Black Elk: The Sacred Ways of a Lakota

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Summary: Black Elk Speeks
Review: I first read this book when I was in high school, that was some 14 years ago. I must say that to this day, it is one of the most profound writings I have ever read. If you have any interest at all in the Oglala Souix, you must read this book.

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Summary: Wonderful book
Review: I recomend this book to others. As for JohnBishops review. Take a look at his other reviews. Obvious the man has no true clue to history. The Native American shamans as well as other Shamans around the world were truely magickal men. The knowledge these people obtained through out the years is amazing from animal totems to herbs. I can only hope to learn a part of it through books like this one

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Summary: Sit with Grandfather as he tells you of his life and spirit.
Review: 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!

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Summary: The difficult road of a Lakhota shaman, with heart and humor
Review: 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.

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Summary: Wallace Black Elk heard the Song of the Stone
Review: 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...