"We cannot expect to recreate the conditions of
ages that have past, and few would wish to do so. Yet the spiritual
understandings of these old ways are sound, and the spiritual foundations
of modern society are weak and destructive. So the question is, how
can we use this knowledge which is universal, in the civilization which
we have inherited?"
_ Manitonquat
METTANOKIT Healing Ourselves and Our World
Recently, there has been a tremendous upsurge of interest in Native American
culture, as people in our contemporary society seek to learn more about
the traditional wisdom of these indigenous peoples. Our current social and
environmental crises have undermined basic assumptions within our society
and we are called to reawaken our sense of spiritual connection to Earth
and all of life.
At the core of Native American and other indigenous cultures is the belief
that all things are descended from and are a part of the unifying force
of Creation or Great Spirit which is at once benevolent, powerful,
vulnerable, and ultimately unnamable. According to this way, the Earth is
not an inert rock, there to be abused, degraded and exploited for profit,
but a living organism -- our Mother which has borne us a children.
Many native peoples have lived consciously for generations in a balanced
state of deep ecology with the Earth Mother, based not on an abstract philosophy
but on a heartfelt spiritual connection to the natural world. They achieved
a way of life which respected the sanctity of all things and emphasized
humility and reciprocity in the tasks of daily living. In their eyes, the
human race has been placed alongside all other members of the Creation family,
not to be supreme or dominant, but to be companions and caretakers.
METTANOKIT * is the non-profit education and human service organization
dedicated to healing ourselves and our world. Programs and services respectfully
incorporate the perennial wisdom of heart-centered people from around the
world who, like Native Americans, have lived in loving reciprocity with
Mother Earth for countless generations.
Through a unique blend of educational programs, counseling services and
intentional living experiences, wisdomseekers of all ages, races and religions
are invited to learn, share and practice ways of life which can bring us
back into closer harmony with ourselves, our community and our world.
Together, we can regain our spiritual connectedness and contribute to our
world as the whole, healthy and conscious persons we were born to be.
Our range of programs and services can be divided into four components:
1. Walking the Sacred Path
2. Healing Vision
3. Return to Creation
4. Dreams of the People
While METTANOKIT has been inspired by traditional Native American
teachings, many spiritual traditions and healing arts are represented through
our programs and services. Our advisors and faculty include professionals
from diverse ethnic backgrounds, with a broad range of expertise.
*METTANOKIT (pronounced:metta·no·kit) means "our Mother Earth"
in the language of Wampanoag, the Algonkian tribe which still lives along
the shores of southeastern Massachusetts and eastern Rhode Island.
METTANOKIT is located at the conference center, Another Place,
in Greenville, NH, about one hour from Boston.
1. WALKING THE SACRED PATH
"Where it must all begin is with trust. Unless we trust that the
Creation is good, that is works, that we are good, and that we can learn
to live in a good way in this Creation, we give ourselves over to force
or to despair.
. . . But once we have this trust, we need only to discover the way that
Creation works, find the path and follow it . . . Our elders passed
down to us a guide for doing this. Our people call this the 'Original
Instructions.' Let us begin to retrace our steps and find the Sacred
Path again."
_Manitonquat*
METTANOKIT offers an educational curriculum of lectures, workshops
and intentional living experiences called "Walking the Sacred Path"
which introduces participants to the original instructions of native
peoples who prospered in the eastern woodlands up until the time of the
Pilgrims. Unlike dogmatic commandments, these instructions are more like
medicinal prescriptions for better health, giving us the support and gentle
guidance to become fully human, to heal ourselves and others, and to empower
ourselves to make the changes needed by Earth and humanity for survival,
health and prosperity. Topics of instruction include:
The Sacred Circle: Trusting the Universe
Spiritual Wealth: Celebrating the Non-Materialistic Abundance in Everyday
Life
Community Living
Joyous Childraising
Honoring Our Elders
Relationships and Intimacy
Nurturance and Strength
Personal Leadership
Equality, Freedom and Justice
*Walking the Sacred Path is based on the book Return to Creation
by Manitonquat. This program is held at our conference center, Another
Place, in Greenville, NH at regular intervals. Introductory sessions
and abridged versions are also offered within the community. Call us for
more information on dates and times.
2. HEALING VISION
"Look at our brokenness. We know that in all creation only the human
family has strayed from the Sacred Way. We know that we are the ones
who are divided and who must come back together to walk in the Sacred Way.
Sacred One, teach us love, compassion, and honor that we may heal the earth
and heal each other."
In most indigenous cultures, including Native American, the individual is
not an isolated creature but a part of an intricate web of life. To truly
understand this, we must first heal our inner self and develop a strong
sense of personal wholeness. Paradoxically, we must each come to see ourselves
as sovereign, independent beings before we can wholeheartedly celebrate
our connection with Creation.
METTANOKIT offers a range of counseling services and therapeutic
interventions which provide individuals living in today's stressful society
with an opportunity to explore their inner turmoil, form a positive, healing
vision of themselves, and strengthen skills for peaceful and harmonious
living. These services include:
individual counseling, couples counseling, peer counseling
Medicine Circles (group councils)
dream workshops
body movement
guided imagery
music, voice and inner breath therapies
massage and body therapies
These services are offered at our conference center in Greenville, NH and
by referral to a regional network of private practitioners who are part
of our consulting staff.
3. RETURN TO CREATION
"Peace comes within the souls of people when they realize their
relationship, their oneness, with the universe and all its powers, and
when they realize that at the center of the universe dwells the Great
Spirit, and that this center is really everywhere, it is within each
of us."
_Black Elk
At METTANOKIT we believe that the perception of separateness between
us and nature is a mirage. It arises out of the misguided belief that a
human being is detached from Creation and superior to any other living thing.
It is compounded by an ambitious drive for gain and recognition which emphasizes
individual, class and religious differences.
According to traditional ways, by personally realizing a heartfelt connection
with Creation, which reveals the commonalities among us rather than the
divisions, life takes on true meaning and joy.
METTANOKIT offers experiential retreats and other intentional living
experiences which reinforce inner healing and cultivate a deep, personal
relationship with the Great Spirit. These include:
mindfulness meditation
purification and ceremonial rites
vision quests
Our purpose is to help people recognize the perils of these modern times
and return to a way of living which emphasizes reason and respect.
Unfortunately, there are some people so crippled by the ways of modern society
that they become trapped in a cycle of corruption and destructive behavior.
For this reason METTANOKIT also offers counseling and experiential
programs specifically for at-risk youth and prison populations -- individuals
who need special help returning to the Sacred Path.
4. DREAMS OF THE PEOPLE
"Behold! Our Mother Earth is lying here. Behold! She gives of her
fruitfulness. Truly, her power she gives us. Give thanks to Mother Earth
who lies here.
_Pawnee tribal prayer
Since the basic disease is alienation, the cure is connection. First to
ourselves, so we understand, appreciate and love who we are, then with each
other, the earth and all Creation.
Artistic expression is critical to creating spiritual bonds, establishing
relationships and illuminating our innermost dreams. We need art that speaks
to our deepest needs for meaning and hope, that contributes to our healing
and survival, that celebrates the sacred in all things.
For thousands of years, native peoples have used storytelling, play, dance,
music, pottery, weaving and other artistic activities to engender heartfelt
connections with the Earth and each other.
Expressive arts have also been used to provide children with and understanding
for ancestral ways. Helping young people discover themselves through art
is particularly important today as traditional rites of passage are lost
and children become increasingly captivated by TV, videos and computerized
games.
METTANOKIT offers opportunities to celebrate and engage in expressive
arts which heal and enlighten, such as:
storytelling performances, including Native American creation stories, folk
tales and archetypal myths from other cultures. (We also offer a course
designed to awaken the hidden story-teller in us all!)
music, voice and drumming classes and ceremonies
"friendship gatherings" which bring like-minded people together
to share and celebrate in the spirit of community
HELP KEEP THE WISDOM ALIVE
As a non-profit organization we are supported entirely by student fees,
grants and the generosity of people like YOU. Please join
us on the "Sacred Path." Call us at 603·878·3201
or write for a free copy of our latest Calendar of Events. Or become a Friend
of METTANOKIT by returning the Pledge Card below with your tax-deductible
donation. As a Friend, you'll receive:
a certificate honoring your contribution
a subscription to the Talking Stick newsletter
Calendar of Events
invitation to special events exclusively for Friends
15% discount on all METTANOKIT events
(some programs are offered without charge)
15% discount on books, tapes and other items sold through our retail initiative,
Pathway
Additional benefits are offered based on the amount of donation (see
below). All of our friends receive the personal satisfaction of knowing
that their financial contribution will be instrumental in helping to keep
the wisdom alive.
Return with contribution
PLEDGE CARD
___ Yes, I want to become a Friend of METTANOKIT. Please find
enclosed my tax-deductible donation * for an annual membership as:
___ Pathfinder $15 Basic Package (above)
___ Earthkeeper $30 Basic, plus a copy of Return to Creation
___ Wisdomseeker $75 All above, plus a Talking Stick
___ Other amount: _____
___ I am not presently making a donation but want to receive your Calendar
of Events
Name (Mr./Mrs./Ms.)__________________________________
Address___________________________________________
City, State, Zip_______________________________________
Make check payable to METTANOKIT.
Mail to: Another Place, 173 Merriam Hill Road
Greenville, NH 03048.
(*Deduction can be made to the fullest extent which the law allows.)