For many years the Philosophical Research Society here in Los Angeles presented a Sunday lecture series on a variety of spiritual and metaphysical subjects. Most attendees usually referred to the organization simply as ‘the PRS.’ As seen above, the building complex was modest in size and had been founded in 1934 by Manly Palmer Hall (1901-1990). I regularly attended PRS lectures for several years during the latter half of the 1990s. The Society’s motto was “Honoring The Wisdom Of All Traditions.” I’ve decided to share some of the enlightening perspectives that were presented at the PRS in a new series of blog posts that I think readers will find of interest.
“The Sacredness of All Things” was the title of the March 3, 1996 lecture by Little Crow (Carl Bryant) of Dakota/Lakota descent. He was a lecturer in American Indian Studies at California State University Long Beach. Little Crow began by telling us about his life and about how he’d gone to school, joined the Marines and done all kinds of things to be accepted by other people. He was born on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota and grew up in Omaha, Nebraska. Eventually when he hit the bottom he realized it was okay to be who he was. He made a “change of perspective” and gave up self-destructive behavior (drugs and alcohol) and stated matter-of-factly that he’d done so for twenty-three years as of the previous Wednesday. The tutelage of elders helped him.
“We are from a Creative Source,” he said and noted that the word ‘Skan’ was an Indian word for ‘God’ before that word was brought by Europeans. ‘Skan’ is involved in all things of creation. Everything contains the spirit of its Creator.
Little Crow talked about his Unity Church (also known as The Gathering) but said that you don’t need to go to church. You know you are sacred and must be accountable for it. He made it clear that reflection and meditation are essential. Here are some of the ideas he expressed.
“The Sacredness of All Things” was the title of the March 3, 1996 lecture by Little Crow (Carl Bryant) of Dakota/Lakota descent. He was a lecturer in American Indian Studies at California State University Long Beach. Little Crow began by telling us about his life and about how he’d gone to school, joined the Marines and done all kinds of things to be accepted by other people. He was born on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota and grew up in Omaha, Nebraska. Eventually when he hit the bottom he realized it was okay to be who he was. He made a “change of perspective” and gave up self-destructive behavior (drugs and alcohol) and stated matter-of-factly that he’d done so for twenty-three years as of the previous Wednesday. The tutelage of elders helped him.
“We are from a Creative Source,” he said and noted that the word ‘Skan’ was an Indian word for ‘God’ before that word was brought by Europeans. ‘Skan’ is involved in all things of creation. Everything contains the spirit of its Creator.
Little Crow talked about his Unity Church (also known as The Gathering) but said that you don’t need to go to church. You know you are sacred and must be accountable for it. He made it clear that reflection and meditation are essential. Here are some of the ideas he expressed.
Everything is interrelated.
We each have masculine and feminine sides.
When you try to do for others, the universe answers your requests even if unspoken.
Spirit dwells within your heart.
You make the dream.
There is no closure — everything is continuing in an open status.
I am here to serve.
Consumerism and self-interest were subjects of great concern. He appraised that many indigenous people have forgotten “what we’re about” and become a microcosm of the mainstream.
After the lecture I read his book of quotations From The Gathering: The Wisdom of Little Crow (1993).
2022 Update: Other blog article about the Philosophical Research Society include "The Ancient Mystery Teachings Divulged", "An Esoteric 'Mystery School' of the 1990s" and "'Mysticism of Eastern Christianity' — My Notes of a 1996 PRS Lecture by Igor Kungurtsev, M.D. & Olga Luchakova, M.D., Ph.D.".
Little Crow was a friend of mine.
ReplyDeleteHe repeatedly stated and believed firmly that "Everything and everyone is sacred and related and that each one of us is accountable and responsible for every action and thought you have."
If we could just teach the children this instead of the fear and guilt based religion most of our society believes in, how different would the world become in a generation?
I attended "The Gathering" for 20 years, and since his passing, know there will be nothing like it again. One God, One Breath in Huntington Beach, California is carrying on his teachings, and my prayers go out to them and all who attended, where ever you may be.
Perhaps some day we'll meet again...Doksha
-c.p.eiler Sept.25, 2010 9:17am PST
(Living on Lakota Time ñ Toksa (pronounced Dok-sha) means ... that it is used to say “See you before long” as there is no word for goodbye.)
sorry, that's EST...lol
ReplyDeleteLOLT (living on lakota time)
ReplyDeleteLittle Crow was an amazing person. I was about 11 when I met him. I was fresh out of a juvenile correction center near Santa Ana and my mother took me to meet him and ask if I could do my community service at The Gathering. From the moment I shook Little Crows hand I was intrigued and amazed. He said I could do my service there and I did so for many years after my service was fulfilled. He changed my life.He taught me the ways and helped me connect with who I am. I still have his personal choker he passed to me that I proudly wore every Sunday that my mother would take me to the Gathering. He will remain forever one of the most impressionable men in my life. All the gathering will be a part of me forever. Victor,Alice everyone.The food we would partake after his sermon the Native American flute playing the burning cedar and the laid out Buffalo skin all of it remains in me. Thank you Little Crow and thank you all attendees and participants of the Gathering.
ReplyDeleteHe was uncle to me. I have never met another human quite like him. I will forever remember his teachings and in the future will launch on a journey of my own releasing all of his talks throughout the years. Watch for Lessons from my Uncle.
ReplyDeleteHello my name is Rachel. I was told by the Phoenix Journals that I should seek him out because he was the only one with the word of the actual TRUTH. I was disappointed to find out he had passed on. I’m a little late in coming to the table. Better late than never. I cannot find too much information about his talks. Can you help me with this? Thank you!
DeleteI too feel so grateful and blessed to of ever have known him and especially for having the opportunity for going to The Gathering for ages years with my best friend Mary Miller and then bringing my newborn baby boy there in in 97 up until 04 . I started in 93 . Angie Delgado back then.
ReplyDelete