Mitakuye Oyasin

Those of you who regularly follow this website know that one of my favorite expressions is “Mitakuye Oyasin.”  I learned it many years ago.  As a Buddhist or Hindu might greet you with “Namaste,” “I salute the God within you,” the Sioux Indian would say, “Mitakuye Oyasin,” which means “We are all family.”

As I walk through the desert or ride my bicycle, every time I cross paths with another creature, I say, “Mitakuye Oyasin.”  I found the phrase frequently crossing my mind during my eight days with the Haitian Initiative in Citè Soleil.

Early this afternoon, Mrs. tVM called from the kitchen, “There is a bird in the house.”  This time of year, we leave our doors open so the dogs can roam freely in and out.  By the way, it is 95-degrees in Tucson today.  Sure enough, a quail had found its way into the house.  It was frightened.  As I approached it, I softly and calmly repeated, “Mitakuye Oyasin, Mitakuye Oyasin.”  The quail waited for me to pick him up.  I escorted him outside and released him into the blue sky.  He was grateful.

Mitakuye Oyasin