Sacred Pipe
Ceremony
Our healing circle occasionally welcomes others to join
us in honoring our ancestors in this sacred ceremony.
Together we send up a voice and state our gratitude. The
native people have prayed in this way since the pipe was
brought to the people. There are different stories of
how the pipe came to the people depending on the tribe
and lineage. All the stories I’ve heard indicate this
sacred gift was given from the spirit world to help us
heal in the physical world. When in the presence of this
one I am told by my elders that only truth can be spoken
and it has been my experience as well. It is about
coming into right relations with oneself, with creator
and with others
In Western Culture people are
asked to place their left hand (closest to their heart)
upon a bible when asked “to speak the truth and nothing
but the truth.” Now there is discussion about including
various holy texts into court rooms for this to be a
more genuine and heartfelt gesture inclusive of people
of different faiths. People raised in intact traditional
native cultures have a deep reverence for the sacred
pipe, as it is used to pray from one’s heart, to find
peace within and without and to be in right relations.
Years ago I came upon a greeting card and on the
back was written that a certain tribe (the name of which
I have regrettably forgotten) had only one law: “To be
true to oneself.” I was so taken by the simplicity and
respect herein. If we really were true to ourselves we
could not possibly do anything that would require the
writing of, or enforcement of, other laws. This one law,
if extrapolated out, like the ripples in the pond after
tossing in a stone, reminds me of the sacred “chanupa”
(pipe) for in its presence we cannot do or say anything
that takes us out of right relations. It is often used
when two or more people need to settle a dispute or
share from their hearts. I have heard elders speak of
situations where they did not trust that someone would
necessarily tell them the truth if asked a question. So
they requested that this person have a prayer smoke with
them because they knew that with this one between them
only truth would be able to be shared.
Being a
pipe carrier is a big responsibility for it demands
living non-judgmentally, impeccably, keeping one’s word
and being a peacemaker at all times. “Keeping one’s word
always begins with the self for every agreement you make
you are actually making with yourself. Other people that
we make agreements with are merely witnesses.” (Will
Rockingbear) Pipe carriers need to be available upon
request to sit with a person needing this medicine way.
Each pipe carrier uses his or her own blend of
herbs, be it organic tobacco (a sacred herb to native
peoples), native tobacco, or kinnick kinnick (a blend of
many herbs). It is never used with illicit or illegal
substances. The prayers are sent up to creator on the
curls of smoke; however, it is not necessary to take the
smoke into one’s body to pray. The pipe carrier can
bless you with the smoke, or holding it close to your
heart while praying is another beautiful way. |
