Self-Discipline & the Spiritual Path by Yvette Neshi Lokotz

From the Editor

Self-Discipline & the Spiritual Path

By Yvette Neshi Lokotz

Do you believe we have choices? Do you believe you create all the events in your life?

There are some choices we make very easily, while others cause us to pause and debate which way to go. There is a line spoken by Dumbledore in the movie, Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire, that speaks to this debate. The quote is, “Dark and difficult times lie ahead. Soon we must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy.” This sums up the choices we are faced with nearly daily.

Now, we may not be facing dark and difficult times every day, but as lightworkers, healers, and energy workers we are faced with the conscious choice to “Do no harm” in the spiritual work we do every day.

I have a strong belief that when we decide when we choose to accept to use our innate gifts of intuition, healing, and other ways of working with energy, we begin to know that we are interconnected to everything. This knowing we are connected means our actions affect not only other humans but all of creation.

When we choose to pick up the “medicine path,” we are awake and conscious of our ability to interact with all of creation. We are aware of the why and how we influence the environment around us. To be an effective energy worker and lightworker, we learn about our self-discipline. We learn how very little control we have over the flow of energy. But, we also discover that we do have control over how we choose. We learn how to make “conscious choices”.

As we practice the different methods and modalities of working with energy, we quickly learn that we need to know about boundaries, we need to know about protection, and we need to know about karma. All of these “need to know” items are based on self-discipline.

I also believe that self-discipline comes with metaphysical ethics. In the use of the phrases, “Do no harm” and “All My Relation/Relatives,” we are thinking and saying much more than the simple phrases imply on the surface.

When you choose to “Do no harm” to others in your spiritual work, whether your decision is conscious, unconscious, or subconscious, you are stating to all of creation and to the Creator that you are taking responsibility for your gifts. You decide to use your gifts in the Light (positive) or the Darkness (negative). In other words, you are choosing to use your gifts as Good Medicine or as Bad Medicine.

This choice to “Do no harm” is more challenging than we think. Every day, with every breath, as humans, we are faced with this choice multiple times per day. We choose our thoughts to be kind and loving. For example, you are in a hurry and the line at the grocery store is moving slowly due to another person arguing with the check-out clerk. Your thoughts go to blaming, shaming, and disliking that person because they are slowing you down. This example is seemingly innocuous, but you chose your thoughts and sent energy to that person.

If you have been around metaphysical groups, I am sure you have heard or read the Lakota, Sioux, expression of “Mitakye Oyasin - All My Relation.” In Potawatomi, my tribal Nation, we have a similar phrase, “Jage Nagonan”. This Native American phrase holds immense energy. It is Big Medicine.

This phrase has a deeper meaning that most non-Native people may not profoundly understand until they receive the gift of the explanation. The explanation is akin to an attunement, a rite of passage, or an anointing. All native, indigenous languages are a light language. So, as you take in the words, you are receiving a transmission of energy. Saying or using the phrase “Mitakye Oyasin” or “Jage Nagonan” invokes an energy that touches not only you but those who receive the sound and words. (Just like right now as you read or see the written words.) When we choose to use these phrases that contain a huge energy field and deep meaning, it is vital to have the self-discipline to choose to use these phrases to “Do no harm”.

The choice to include self-discipline in your spiritual study means you are taking responsibility for your actions and your inactions. You are establishing boundaries. You are also deciding what beliefs support your spiritual growth. All of these decisions and actions actually help you to walk the path you have chosen to experience your physical life and how to express your innate gifts.

Here is the explanation of these phrases. “Jage Nangonan” and “Mitakye Oyasin” are calling to All Our Relations/Relatives, which means we are addressing not only our Ancestors, our current blood relatives, but also all life, including Earth herself. We are saying that we recognize and acknowledge our interconnectedness to all the stones, trees, plants, animals, fish, birds, insects, reptiles, stars, moon, and sun. Everything. As everything has a consciousness, a spirit, because we are all created by the Creator. As we use our gifts, we are expressing our soul. This soul expression is what it means to shine your Light.

In this issue of Star Nations Magazine, we bring you articles about Purim, St. Patrick’s Day, Equinox, Importance of Name, Prayer, Goddess of Fertility, Self-Discipline in Metaphysics, and Forests.

The cover of this issue is our nod to Prayer. Enjoy your time with us as you read the articles, watch the videos, and listen to the audio recordings.

Wishing you all a Blessed Equinox!

Jage Nangonan, (Potawatomi for All My Relatives) Neshi

Courtesy: Yvette Neshi Lokotz