Have you ever noticed in photo's or movies a woven basket hanging at the opening on ones lodge, tee-pee? Well, there is a tradition upon the tribes, the original people of Turtle Island. I am really not sure if this is a tradition in all tribes, probably not, but I do know it is a tradition with the Plains Indians.
At the opening to the lodge, you notice a basket hanging there. There is nothing within the basket. Why is this basket there? What is its " purpose". Well, in tradition it is deeply disrespectful to enter anothers lodge, their sacred space , and to bring your burdens and conflicts as the topic of discussion or concern. So, the baskets that hang at the opening of ones lodge speak, Welcome~ We welcome you with warm regard and respect as you enter into our lodge, and we ask you to honor our lodge and to leave your " burdens" outside at the door upon entering. therefore, you will find the traditional burden basket still used at the entrace to ones lodge, home, their sacred space.
I love the story, the tradition of the Burden Basket ,and the great respect within the traditions. Let us be mindful that when we journey to visit our loved ones, our friends and all those we share the path with, that our visit to their lodge, their home, their sacred space should be one of respect. Of course, within this tradition, when you enter one's lodge, this does not mean that those within that lodge disregard your burdens and conflicts in life. Within tradition, when you visit within anothers lodge, those you are visiting may ask you of your burdens and then it is appropriate to share....if asked , one may respond.
So the Burden Basket, the symbolism of the Basket and honoring those we visit is a good medicine lesson to always be mindful that we should never " burden " another with our burdens unless we are asked to share, then it becomes acceptable. Those we love and those we share our journey with, of course part of the path is to share all our life experiences, but I feel the teachings within the ways of Tradition and the Burden Basket remind us to be ever mindful of the energy we are allowing to flow outwardly from our inner selves and lives. It is not dishonorable to share our pain and path.....but let us be honorable in honoring the humble, peaceful lodges and life paths of others and let not our sole connection and relationship with those we are honored to shared our path with be focused upon our " burdens"......
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