A Sampling of Recent Long Talks, by Elder Robert Black Eagle

Ten Essential Arrows of Success and Destiny

Once upon a time, and that, a long time ago, in a land not far removed from now, our young ones, when reaching the age of puberty, retreated to the hills, mountains and wilderness of seclusion, to quest and pray for a vision, boys and girls, equally, neither more important than the other.

Life had brought them to this place and time of transition and maturity, and like the leaders, warriors, chiefs, Medicine Keepers, both men and women who had gone before them, the journey of our youth had now brought them to a time and place in and through which they too would find their roles and persona as adults within the communal geography and society into which they were born, raised, and now take hold of their responsibilities and roles among their chosen people.

A Vision Quest, in the Lakota way Hanbleceyapi, or Crying for a Vision, took much preparation and even greater courage, as the experience was often harrowing and frightening, as within a state and place of isolation, four days without food or water,  Visions often came in the form of animals or spirit beings, and dreams.

The most important reason for the Vision Quest was and is to understand one’s purpose not only in their societal surroundings, but within the greater wold-view as well.  They prayed to understand their oneness with all things better, and gain knowledge of the Great Spirit.  In essence, it was prayer to find not only their purpose, but the power to fulfill that in a good way that serves the people, the planet well.

Sadly, this is a lost practice, particularly within and among our more “contemporary” culture, and so-called modern societies.  And, while there seems to be a resurgence of Vision Questing, praying for purpose and power, more often than not, our young ones are propelled into a culture and future ill prepared, often lost,  and left to figure it out on their own.

We have established our foundation as a Faith Community on the principles and paradigms of the Seventh Generation Prophecy.  We see and identify ourselves as the generation of change, healing, restoration, unity and harmony.  We are told we are generational people of light and love.  We understand we are the generation and our’s is a time,  the time of returning wholeness to a world of broken promises, separations, and selfishness.  We are seen as the generation that will unite all the colors of mankind, restoring the Sacred Circle of Life as one.  But even as the prophets of old foretold, a people, without a Vision, will perish, and that within the promise that our’s will be a generation which will flourish.  We tend to strive, much more than thrive, as individuals, and collective members of our places in the world today.

While I am convinced the fulfillment of the prophetic destiny of the Seventh Generation, will be realized holistically and collectively, as many arrows of light and love, the process must and will begin within the single quiver and bow of our own making and destiny.  As the song we sing, and the prayer we raise, for peace, let it begin with me.

We may not individually set aside a time and a place of retreat, solitude and isolation as did our young ones in days past.  We can, however, find and attain our place of oneness in the process of discovery in our own  time and in our own ways and means.    

I suggest, today, filling your quiver with Ten Essential Arrows as we seek to find our way, and our place in the efficacy of our generational greatness and destiny.

1 PURPOSE

First, consider the Arrow of Purpose.  If we are to take our rightful place and position within the shift of global transformation, we must first understand what is our principal purpose within that process.

Why am I here?  What am I to do?  What was I born for?  Why, not only was I created, but and more-so, what is my Divine Agreement negotiated with Creator even prior to this incarnation?  What is my destiny.  What is my purpose?

I can not answer these questions for you.  We might discover them together as we sit in counsel, but, when it is all said and done, purpose is a discovery of our own understanding of ourselves.  This is one of many reasons a prayerful quest is essential if we are to stand within and amongst the ranks of generational shift and change.  We simply have to discover, find our purpose in life, for without it we are nothing more than a rudderless ship, lost at sea, tossed here and there by the random and raging waves of life, and in no time in our history have those waves appeared as intense and unstable as they do and are today.

2 PASSION

The second arrow, is the Arrow of Passion.  Out of our discovery of purpose, flows the potential for passion.  Passion is what drives us.  It is what motivates us.  It is what drives us.  It is what wakes us up in the morning and puts us to bed at eventide.   

Purpose alone is not enough.  Purpose without passion is like a good steak without seasoning - something is missing from the pallet, and the taste is lacking as is the fulfillment and satiation of nourishment of and for the soul.

Passion is the fuel that feeds the fire of our heart and soul.  Without it, our purpose is often compromised and unfulfilled.  Passion is what you stand for.  Passion is what you will fight for, and for which, if necessary, die for.

Discover your Purpose, and infuse that with Passion and together, those two of the Ten Essential Arrows will propel you in a powerful and profound way towards the fulfillment of your and our destiny as Seventh Generation relatives.  Both are vital to that attainment.

3 PLAN/DIRECTION

The third of the Ten Essential Arrows, is that of a good plan.  It is one thing to have a passion filled purpose; it is rather foolish to proceed without a plan and direction, for, if you don’t know where you are going, and how you are going to get there, any old road will take you there.

It is said that if we do not stand for something, we will fall to and for anything.  No wise person begins a journey of destination, without a good plan of how to get there.

As for us, Seventh Generation relatives, our plan is best formed and disciplined under the template of the Seven Sacred Teachings.  This is the format of our plan, and while the individual expression and experience of those teachings reveal themselves singularly as regards our own sense of purpose and passion, they can and will inform our decisions and directions as we plan our steps and navigate our way collectively.

4 EXECUTION

The fourth of the Ten Essential Arrows is execution.  We can fill our quiver with purpose, passion, and develop a good plan, but until and unless we notch the Arrow of Execution and launch, we are powerless, indifferent, and ineffective in our reasons for being.

5 DEDICATION

It is easy to get discouraged in this arduous journey of life.  Hence, the fifth arrow is dedication.  We can discover our purpose, imbued with passion, guided and directed via a good plan, but without dedication to the process, it is easy to give up and lay down when the hard times and rough obstacles come, and they will come.  A first cousin to dedication is determination, and together both are essential if we are to persevere and succeed in the ultimate attainment and fulfillment of our purpose.

6 COMMITMENT

Again, we can be purpose filled people, full of passion, walking a good plan, be dedicated and determined, and if we are defunct in our commitment to the process, we are nothing more than sounding brass and clanging cymbals.  Commitment is an obligation, and no arrow is more important and essential than the commitments we make, to ourselves, our culture, our society, our community.  Commitment knows no compromise; it simply is, and serves an unwavering promise of heart, mind, body, and soul to stop at nothing to arrive and achieve.

7 PRACTICE

The seventh arrow is the arrow of practice.  Few of us  hit the bullseye on our first shot.  It takes exercise to develop the strengths necessary to fulfill our purpose and attain our destiny.  We load, launch, and often miss the mark.  We reload, and try again, and try again, and again, and with and in practice, we will hit the mark of destiny.

8 PATIENCE

The eighth arrow is the Arrow of Patience.  It takes time to discover one’s purpose.  It takes patience to consistently fuel purpose with passion.  It takes patience to plan and execute a good plan.  It takes patience to remain dedicated in the face of discouraging news or depressing times.  It takes patience to stay true to the course of commitment.  It takes patience to maintain and support the practice.

Run, and do not get weary, for the journey of the Good Red Road, while worth the arrival in every way, takes time, and great patience.  Be easy and gentle on yourself.

9 PERSEVERANCE

The ninth of the Ten Essential Arrows is Perseverance.  Patience alone is not sufficient to the task at hand.  We must exercise perseverance and determination to fulfill our prophetic destiny.

Challenges will come.  Hardships will come.  Obstacles will fall like boulders in front of us as we walk, and sometimes run.  The voices of critics and nay-sayers will sound long and loud, but we must not be swayed if we are to walk in a continuum of good ways.

The Arrow of Perseverance is perhaps the longest one in our quiver as it is necessary for the long haul of endurance and faithfulness.   

10 PERFORMANCE

The Tenth Essential Arrow is that of performance.   This is the “doing” part.

Consider, if you will, the symphony.  Instruments of all sorts, shapes and sounds come together with a purpose - Beethoven’s 5th Symphony, or perhaps Vivaldi’s Four Seasons.  Each instrument, each instrumentalist burns with passion and desire to perform well and bask in the the sweet harmonies of their combined collective.  The conductor establishes a plan and provides the direction.  They execute, remain dedicated and committed to practice and patience, even amidst the frequent missed note, or poor timing, and yet they persevere and press on.  At long last, the curtains unfold, the stage lights rise, a quiet pause, and then begins the performance, one to which the audience will arise in lingering silence of the final note, with a standing ovation and repeated curtain calls.  Why?

It all began with purpose, fueled with passion, directed with a good plan, well executed to which there is a measure of dedication and commitment, practice and perseverance  - The Ten Essential Arrows of Power and Success.   

And so it is with us in our own symphony of life, and so must we too discipline ourselves and arrange our lives to live and thrive, and progress toward the goal, and the prize that awaits us, which is a world filled with peace, harmony, happiness, wholeness, and unity.`

It was career day in Ms. Jone’s third grade class.  The topic of the day’s discussion was what the students wanted to be when the grew up.  Mischievous Mike began - “Ms. Jones, not only can I tell you, I can make it rhyme!  When I grow up to be a man, my plan is to pan for gold in Alaska, and I can, if I think I can.”  Well, this started a precedent.  Boisterous Billy was next.  “Teacher, when I grow up to be a man, my plan is to go farm in Nebraska, and I can if I think I can.”  Meek Mary was next.  “Ms. Jones, when I grow up to be a woman, I want to settle down and find a man, and I can, if I think I can.”  The notorious little Johnny couldn’t sit still until it was finally his turn.  “Teacher, when I grow up to be a man, I don’t want to go to Alaska or Nebraska!  I want to hang around and help Mary with her plan!  And I can if I think I can, so, I think I can.” So, what’s your plan?