Spirit Name - A new understanding

Good evening, friends. I sat in on a presentation from a Lakota Elder today and grew some more!

One of the things I love about traditional Elders is that they put complex concepts into really simple statements.

The Elder today explained what she understands the purpose of knowing her Spirit Name is. It was not the name given to her by her parents when she was born; it was the name she received in ceremony, when she decided to follow a spiritual path according to her culture's traditions. And no one told her what her name means - it became her responsibility to figure out what her name means as she walks her journey.

This resonated with me deeply. What does the name I have mean to me? What does it mean to be "this name"?

That's why I asked an Elder for help to receive my Spirit name six years ago: something inside me knew I was ready to find out. It was in the 3rd year of attending the Sun Dance ceremony that something inside said, "Okay. Now you are ready for the responsibility. Go ask for help to receive your name." I am not a Sun Dancer; I do not know if I ever will step onto that path. But the power of this ceremony has been so healing for me when I attended as a supporter and a helper, dancing and singing and praying outside the arbor where the Sun Dancers make their prayers in, and was the place Creator led me to so I could find out who I am.

And now I have even a deeper understanding of the purpose of one's Spirit name. For this I am so thankful.

[Thunder Bow]

It is/was your responsibility. You found out who you are!

[Seekerofsolace]

I liked your post Raven Poet. After a long hibernation of not thinking about spiritual things, I have been slowly waking up like a bear waking up to spring. What can those of us do with no First Nation traditions do to find our spirit names? Something deep within me is telling me we have to find out by ourselves and to get away from everything to find out. I don't have a rich deep culture in which to draw from. All I have are teachers that the universe sends me, and one hasn't been sent in a long time. It's time I think to look inside myself for a teacher. I have been learning a lot from my dogs however :).

[WhiteWarrior]

Good post. I received my spirit name from my guide, on the first occasion I met him. I was given a vague explanation of its meaning but it didn't sit well with me and I spent some time trying to figure it out myself. And that figuring out process changed me, made me embrace the the perceived meaning and work harder to reach the ideal I saw in it.

[Kaere]

Great post, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and experience. It feels very calm and loving

I received my spirit name when I was a child and needed the connection to spirit... I believe I've grown to understand my spirit name and it has adapted and changed with me as I've grown. I can wrap it around me and settle into it... wonderful

Originally Posted by Seekerofsolace

I liked your post Raven Poet. After a long hibernation of not thinking about spiritual things, I have been slowly waking up like a bear waking up to spring. What can those of us do with no First Nation traditions do to find our spirit names? Something deep within me is telling me we have to find out by ourselves and to get away from everything to find out. I don't have a rich deep culture in which to draw from. All I have are teachers that the universe sends me, and one hasn't been sent in a long time. It's time I think to look inside myself for a teacher. I have been learning a lot from my dogs however :).

Dear Seekerofsolace: We all have spirits, so we do not need a particular culture's traditions to find out who we are as a spirit.

The way I found out was just one way. Others have had those powerful dreams - you know the ones that are electrifying with how real they feel? Or from a deep meditation practice.

And speaking of meditation, don't think you have to be levitating off the floor on a hill top in Tibet in order to qualify that as "meditation". I mention this because that's what I used to think meditation was. Whatever you do that drops you deep inside yourself and surrounds you with the pulsing loving presence of the Universe, I'd call that meditation.

You nailed it when you said to look inside for a teacher. I think this is the ultimate place for guidance. Elders can act as helpers and guides, for sure ... but ultimately it is up to each one of us to find the answers we seek, directly from Source ... and we plug into it by going inside.

And the fact that you have learned so much from your dogs tells me you already have a deep connection to Spirit and Life. Non-human life beings are often the best teachers - for they guide and teach without ego, which are part and parcel of human existence.

I hope you keep trusting your inner wisdom and keep discovering the beautiful shining light of your spirit!