If You've Forgotten the Names of Clouds, You've Lost Your Way: An Introduction to American Indian Thought and Philosophy Paperback – February 14, 2013

Great book, recommend for anyone exploring spirituality

When I first got this book months ago, I did not like it. But it was only because this book revealed truths I knew I needed to face if I was going to live a fulfilling life. Yet after I went through a tough time, due to some bad worldviews, and coming to grips with my beliefs, I reread the book. The lessons of this book are true. This is not some out there New Age garbage at all. This is basic down to earth spirituality and legitimate philosophy that in this day and age everyone could listen to. Unfortunately, in society, Christian Fundamentalism, the current Government, and Corporate Greed have degraded our society. What it comes down to in the Patriarchial system of Dominance and constand progression, they are always working for more and more, but are never content with what we have. This book offers a balance between living in the present, preparing for the future and reflecting on the past. This book also tells the truth about how Organized Religion is so concerned about answering the vast and unanswerable cosmic questions, like ultimate destiny, meaning of life, and other mind bending metaphysical questions you will drive yourself crazy figuring out. And this is true. With modern Organized Religion, we waste our lives away looking at all the bad things that happen, that we overlook all the blessing of this life. Instead, we look to gain Heaven and avoid Hell. The book offers a different message, but to savor the blessing of the Heaven now, and learn lessons from the Hell we experience now. Suffering and sacrifice are not some flu to be avoided, but a vital part of the Human experience, like joy, triumph, and celebration. And this book is right on target. Yet this is a concept neither Eastern or Western religion has grasped. In our corporate world, we have been brainwashed into thinking that our life is centered around going up the corporate ladder. And the sad truth is that we abandon all proper community, with the constant moving, and labor that we are very rootless today. This book speaks of this sobering truth about how family life and community are the backbone of a sucessful society. The basic message of the book is if you see happiness as a destiny you will never find it, yet if you see happiness as a journey, you will find it.

My comment isn't so much about this book, but rather on the man. Russell Means was (to me still is) and will always be one of our nations greatest! He has been my personal hero since the 1970s and I had the great good fortune to know, volunteer for, and learn directly from him for a period of years. I am a white woman and found myself treated with more respect, courtesy, and generosity than I'd ever before experienced, as it was such an innate part of Russell's DNA. The matrilineal culture isn't just lip service, but rather a way of life probably millennia in the making. There wasn't a phony bone in his body... What you saw was how he was. He also, unknown to many, had a wonderful sense of humor!People look him as the AIM leader, reincarnation of Crazy Horse, and radical but I knew him, his sister Madonna, and his wife Pearl as wonderful human beings who treated me with such kindness and affection. Those of his children that I met are all that a father could wish for!He didn't have an easy life, by choice, but his accomplishments are legendary. How many people do we get to know who are willing to lay down their lives for the benefit of others. Not on a foreign battlefield, but rather in our own back yard. How close he came to serious injury and death, many times over, but was always willing to continue. I felt as though I had a chance to witness, up close and personal, living history!So, those of you reading this book, please be aware that this was a living, breathing, laughing, super intelligent, kind and caring man. Also, by the way, well educated though he didn't flaunt it. Not perfect, very human, but driven to make this world a better place. I know how much it means to him that you read and listen to the wisdom. He always used to end his correspondence with "May the Great Mystery guide and protect the pathways of you and your loved ones" and I think this book is his personal endeavor to help us find our pathways.

This marvelous little book by Russell Means and Bayard Johnson could easily change the course of modern, destructive lifestyle if enough people will read it and take it to heart. The wisdom contained in it regarding the philosophy and world view of the American Indian is remarkable. Not only does the reader get a glimpse of traditional Native American thinking and way of life, but we are treated to a touching glimpse into how such thinking impacts every moment and action of those who understand the balance and inter-relatedness of all life forms and all events that unfold. It makes the human heart and soul yearn for the connectedness and true freedom that is our birthright.I am thankful that such wisdom has not only survived, but that I have been blessed to come upon it through this book. "If You've Forgotten the Names of the Clouds, You've Lost Your Way" is a compelling argument for how plastic and artificial the modern way of life has become...for we really have lost our way. We must seek the wisdom of the brave ones who call us to return to ways that are connected to truth, peace, and health for all people and the earth.Get this book and be changed; then pass it on.

L'auteur décrit la philosophie de vie des autochtones Lakota. En fait ce qu'il décrit est la philosophie de vie des peuplades humaines qui précédèrent la corruption patriarcal issue de la rébellion d'un hybride mi-dieu et mi-humain qui vécu en l'Asie vers 3500 BCE. Ce que décrit l'auteur est l'essentiel auquel tous les humains devraient reprendre le fil. Ce qu'il décrit sont les seules principes de vie dans lesquelles les humains peuvent aspirer vivre en harmonie les uns avec les autres. La corruption religieuse issue de Babylone nous a présenté l'homme mâle comme le centre de la vie et la femme comme son aide, l'inverse des textes sumériens. La vérité est que la femme est le centre de la vie et que l'homme (une femme à l'ADN modifié) à été créé pour servir la femme, la protéger et lui apporter le soutien à la vie.Excellent livre, excellente présentation et une voie à suivre. À la manière des Lakota ce texte marque la réception des mêmes principes de vie que ceux reçu en orient et démontré par La voie du Tao et les enseignement de Zarathustra, qu'a repris le galiléen (EASHUA) dit Jésus.

Un concentré de pensée amériendienne que l'on découvre être bien au-delà des clichés "occidentaux". Un livre qui interroge sur nos comportements du quotidien et notre vision du monde.

Zunächst mal: ein vernünftiges Wörterbuch ist (auch bei guten Englischkenntnissen) angeraten. In Polen in Englisch gedruckt ... super gelaufen für Täuschland. Ansonsten gilt:Russel Means (sein richtiger Name: Oyate Wacinyapin) hat es im Bewußtsein des nahen Todes geschrieben - praktisch im Sterbeprozess. Er wollte einfach nicht, dass dieses Wissen seinem Volk (& auch uns) verlorengeht. Das ist wahre Größe ... & so machte er seinem Lakota-Namen mal wieder alle Ehre.Zudem muss man bedenken: Geschichtsbücher schreiben naturgemäß immer die Sieger ... insofern wurde viel Blödsinn über die sogenannten Indianer verbreitet ... quasi, um das Verbrechen zu komplettieren. ENDLICH wird das nun mal richtig gestellt: aus authentischer Quelle, ohne viel Tam-Tam - umso wirkungsvoller sind diese 100 Seiten Text (es gibt auch ein paar letzte Zeichnungen des Autors).Ich halte dieses Buch für äußerst wichtig - gerade für Mitwirkende jenes derart zerstörerischen Gesellschaftssystems namens "Kapitalismus". Kurz gesagt: hier wird nochmal sehr lehrreich, eindrücklich & sogar unterhaltsam zusammengefaßt, was man von den amerikanischen Ureinwohnerrn hätte lernen können ... anstatt sie kulturell & physisch zu vernichten. Primär geht es um den richtigen Umgang mit einem gastfreundlichen Planeten ... aber zwangsläufig (wenn auch eher nebenbei) werden Ursache & Wirkung unserer allumfassenden, zerstörerischen Ignoranz erläutert.Übrigens, das Prinzip hat sich nicht etwa geändert - wie die USA auch heute noch (speziell mit den Lakota) umgehen, das ist lupenreiner Faschismus. Na, jetzt haben sie ja sogar den passenden Präsidenten dafür ... herzlichen Glückwunsch!Und was heißt das jetzt für uns alle? Na, einfach noch einen Gang hochschalten & weiter Vollgas Richtung Abgrund ... der sich "Wachstum" nennt, diese Reise ist ja offenbar alternativlos. Wir haben es einfach nicht besser verdient.

Russell Means if you did not know of him, was something of a Lakota Indian Messiah.I greatly admire what he has to say in terms of his wisdom, knowledge and opinion. His wife Pearl, is also a very eloquent speaker and has a great deal of knowledge about the ways of the Indian peoples.My regret is I did not discover Russell until he had died and this was via YouTube, despite the problems he and his people faced, he remained a positive force and his life was dedicated to keeping the Lakota knowledge alive and trying to improve the Lakota situation, which is dire, see a Week at Pine Ridge on YouTube to see what I mean.I came across American Indian Wisdom by chance while researching for a book of my own I am working on and I grew fascinated by the Indian wisdom and knowledge expressed in their sayings. They had a utopian civilisation centuries ago which the New Agers are seeking to achieve now.The Indian peoples have a great spiritual connection to the Earth, the living creatures and the stars, without leaving out the 'Star People' they refer to as visitors who have helped them over time.The stories that Russell recounts in this book are fascinating, I have read other Lakota wisdom books and the information there is very profound. The American Indians were far from the savage warriors that Hollywood painted them as, they had a society and social structure more advanced than we have today. They were the original ecologists. We have much to learn.There is a Lakota saying 'Mitakuye Oyasin' which means we are all related. They were given this knowledge millennia ago, we in the developed world have recently 'discovered' this through research into genetics, where the basic building blocks of nature apply to all creatures.IF you take the time to research the wisdom of the Indian tribes it will enhance your life.Humanity needs to find a new Russell Means to continue the spread of this valuable knowledge.

great. full of wisdom. thank you Russell for share us the wisdom of a great people, Lakotah peopleIt is easy to read, clear, very important for us and for the next generations. A beautiful present