Often when someone seeks apprenticeship from Tribal elders, there are a number of 
things to be considered before the use of these “ancient medicines” begins. The mental, physical and spiritual stability of the student must be carefully considered. I am not a Tribal representative but have observed these practices many times. Every one of the seven hundred Tribes in this country has it’s own separate and unique means by which to practice they’re old ways. Most native leaders feel that preservation of these things is imperative. If we are to have individuals available who can help retain our sovereignty and the stories and medicines, there must be those among us who are willing to be trained and dedicate their lives for such a divine purpose.
We might compare the preparation of medicine people to a man who feels a call from his Higher Power to become a Catholic priest. First he feels the call from God as he understands him. Second he seeks spiritual direction from family, friends and others and finally from another individual who has already answered this call and been ordained. Then he begins a long formation process that will prepare him for the necessary seminary training. He will be scrutinized by religious leaders and after several years of intense training, become fully ordained into the priesthood. I use this comparison because it is similar to someone who answers a call from his Creator as a Tribal holy man or woman. It takes years of training, scrutiny, self reflection and practice that is not designed for the average person. It requires a bit more then simply growing up, getting married, having kids and serving a career. Extraordinary self sacrifice and willingness to give up most of the things the rest of us enjoy is required. For example the Catholic priest must publicly commit to remain single and live without material extravagance. The native holy person may need to make some equally difficult sacrifices in order to reach his or her goal. Strength and a clear minded form of perseverance must be sustained for many years and occasionally a holy person or Catholic priest becomes vulnerable to the disease of alcoholism.
Alcoholism, drug addiction and physical or mental diseases have no respect for the fact that we may or may not be serving a spiritual vocation. 12-step recovery has brought some really amazing human beings back from near death and destruction to fully functioning and productive vocations. We are blessed by the fact that this disease is recognized as treatable in these modern times. It’s fairly common knowledge that a process of recovery takes some time. Often the person needs to be hospitalized and enter rehab for awhile. They may be given medications to relieve depression, mood swings or manic behavior. Many others will be able to sober up without these substances. Most often the average person who takes them will only require medications during the very early weeks of recovery and then may reduce their use and finally discontinue it altogether, while still new to the clean and sober life. This can be done very successfully with the help of the doctor and the sponsor who are willing to cooperate with the tapering-off process. In some rare occasions individuals may be “dual-diagnosed” with alcoholism and other mental or emotional illness that requires a lifetime of medical treatment. But that is rare.
The spiritual practitioner needs to be strong enough to live completely substance free if they are to fully utilize their valuable talents and training. They need to be deeply spiritually connected and sensitive to the needs of those who come to them for help. They are dealing with the supernatural force of our Maker and there is no margin for error or cloudy thinking. The hours may be long, stressful and demanding and the practitioner needs to be of strong mind, spirit and body in order to meet these demands. A well trained Tribal spiritual leader knows this and needs to eat properly, get enough exercise and enough sleep to maintain their spiritual disciplines. They rely completely on their Creator for the necessary discernment, vision and strength in the work they do.
My own alcoholism and drug abuse took me far away from the native practices of my Tribal ancestors. It was only after I had been sober about five years, that I reentered that world of amazing miracles of healing and ancient ceremony with my extended family. At first I was intimidated by Tribal elders who practiced these extraordinary things. As I got to know them better I discovered that many of them were recovering alcoholics! They walked me gently and compassionately into a way of life that I thought had been lost forever to my people. Within the safety and comfort of ceremony, I have witnessed unbelievable transformations and powerful miracles that have reached far above and beyond my most wild and drunken dreams.
We might compare the preparation of medicine people to a man who feels a call from his Higher Power to become a Catholic priest. First he feels the call from God as he understands him. Second he seeks spiritual direction from family, friends and others and finally from another individual who has already answered this call and been ordained. Then he begins a long formation process that will prepare him for the necessary seminary training. He will be scrutinized by religious leaders and after several years of intense training, become fully ordained into the priesthood. I use this comparison because it is similar to someone who answers a call from his Creator as a Tribal holy man or woman. It takes years of training, scrutiny, self reflection and practice that is not designed for the average person. It requires a bit more then simply growing up, getting married, having kids and serving a career. Extraordinary self sacrifice and willingness to give up most of the things the rest of us enjoy is required. For example the Catholic priest must publicly commit to remain single and live without material extravagance. The native holy person may need to make some equally difficult sacrifices in order to reach his or her goal. Strength and a clear minded form of perseverance must be sustained for many years and occasionally a holy person or Catholic priest becomes vulnerable to the disease of alcoholism.
Alcoholism, drug addiction and physical or mental diseases have no respect for the fact that we may or may not be serving a spiritual vocation. 12-step recovery has brought some really amazing human beings back from near death and destruction to fully functioning and productive vocations. We are blessed by the fact that this disease is recognized as treatable in these modern times. It’s fairly common knowledge that a process of recovery takes some time. Often the person needs to be hospitalized and enter rehab for awhile. They may be given medications to relieve depression, mood swings or manic behavior. Many others will be able to sober up without these substances. Most often the average person who takes them will only require medications during the very early weeks of recovery and then may reduce their use and finally discontinue it altogether, while still new to the clean and sober life. This can be done very successfully with the help of the doctor and the sponsor who are willing to cooperate with the tapering-off process. In some rare occasions individuals may be “duel-diagnosed” with alcoholism and other mental or emotional illness that requires a lifetime of medical treatment. But that is rare.
The spiritual practitioner needs to be strong enough to live completely substance free if they are to fully utilize their valuable talents and training. They need to be deeply spiritually connected and sensitive to the needs of those who come to them for help. They are dealing with the supernatural force of our Maker and there is no margin for error or cloudy thinking. The hours may be long, stressful and demanding and the practitioner needs to be of strong mind, spirit and body in order to meet these demands. A well trained Tribal spiritual leader knows this and needs to eat properly, get enough exercise and enough sleep to maintain their spiritual disciplines. They rely completely on their Creator for the necessary discernment, vision and strength in the work they do. It is surprising how many of the most esteemed elders are recovering alcoholics.
My own alcoholism and drug abuse took me far away from the native practices of my Tribal ancestors. It was only after I had been sober about five years, that I reentered that world of amazing miracles of healing and ancient ceremony with my extended family. At first I was intimidated by Tribal elders who practiced these extraordinary things. As I got to know them better I discovered that many of them were recovering alcoholics! They walked me gently and compassionately into a way of life that I thought had been lost forever to my people. Within the safety and comfort of ceremony, I have witnessed unbelievable transformations and powerful miracles that have reached far above and beyond my most wild and drunken dreams.
