The heart is a sanctuary at the center of which there is a little space, wherein the Great Spirit dwells, and this is the Eye.

Black Elk [Heȟáka Sápa]

The Heart is a Sanctuary

Topic: Prayer, Meditation, & Contemplation

I am blind and do not see the things of this world; but when the light comes from above, it enlightens my heart and I can see, for the Eye of my heart sees everything; and through this vision I can help my people. The heart is a sanctuary at the center of which there is a little space, wherein the Great Spirit dwells, and this is the Eye. This is the Eye of the Great Spirit by which He sees all things, and through which we see Him. If the heart is not pure, the Great Spirit cannot be seen, and if you should die in this ignorance, your soul cannot return immediately to the Great Spirit, but it must be purified by wandering about in the world. In order to know the center of the heart where the Great Spirit dwells you must be pure and good, and live in the manner that the Great Spirit has taught us. The one who is thus pure contains the Universe in the pocket of his heart.

Black Elk [Heȟáka Sápa]

Black Elk [Heȟáka Sápa]. Born in the sprawling vistas of South Dakota in 1863, Heháka Sápa, or Black Elk (1863-1950), emerged as an integral spiritual figure among his people, the Oglala Lakota (Sioux). Second cousin to the notable Crazy Horse, Black Elk's lineage traced back to a legacy steeped in wisdom and strength, a foundation that would guide him on his path as a wičháša wakáŋ - a holy and medicine man. Amid the backdrop of wind-swept grasslands and the majestic Black Hills, Black Elk found his life purpose, not in the throes of conflict, but in the pursuit of spiritual harmony and healing.

Even as a child, Black Elk was endowed with exceptional spiritual insight, receiving prophetic visions that would guide him throughout his life. The Great Spirit, an embodiment of the divine in Lakota theology, gifted him with these profound experiences, fueling his dedication to healing his people and maintaining their spiritual welfare. These visions, seen not with the eyes but through the heart, served as Black Elk's compass. He fervently believed that "the heart is a sanctuary at the center of which there is a little space, wherein the Great Spirit dwells," a concept that guided his service as a spiritual leader and healer.

Black Elk’s story transcends the limits of time and space, reaching into the heart of humanity's quest for spiritual enlightenment. As a wičháša wakáŋ, he worked tirelessly to ensure the wellbeing of his people, serving not just as a healer of physical ailments, but of the soul. His commitment to purity and goodness, living in the manner that the Great Spirit taught, stands as a testament to his belief that those who are pure "contain the Universe in the pocket of their heart." Black Elk's spiritual journey and enduring dedication to his people reflect the profound depth of his faith and the power of his love for the Great Spirit.

(1863-1950) Native American Religions
The Sacred Pipe

Wilson, Andrew, editor. World Scripture II. Universal Peace Federation, 2011, p. 329 [Black Elk (Heȟáka Sápa)].

Black Elk [Heȟáka Sápa]

Theme: Meditation and Contemplation