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I've decided to post this thread to see where it will go... As a Native American, the beliefs of the supernatural extend into the after world and beyond. These beliefs are not learned but inherited from one spiritual person to another. It could be inherited from family to family or one community member to another. It has always been taught that this gift is for maintaining the well being of the community as well as its' members. It was and has been taught that this gift needs to be treated with respect and should not be used for personal gain, but in today's world it seems to becoming the norm to exploit these gifts for personal gain. We were told that once you stop respecting and using your gift for personal gain, then it is taken away from you.
I'm not sure why people do what they do to exploit these gifts for personal wealth in this day and age. We are all children of this earth and in a few Native Cultures we continue with the old ways of respecting what has been given to us. We must understand that spiritually, everything is alive, from the earth to the universe. I don't expect you to understand what I'm saying immediately, but when you reach a spiritual point in your life you start to understand why we are here.
That's a whole different topic, all I'm saying is... If someone is asking you for money to give you advice with your life, think about it before you take that leap. I have always sought the truth about different things in life and I've come to believe that we are ultimately the ones that need to find this spirituality within ourselves. It cannot be taught or given as these gifts are already within each and everyone of us, how we use and lose this gift is ultimately up to us.
I've decided to post this thread to see where it will go... As a Native American, the beliefs of the supernatural extend into the after world and beyond. These beliefs are not learned but inherited from one spiritual person to another. It could be inherited from family to family or one community member to another. It has always been taught that this gift is for maintaining the well being of the community as well as its' members. It was and has been taught that this gift needs to be treated with respect and should not be used for personal gain, but in today's world it seems to becoming the norm to exploit these gifts for personal gain. We were told that once you stop respecting and using your gift for personal gain, then it is taken away from you.
I'm not sure why people do what they do to exploit these gifts for personal wealth in this day and age. We are all children of this earth and in a few Native Cultures we continue with the old ways of respecting what has been given to us. We must understand that spiritually, everything is alive, from the earth to the universe. I don't expect you to understand what I'm saying immediately, but when you reach a spiritual point in your life you start to understand why we are here.
That's a whole different topic, all I'm saying is... If someone is asking you for money to give you advice with your life, think about it before you take that leap. I have always sought the truth about different things in life and I've come to believe that we are ultimately the ones that need to find this spirituality within ourselves. It cannot be taught or given as these gifts are already within each and everyone of us, how we use and lose this gift is ultimately up to us.
i am so impressed by what you said--tho i am not native what you said has always been what i personally believe
I think that the people who are closer to the Earth are probably the ones who understand and respect her the most.
Although I do not believe that these senses will be taken away if you charge for using them, I do believe that, for complicated reasons, people should develop their own relationship with their God and not seek to ask others to do it for them.
This means that no-one would take money because it would not be sought/offerend in that way, but - as you say - more of a guidance for the community. If everyone was encouraged and taught how to get in touch with their inner guidance then there would be no need for mediums or psychics.
We would be so much wiser if we understood how to contact the elements and other beings who live on the Earth too, and we would not be destroying ourselves and all life on Earth as we are at the moment with nuclear radiation.
I do not think we have very much longer to live on this Earth before she decides she has had enough of these greedy and destructive humans.
The Native American culture and ideals are much different than the European/western way of looking at things. Case in point, the banning of potlatches. The Europeans saw the giving away of wealth as a waste.
I relate very much to the native perspective. The ways are honorable.
Now on the other side of the world, people did things differently.
I don't see any harm either way for a person who can help another with some intuitive insights and being paid for thier time. I use the word 'time' with purpose.
I agree that everyone should do it for themselves, but let's face it, some people are lazy and more about instant gratification.
If one of those people wants to pay me for a tarot reading, no problem.
But I also do a lot, if not more readings for free.
As far as exploiting goes, it does not matter what it is, you should not over do it.
Society has become a 'me' society and not a coexisting cooperative. We are competitive to a level that is beyond friendly. Someone always has to be the best or have the most.
Greed is what is at the root of exploitation, and that's where I see it to be wrong.
I've decided to post this thread to see where it will go... As a Native American, the beliefs of the supernatural extend into the after world and beyond. These beliefs are not learned but inherited from one spiritual person to another. It could be inherited from family to family or one community member to another. It has always been taught that this gift is for maintaining the well being of the community as well as its' members. It was and has been taught that this gift needs to be treated with respect and should not be used for personal gain, but in today's world it seems to becoming the norm to exploit these gifts for personal gain. We were told that once you stop respecting and using your gift for personal gain, then it is taken away from you.
I'm not sure why people do what they do to exploit these gifts for personal wealth in this day and age. We are all children of this earth and in a few Native Cultures we continue with the old ways of respecting what has been given to us. We must understand that spiritually, everything is alive, from the earth to the universe. I don't expect you to understand what I'm saying immediately, but when you reach a spiritual point in your life you start to understand why we are here.
That's a whole different topic, all I'm saying is... If someone is asking you for money to give you advice with your life, think about it before you take that leap. I have always sought the truth about different things in life and I've come to believe that we are ultimately the ones that need to find this spirituality within ourselves. It cannot be taught or given as these gifts are already within each and everyone of us, how we use and lose this gift is ultimately up to us.
While I agree with you to a certain extent, I also would like to point out that before our modern world, spiritual people were "taken care of" in other ways besides financial. Shamans, witches, healers, and such were given food, and other support for their services/time. Now, as a society we don't deal in barter any more, it's money. So I don't see any problem in supporting our spiritual leaders with money. However, as individuals we should take care as to who we assign leadership roles to and how much we give them.
I guess it's a fine line that we have to walk when it comes to spirituality and finances!
My Native American relatives always said you never should charge someone when using your gift. So when I see fake shamans, for instance, demanding huge sums of money I know to stay clear. Also charging for teaching someone something when many things you seriously can't teach they have to be learned by the individual on their own.
I've decided to post this thread to see where it will go... As a Native American, the beliefs of the supernatural extend into the after world and beyond. These beliefs are not learned but inherited from one spiritual person to another. It could be inherited from family to family or one community member to another. It has always been taught that this gift is for maintaining the well being of the community as well as its' members. It was and has been taught that this gift needs to be treated with respect and should not be used for personal gain, but in today's world it seems to becoming the norm to exploit these gifts for personal gain. We were told that once you stop respecting and using your gift for personal gain, then it is taken away from you.
I'm not sure why people do what they do to exploit these gifts for personal wealth in this day and age. We are all children of this earth and in a few Native Cultures we continue with the old ways of respecting what has been given to us. We must understand that spiritually, everything is alive, from the earth to the universe. I don't expect you to understand what I'm saying immediately, but when you reach a spiritual point in your life you start to understand why we are here.
That's a whole different topic, all I'm saying is... If someone is asking you for money to give you advice with your life, think about it before you take that leap. I have always sought the truth about different things in life and I've come to believe that we are ultimately the ones that need to find this spirituality within ourselves. It cannot be taught or given as these gifts are already within each and everyone of us, how we use and lose this gift is ultimately up to us.
I have so much respect for your people and your community. Native American culture seems to be more collective. People help one another out. And I think that's a really good thing.
Except I am not a native American and this culture, for better or worse is individualistic and more competitive.
People are given many gifts. I have no problem with an artist selling his art. That's a gift. I don't have a problem with a counselor giving advice. This could be a spiritual counselor or a psychological counselor.
I'm not a big time capitalist at all, but if you have a gift weather it's accounting or gardening, there is nothing wrong with being paid for it.
Every one needs to make a living and using what you are good at doing just seems natural and normal.
The Native American culture and ideals are much different than the European/western way of looking at things. Case in point, the banning of potlatches. The Europeans saw the giving away of wealth as a waste.
I relate very much to the native perspective. The ways are honorable.
Now on the other side of the world, people did things differently.
I don't see any harm either way for a person who can help another with some intuitive insights and being paid for thier time. I use the word 'time' with purpose.
I agree that everyone should do it for themselves, but let's face it, some people are lazy and more about instant gratification.
If one of those people wants to pay me for a tarot reading, no problem.
But I also do a lot, if not more readings for free.
As far as exploiting goes, it does not matter what it is, you should not over do it.
Society has become a 'me' society and not a coexisting cooperative. We are competitive to a level that is beyond friendly. Someone always has to be the best or have the most.
Greed is what is at the root of exploitation, and that's where I see it to be wrong.
I see no harm either. Being recompensed and greed are two different things.
Why should people with spiritual gifts not be paid?
There are excesses in every field of endeavor.- Financial, mental health you name it.
What ever this greed tend is though, I agree that it's here and I don't care for it. To put it mildly.
i like how it was at cassadega---you could leave a financial gift if you wanted---the camp split and those that started to charge large fees tended to have more negative spiritual energy that was palpable when one was around them---and only a few were accurate with many of the readings dwelling on past,future negatives coming into the person's life
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