The Council Circle

"Wisdom happens in the heart. It can conceive that which the mind cannot."

Our Grandfathers and Grandmothers teach us from the Wisdoms that the Ancients have protected and left for us as a People so we may have a pure source of knowledge. All peoples have Ancient Wisdoms that need no revisions or updating to apply to our modern ways and needs. If we have a source for these Principles to be passed over to each generation, then we can stay in flow with change and progress as the natural evolution of mankind is here to do.

It is when that Circle is broken that a people become jaded and destructive. Individually and as a mass we have the choice to make as to what we give our life time to. We have a certain amount of time here in the Earth that is our life. How and what we do with it is usually reflective of our religions and faith. The root word in religion in Latin is "relitico," which means to relate to the source. Our Indigenous Ancestors have left for this generation the means and ways to relate to our source, and to us there is only One.

The One that is in all things is what makes us all interconnected and all the same. Indigenous language encompasses this in all the words we use to communicate. So we understand that when we speak we are including all of creation and the Creator, which is of the One that is the Great Mystery. Our language allows us the connection to the Sun, Moon and Earth.

We cannot translate literally our Ancient Wisdom’s into English without losing a great deal of what is being transmitted in the Communication. English is linear and sterile in comparison, our languages are as the Circle, ALL is the Circle. The Circle is the One. The Circle is the mathematical principle of Pi. Its equation does not change, even when size and volume does.

PI is a mathematical constant that expresses the relationship between the diameter, the area and the circumference of a circle. Regardless of how large or small the circle, PI always remains unchanged. Whether the circle is microscopic or galactic in extent PI stays the same and yet still defines the critical characteristics and properties of the Circle. It is therefore the true multiplier maintaining the relationship as the Circle shrinks or expands. PI also is a number that defies definition. Scientists using even the most sophisticated and powerful computers are unable to precisely calculate PI. For practical purposes of construction or art approximations suffice. The paradox of PI is that although indefinable, PI describes every circle.

In the Circle there are no "sides" to be on, no higher or lower, all is interrelated. One.

In the First World when we had no illusion of being separate or alone, we lived completely as a Circle. All our Relations and Man sat in the Circle and related to all things life brought to us as we spent time here in this life. We have been taught to keep the Circle and use it to heal and bring again the harmony. To empower all who come into the Circle, and to become the center. There can be no deceptions or shadows. There is no need for pretense or shame. There is no need for right or wrong. No one can be wrong to make someone right. What is real is balance. Balance is when we are completely transparent and open to being whole. This sounds ideal and is when it happens.

We use this principle today to guide us in Council Circle. We have come to accept that no one does anything that is not of us all. As Beings we are capable of acts and deeds that are not of us all. As Beings we are capable of acts and deeds that we would desire others not know. The Circle helps us see how our so-called personal problems are not original to us and that we are not alone. It resolves the need for shame and painful embarrassment.

Today People hide their thoughts and never tell the truth for fear of hurting feelings of others. How far have we come when we cannot tolerate truth? How stable are we when we cannot stand in truth? Yet to be direct or to tell the truth in all instances is not what we teach children. Instead we tell them it is not the polite thing to do. We make them bad for it.

We have learned in Yunsai Society to open ourselves completely to using the Council Circle. We have no need to be separate from all Mankind at the cost of peace and harmony. We move daily in our practices to be transparent and open with each other. Sometimes when we feel we are exposing a part of ourselves that we have been taught in our childhood is bad or shameful, it is very uncomfortable. So we are supportive to each other at these times, but still focusing on openness, facts, and what is real. It is also necessary not to use this information and throw it at each other when there are disagreements in order to have a true sense of trust that encourages the People to be open. To be transparent brings the shadow into the light and gives us a greater respect for ourselves and others.

Our system to have a Council Circle to bring things into perspective and keep facts clear and in the open is a wonderful and loving gift of our Ancestors. It disarms gossip and destructive talk that eats at People’s happiness like cancer does the body. there is no taking up sides and plotting against anyone with an open gathering of concerned people. Identifying with the situation being discussed or resolved is what happens in Council Circles.

Compassion instead of pity is brought forth and everyone assists and has a responsibility to the situation at hand. By having it all fully discussed and visible allows us all to see how we each are involved at some level or another. It also helps us use this opportunity to learn how to resolve it when it does come up again or for us personally. We accept there is never any one person to blame or put it all on, that all of us contribute at some point in whatever imbalances us. We see how moving past it, instead of lingering in the situation is the best action to take.

Our Ancestors did not harbor malice or revengeful emotions. The Council Circle was always fair and caring for all concerned. Judgment was not a solution ever. We all know that. Understanding and absolute willingness to be honest and caring is what we all resonate to, and is what we have in the practice of Council Circle.

When a council is requested, and anyone can call for one, what is necessary is that all Leadership positions be present. Just as our Ancestors did, we have the Chief, Clan Mother, Pretty Woman, Warrior Society and etc., attend and then as many of the People at large as possible and available.

The Person or persons who have made the request would begin by explaining the nature of the situation and what they were asking of us. If it is a dispute, sometimes it will take more than one Council sitting. Many times it is merely to announce to the People a status of relationship, like someone taking a partner or marriage, or it could be to announce an upcoming event. When things would get all knotted up by someone passing rumors or untruths, it would be cleared away by Council Circle. All important matters of progress or activity to the People were discussed in this manner as well.

People sitting in a Circle allow all to be seen and heard. All are equal in position and can address any one person or all. There is never the need to make someone wrong to be right. Answers are asked to be direct and to the point. There is never a request to apologize for telling your truth as you see it. Neither is there a need to accept it as everyone’s truth. You do not need to justify yourself, but to help people understand if it is possible. All points of view are heard and given full audience. If a vote is necessary or requested in a situation, it is taken in Council Circle. Whatever is decided upon and whatever action is called is supported by all. Our people’s government was this way in the past.

We have had many come to our Lands and not be able to embrace this system wholeheartedly. Many people cannot be straight forward and suffer denial. We still persist and if they cannot stop the behavior of gossip and talking behind peoples' backs, we ask them to leave. The system can only benefit you if you take part in it. And we have no need to control anyone; we just ask you to be in self control.

We have only one rule in our Society and that is Respect. We use systems to keep focused and utilize the vast amount of leaders we have to administer them. With systems we can make adjustments as change happens. Systems are flexible and achieve progress and growth.

This can be practiced in a single household and teaches our children respect and caring. We share these ways of our Native Ancestors to offer them as alternatives to the unhealthy way of using force and beating as punishment in teaching a child. Learning involves mistakes for adults or children, and must be allowed without shame or punishment. Fear only creates destruction. Intelligent seeking and trying will always be necessary for us as Beings. We must feel free and encouraged to go forward. Failure must be handled with caring and made a part of the next step forward toward our goal. To honor all that has been done, and to give appreciation for it all, gives us the strength to move swiftly ahead to what it is we are striving for.

This is the power and resource found in the Council Circle.

Pa'Ris'Ha: an Introduction

The Stone Speaks

Dare to Deserve

To Be Honored

Grandmother Rainmaker

Grandfather Awahili

Council Circle

YS was activated in Ohio in 1985.