doors for programs shot in front of a studio audience with multiple cameras. It looks as though Culture Collective will be switching to a high band-width server to handle uploads from individuals around the world who share a similar vision of using media to inspire, enlighten, and educate about culture, environment, art, and health. There will be a jury process in the near future for interested film-makers.
Slip-Not into Oblivion,
Jacob
At the beginning of April we raised the funds, along with a grant from 9 Gates Mystery School, and Kenosis, to send a Hopi teen and his father to Peru for sacred ceremony with The Q'ero. They return tomorrow after being there for 2 weeks. You can learn more by watching the "Hopi Seminole Wisdom" video under the "indigenous wisdom" link on the site, or you can visit their blog at: www.waterclan.blogspot.com
I've had a few people ask me about the video with Palden Gyatso titled, "Forgiveness" under the "Indigenous Wisdom" link. Yes, we did bring Palden to Hopi to speak with elders. It was quite amazing, though we were asked not to film. There are a number of words in Hopi that are the same in Tibetan, after a lengthy discussion (through 2 translators, 1 Tibetan, and 1 Hopi) it was decided that Tibetans and Hopi are indeed ancient relatives. There is more to come on this topic later.
Living Folklore hits the road here shortly, and we will be following those colorful clowns to music festivals in Colorado and California, and promoting Culture Collective along the way.
Independent Film-Makers, if you have, or are creating content that would fit under the Culture Collective Mission, stay tuned. I was in Sedona this past week spending time with Ronald James of The Sedona World Channel, a new online station in the Red Rocks of Sedona. It looks as though there will be many opportunities for collaboration, as they have a wonderful HD studio for filming. This will open up doors for programs shot in front of a studio audience with multiple cameras. It looks as though Culture Collective will be switching to a high band-width server to handle uploads from individuals around the world who share a similar vision of using media to inspire, enlighten, and educate about culture, environment, art, and health. There will be a jury process in the near future for interested film-makers.
Slip-Not into Oblivion,
Jacob
Friday, June 1, 2007
Site is finally up!
After months of editing, and figuring out how to organize and build the web-site it is finally available to the world online. Tell your friends!
I have been so inspired by my native friends, my artist friends, my activist friends, my environmental warrior friends, I hope that this is a way to give some of that inspiration back.
One thing that I have been told continuously by my native friends is that it is always respected when non-indians live their own story. "Don't act like you are an indian, we want to see your culture," is a common statement. I am grateful for this advice, and have come to recognize that digital technology is a part of my culture, it can be used for destructive purposes or healing purposes. Modern technology has created a wound on the planet in many ways, hopefully it can pay for itself by bringing much healing and understanding across cultures.
So I encourage people from all backgrounds to embrace their own cultural heritage, and yes it IS true that white people are also indigenous people. We used to sit around fires and tell stories and dance under the stars before the crusades, before opressive governments and narrow-minded religions. It is time to remember that part of our heritage which is connected to the earth, and give thanks to those people who have continued to remember and kept the flame lit. It is time for us to live in a sacred way again. Yes, my computer is made with plastic and metal, but it is still birthed from the earth, all things are connected. Any tool can become a sacred instrument if it is used that way, and any sacred instrument can become a destructive weapon if it is used that way.
The very best is still to come (trust me, I've seen the footage and am buried underneath it right now). I do believe in The Lakota Prophecy that the sacred hoop of life will be mended and all nations will come together in peace one day. Please join me in this belief and let's see what we can do to make it true!
-Jacob
I have been so inspired by my native friends, my artist friends, my activist friends, my environmental warrior friends, I hope that this is a way to give some of that inspiration back.
One thing that I have been told continuously by my native friends is that it is always respected when non-indians live their own story. "Don't act like you are an indian, we want to see your culture," is a common statement. I am grateful for this advice, and have come to recognize that digital technology is a part of my culture, it can be used for destructive purposes or healing purposes. Modern technology has created a wound on the planet in many ways, hopefully it can pay for itself by bringing much healing and understanding across cultures.
So I encourage people from all backgrounds to embrace their own cultural heritage, and yes it IS true that white people are also indigenous people. We used to sit around fires and tell stories and dance under the stars before the crusades, before opressive governments and narrow-minded religions. It is time to remember that part of our heritage which is connected to the earth, and give thanks to those people who have continued to remember and kept the flame lit. It is time for us to live in a sacred way again. Yes, my computer is made with plastic and metal, but it is still birthed from the earth, all things are connected. Any tool can become a sacred instrument if it is used that way, and any sacred instrument can become a destructive weapon if it is used that way.
The very best is still to come (trust me, I've seen the footage and am buried underneath it right now). I do believe in The Lakota Prophecy that the sacred hoop of life will be mended and all nations will come together in peace one day. Please join me in this belief and let's see what we can do to make it true!
-Jacob
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