Hope in the Badlands

World Reach News

Once upon a time (not so long ago) near an area know today as the "Badlands;" a community of people worked and played together as a chakra (wheel) of love and mutual support. Nature surrounded the whole tribe with sustenance and beauty. The men held the outer ring of protection and service, while the ring of women offered strength and cohesion. Inside, the elders were revered for their experience and wisdom; while the innermost circle--the children--brought joy and hope for the future. This is how it went for a long time, through cold winters and blistering summers, until one day this perfect balance was destroyed. Outsiders from distant shores stripped the community of its land, language, and rites. In return, these newcomers sowed seeds of violence, disrespect, and despair. And following the loss of language arrived the loss of custom, stories, and beliefs...until almost all memory was gone. What was protection became self-destruction. The feminine power was stripped. The elders were cast aside. The children were taught to forget about the tribal wheel that had once been the foundation of their survival. But today-- Today there is hope on Pine Ridge Reservation. There is hope in the schools as children are beginning to learn their native language once again. There is hope in the eyes of storytellers like Chris EagleHawk as he shares about his grandmother's travels with Crazy Horse. And there is hope at Cangleska: an organization devoted to bringing shelter to women and children in need; and reminding the people of the Badland regions that the circle of love cannot be broken. It is the goal of Yoga World Reach to promote peace on this planet, by reminding it's inhabitants of our intrinsic Inner Power. The power to choose our responses to whatever circumstances arise. The power to remember our inherent goodness, as creatures formed from Divine Consciousness. Thank you: Cangleska, Ogalala Lakota College, Wakanyeja Pawicayapi Inc. for allowing us to share with you as we strive to promote peace through Inner Power. And thank you for everything you have shared with us. You refreshed my memory. Love to you!
JOY OM
Shakti

“I am so happy to see that your community service includes the people that live on these reservations...there is so much poverty and long term loss and shame.
Thank you for all that you do. Aho Mitakuye Oyasin,”
A. Drakeley, TX.

Apr 7, 2008

You can help!

namaste@yogaworldreach.org

< previous

next >

“Yoga World Reach does not aim to fix, change or save people.

That would imply that there is something wrong with them. There is nothing wrong with my friends on the Rez, so our “mission” there is absolutely no different.

We aren’t going up there to fix people. We are going there to fix busted out windows and broken toys. We don’t plan to change anyone, but we can help to change a few diapers and offer a fresh change of clothes. And Yoga World Reach doesn’t save people;

but I do dream of helping to save history from having to repeat itself and being just a bunch of lost lessons and waisted words.” ~r.r. Shakti

Read MORE from Shakti’s Journal on the Rez.

View photos from Pine Ridge Reservation.