Exploring the Directions
Teachings About The Four Directions
Are as varied as the cultures that embrace them and teachers who teach about them. In some traditions, White is in the South and Red in the North.
For me personally, the Four Directions are another tool for understanding ourselves and our world. In my mind, there are no "right" or "wrong" ways to explore our spirituality. There are many paths and the destination is the same.
We don't need to look far to see representations of the 4 directions: the 4 seasons, 4 times of day (day, dusk, night and dawn) and the 4 phases of our lives are among them.
There are also 2 Equinox and 2 Solstice, 4 opportunities to celebrate the changes.
Here is a link to a powerful 4 Directions Lakota Prayer song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qeb4KhIMQ8
Seven
Below
Seven
One of the first things I learned about the 4 directions is that there are actually seven - Above, Below and Within are also directions that offer powerful perspectives, which can, with experiential integration, become Wisdom.
Ancient Lakota tradition, speaks of Seven Genders. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4ON6ErRTwE&t=618s
As Children of both Spirit & Earth,
We are Blessed
Our celestial family smiles down
upon us from Above and
We are One With the Earth,
grounded with the body we inhabit
while walking as One with the Earth.
Above
Below
Seven
Above is where we find our Hearts Joy, our Personal Truth and our Sacred Space. It's also where we find our connection with the Great Star Nation from whence we came and to which we will return.
I remember the first time I "touched" the Great Star Nation. A part of me stayed with Them and the connection remains to this day, more than 20 years later.
If I ever feel lost or out of balance, I need only reach for my Star Brothers and Sisters to feel Whole again.
"We are star dust. We are golden. And we've got to get ourselves back to the garden" (Lyrics from the song "Woodstock by Joni Mitchell)
Below
Below
Below
Below speaks to our connection to Earth.
We can nurture our connection to Earth by Truly Being in nature. Closing our eyes and breathing deeply, we can REALize our Oneness.
Our Ears hear the sounds of the birds and insects
Our nose takes in the smell of the air, the flowers, grass and trees
We feel the breeze and the warmth of the Sun,
Our eyes take in the extraordinary beauty.
In this moment, our Connectedness can not be denied.
The is especially powerful during the Changes of the Seasons.
Within
Within
Below
Reality begins Within,
with our thoughts, our brains.
We are learning, and beginning to understand and accept, that there are many different ways our brains function. And that all of these different ways are not just okay, but they are necessary for the next phase of our evolution as a species.
For More information Journey Within.
East
Within
SOUTH
In the East, our Circle begins.
Each circle has what I like to think of as an "eternal beginning".
Each day begins in the East with the Rising Sun. Each year begins with the Spring, a time of birth and renewal.
So too, our lives can be a series of
Births and Re-births.
The most important thing that Recovery has taught me is that it's never too late to Begin Again
the moment, the day, the life time.
SOUTH
Within
SOUTH
In the South, we find the joyful, playful "summer" of our lives, symbolic of a healthy, happy childhood.
Those of us who did not experience the carefree, unbridled Joy of childhood can embrace the idea that it's never too late to have a happy childhood. If we're willing to work at it, the experience is waiting for us. All we need do is explore, play, and take it all in with a
curious and Joy-filled Heart.
West
North
North
In the west we have evening, day is done and the sun is setting and autumn is upon us, leaves changing color preparing for the Winter.
This can be a time for introspection and reflection as we prepare for "night".
North
North
North
In the North, we find our Time of Faith.
The dark of night, the dead of winter, our true selves.
There have been many "Winters" in my Life. When I am living congruently, when my "outside" matches my "inside",
Winter feels powerful, peaceful and all around pleasant.
If I'm not living my Truth, Winter "makes me feel" empty and sad.
I have learned that the term "makes me feel" is usually a foolish attempt to blame something or someone else for what is actually within ME. The sooner I face my Truth, the sooner I return to congruence and Peace.
May We always feel "The Light" in our darkest times.
And may it fill Us with Wisdom, Strength and Hope.
And should a day come that we don't see The Light,
may we find the courage to reach out for help.
"We all need someone we can lead on. If you want to, you can lean on me." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EaYdwLDCew
