What do you think?
Rate this book
The Spiritual Legacy of the American Indian
In this collection of essays, the chief components of Indian religions and our perceptions of them are treated in sensitive manner.
North American Indian living religions --
The spiritual legacy --
The roots of renewal --
The persistence of essential values --
Contemplation through action --
The immediacy of mythological message --
Sun dance : sacrifice, renewal, identity --
The question of "mysticism" --
Time and process --
On being human
North American Indian living religions --
The spiritual legacy --
The roots of renewal --
The persistence of essential values --
Contemplation through action --
The immediacy of mythological message --
Sun dance : sacrifice, renewal, identity --
The question of "mysticism" --
Time and process --
On being human
160 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1964
8 people are currently reading
104 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 31, 2024
I admit I approached this Pendle Hill Pamphlet with some trepidation, thinking given it was written 60 years ago, knowing the horrendous indoctrination schools were still in operation, knowing legal discrimination against Tribal Nations was still rampant. I was afraid, however well meaning, the author might be writing from a mindset that perpetuates the prejudice.
And how dated would it be? He’s writing for a 1964 Quaker audience most likely very ignorant of the Native American condition, culture and traditions. But I also suspect many in that audience would have been receptive to the message.
I was quickly relieved when Brown points to the dominant culture being the one lacking “fulfillment, beauty, and dignity in a measure which we can not know so long as we continue in tour present direction.”
He goes further and writes “Those [Indians} who remain faithful should be given every possible encouragement, because they are helping to keep alive a rich and truly American heritage which can be found nowhere else in the world., and which can provide values which are sorely needed by a culture which is seeking purpose and direction. ..for a man can not cut himself off from what he truly is without becoming as a tree without either roots or nourishment.”(p. 6)
Brown then calls out specifically “our education policy” as a negative force working against the Indian, adding “this policy was intentionally designed to destroy this unique heritage, and has thus risked creating half men lacking either roots or purpose.” (p. 6)
The balance of the pamphlet consists of Brown sharing and explaining the wisdom, philosophy and traditions he learned from nearly a year of living with the legendary Black Elk on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. I know there are critical reviewers on Goodreads either writing from within the community and others approaching the 60 year old work with the more enlightened perspective afforded in 2024 by the advances made since the pamphlet’s writing. (not suggesting by any means that there is not much more work to be done - finding justice for and curtailing the MMIW crisis, for instance).
It seems particularly appropriate that I read this pamphlet on Easter Sunday morning, likely what was a day of particular indoctrination and damage to the students within those mostly Christian-run Indian schools across the continent. I suspect the 1964 pamphlet provided wonderful schooling in the reverse direction, from Native American through the author to descendants of the invaders open to learning.
And how dated would it be? He’s writing for a 1964 Quaker audience most likely very ignorant of the Native American condition, culture and traditions. But I also suspect many in that audience would have been receptive to the message.
I was quickly relieved when Brown points to the dominant culture being the one lacking “fulfillment, beauty, and dignity in a measure which we can not know so long as we continue in tour present direction.”
He goes further and writes “Those [Indians} who remain faithful should be given every possible encouragement, because they are helping to keep alive a rich and truly American heritage which can be found nowhere else in the world., and which can provide values which are sorely needed by a culture which is seeking purpose and direction. ..for a man can not cut himself off from what he truly is without becoming as a tree without either roots or nourishment.”(p. 6)
Brown then calls out specifically “our education policy” as a negative force working against the Indian, adding “this policy was intentionally designed to destroy this unique heritage, and has thus risked creating half men lacking either roots or purpose.” (p. 6)
The balance of the pamphlet consists of Brown sharing and explaining the wisdom, philosophy and traditions he learned from nearly a year of living with the legendary Black Elk on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. I know there are critical reviewers on Goodreads either writing from within the community and others approaching the 60 year old work with the more enlightened perspective afforded in 2024 by the advances made since the pamphlet’s writing. (not suggesting by any means that there is not much more work to be done - finding justice for and curtailing the MMIW crisis, for instance).
It seems particularly appropriate that I read this pamphlet on Easter Sunday morning, likely what was a day of particular indoctrination and damage to the students within those mostly Christian-run Indian schools across the continent. I suspect the 1964 pamphlet provided wonderful schooling in the reverse direction, from Native American through the author to descendants of the invaders open to learning.
February 8, 2025
The Spiritual Legacy of the American Indian is a classic written several decades ago, in which Joseph Epes Brown argues quite effectively that Native American spirituality should be regarded on par with any of the world's major religions. To accomplish this, he offers a series of essays that defend his point. The first essay acknowledges that there is no one "Indian" religion, but that all traditional tribal spiritualities have give general concepts in common, that have corresponding commonalities in Christianity and other religions. He then describes more specific belief systems and rituals specific mostly to the Plains Indians.
This choice of region was natural for Brown, being that in the 1940s he lived for some time with Black Elk and his family. In fact, Black Elk adopted Brown as a son. The exploration of traditional beliefs and rituals is not voyeuristic, but made with deep respect. The additional letters included with this commemorative edition provide insight into Brown's experience while living amongst the Sioux, and serve to highlight the points made in the essays.
While I do wish there were more examples of other native experiences, Brown's own connections were so deep with the Sioux that it is not exactly expected that he share specifically about those views. He also delves in Pueblo, Hopi and occasional Navajo examples.
Still, I struggled to read through this short text, because it reads more like a dissertation than something one might read for pleasure. Very informative, honoring the spiritual depth of the Indians, and worth the read, but I had to take it slowly in order to absorb the points he made.
This choice of region was natural for Brown, being that in the 1940s he lived for some time with Black Elk and his family. In fact, Black Elk adopted Brown as a son. The exploration of traditional beliefs and rituals is not voyeuristic, but made with deep respect. The additional letters included with this commemorative edition provide insight into Brown's experience while living amongst the Sioux, and serve to highlight the points made in the essays.
While I do wish there were more examples of other native experiences, Brown's own connections were so deep with the Sioux that it is not exactly expected that he share specifically about those views. He also delves in Pueblo, Hopi and occasional Navajo examples.
Still, I struggled to read through this short text, because it reads more like a dissertation than something one might read for pleasure. Very informative, honoring the spiritual depth of the Indians, and worth the read, but I had to take it slowly in order to absorb the points he made.
November 17, 2022
Corto, vacío y banal. Con la herencia cultural que han dejado y el legado que podría transmitirse aún, lo poco que se compila aquí resulta simplón, repetitivo e insuficiente. Poco o nada te enseñará este dominical sobre la cultura nativo americana. Aprenderás más con Wikipedia...
Pd: no sé si le daban puntos por publicarlo, porque es casi imposible encontrarle el propósito a este libro
Pd: no sé si le daban puntos por publicarlo, porque es casi imposible encontrarle el propósito a este libro
April 15, 2020
Revolutionary at the time, but now dated but there is information to glean.
January 2, 2011
This is one of the definitive works on Native American spirituality and the metaphysics underlying those beliefs. Brown starts by acknowledging that there is no single Native American spirituality or belief system and that it would be impossible to define or describe Native American religions in generalities. Nevertheless, Brown attempts to do just that by sketching the broad outlines common to each culture, which he then explores in more detail by examining specific examples from a range of cultures (though an emphasis on beliefs of the Plains Indians is obvious and probably unavoidable given Brown's extensive work with Black Elk, an Oglala Sioux holy man).
In the first chapter, Brown provides five general principles that distinguish Native American belief systems. He spends the rest of the text examining these principles through specific cultures, artistic expressions, and ceremonies.
The principles are:
1) There is no separation between sacred and secular; "religion" is not separated from everyday life.
2) Words have a special potency or force (and by extension, songs and ceremonies channel that force to greatest effectiveness).
3) Natural materials also possess a distinct potency, and therefore the created object is not merely a symbol of a certain power, it is the power itself. Furthermore, there is no separation between art and craft.
4) Time and process are cyclical and reciprocal (as opposed to unidirectional); we are not moving from a past forward into a future, we are participating in a great and interconnected cycle.
5) The forms and forces of the natural environment are all interrelated (and humanity is part of that connection, not separate from it). Thus, pragmatic interaction with the natural world is always informed by a sacred understanding of it.
Brown's analysis is clear and concise, and he manages to convey a great deal of insight in a surprisingly thin volume.
In the first chapter, Brown provides five general principles that distinguish Native American belief systems. He spends the rest of the text examining these principles through specific cultures, artistic expressions, and ceremonies.
The principles are:
1) There is no separation between sacred and secular; "religion" is not separated from everyday life.
2) Words have a special potency or force (and by extension, songs and ceremonies channel that force to greatest effectiveness).
3) Natural materials also possess a distinct potency, and therefore the created object is not merely a symbol of a certain power, it is the power itself. Furthermore, there is no separation between art and craft.
4) Time and process are cyclical and reciprocal (as opposed to unidirectional); we are not moving from a past forward into a future, we are participating in a great and interconnected cycle.
5) The forms and forces of the natural environment are all interrelated (and humanity is part of that connection, not separate from it). Thus, pragmatic interaction with the natural world is always informed by a sacred understanding of it.
Brown's analysis is clear and concise, and he manages to convey a great deal of insight in a surprisingly thin volume.
July 26, 2011
interesante
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews