As we began our class sessions by talking about Ceremony we found that Tayo, a young Native American man, felt that he had caused a drought for his people on their reservation by praying against the rain in the jungles of Vietnam. Tayo begins a spiritual journey through pain, confusion and finally peace. Many people seem to be on spiritual journeys these days as they search for peace and meaning in a hectic and troubled world. Native Americans, like Tayo, are exploring the spiritual roots and ways of their tribal culture, wondering if what they have lost will help them find their identity.
There has been interest and excitement recently among Native American people as a female white buffalo calf was born on a Wisconsin farm within the last several years. Some tribes believe that a mythic woman was transformed into a white buffalo after aiding them during a famine, and that she will reappear as a sign of great change.
There seem to be signs everywhere in the rest of our culture as well. "Today many non-Indians are fascinated by the Indian way of life. Some want a new religion and some believe Indians have a better relationship with our beleaguered earth."
and television shows having to do with angels and miracles are prevalent. Talk shows explore the power of prayer and the potential healing powers of love and forgiveness and many popular song lyrics touch on areas of spirituality.
Others, also, believe that this is a time of change as other religions enjoy a resurgency. The whole New Age Movement is a broad-based amalgam of diverse spiritual, social, and political elements with the aim of transforming individuals and society through spiritual awareness. The New Age is a utopian vision, an era of harmony and progress which brings together feminist, ecological, spiritual, and human-potential concerns into the mainstream , creating a large market in the United States and other countries for books, magazines, audio and videotapes, retreats, natural foods, crystals, and meditation and healing aids.
The New Age thinking has influenced attitudes about medicine, the environment, the family, work, and world peace. Ideas frequently associated with the New Age movement include biofeedback, yoga, shamanism, martial arts, the occult, astrology, accupuncture, Zen, mythology, and visualization.
More "traditional" forms of spirituality have seen increases in popularity as well although Americans seem to be looking for different ways in which to explore them . Some Jewish and Christian worshippers, tired of what they called "fashion shows" in their synagogues and churches have looked to other types of worship in order to make their faith more of a philosophy of life instead of religion. Hence, Buddism, yoga, Islam, and fundamental Christian faiths have been seeing increasing numbers in their following. Some Americans have even begun to look to nature to nourish their spirituality which brings us back to the interest in Native American culture and religion.
Many Americans have embarked on spiritual journeys and this generation has been labeled a "generation of seekers" as people search for more acts and evidence of caring, giving, and love . Like Tayo, may they find what they are looking for.
