Seeing our selves and our place in the world.

In my Lakota culture I was raised with the concept of the 4 directions as a symbol for all that exists in the world. Each of the directions represents various elements of the physical world including conceptual and emotional aspects.  For example, the West: Wio’piyata, is associated with the Powerful storms of the spring and summer months.  It represents raw power that when unleashed has the potential to destroy but also has a flipside in that its fury, while destructive, may make way for change and growth in the same way a prairie fire caused by lightning burns the old growth and makes way for new.

As I grew in my understanding I also came to know of the next two directions which included: what is above and what is below. These two directions are associated with more spiritual awareness with “what is above” including not only the sky and the stars but the great mystery that is the creator of all things. It is the male energy of the universe and in the eastern tradition would be called “YANG.”  It is our recognition of our connectivity to the great mystery that is life.  The Direction known as  “what is below” not only refers to the Earth but is also representative of the qualities of nurturing and healing.  It is represented by our Mother Earth whom we walk upon and she gives us a solid foundation, a home and life giving nourishment.  It is the feminine aspect or what in the eastern tradition would be called “YING.”

In the more recent years of my life I have come to understand that there is a seventh direction that may be for each one of us the most important direction of all for it represents a greater understanding of our individual place in the universe and of our connectedness to all things including the cycle of life and death. The 7th direction is within each of us. It represents a point in life when we become aware enough to begin looking within ourselves for the answers to our life’s questions. When we are clear enough  to look inside and see that all the other attributes of all the other directions are reflected within us and we are complete and whole just as we are.