A Non-Native Honoring of Native American Spirituality
“To encounter the sacred is to be alive at the deepest center of human existence. Sacred places are the truest definitions of the earth; they stand for the earth immediately and forever; they are its flags and shields. If you would know the earth for what it really is, learn it through its sacred places. At Devil’s Tower or Canyon de Chelly or the Cahokia Mounds, you touch the pulse of the living planet; you feel its breath upon you. You become one with a spirit that pervades geologic time and space.” ~ N. Scott Momaday
Reverence for the Great Spirit, Nondualism of the Spiritual and Real World, and the Necessity of Rituals. These principles are at the heart of Native American spirituality as it spans across the vast multitude of its diverse nations on the North American continent. While there are many creedal nuances among each of these nations, most acknowledge these as core beliefs and express them concretely by living in harmony with Mother Earth, honoring all beings, and respecting the interdependence of all life.
Join us for a Lunch & Dialogue on this topic as we consider the bountiful gifts of Native American spirituality and the meaningful ways in which indigenous peoples have celebrated the Divine within the cosmos, the land, and each other for thousands of years. During our sojourn together, participants will be invited to connect with the broad strokes of this spirituality by engaging with and dialoguing about some of the perspectives and practices of diverse Native American nations. Included in our journey together will also be a brief discussion of (provided) excerpts from Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Potawatomi professor, Robin Wall Kimmerer as a means of connecting mysticism with reverence for the earth as a creation of the Divine. A closing ritual will bring convergence to the teachings and themes considered and offer integration into the embodiment of contemporary spirituality in our current era of living. Lunch is included. Guided by Gordon Creamer.
Gordon Creamer, MA, creator of the Mission Bridge, currently serves as Program Director at Well for the Journey, a spiritual wellness center in Lutherville, Maryland. As a creative and contemplative builder, he has held leadership roles in healthcare programming and operations since 2001 at various assisted living, skilled nursing, and hospice communities. He earned a Master of Arts in Spiritual & Pastoral Care from Loyola University and a Master of Arts in Theology from the Ecumenical Institute of St. Mary’s Seminary & University. Currently, he is a candidate for the Doctor of Ministry Program at the Ecumenical Institute. Gordon has facilitated numerous retreats and workshops that focus on creating opportunities for participants to explore and enhance their spirituality and well-being through various media and formats. He also participates as a peer group leader in the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation’s Transforming Community Program. His passions include uplifting the journey of adults, individuals with memory impairment, and members of the LGBTQ+ community, as well as fostering support groups and programs for caregivers and those who are grieving losses. Trained as a spiritual director/companion, end-of-life doula, and Reiki practitioner, Gordon welcomes all in discovering the spiritual life as a means of healing, expanding, and flourishing. For more information, visit TheMissionBridge.com.