Table of Contents
Introduction
The speaker discusses sacred teachings within Navajo tradition, focusing on human growth across different planes of existence. This knowledge is shared to preserve cultural heritage, as many elders who hold these teachings have passed on.
The First World: Origin of Awareness
In Navajo tradition, existence begins in the First World, known as the dark, initial realm where awareness and life originated. At this stage, humans had no senses but were endowed with the ability to move, symbolizing the start of life. This world laid the foundation for continual growth, known as “ha,” meaning the beginning of movement.
Transition to the Second World: Blue or Turquoise World
Growth continued in the Second World, also called the Blue or Turquoise World. Here, beings gained greater awareness and the capacity for intelligence. In this world, they began to understand spatial orientation, such as up and down, forward and backward. This understanding was linked to the concept of choice, which was the first power given to beings. However, this power caused conflict with one of the Holy People, named Black Yei, who set fire to this world, forcing the beings to move to the next plane.
The Third World: Yellow World and Physical Form
Upon entering the Third World, or Yellow World, beings took physical form, descending into their bodies as spirit beings at the top of the head, a spot considered sacred. Hair growth and markings on fingertips and toes, spiraled and unique, became identifiers. These markings were recognized long before modern fingerprinting as unique identifiers of each person.
A ritual at birth signifies the child’s entrance into this world. When a boy is born, he is held in the right hand and presented to the universe, and for a girl, the left hand is used. This declaration signals to the environment the gender of the child, informing cultural expectations and practices, such as in the traditional sweat lodge.
The Hogan and Continual Growth
The Hogan, a traditional Navajo dwelling, embodies the principles of continual growth. It is built to symbolize clockwise motion, which represents progress and development. Upon entering the Hogan, one follows a clockwise path. This directional growth aligns with the sun’s movement, representing enlightenment and life cycles.
Coming-of-age ceremonies further reinforce these teachings. Young women, for example, bake a ceremonial corn cake set in a clockwise pattern to honor continual growth. These rites encourage growth in mind, heart, body, and spirit.
Life Stages and Growth Beyond the Physical
The teachings emphasize growth across four stages of life: infancy, adolescence, adulthood, and old age. Each stage demands distinct growth milestones, requiring individuals to develop progressively in each life aspect—mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual.
This growth extends beyond physical life into what is known as the “beauty way” or the “yellow corn pollen path,” a spiritual journey symbolized by corn pollen. Following this path involves increasing one’s understanding, living with integrity, and adhering to the teachings passed down by the Holy People.
Dedication of the Hogan
Upon completion, the Hogan is dedicated in a sacred ceremony, marking the four directions—east, south, west, and north—with white clay or cornmeal. Oak branches, symbolizing strength in mind, heart, body, and spirit, are placed in each direction to remind inhabitants of their duty to live in alignment with the Holy People’s guidance.
Final Thoughts on Continual Growth
Continual growth is integral to Navajo belief, emphasizing progress in awareness, intellect, and spirituality across all stages of existence. This progression allows individuals to reconnect with the Holy People, fulfilling the purpose of existence through lifelong development and learning.
