The Power of Giving and Taking

Each day, in prayer. Look at the Mother, The most powerful of all we can know. She how she remains in perfect balance, Giving and taking in equal measure, Never greedy, Never needy, All-encompassing in her presence. This is the Power of Giving and Taking, The lesson of harmony and balance, That each man must learn. This lesson is both simple and profound. It is also unavoidable. Simple in that is can be found everywhere. Profound in that it cannot be measured. Unavoidable because it cannot Stand apart from our common path as men and women. All we need do is open our hearts and quiet our minds.

(Excerpted from Quiet Heart by Sleeping Crow, a collection of Native spiritual teachings based upon life with a small, Pacific Northwest Native American nation.)