Sacred Earth: The Spiritual Landscape of Native America

Placing Native American spirituality in the context of the world's great religions, Sacred Earth contrasts contemporary society's arrogant belief in its own power with native traditions of reverence for the earth. This eye-opening journey through the terrain of Native American spirituality is an urgent call to rediscover and become firmly grounded on the sacred earth again.

Versluis, editor of <em>Avaloka: A Journal of Traditional Religion and Culture</em>, offers a much-needed understanding of Native American religion. Through discussion of how the religions of Native Americans compare with traditional religions, he finds ground for a common spirituality. While contemporary society emphasizes ecology, Versluis points out that Native Americans always had a love and respect for the environment and a recognition of the spiritual qualities of nature. This book may prove a bit difficult for lay readers, yet it is necessary reading for those seeking a greater understanding of Native American spirituality. For Native American and religion collections.<br />

Introduction

Part I.  Foundations
1.   Nature as Theophany
2.   Wakan, Orenda, Manitou
3.   Timelessness and Time
4.   Totemic Revelations
5.   Sacred Man and the Great Mystery

Part II.  Spiritual Symbolism
Introduction
1.   Inscriptions in Stone
2.   The Great Horned Serpent
3.   The Stone Man
4.   The Great Lodge as Microcosmos
5.   Initiation and Its Inversions

Part III.  Spiritual Landscape
Introduction
1.   Language of the Earth, Language of the Sky
2.   Celestial Agriculture, Celestial Journey
3.   Spiritual Landscape
4.   Mountains and Fire, Winds and Waters
5.   The Council Fire
6.   The Songs of Solitude and Silence

Conclusion

Appendix
Notes
Bibliography
Index