Black Elk Quotes - Page 2

The Holy Land is everywhere.

Like the grasses showing tender faces to each other, thus should we do, for this was the wish of the Grandfathers of the World.

The sky is round, and I have heard that the earth is round like a ball, and so are all the stars. The wind, in its greatest power, whirls. Birds make their nests in circles, for theirs is the same religion as ours.

The center of the universe is everywhere.

Crazy Horse dreamed and went into the world where there is nothing but the spirits of things. That is the real world that is behind this one, and everything we see here is something like a shadow from that world.... It was this vision that gave him his great power, for when he went into a fight, he had only to think of that world to be in it again, so that he could go through anything and not be hurt

Sometimes dreams are wiser than waking.

Also, as I lay there thinking of my vision, I could see it all again and feel the meaning with a part of me like a strange power glowing in my body; but when the part of me that talks would try to make words for the meaning, it would be like fog and get away from me.

I saw more than I can tell / And I understood more than I saw.

Everything an Indian does is in a circle, and that is because the power of the world always works in circles.

Perhaps you have noticed that even in the very lightest breeze you can hear the voice of the cottonwood tree; this we understand is its prayer to the Great Spirit, for not only men, but all things and all beings pray to Him continually in differing ways.

Know the Power that is Peace.

The Great Spirit is everywhere; He hears whatever is in our minds and our hearts, and it is not necessary to speak to Him in a loud voice.

It is hard to follow one great vision in this world of darkness and of many changing shadows. Among those men get lost.

Even the seasons form a great circle in their changing, and always come back again to where they were. The life of a person is a circle from childhood to childhood, and so it is in everything where power moves.

And as he spoke of understanding, I looked up and saw the rainbow leap with flames of many colors over me.