Notes on The Hopi Survival Kit

 The Hopi Survival Kit by Thomas E Mails

NY:  Penguin, 1997

ISBN 0 14 01.9545 9

(1)  Techqua Ikachi! is the creed of the Hopi Traditionalists.  In its English translation, what it means is “blending with the land and celebrating life.”  The traditionalists’ aim has always been to achieve this for themselves and everyone else in the world.

(14)  As you would expect, there have been other outstanding male Hopis among the Elderly Elders, but all except one of these have put on the “cloud mask” and gone to live with the Kachina spirits.

(89)  No true relationships with the things of the Creator could come from coercion, and true relationships between individuals could not be forced either.

(152-153)  “One by one, bowed darkened figures would whisper and breathe their prayers upon the cornmeal that their hands held:  ‘Our Father Sun, all the Unseen Living, help us this day with your Supreme Power.  Echo your voices into the ears of men so that they may hear and understand our purpose here this day.  Protect and guide us in the right way.  May our body, mind and spirit be wholesome this day, I humbly ask Thee.’”

(165)  When the Hopi do their rituals, these Spirit beings send power and strength and wisdom into the celebrants.  The performers receive it first, and then pass it on to villagers and friends who in heart and soul and mind are identifying with them.  This is power for understanding, power for the growth of crops, and power for the deepening of the love relationship that bonds creature with Creator.

(199)  The Gods do not allow the secrets to be known unless for the benefit of all living things.

(214)  We think their [Hopi] forecast is very frightening so suggest those who care about coming generations should write to:  Hamaker-Weaver Publishers, Box 1961, Burlingame CA 94010 - Hamaker's main book was The Survival Of Civilization (1983, 2002). His ideas were further elucidated by Donald A. Weaver in his book To Love & Regenerate The Earth (2002).  

Editorial Comment:  Remineralization.

(219)  Innocence is something that captivates us.

(224)  Maasaw [agent of the Creator] taught the founders of Oraibi that what we think and feel about any task we are performing has everything to do with its failure or its success.

(239)  From the cradle to the grave, we must, as the Hopi Traditionalists do, immerse ourselves in Mother Earth.  To put this succinctly, we need to blend with her so that we can celebrate life.

…  As a result of this blending with Mother Earth, which includes in fact a blending with ourselves, we will become calmer, more serene, less argumentative, and more secure.  No matter what developments take place in the world, our oneness with others will deepen.

(258)  When planting one must be in a good humor, no anger or sad thoughts.  One must sing and talk to the seeds, encourage them to come to the surface with joy.  When they surface, thank them and encourage them to keep strong.  As they grow, you thank them and also the unseen spirits who helped make it possible for the harvest which will provide food.  These are a few sides of the wisdom for growing crops.

(282)  Plants already know that the earth is a living mother to life, and that she nourishes her living children.  Plants know that everything is a brother or a sister.  Plants already know that everything is a person.

(288)  We always have our natures and weaknesses to consider, for no one succumbs to temptation better than we do.  We are masters at it.

(296-298)  Is not the idea of everyone - rich or poor, extraordinary or ordinary, pitching in and feeling truly worthwhile and good about it - an exceptional one?  This, of course, is precisely what the Creator told the Hopi at their Oraibi beginning.  He was offering them, along with everyone else in the world, the way to work together to affect the pace, intensity, and violence of the closing down of the Fourth Cycle.

(341-342)  Beyond this, the professor misses entirely the point of my books about Fools Crow and with Dan Evehama.  Neither person is telling his story for personal gain or adulation.  They deal with critical matters involving the world and its inhabitants, and with expressing the love and concern they have for their readers.  Readers need to know that this is part of a pattern followed by the great ones among the Native Americans.  They usually begin their prayers by praying for all of the people of the world.  They always put others first.  They feel a unity of spirit with everyone who exists that is marvelous to behold. And that is why so many people respond to them as warmly as they do - two-hearteds excepted.

(366)  It makes me sad to think I may not get to meet our True White Brother in person, but it is prophesied that just two or three righteous persons will be plenty to fulfill his mission.  Even one truly righteous would be able to do it.

(373)  “For years,” the Elderly Elders say, “our founding fathers have passed the knowledge of survival from mouth to mouth, which is to respect all living things, for we are all one and created by One."