Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Native American Code of Ethics

Each morning upon rising, and each evening before sleeping, give thanks to the Great Mother and Father for the life within you - for all life. Give thanks for the good things the Creator has given you and for the opportunity to grow each day. Consider your thoughts and actions of the past day and seek for the courage and strength to be a better person today than you were yesterday. Seek out gifts within yourself that may be used for the benefit of others.

Respect means to feel or show honor or esteem for someone or something; to consider the well being of, or to treat someone or something with deference or courtesy. Showing respect is a basic law of life.
  • Treat every person from the tiniest child to the oldest elder with respect at all times.
  • Special respect should be given to Elders, Parents, Teachers, and Community Leaders.
  • No person should be made to feel "put down" by you; avoid hurting other hearts as you would avoid a deadly poison.
  • Speak in a soft voice, especially when you are in the presence of Elders, strangers or others to whom special respect is due.
  • Do not speak unless invited to do so at gatherings where Elders are present (except to ask what is expected of you, should you be in doubt). 
  • Never speak about others in a negative way, whether they are present or not. 
  • Treat the earth and all of her aspects as your mother. Show deep respect for the mineral world, the plant world, and the animal world. Do nothing to pollute our Mother, rise up with wisdom to defend her. 
  • Listen with courtesy to what others say, even if you feel that what they are saying is worthless. Listen with your heart.
Be truthful at all times with yourself and others. Let the light of truth shine through you by your words and deeds.

Receive strangers and outsiders with a loving heart and as members of the human family. Treat your guests with honor and consideration. Give of your best food, your best blankets, the best part of your house, and your best service to your guests. 

All the races and tribes in the world are like the different colored flowers of a meadow - all are beautiful. As children of the Creator they must all be shown respect.  They are your brothers and sisters.

To serve others, to be of some use to family, community, nation, and the world is the most noble duty. Do not fill your life entirely with your own affairs and forget the most important tasks. True happiness comes to those who dedicate their lives to the service of others.

Observe moderation and balance in all things. Know those things that lead to your well-being, and those things that lead to your destruction. 

Listen to and follow the guidance given to your heart. Expect guidance to come in many forms - in prayer, in dreams, in times of quiet solitude, and in the words and deeds of wise Elders and friends.

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