I have read with much interest all the posts that have to do with things of a spiritual nature. I believe that term covers the spectrum. I understand not telling others for fear of being called crazy. I had an out of body experience 39 years ago when my first daughter was being born and didn't speak of it for 20 years. I haven't asked for help finding my Choctaw ancestors yet because I felt it was useless and it may be. I feel that without help from the other side from my great-great grandmother, I will never find the information I need written in any book, or on any piece of paper any where. They said she was part Choctaw and that she was raped by a full-blood Choctaw. This was in 1880 and she never married or had any other children besides my great grandfather. The chances of my finding any thing written down any where is "0". Many times I have wished I could be close to my departed ancestors and have been told that they are close to us and wondered if there was any way I could prepare myself in order to be in tune to the quiet promptings that I know are possible. From what I read and hear, I think it is more something that is more a "gift" than something that can be "acquired." Does anyone have any ideas on this subject? Fay

Many times I > have wished I could be close to my departed ancestors and have been told that > they are close to us and wondered if there was any way I could prepare myself > in order to be in tune to the quiet promptings that I know are possible. From > what I read and hear, I think it is more something that is more a "gift" than > something that can be "acquired." > Does anyone have any ideas on this subject? > Fay > > Fay, Many think that being in tune to our Ancestors or being able to dream dreams or any other way of connecting is a gift. Each of us possess the ability to do this. We have to allow this to come to us. When I hear someone say it is a gift it makes me uneasy because so many feel a gift is only given for something special. The Ancestors are so important to the Chata that if we open up to them they can provide us with many links to our past. I had a conversation with someone about this.It affirmed what I knew in my heart.All I had to do was to put myself in the space of reverence and to ask and then open myself to hear. I can't say if I will ever be able to paper prove my Chata Blood but my heart knows it.All I ask is to find the bones of my Grandmothers who came to Ok. from Alabama and Mississippi. I am assured I will in Creator's time.The Grandmothers will see to this. I can't say that you will ever find any paper proof either but you can connect in a way that will give you a peace in knowing. The Bible says ask and it shall be given and also if you have but the faith the size of a grain of mustard you can say to the mountain move. It works the same with those that come to help us.All they ask is the faith to believe that they can help us. Many times when my faith wavers someone is put in my path to affirm that I have the Ancestors help in looking for the place of the bones of my Grandmothers. I honor their help.I have no special gift nor am more special because I see things. If I can help you in any way pleas feel free to ask. It would be my honor. Arla >

I truly believe we must allow ourselves to accept the 'planes' of existence and our People will find us. It does help to be in the area where they lived or on our 'land base'. Where there footsteps traveled always helps if you can not achieve some sort of spiritual guidance. We have been raised by negative discrimination for so long that to even be able to imagine the many planes the universe posesses are almost impossible. Accept their existence. Life is energy, energy is light and light travels forever. Our ancestors are at their campfires in the Milky Way, a place where the Earth exists. Allow them to come to you. Maybe you are expecting to much! Accept that you are Chata, believe their words. VMc ----- Original Message ----- From: "faynshep" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, August 31, 2000 7:52 PM Subject: [CHAHTA] I Need Help!! > I have read with much interest all the posts that have to do with things of a spiritual nature. I believe that term covers the spectrum. I understand not telling others for fear of being called crazy. I had an out of body experience 39 years ago when my first daughter was being born and didn't speak of it for 20 years. > I haven't asked for help finding my Choctaw ancestors yet because I felt it was useless and it may be. I feel that without help from the other side from my great-great grandmother, I will never find the information I need written in any book, or on any piece of paper any where. They said she was part Choctaw and that she was raped by a full-blood Choctaw. This was in 1880 and she never married or had any other children besides my great grandfather. The chances of my finding any thing written down any where is "0". Many times I have wished I could be close to my departed ancestors and have been told that they are close to us and wondered if there was any way I could prepare myself in order to be in tune to the quiet promptings that I know are possible. From what I read and hear, I think it is more something that is more a "gift" than something that can be "acquired." > Does anyone have any ideas on this subject? > Fay > > > ==== CHAHTA Mailing List ==== > Home Page: > http://freepages.cultures.rootsweb.com/~choctaw/index.htm >