The Sacred: Ways of Knowledge Sources of Life

by Peggy V. Beck, Anna Lee Walters, Nia Francisco

'The Ways of Knowledge, Sources of Life' offers an uncommonly wide-ranging consideration of the ways in which Native Americans view the world, their place in it, and their responsibilities to it. This world is not only physical, but spiritual, and 'The Sacred' describes the 'meaning, role and function of sacred traditional practices and observances in the lives of The People, individually and collectively.'

Genres: Religion, Spirituality, Native American, History

369 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1977

Reviews

[Charlane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent resource to learn about, in general, the sacred ways of American Indians.

"What I am trying to say is hard to tell and hard to understand.....unless, unless...you have been yourself at the edge of the Deep Canyon and have come back unharmed. Maybe it all depends on something within yourself - whether you are trying to see the Watersnake or the sacred Cornflower, whether you go out to meet death or Seek Life."
-an Elder Tewa Man from San Juan Pueblo

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a Native American studies book that I used for a class but ended up reading for my own pleasure-spiritual in nature. The Sacred lets the reader explore all of the sacred practices such as,shamanism, ceremonies, oral tradition and of course, the effect of white man on the tribes.I found this book and the class that I took accordingly to be spiritual and helpful to me to learn part of my heritage as I do have two types of Native blood in me (Choctaw and Chickasha, Oklahoma Indians, and the latter mentioned is no longer in existence as far as I can figure). I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in different types of spirituality-this in particular, Native spirituality-and Native American tribes and their way of life.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a 101 level primer on the spiritual life of the First Peoples of the United States. It is written with respect and understanding, and includes a significant amount of primary source material. The authors don't gloss over the differences between the ways of life in various tribe, and instead note commonalities and trends in between tribe-specific examples. This is not a feel-good book written for New Age people who seek to co-opt Native American spiritual traditions. Rather, it's mean to document and inform about a way of life that European colonialists sought to systematically destroy. In that vein, respect is accorded to the First Peoples of Europe as well:

“The Middle Ages were a time of great political and religious change in Europe. In the centuries before, Roman invaders had traveled...conquering native tribal people living in Gaul, England, Ireland and other lands. When the invaders conquered them, they left Catholic priests with The [First] People [of Europe] to convert them Conversion to Catholicism spread over all of Europe so that by the Middle Ages entire communities of country people were dominated by the Catholic church....During these year, native religions, native curing systems, and folk knowledge passed by oral tradition were discouraged or banned by the church...Medicine people, people full of knowledge within the country villages or in the countryside were often punished or killed for practicing “superstitious”, “evil” and non-Christian ways. Women, mid-wives and curers were called “witches” and they too were punished and killed.”
Note: I include this excerpt above others addressing the beliefs of the Native Americans because I strongly believe that this is something I think those of non-Native ancestry should think about and look to when seeking a pagan, shamanistic alternative to more orthodox religious traditions.

Highly recommended.

[Justin P · Rating 4 out of 5]

From a historian's view, this is a gem of primary sources from Indigenous peoples of North American collected into a single book. Beck is an anthropologist so her view is the people's culture, and in this book its Indigenous spirituality. Beck liberally quotes in bulk from Native American's oral storytelling so we hear their voice in full, such as shaman from different Nations telling the Creation story. The book provides a view across North American tribes so it could succumb to overgeneralization but Beck clearly notes the source so the reader can identify variations or differences.

[Cintain 昆遊龍]

Fantastic book, describes many aspects of Native American mentality and their unique approach to the sacred. I really enjoyed reading this book, it's perspective is not so much anthopological as really "from the inside" of the living aspect of these traditions. Highly recommended!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book....I was on the waiting list for ever. I like learning about the Native Americans way of life and their beliefs.

[Raine Rucker]

This book looks in depth at Native American spirituality. It is wonderful, and I highly recomend it to anyone who is interested in the subject.

[Tammi Owens]

FALSE