Monday 22 April 2013

S as in SMUDGING (A-Z Challenge)

Through the Idle No More (INM) movement, I have become increasingly aware of the spiritual practices of our First Nations sisters and brothers.

Take, for example, a meeting a couple of months ago. There were about 25 of us, including a couple of the women Founders of INM. We visited, and waited until most of the people who were coming arrived. Then, it was time for "business." But first, smudging and prayer.

Smudging starts with a combination of sage, sweet grass, and some fungus, which are lit. Traditionally, the purpose is to prepare and purify — a person, a place, or a thing — for a time of openness and truth in the presence of the Creator. First, an Eagle feather is smudged. Then, the one doing the smudging goes around the circle, smudging those who request that.

There are particular reasons for this:

Mouth - so that anything we say will be positive and helpful to others who hear us.
Ears - that what we hear and listen to will be positive and help us to learn.
Eyes - that what we see is positive and we can see that in others, not to look at the outside.
Mind - that what we think or how we react will be positive, with only the well being of others in mind. Not to be clouded by anger, lust, greed, etc.
Heart - that our hearts will feel our pain and joy, to be able to heal and use that to help others.
Body - that we will use our bodies in positive ways and take care of our physical health.

Even though I would be considered an Elder among my people, it is not my place to do this. It is not part of my tradition. But when invited to smudge before a session with First Nations' people, I gladly enter into the intention of the process.

(www.firstnationstreatment.org/smudging.htm. Accessed April 21, 2013)

S is also for saint, snake, strength, serious, and Sioux (and Sarcee).

Blessings and Bear hugs!


42 comments:

  1. I'm familiar with smudging. Its a beautiful little ceremony with lovely intentions. Thanks for reminding me of it...Im going to keep your list by my desk.

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    1. Thanks for the note, Zoe. As I said, I'm learning some new things — about other people, and their traditions, and myself.

      I hope you have a wonderful day!

      Blessings and Bear hugs!
      Bears Noting

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  2. Great post! I know about smudging before you enter the circle at PowWow's and smudging before prayer, but I have never heard the mouth, ears, eyes, minds, heart, and body reasons. I've just always thought of it as a sort of spiritual cleansing. Now, I will think of it in a different way.
    #1221
    A to Z April Blogging Challenge
    http://mauldinfamily1.wordpress.com/2013/04/22/s-is-for-sister/

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    1. Happy to share a few insights with you, Debra.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!
      Bears Noting

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  3. Since I am an old hippie, I learned long ago about smudging. One of my favorite things is an old bundle of sage given to me by one who passed over decades ago. I don't burn it because it's all I have of her. Thanks for reminding me about this ancient practice, Bear. :-)

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    1. Glad you had that memory!

      In the days of hippies, I was straight up. Now that I'm a bit more mature, I could absolutely be a hippie. Strange what life does to us.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!
      Bears Noting


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  4. A ceremony that brings people together and instills the basic principles of humanity is a good thing.

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    1. I totally agree with you!

      Blessings and Bear hugs!
      Bears Noting

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  5. I would definitely feel comfortable participating in a smudging ceremony ... I thoroughly enjoyed your post, Bear.

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    1. Thanks, Helen. Maybe you will get to know some native people and learn the process. Any Reservations near where you live?

      Blessings and Bear hugs!
      Bears Noting

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  6. This is a beautiful ceremony and I appreciate knowing all the ways in which we can bless ourselves and others to create a more positive world.

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    1. Glad to help you learn something new. Anything which helps create a positive world is good!

      How are your Spanish travels going?

      Blessings and Bear hugs!
      Bears Noting

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  7. I learn so much from my blogger friends. Thank you for this.

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    1. Glad to share. I learn lots of things about your wold, too from your blog.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!
      Bears Noting

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  8. Bear
    I never thought of smudging exactly as you said but I smudge my house frequently. I also do the sweat lodge with the Natives, not far in the mountains. We smudge our bodies before we begin so I guess I do/did think of it as you do.

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    1. Wonderful that you know some of the people in your area. It's isn't everyone who is invited to a sweat.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!
      Bears Noting

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  9. Never heard of smudging...until now.
    You bring storehouses of information to me, and I thank you for that.
    Hugs to you,
    Jackie

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    1. Glad I can help people learn things. I'm glad you're an eager learner!

      Blessings and Bear hugs!
      Bears Noting

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  10. A purifying ceremony like this is shared among many groups of the Americas. This is one way to get everyone on the same page, big and small, young or old.

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    1. Thanks for the note, Rosaria. I suspected smudging was common practice in more tribes than just the northern ones. And, yes, it is a unifying factor.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!
      Bears Noting

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  11. I really enjoyed your post. I'd heard of smudging before but didn't know much about it. Thank you!

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    1. Always glad to provide information. You're welcome.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!
      Bears Noting

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  12. Wowsa. I learned something! Cool. Now if I can just get this smudge off my screen. It looks like a bear paw print.

    Sigh.

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    1. Maybe your neighbouring Bear pawed your screen as an invitation to come out and play. It's your call.

      Glad I could play "Discovery Channel" for you!

      Blessings and Bear hugs!
      Bears Noting

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  13. Bear, I know of smudging, and think I first heard of it from our mutual blogger Jane. I have yet to actually experience the experience. Is it not often used when someone moves into a new (physical) location?

    I thank you for your listing of smudging benefits.

    It's still so chilly here in New York. May will be here soon and I still don my down coat. I can't remember such an April. It's a reminder that global climate change doesn't just mean global warming.

    xo

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    1. I believe smudging could be used as a house blessing. I have a particular house blessing which can be used, with prayers for every room; I'm sure smudging could be used the same way.

      The change of seasons is slowly coming. Brrrr! Grrrr! Hope you don't freeze in April. Or May.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!
      Bears Noting

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  14. Did you know a lot of the first white settlers to North America went off to join the native groups they encountered? I can't say I blame them at all. What we know as civilization is, for the most part, barely civil. Smudging is a good tradition to embrace and I'm glad you've connected with the INM members.

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    1. I did not know about "settlers" joining the original inhabitants. I share information, other people do too — we all end up wiser.

      IMN started in Saskatoon. I was at the group's first pubic event. Over time I have met the four Founders, and a lot of other people — primarily by going to "flash" round dances in some malls, and added educational activities.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!
      Bears Noting

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  15. What a lovely post. I didn't know about smudging before reading this, very interesting.

    Thanks for sharing :)

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    1. Glad I could give you a bit of an insight into the culture of others.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!
      Bears Noting

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  16. To smudge or not to smudge. Like you, I would smudge. Although widely practiced today, I wonder how universal the custom was, what with there being hundreds if not thousands of tribes across the North Americas. I also wonder how many Native Americans really try to practice the old religions, or there is even enough known about them to practice them in anything close to their original forms. I'm at least 3/16 Native American, but didn't grow up with anyone who knew enough about the old ways to practice them.

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    1. I suspect that smudging is very common. And I suspect that there are still enough elders around, particularly those who survived our residential schools, who know the old ways. I pick that up in my conversations with others in INM.

      ~ Bear

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  17. I bought some smudge sticks at a local health food store but have not used them. Actually, I didn't know how to. I wanted to bless the giant Sequoia trees in our backyard, to help them to remain healthy in spite of their bark being torn by raccoons and squirrels. What should I do, if anything...what would be the process? ...to light the sticks and let the incense drift upward into my trees?

    In the meantime, one of my blogging and facebook friends, a young woman who actually is full Native American wrote a funny post about seeing these "old white guys who look like dads" on the streets of Chicago wearing coonskin caps, and she was wondering what in the heck that was all about and how come she couldn't find a hat like that. I happened to have two in my "gift shelf," having bought one for a friend and an extra. I messaged her asking if she would like me to send one to her and she immediately responded with her address. When I mailed the Davey Crockett coonskin hat to her I had the inclination to include one of the smudge packets in her package. She wrote as soon as she received it, really thrilled with the cap...and adding that the smudge gave grace to the members of her boyfriend's bluegrass band, as they had been going through an especially hard time.
    Long story brought about by your post. :)

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    1. Thanks for sharing the story, Lydia.

      About using the smudge sticks. I'm accustomed to see people using braided sweetgrass for smudging, as it produces smoke but does not burn. People put some of it in a bowl of some kind, and light it. As the smoke rises, the one doing the smudging uses an Eagle feather to direct the smoke, normally away from him/herself. (First thing to smudge is the Eagle feather.) The smoke is a sweet-smellimg, and not a particularly dense. Personally, I would not use it. If you have a Native America friend, let him or her do it.

      But with something like incense stocks, you could do the same thing; burn some in a bowl or other incense holder. Perhaps walk around the tree, gently brushing the smoke towards the tree, standing very close to the tree, so the tree is well smudged. That's the best suggestion I can offer.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!
      Bears Noting

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    2. What a sweet conversation to see between two friends I know.

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  18. Rob, this is great! I've heard about smudging for a long time but never knew any of the specifics. Now I'm fascinated and want to learn more. Thanks!

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    1. Glad I could share something with you, Frances. I think there is quite a bit of information in Wikipedia about smudging. Happy reading!

      Blessings and Bear hugs!
      Bears Noting

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  19. I have never heard of that - gosh - very interesting. I wouldn't mind being smudged either. sandie

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    1. I try to come up with some "different" ideas for my A-Z contributions. Hence my choice in the next section — T as in Taciturn.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!
      Bears Noting

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  20. I knew a wee bit about smudging and have some braided sage and some sweet grass. The latter, to me, is one of the best scents I've ever inhaled.

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    1. Thanks for sharing your experience. I like the smell of sweet grass, too.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!
      Bears Noting

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  21. I had never heard of this before! I love learning about all these different things from so many diverse blogs.

    #atozchallenge, Kristen's blog: kristenhead.blogspot.com

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