The words of one of my Heroes

[Fool_Hardy]

I came across this recently and could barely wait to share it with all of you.

A little back ground for those of you who are not native to America.

Tecumseh was Chief of the Shawnee Nation, a native American people.

In Oklahoma there are numerous statues of this great leader, and a city which shares his name.

 

Meditation by Chief Tecumseh (1768-1813) of the Shawnee Nation

 

So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart

Trouble no one about their religion, respect in their view, and

demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life,

satisfy all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and its

purpose in the service of your people. Prepare a noble death song

for the day when you go over the Great Divide.

 

Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing

friends, even a stranger when in a lonely place. Show respect to all

people and grovel to no one.

 

When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the

joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies

only in yourself. Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise

ones to fools and robs the spirit of it’s vision.

 

When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are

filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they

weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in

a different way. Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.

 

[Pali]

10 hours ago, Fool_Hardy said:

In Oklahoma there are numerous statues of this great leader, and a city which shares his name.

Which is a bit ironic, as Tecumseh was no big fan of the nascent United States (and had plenty of good reasons not to be), and died fighting against it.