Some pottery reflects their arrogance and mockery of the holy people.
Other pottery depicts slaves mocking the holy people of the Navajo and asserting that they were more intelligent and should serve as gods.
The Holy People caused winds and other natural forces that destroyed crops and dried up wells.
The Holy People sent a big wind that destroyed the crops and drove away the slaves.
The Holy People also caused rocks to cave in on structures.
Some pottery reflects their arrogance and mockery of the holy people, claiming they could take the heart from one dog and put it into another dog, with both dogs surviving.
The traditional teachings encourage self-protection through prayer, which represents faith and confidence in the holy people.
The holy people are always willing to help, but assistance can only be obtained through the power of prayer.
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.
Following this path involves increasing one's understanding, living with integrity, and adhering to the teachings passed down by the Holy People.
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.
This progression allows individuals to reconnect with the Holy People, fulfilling the purpose of existence through lifelong development and learning.
The Navajo teaching emphasizes regular prayer to honor the “holy people.” Daily prayers, especially in the morning before sunrise, express appreciation for the gifts of air, water, land, and loved ones.
This illustrates that a connection to the holy people and an acknowledgment of life’s blessings are integral to one’s identity.
At the entryway to the next world, the individual presents themselves to the holy people and ancestors with their ceremonial name, bestowed upon them by family elders.
The speaker shares insights on how traditional teachings of the Navajo people are closely tied to their language, which is considered sacred and was given by the holy people.
This tradition honors the connection to the land, expressing gratitude to the holy people for life on the surface of Mother Earth, marking the beginning of one’s life journey.
The speaker discusses the origins of the Navajo people, explaining that all Navajo holy figures, or “holy people,” were beings of peace.
According to traditional teachings, the Navajo people arrived on Earth from a place of peace, and upon returning to the holy people after life, they are expected to embody peace.
As they believe, to live in harmony with the holy people, the Navajo must lead peaceful lives, promoting peace in thought, heart, and action.
The speaker describes sacred markings on the hands, feet, and head that symbolize the peace bestowed upon the Navajo by the holy people.
When individuals pass on and return to the holy people, they are expected to do so as beings of peace.
The speaker begins by explaining that the confidence one feels comes from understanding their connection to the Holy People.
The Holy People recognize individuals as their descendants and, through this acknowledgment, provide support.
Confidence is rooted in faith in the Holy People’s support, which requires humility and gratitude.
This growth occurs through the encouragement and support of loved ones and the Holy People.
In contrast, confidence, grounded in the Holy People’s guidance, remains constructive and positive.
In difficult times, the speaker advises returning to the source of one's confidence: the understanding that each person is a child of the Holy People.
This relationship with the Holy People, based on tested and proven understanding, becomes the foundation of unshakable confidence.
In Navajo teachings, the phrase "it can be done" is used as an affirmation of support from the Holy People.
Speaking this phrase with the confidence of the Holy People’s backing symbolizes peace, happiness, and the ability to accomplish life’s tasks.
The speaker encourages maintaining this connection to the Holy People as a source of lifelong confidence.
From a young age, children learn to understand their relationship with the holy people, who are considered ever-present and aware of their lives.
This connection, compared to an umbilical cord, serves as a spiritual link to the holy people, who are integral to Navajo life.
A fundamental part of Navajo identity is recognizing oneself as a descendant of the Holy People.
Navajo language, taught as sacred, is to be used peacefully, reflecting the Holy People’s values of peace rather than conflict.
A person who knows their ancestry from the Holy People, their parents, and family heritage is expected to act as a decent individual.
The speaker reiterates that these teachings are meant for individual understanding and personal growth, stemming from the guidance of the Holy People.
After organizing Mother Earth, the Holy People allowed their children to use this language.
Observing this misuse, the Holy People decided to take the language away.
The promise was made to the Holy People that they would pray.
Your personal prayer is unique to you, and how you pray to the Holy People is very personal.
The story begins with the Holy People using a sacred language to organize everything in the heavens and on Mother Earth.
When the Holy People organized everything, they used words and phrases that all things would respond to.
After organizing Mother Earth, the Holy People allowed their children to use this language.
Observing this misuse, the Holy People decided to take the language away.
However, a group of children, recognizing themselves as Diné, sought permission from the Holy People to keep the language.
On the fourth attempt, the Holy People agreed to let them keep the language, provided it was used only in sacred ways.
The way to communicate with the Holy People hereafter was through prayer.
It’s also used in prayers over food and on special occasions to speak to the Holy People.
Your personal prayer to the Holy People is your communication with them.
When driving or seeing something beautiful, you can express gratitude to the Holy People for their creations.
The original teaching allowed us to keep the language, and we promised the Holy People we would pray using sacred words.
The rainbow is a very special symbol, representing the way the holy people communicate with us.
It symbolizes the invisible ways the holy people communicate with us.
Although we cannot see the holy people, we may sense or hear them as individuals.
One story is that before the Diné, or the five-fingered beings, were placed on the surface of Mother Earth, the two boys had to get rid of all the evil things on the earth before they could bring the Diné, or the children of the Holy People, here.
Some pottery reflects their arrogance and mockery of the holy people, claiming they could take the heart from one dog and put it into another dog, with both dogs surviving.
Some pottery reflects their arrogance and mockery of the holy people, claiming they could take the heart from one dog and put it into another dog, with both dogs surviving.
Our stories tell of the Holy People causing winds and other natural forces to dry up wells and destroy the Anasazi's crops, leading to their downfall.
Pottery shows some slaves mocking the holy people of the Navajo, claiming they were more intelligent and should be their gods.
The Navajo say that the Holy People caused a big wind to destroy the crops and drive away the Anasazi's slaves.
The Holy People caused rocks to cave in and big winds to dry up all the wells in the area.
The Navajo say the Holy People caused the rocks to cave in on some structures, destroying the Anasazi dwellings.
First World (Dark World): A small, black realm with an island surrounded by four seas, inhabited by Holy People, Coyotes, mist beings, insects, and bats.
Third World (Yellow World): Features crossing rivers, six mountains, and no sun, home to animal people and immortal Holy People.
Holy People recreate sacred mountains, establish celestial bodies and seasons, create humans, and introduce death.