WHAT IS GOOD MEDICINE To understand the real meaning of the term GOOD
MEDICINE. One must first realize the importance of the spiritualism that can
be found in everything Natural. It is thus that People living in Nature can
make a religion of their daily lives. GOOD MEDICINE means a Positive
Spiritual Life. GOOD MEDICINE means realizing that there is more to Life
than meets the eye. Belief in GOOD MEDlCINE is one answer to the need that
People in Nature find for expressing their humbleness to all that surrounds
them. Many people have asked. and others thought they answered: What do
People believe when they live with Medicine- -what do they pray to? They
should learn that Medicine is not a subject for scholarly dissection. for it
has no universal answers. For instance. tribal beliefs in North America
varied widely. They depended mainly on the environment and daily pursuits of
the People. Imagine the basic differences between the Arapahoe. who hunted
Buffalo on the open plains. the Hopi. who still raise corn in the hot
deserts. and the Seminole. who hunt and harvest in swamps and jungles. In
addition to these tribal differences. caused by physical factors. were the
personal differences. caused by mental factors. For the ultimate
interpretation of spiritual life must be left to the worshiping individual.
It must depend on his spiritual awareness. As all Truths must come from
within the Mind. it is good to spend many times alone with the Mind. This is
readily done in the Sanctuary of Nature. Thus. the follower of Medicine goes
into the Great Outdoors with the same awe and respect that another would
have upon entering an ancient cathedral. The profound spiritual experience
sought by those who follow the traditional belief in the Great Power of
Nature is the Vision Experience. Visions. in this case. are those things
experienced by the Mind when one is dreaming- -when one allows the Mind to
wander freely. without thoughts of social or physical restrictions. At such
times many Subconscious thoughts and abilities express themselves in the
Mind. The most sought-for Visions have been of visits with some spiritual
element of Nature: a bird. an animal. a stone. or a star. Some have
considered Visions of certain elements more powerful than others. but such
decisions should only be made in the individual's own Mind. The Vision visit
usually includes the ceremonial smoking of a pipe. the singing of songs. the
performance of a ritual. and instructions to make or find certain objects
and when to carry them. The ceremonies and material objects may later serve
as physical reminders of one's spiritual ally. to provide comfort in a vast
Universe where one may. at times. feel quite alone. It has often been said
that Medicine is a pagan belief that involves the use of witchcraft spells
and weird physical doctoring. These claims have generally been made by
unaware observers. who understood spiritual activity only as it was
described in the rule-books of their own religions. One cannot write
objectively about the spiritual beliefs of another's religion when he thinks
that only his religion is "the right one." First. witchcraft should not be
confused with emotional spiritual experiences. which the followers of
Medicine often seek. Further-more. any power to perform physical doctoring
had to come through very strong Dreams. and was often limited to the
treatment of specific ailments. Relatively few Medicine Men were given such
Power. and these were usually wise ones well versed in plant lore and human
physiology. People living in a healthy. Natural environment have more need
for spiritual guidance than medical help. Visions might come at any time.
during any kind of experience. Most properly. however. Visions are Sought
during a Vision Quest. With preparation. one goes to a favorite and secluded
place in Nature to meditate. Often a Vision Seeker goes forth with a
specific element in Mind with which he would like to visit in Dream- -the
one he would most like to have as his spiritual ally. A powerful Vision
experience requires intimate acquaintance with the physical aspects of the
Seeker's environment. He should know the names and uses of plants and
berries. the sounds and habits of birds and animals. and the signs of
weather and terrain. This way. he will be familiar with the elements
encountered in the Vision. and know which aspects are to be most respected.
Most everyone who has spent any time out in Nature knows the feeling of an
Unseen Presence. Such a feeling leads one to question what signs of the past
may be visible and what unseen presence may still be there. It is good to
question these things. It is good to realize that this kind of spiritual
feeling is proof of a Power beyond that which is physical. When you find a
particularly moving spiritual place in Nature- -one where you easily sense
more than physical powers- -then spend some time there. Stand before a large
tree there. or sit on a big boulder. Realize YOUR place in the existence of
all this. You should be humbled. Seek what others before you may have sought
there also- -look around for what might give spiritual guidance and
motivation. Look Up at the Sky. Look Down at the Earth. Study the movements
of Clouds. Study the details of Pebbles. See how beautiful this simple.
Natural Life around you is. Ask yourself how You might permanently become a
part of this beautiful Life. Ask aloud how You might find a place in Nature.
Ask aloud many times. and observe All that surrounds you. Become Aware of
the Powers that you can see. and allow the unseen Powers to make You aware
of their presence. too. Do this for an hour. Do this for a full day. When
you have come to know Your place by daylight. stay there for a night. Do not
fear Nature because you cannot see its details in the dark. Fear is only in
your Mind. Give your Mind to Nature. as you become acquainted with Nature-
-do not try to control it with facts and figures learned in another
environment. Do not discredit spiritual thoughts in your Mind with physical
reasoning. Do not become distracted by thoughts of eating or sleeping- -do
them Naturally. if such becomes your desire. Spend your time singing.
chanting. talking. and listening- -all the while watching and thinking. Let
the forces of Nature Guide your Awareness----Respect That Guidance! If your
eyes tend to distract your Mind from entering the spiritual realm. find some
intriguing object to concentrate your Vision upon. Let that object filter
the thoughts which enter and leave your Mind. Find a small stone. a seed. a
piece of wood. or a bird's feather. Decorate it by polishing with your
fingers or by attaching beads. Allow a ritual- short or long- to develop
Naturally. whereby your Mind is cleared of all but spiritual thoughts. Use
this as your key to the door of the spiritual world. YOU can do it. if Your
desires are strong enough! RELEASE YOUR MIND TO NATURE: Let Us Meet There. .
. . Let Us Meet The Others There. . . . Let US ALL Be There Together. . .