by Michael Stocker | Jul 16, 2017 | Ceremony
There are many paths to the Creator. We call our spiritual path the “Red Road.” The sacred pipe is acknowledged. There are different views on the pipe; this one is mine. When we walk behind the pipe, we have our priorities in order. The sacred pipe...
by Michael Stocker | Jul 16, 2017 | Ceremony
Which came first, our Red Road, or Life? I once read a Native American Spirituality book that spoke about seven rites of passage; it spoke about Praying with a Chanupa, in a Sweat Lodge, at a Hambleche Vision Quest, or a Sundance. Why do we feel like we have been on...
by Michael Stocker | Jul 16, 2017 | Ceremony
We enter ceremony at times of transition. Our ceremonies may be simple, such as the little things we do to remind us that our daily life is governed by something larger than us, or they may be deep – such as the ceremonies we enter to bond our hearts in love or...
by Michael Stocker | Jul 16, 2017 | Ceremony
Those of us who progress from twelve step to sweat lodge find that they can be natural complements. Native-led Sweat Lodges can be appropriately awe-inspiring for those of us who need another day, another week, another moon, or another year of sobriety. About a year...
by Michael Stocker | Jul 16, 2017 | Ceremony
The first time I attended a Pipe Ceremony, I had an experience of community and spiritual connection that I knew right away felt missing in my daily, self-occupied life. It is an experience so removed from our daily life; we are given permission, even encouraged to...
by Michael Stocker | Jul 16, 2017 | Ceremony
I wrote this paper on women’s moon time & ceremonies, which apply to the sweat lodge ceremonies that I conduct. I learned from Lakota Medicine Man, Pete Catches Fire, in 1983. He said, “All Medicine Men (Lakota) have a difference in their ceremonies...
