I had a vision with which I might have saved my people, but I had not the strength to do it.
BLACK ELKNow suddenly there was nothing but a world of cloud, and we three were there alone in the middle of a great white plain with snowy hills and mountains staring at us; and it was very still; but there were whispers.
More Black Elk Quotes
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Grandfather, Great Spirit, once more behold me on earth and lean to hear my feeble voice.
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The life of a person is a circle from childhood to childhood, and so it is in everything where power moves.
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And as he spoke of understanding, I looked up and saw the rainbow leap with flames of many colors over me.
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If I thought that I was doing it myself, the hole would close up and no power could come through. Then everything I could do would be foolish.
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It is hard to follow one great vision in this world of darkness and of many changing shadows. Among those men get lost.
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Everything an Indian does is in a circle, and that is because the power of the world always works in circles, and everything tries to be round.
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It may be that some little root of the sacred tree still lives. Nourish it then, that it may leaf and bloom and fill with singing birds.
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It is good to have a reminder of death before us, for it helps us to understand the impermanence of life on this earth, and this understanding may aid us in preparing for our own death.
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For instance, the coyote is sly, so is the Indian. The eagle is the same. That is why the Indian is always feathered up, he is a relative to the wings of the air.
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Know the Power that is Peace.
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A good nation I will make live.This the nation above has said.They have given me the power to make over.
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I looked below and saw my people there, and all were well and happy except one, and he was lying like the dead – and that one was myself.
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It’s in the darkness of men’s eyes that they get lost.
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But if the Vision was true and mighty, as I know, it is true and mighty yet;for such things are of Spirit, and it is in the darkness of their eyes that men get lost.
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We should understand well that all things are the work of the Great Spirit. We should know the Great Spirit is within all things: the trees, the grasses, the rivers, the mountains, and the four-legged and winged peoples; and even more important.
BLACK ELK