Mitakuye Oyasin: We Are All Related

by Allen C. Ross-Ehanamani

Winner of the 1992 "Top 50" Recognition Award at the Frankfort International Bookfair, Mitakuye Oyasin is an American Indian "Roots" story. It compares the myths and legends of the American Indian with the world's major philosophies and religions. The books is in its 5th printing. It is a bestseller in Europe with translations in French and German. The book is being used in 27 universities and 182 high schools. A few of the areas in which the book is being used are: Psychology, Comparative Religions, Native American Studies, Philosophy, Counseling and Guidance. A teacher's guide is also available. (Bear Publishing)

Genres: Nonfiction, Native American, Philosophy, Anthropology, Indigenous, Religion, Occult

236 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1989

Reviews

[Nicole M. · Rating 2 out of 5]

To be fair, I didn't end up liking this book largely because it is not what I expected. It turns out to be rather New-Agey, for lack of a better term. There is a lot of talk on alternative theories--UFOs and cosmonauts, parapsychology, Atlantis, astrology and so on--and, although I don't pretend that I know everything, I just can't really get behind those trails of thinking. A lot of theories are presented from different cultures and religions, including Christianity and European thoughts as well as traditional Native American beliefs, and many of them are compared, proving to have many similarities. The author always begs the question, Coincidental? or Synchronicity?...and I have to say I think a lot of it is coincidental (but maybe that's just the left-brain dominated cultural upbringing talking). Besides, the writing style serves but is not beautiful, and the text is rife with typos.

HOWEVER, all that being said, I must say that I appreciate the underlying message of the book. Besides being educational about some traditions of native nations including Lakota, Dakota, Hopi, and others, this book really underlines the fact that, yes the Lakota saying of, MITAKUYE OYASIN, "All my relations", or more easily understood, "We are all related" is most definitely the case. We ARE all related; we humans, but we everything on earth. So, if that is the only lesson one could get from this book, I think it is worth it.

[A. L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

It feels odd to give this book a rating, but I tried.
Ross presents ALL the synchronicity, ALL the “New Age” metaphysics, ALL the ancient aliens, ALL the lost cities of Atlantis… and so on. It’s a whirlwind of esoteric ideas, presented in a digestible format (adapted from a lecture series) and interesting to read. He never asks for belief, just an open mind.

Even so, it’s a lot to digest for a skeptic, especially when a majority of this stuff has been “debunked” by whatever scientific or historical standard you care about. He’s not particularly bothered by that, and even pokes fun at his interests on multiple occasions. The myths and stories hit deep, whether they’re “credible” or not falls away after a while; the important thing is whether or not our perspective alters and leads to a positive result.

In my case, I think it does. On a spiritual, philosophical level, the esoterica is of no concern, especially since there is no proselytizing or demanding to be found. Indeed, his positive, loving worldview and ideas for peace are deeply resonant with other things I’ve been reading, feeling, dreaming. As he would say: Coincidence? Or synchronicity?

This book honestly spooked me a few times. I found it in a used book store, randomly drawn to the title and cover art because of my interest in local indigenous culture (Ross is Mdewakantonwan, and I live on ceded Dakota land). Only after bringing it home did I find out the book was signed!

The book gives a wonderful beginner overview to all the topics I’m hoping to learn more about when going back to college this fall (Dakota language, creation stories, philosophies, and spiritual beliefs). Because of that, it really felt like a teacher putting a comforting hand on my shoulder as I step into a new phase in my life. He also told me a bunch of other crazy stuff I wasn’t expecting, but hey, that’s a feature, not a bug. Despite any “left brain” skepticism in me, I know I’ll be revisiting this book from time to time.

[Benjamin Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doctor Ross' book Mitakuye Oyasin, is one of the most unique collections from a mind that grew up in two world's. The Lakota Souix right brained philosophy with the American and left brained education creates such a wonderfully interesting and lovely mind. How lucky are we to have these ideas and fascinating theories.

[marcus miller · Rating 2 out of 5]

After the first couple of chapters this book started to remind me of reading "Chariots of the Gods" in high school, so it was a pleasant suprise to see Ross refer to the book. The first chapter or so comparing "Red man" creation stories to Jungian theories was fascinating but then Ross moved into what most would kindly call pseudoscience.

[Ontonagon Township Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

I find the similarities between religions fascinating. This book looks at the many similar religious threads across the globe. Also, the possibility of Atlantis and how that played into the similarities. So much more and all very intriguing.

[Edwin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Had to read this book for a college class, pretty awful read in my opinion. A lot of opinion and stories in this book that is not really based on much. Get awful when a lot of theories make you think oh boy….

[Dani]

Some worthwhile nuggets here re Native American spirituality and various parallels with analytic psychology, but mostly......very esoteric musings that I didn't find convincing in the least.

[Murray Brown · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too much woo. Rather than a work simply expounding upon the oral history and spiritual beliefs of the indigenous people of North America, I found Ross to be obsessed with aliens, UFOs, Atlantis, psychics and other such paranormal pseudo-scientific nonsense. He invokes Edgar Cayce and Erich von Däniken along with other such discredited researchers, and he contorts genuine scientific theories of Einstein and others beyond recognition, ascribing unintended (and, frankly, unimaginable) meanings as he strives to interpret native origin stories, spiritual beliefs, and cultural similarities with other peoples. He goes to fantastical lengths to provide evidence for some of the most outlandish origin stories without giving any serious consideration whatsoever to the Beringia migration theory of settlement, dismissing it out-of-hand.

[Jaime · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this directly from the author and had it signed. Unfortunately, I have never sat down to read the entire book. So, I decided it was time to do that now. This is an incredible book about the unity of all people, their mysterious past, and our future. There are sections that are highly academic but still interesting. The most fascinating sections are about the origin of the indigenous nations and the extra-terrestial connection. The author has written an incredible book about our possible origin and interconnection. He also weaves this into a plausible argument for why we are all united.

[wally · Rating 3 out of 5]

i read this...sometime in 2007...but i could be off a month or two...picked it up at the crazy horse memorial from the author. we got to talking...we're from the u.p. i told him...he had honey-mooned at..."flat rock" i think he called it...escanaba...never did look at the wisdom of the internet to see if that is so. escanaba area is flat. an interesting read

and i was sure i had a review of this but it seemed to have disappeared like some others i thought i had.

[Amanda Koh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book which exposed me to many native beliefs and prophesies, which have influenced my life since. I see the world differently now - I see the possibilities of histories which are vastly different than what most American's believe....... I connect these stories, with Quantum Physics, and realize that anything is possible......... Anything.

[Darkmightofthesoul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book if your are interested in comparing and contrasting Native american spirituality and analyzing it through a scientific and psychological way.

The book gets kind of kookie when its gets into Atlantis and all that stuff but its very helpful in explaining the Sweat lodge ceremony as well as smudging.

[Brandon Wicke · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cool exploration of the synchronicity observable in Native American philosophy and Jung's psychoanalysis, as well as eastern spirituality and quantum physics - plus some wacky stuff about Astrology, Atlantis and the Black Hills - all around very interesting and thought-provoking about what's possible with a little more right-brain thinking.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing book, the author's enthusiasm catches you up and carries you through the book, filled with a ton a knowledge, I was making notes as reading to look up this, find that, etc. Really enjoyed this!

[Carlina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. He has a different point of view on some things but that is part of what makes this book fascinating to read. I read this book because I love the concept of "We are All Related" and I was not disappointed.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book loaded with information to make the world a better place. Definitely a must read!

[Spiro Apostolopoulos · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love to read about Native American philosophy and spirituality. And "Mitakuye Oyasin" captures it eloquently and thoughtfully.

[Shane Ross · Rating 1 out of 5]

The author inserts himself into the book to distraction. Intriguing otherwise.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good insight and explanation of quite a few of Dakota/Lakota beliefs.