Twelve Principles of Native American Philosophy
  
 

  Wholeness.
   All things are interrelated. Everything in the universe is part of a single
whole. Everything is connected in some way to everything else. It is only
possible to understand something if we understand how it is connected to everything
else.
 
   Change.
   Everything is in a state of constant change. One season falls upon the
other. People are born, live, and die. All things change. There are two kinds of
change. The coming together of things and the coming apart of things. Both kinds
of change are necessary and are always connected to each other.
 
   Change occurs in cyles or patterns.
   They are not random or accidental. If we cannot see how a particular change
is connected, it usually means that our standpoint is affecting our perception.
 
   The Physical World is real. The Spiritual World is real.
   They are two aspects of one reality. There are separate laws which govern
each. Breaking of a spiritual principle will affect the physical world and visa
versa. A balanced life is one that honors both.
 
   People are physical and spiritual beings.
   People can acquire new gifts, but they must struggle to do so.
   The process of developing new personal qualities may be called “true
learning.�?BR> 
   There are four dimensions of true learning.
   A person learns in a whole and balanced manner when the mental, spiritual,
physical, and emotional dimensions are involved in the process.
 
   The spiritual dimension of human development has four related capacities:
 
      The capacity to have and to respond to dreams, visions, ideals, spiritual
teachings, goals and theories.
      The capacity to accept these as a reflection of our unknown or unrealized
potential.
      The capacity to express these using symbols in speech, art or
mathematics.
      The capacity to use this symbolic expression towards action directed at
making the possible a reality.
 
   People must actively participate in the development of their own potential.
   A person must decide to develop their own potential.
   The path will always be there for those who decide to travel it.
 
   Any person who sets out on a journey of self-development will be aided.
   Guides, teachers, and protectors will assist the traveler.
 
   The only source of failure is a person’s own failure to follow the
teachings.
    The Cree Elders Circle