Voices in the Stones

This book review is a slight departure from my review of books with themes directly relating to climate care and our relationship to the earth, physically and spiritually. I was intrigued by the interspersing of Native American beliefs on nature in Nerburns book on “Life lessons from the Native way.” My first reading of Nerburn was, Neither Wolf nor Dog, a reflection to Native American experiences. Nerburn spent 25 years as a white man living among and teaching at a Native American school in northern Minnesota. He has written 16 books on spirituality and Native themes.

Richard Rohr, familiar to many through his blog and books, says this about Nerburns book: “Kent Nerburn speaks reverently of the bridge between our Judeo-Christian tradition and the spiritual gifts of the Native Americans. There is much healing to be had in our lives and for the land by crossing this bridge.”

“We are content to let things remain as the Great Spirit made them. They (Whites) were not, and would change the rivers and mountains if they did not suit them.” – Chief Joseph “We have always preferred to believe that the spirit of God is not breathed into humans alone, but that the whole created universe shares in the immortal perfection of its maker.” – Ohiyesa

“From… the Great Spirit there came a great unifying life force that flowed in and through all things – the flowers of the plains, blowing winds, rocks, trees, birds, animals – and was the same force that had been breathed into the first man. Thus all things were kindred and were brought together by the same Great Mystery.” – Luther Standing Bear

“Do not begrudge the white man his presence on this land. Though he doesn’t know it yet, he has come here to learn from us.” – A Shoshone elder

In the prologue to the book, Nerburn lays out the terrible injustices Native people had to endure when the white settlers invaded and took over their land. At the end of this section, I was saddened and incensed. Much of the problems were fostered because of misunderstanding, arrogance, and thirst for power and riches. The Shoshone elder was right, we have much to learn from Native spirituality and way of life. Will we ever humble ourselves to begin that learning process?

John Hanson