native american medicine wheel

-Frank

Native American Medicine Wheel
With the belief that everything has a spirit, Native Americans believe that all living things and objects are connected.
In order to achieve balance, all spirits need to be in harmony with the earth. To do this, Native Americans use a medicine wheel which is a circular pattern made of rocks with a center stone. By meditating on the circle, they are able to keep all spirits in balance.

How to Make a Medicine Wheel for Meditation
If desiring a medicine wheel for meditating, an easy one can be made using five stones. Place one stone in the center, then one for each of the four directions of north, south, east, and west. It is recommended that before meditating, to smudge the area. This can be done by taking the ashes from burnt cedar, sage or other sacred herbs and sprinkling some to each of the directions.
Offer some of the ash to the Great Spirit and be sure to place some at your feet. This is said not only to purify the areas, making it ready for meditation, but to open up a person's aura and cleanse it, so it is ready to receive positive energy.
Long a part of Native American tradition, meditation serves as a way to communicate with nature and the spirit world, along with the Great Spirit. It is used to gain wisdom and provide healing and is an important part of Native American spirituality and culture.