Last winter was the first time I had not participated in a “Christmas” with my immediate family. Instead, I was dug into the snows of the Oceti Sakowin Camp in North Dakota, gathering wood and supplies in order to be ready for a blizzard forecast to begin in the wee hours of the morning.
I was raised Christian by my mom and participated in the Catholic traditions of Baptism, First Communion, and began my studies for Confirmation. It was around this time, 9th grade in High School, when I took a class on World History which provided a basic premise of many religions across the globe and the origins of the Christian faith. Without a doubt these teachings lead to me to ultimately desire answers to questions I did not yet know how to ask.
There’s a good chance I will reflect on the above topic more than just once, but with the Christmas Season underway around the world it seems the proper time to focus on one specific (and maybe central) component of Christianity and many (if not all) religions: Prayer.
Spending 6 months with our indigenous brothers and sisters last winter was the first time I had really been fully exposed to an entirely new set of religious/spiritual practices and ways of life. Though I had only a minimal understanding of some of these new principals, I immediately found a deep, natural resonance. I did not know the songs. I did not know the drum beats. I did not know the steps of the dancers around the fire nor the “protocols” as to how I should participate but the earth beneath my feet had never felt more alive and connected.
As I experienced more of these ways and began to participate in the what I could, I found my own inner-spirituality more and more comfortable showing its true colors. I have ALWAYS held a belief in a higher power, an energy, a central consciousness, a SOMETHING it just never seemed like I had the proper avenue to connect. The words of my Catholic songs, teachings and prayers always felt formulaic and somehow detached. Though I would occasional sing in weekly Mass, it was never a complete extension of my true self.
It was not until this past winter that I fully began comprehending what it means to Pray. What it means to walk in a good way. Every step, every action, every word – in prayer.
In my journeys along this path it became obvious – prayer is prayer. Christian Prayer is Muslim Prayer. Lakota Prayer is Jewish Prayer. The act of surrendering ones self and connecting with the above, in my view, is the exact same regardless of religious “Branding”.
If this is not the case – does “God” not hear the prayers of our Muslim brothers and sisters praying to “Allah”? Is he/she only able to understand one language, not the other? If two followers of different faiths pray in silence – what then?
My hope today is that my prayers will meet with yours, in harmony & unison, regardless of whom or what they are addressed. My hope is that in these seemingly dark times we each find the strength to continue standing for the good, for good.
Prayer is Prayer.
– aM
