In this issue, I’ve included the Native American Code of Ethics as printed in 1994 in the Inter-Tribal Times. The significance of this code of ethics is that it is nature- and person-based and not based on Euro-centric entitlement thinking. For example, honoring another person’s personal space and property does not permeate much of present day Euro-centric life, especially sacred objects and personal medicine pouches. Such acts are an attack on the soul of the Native person by saying "I completely disrespect you and therefore I can take or touch whatever I want"... a soul deficit entitlement. I understand that many African-Americans understand this principle as well from the long road they have traveled in this country.

Another important principle is to pray often. Many men have lost sight of the soul’s need for a voice and prayer is the soul’s voice. For many, prayer is done at church, temple or the dinner table. However, I believe the roots of all mankind is to pray when it is needed and not just in Temples or Churches or at the dinner table. Often, I do as my father before me and walk outside when I need to feel close to the Great Sprit and Mystery of all life. My experience has been that when a man finds his way back to prayer, he finds his way back to his soul and begins to live the life he was given at birth.

Another important principle that has lost its way in modern society is to honor other people's thoughts, wishes and words. This means that we must relearn how to listen with an empty mind so that other’s voice can be fully heard; and, after pondering these words, we respond with our own voice. Most people stop listening after two sentences and begin formulating responses based more on our imagination than on what is really being said. Often, this is the cause of bad relations between couples and a man and his children.

Many of the principles of the code permeate the Natural Passages program and workshops and are in support of living a balanced, healthy and fully present life. It is to provide a structure that supports honoring life by being an ethical presence in other’s lives.

Some have heard the Cherokee Story of Two Wolves. I’ve included it also as a reminder that we are fully responsible for the life that we have created. Each day and in every moment we create the life we are living. We can choose to do it unconsciously and reactively or we can choose to be mindful and respond to life in the way that we want to be in the world.

Finally, I have included a copy of a daily prayer to the great spirit that was conceived and incorporated into the Natural Passages program in 2004. It is a prayer for maturity and integrity. If you choose to read it, do so aloud. The universe loves to hear your voice and it is the only way for your soul to know you remember it.

I hope you find something in this newsletter that talks to your soul.

Bountiful Blessings

Herb Stevenson
One White Horse Standing

Native American Code of Ethics

1. Rise with the sun to pray. Pray alone. Pray often. The Great Spirit will listen, if you only speak.

2. Be tolerant of those who are lost on their path. Ignorance, conceit, anger, jealousy and greed stem from a lost soul. Pray that they will find guidance.

3. Search for yourself, by yourself. Do not allow others to make your path for you. It is your road, and yours alone. Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you.

4. Treat the guests in your home with much consideration. Serve them the best food, give them the best bed and treat them with respect and honor.

5. Do not take what is not yours whether from a person, a community, the wilderness or from a culture. It was not earned nor given. It is not yours.

6. Respect all things that are placed upon this earth - whether it be people or plant.

7. Honor other people's thoughts, wishes and words. Never interrupt another or mock or rudely mimic them. Allow each person the right to personal expression.

8. Never speak of others in a bad way. The negative energy that you put out into the universe will multiply when it returns to you.

9. All persons make mistakes. And all mistakes can be forgiven.

10. Bad thoughts cause illness of the mind, body and spirit. Practice optimism.

11. Nature is not FOR us, it is a PART of us. They are part of your worldly family.

12. Children are the seeds of our future. Plant love in their hearts and water them with wisdom and life's lessons. When they are grown, give them space to grow.

13. Avoid hurting the hearts of others. The poison of your pain will return to you.

14. Be truthful at all times. Honesty is the test of ones will within this universe.

15. Keep yourself balanced. Your Mental self, Spiritual self, Emotional self, and Physical self - all need to be strong, pure and healthy. Work out the body to strengthen the mind. Grow rich in spirit to cure emotional ails.

16. Make conscious decisions as to who you will be and how you will react. Be responsible for your own actions.

17. Respect the privacy and personal space of others. Do not touch the personal property of others - especially sacred and religious objects. This is forbidden.

18. Be true to yourself first. You cannot nurture and help others if you cannot nurture and help yourself first.

19. Respect others religious beliefs. Do not force your belief on others.

20. Share your good fortune with others. Participate in charity.

This originally appeared in the "Inter-Tribal Times," October, 1994

Two Wolves—A Cherokee Tale

An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life.

"A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy. "It is a terrible fight between two wolves. One is evil-filled with anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.”

“The other is good - filled with joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.”

“This same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person"

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked,
"Which wolf will win?"

The old Cherokee replied, "The one you feed."

Daily Prayer of the Great Spirit

I call to those who went before me for guidance to travel this day’s path.

I ask those who are yet to come what this day holds for me.

Of Great Spirit and Man is what I seek.

I ask for the Great Spirit to be at one with the Man and for the Man to walk as one with Great Spirit.

Like Wolf, Hawk, and the warrior within, I ask to Show up and be present without preconceived notions, while having the Ability to Take Action and Enforce Boundaries.

Like Cougar, Raven, and the sage within, I ask for The Ability to Assess, Analyze and Contain, while saying what is so when it is so, without blame or judgment.

Like Black Bear, Owl, and the healer within, I ask for The Ability to Connect and Feel, while paying attention to what has heart and meaning.

Like Buffalo, Eagle, and the leader/king within, I ask for The Ability to Initiate, Support and Create Order while being open to outcome.

I offer this prayer to the Great Spirit above and within and humbly ask for divine help to live my life to the fullest and bring honor to myself and my people.

Ending of your choice

In gratitude,

ah ho or

amen or

“I am done” or

“So be it! So it is! So I am!”

Upcoming Programs,
Workshops and Retreats

Discovering Our Way:
Natural Leadership Retreat

Blacktail Ranch in Wolf Creek, Montana
August 9-15, 2008

Join us in big sky Montana for a lived experience in Natural Leadership where you will identify, clarify and claim your natural ability to lead. We will leave life and work’s familiar routine, complexity and technology to retreat into the clear open space of the natural world and the rich interior of our inner world. Take the lead for an unforgettable experience in which you will create sustainable leadership and life changes.

Find out more...

The Hero’s Journey: A Look at Our Shadow Sides

Novelty, Ohio
May 8-11, 2008

The hero’s journey workshop is a four day adventure into a self examination of shadow behavior that prevents the mature man within you from fully showing up in day-to-day life.

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MoMen Return

Novelty, Ohio
July 12-15, 2008

The MoMen Return weekend is a return to where we started. It is an exploration into the four principles of presence. The focus is to delve deeply into the relational next steps of the four chambered heart, the four phantoms of fear and the resulting shadow behavior. Dynamic exercises will be provided to support an inward journey and then the opportunity to share these private stories with each other.

Sign up before May 1, 2008 for a $100 discount per person!

Find out more...

MoMen Return Extended

July 15-18, 2008

MoMen Return Extended is a natural bridge of three additional days to deepen the work. Those staying will come together to complete further exercises and each per will be provided the opportunity for extended personal time with Herb or Will.

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Fathers & Sons

Novelty, Ohio
August 6-9, 2008

The Fathers & Sons weekend workshop is an exploration into the relationship between Fathers & Sons. The focus is to delve deeply into the relational aspects by revealing our personal stories to each other. Dynamic exercises will be provided to support an inward journey and then the opportunity to share these private stories with each other.

Sign up before June 1, 2008 for a $100 discount per person!

Find out more...

Bear Medicine - Horse Spirit Retreat

Black Tail Ranch in Wolf Creek, Montana
2008 dates to be announced

Bear Medicine has been used for thousands of years to provide insight into the human condition awakening wisdom and the power of the unconscious. Bear medicine can teach us to go deep within surrendering to our primal instincts, where we become still within our selves. Bear medicine awakens the inner soul open and opens us to the depth and breadth of life.

Horse Spirit inspires our dreams, awakens passion, carries us far and fast, and brings us close to our instinctual and authentic nature. Horse enables us to move beyond our limitations and run freely. A Native American legend tells us that the horse is a gift from eagle making the difference between a prosperous life and a struggle simply for survival.

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Norwegian Program

Luster in Sogn, Norway
September 15-19, 2008

This is a five-day experience that develops into the four laws of change applied through exploring the archetypal energies of the deep masculine, deep wisdom, deep feminine, and deep caring.

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Intimacy: The Road to Wholeness

Novelty, Ohio
October 2-5, 2008

Intimacy for men is often confusing and bewildering. If we listen to the general world, women believe that it is merely a case of our being more vulnerable, whereas men would suggest that it involves sexual closeness. In reality, intimacy for men is the ability to balance presence with vulnerability. Too much presence leads to a stoic, mechanical existence with little real relationship with others. Too much vulnerability leads to a sense of over-exposure, embarrassment, and possibly humiliation.

Sign up before July 1, 2008 for a $100 discount per person!

Find out more...