Sathya Sai Baba center of Portland Oregon held a one day retreat in a secluded forest by a roaring river, a perfect backdrop for our theme on the teachings of the Native American Way. 5 members attended along with 2 guests. We were blessed to have “Bear Woman” Margo Bear, as our guest speaker, who is a member of the Grants Pass Sai center. Bear has followed the “Red Road” since she was a young woman after Swami’s direct instructions.

We were led through a richly filled day, experiencing various native rituals, with explanations into their meaning and connectedness to Mother earth. Bear emphasized there are no real teachings; rather that everything is a gift: A feather that lays in your path, a heart shaped rock you notice on your walk. Everything is medicine: feathers, tobacco, beads, and abalone shells; all are treated with sacred reverence.

The “Red Road” includes the worship of the 5 elements, Earth, Sky, Fire, Water and Wind, which are acknowledged through various aspects of ceremony. Through silence, listening to Mother Earth and teaching our youth the right way, we can live in harmony with everything that forms a part of nature.

We learned the central importance of ceremony in Native people’s lives and its various purposes: purification, initiation and communication with Mother Earth. The sweat lodge is a main example of purification and preparation for ceremonies such as the vision quest, or Sundance ceremony. In the Sundance ceremony, participants dance uninterrupted for 5 days without food or water, often wearing or waving Eagle feathers or wings, which are held most sacred to many Tribal nations.

We experienced a “talking circle” each speaking from our hearts as we held a Turkey feather. Bear gave us beads with the sacred number 9 that we used in a circle ceremony infusing them with prayers, before taking some home for our altars and as gifts.

Bear invited us to join the Native people in continued awareness of our Divine power and duty to care for and protect all that is sacred on the earth and to bring consciousness to rituals, gifts and sacredness in everyday life. We all felt the Divine presence of our beloved Swami throughout the day, and heard his message through the voice of the Native peoples. We deeply appreciate the gift Swami sent us in the form of Bear Woman, her wisdom, service and beloved presence.