Black Elk: The Sacred Ways of a Lakota

This was at Upland Hills Ecological Center deep in the woods northeast of the Detroit/Pontiac suburbs, sometime in the mid-80's. And I remember meeting there for the first time a wonderful fellow-traveler named Brooke Isberg. Wallace gave a number of story-telling sessions/lectures, then at night was the sweat lodge. What was most notable - was that the effect of incredibly wholesome well-being and benign protection lasted well over a month - and something was planted that never ever left me. Numerous previous (and subsequent) weekend meditation, neo-pagan, medicine wheel and new-age retreats had the predictable outcome of making me feel incredibly good for 2-3 days afterwards, never much more than that (and then the 'work' would start). The same with various local ceremonies/rituals. And all that was fine, as cumulative effects did build up - obvious growth occurs - that's as it usually should be in the work. I'm just saying that the work that week with Wallace was not in any sense the usual. Over a period of many years, subsequent sweat lodge experiences with a variety of so-called 'leaders' (both native and Anglo-) paled in comparison. Wallace is truly the Grandfather; making each person feel thoroughly at home, more than even at your own home; well-mannered, humble and glowingly capable, he treated each of us as a valued and honored guest in his and the spirits' lodge, as it were. Without it being said as such, you felt you were being welcomed into the world. Wallace was/is thoroughly heart/breath, and is no way trapped inside his skin. So we felt less confined in yours. Many of the other leaders I've met are so much into their own power and image, often twinged with too much machismo, exuding more politics than poetry. You just didn't feel much supported. Not so with Wallace. He is so strong to be able to be here in such a down-to-earth fashion, really buoyed by, and faultlessly representing Mother Earth, Great Spirit and the 4 Directions. With him we'd been given the inestimably fine opportunity to fall right in with it all.

Wallace Black Elk is for real. Check out Song af the Stone by New Zealander Barry Brailsford. He writes: During my (first) stay in North America I didn't contact anyone within the Indian Nations. No one. The journey was to honour the ancestors of the Red Earth. The prayer to open the ancient trails was sent to them across the silence of that desert dawn. Eight months later, in January 1992, the words chanted as the smoke rose to greet the Sun were answered. An elder in Christchurch, opened his door one morning to find an Indian standing there. The visitor said... "Greetings my brother. I am Wallace Black Elk, of the Lakota Nation. I come for the six red stones and the fire stone, that once again we might make the pipe of peace we had 2,000 years ago." This greatly respected Indian Shaman, who has done much to share the old wisdom of his people with the world, arrived unannounced at the home of a Kaumatua (male tribal elder) who walked closely with the book. They had not met before, no letters had been exchanged, no telephone calls and no faxes... Black Elk stayed for two days and many things were shared. I suspect my journey to the Twelve Nations, a year later, had its origins at this time. Black Elk said..."I know the sacred knowledge is being written. We support you. I came because I heard the prayer in the desert." The words I spoke in the red dawn were answered. Black Elk left with enough Paunamu (nephrite/jade/greenstone) to make two peace pipes - one for the Sioux Nation and one for the Waitaha Nation. The gathering of the old tribes had begun. The way was opening to the Nations of North America...

This book was carefully complied from a great many audio tapes of Grandfather Black Elk talking. The result is remarkably close to sitting near him as he quietly talks directly with you. (And I'd know, I once spent a weekend doing just that.)Wallace Black Elk invites you to share his feelings about the beliefs of his people and brings you into the rites and ceremonies of his spiritual quest.Few people make others so generously free with their inner lives. More than a good read, it's an experience!

Those who know Wallace Black Elk personally know that Bill Lyons captures the flavor of Grandfather's humor, the deeper teachings that lay behind the words, as well as the pain and difficulties that have gone into making access to the Spirit available to all. When you read this book, you'll know why the early government and Christian religions wanted to stop the Indian practices - they're real, and you'll be glad for the triumph of these sacred teachings. Like his predecessor, Nicholas Black Elk, Wallace Black Elk's vision goes beyond the borders of race to encompass all beings, so that once again, the great hoop may be whole. For Indian peoples who have lost contact with spiritual origins, whatever they may be, this book can be a powerful reclamation of the Spirit. For all people who have been searching for the something that has been missing, you will find it in Black Elk: The Sacred Ways of a Lakota. This book and others detailing the shamanic practices of our ancient Indian cultures are a real coup for the American Indian: in spreading the teachings, these courageous men and women have transformed the children of the enemy into friends and allies. The whole world benefits.