(Image source: AI generated)
Many of us have heard the native American story of two wolves. The modern version going around on the internet is not the original story that is passed down through native American tribes. The original story is quite different, even in the lessons it teaches.
This is the Internet version you may have heard:
An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. “A fight is going on inside me”, he said to the boy. “It is a terrible fight, and it is between two wolves. One is evil. He is anger, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego.”
He continued, “The other is good. He is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.”
“The same fight is going on inside of you, and inside of every other person too. The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, which wolf will win?” You might have heard the modern story ending like this: “the old Cherokee simply replied, the one you feed.”
In the Cherokee world, the original story of the two wolves (one black and one white) ends this way:
The old Cherokee simply replied, “If you feed them right they both win. You see, if I only choose to feed the white wolf, the black one will be hiding around every corner waiting for me to become distracted or weak and jump to get the attention he craves. He will always be angry and always fighting the white wolf. But if I acknowledge him, he is happy and the white wolf is happy, and we all win.
The black wolf has many qualities that I need at times that the white wolf lacks: tenacity, courage, fearlessness, strong will and great strategic thinking.
But the white wolf has compassion, caring, strength, and the ability to recognize what is in the best interests of all.
You see, the white wolf needs the black wolf at his side. To feed only one would starve the other and they would soon become uncontrollable.
To feed and care for both means they will serve you well and do nothing that is not part of something greater, something good, something of life.
Feed them both and there will be no more internal struggle for your attention. When there is no battle inside, you can listen to the voices of deeper knowing that will guide you in choosing what is right in every circumstance.
Peace, my son, is the Cherokee mission in life. A man or woman who has peace inside has everything. A man or woman who is pulled apart by the war inside him or her has nothing. How you choose to interact with the opposing forces within you will determine your life.”
(Source: Anasazi Foundation)
https://youtu.be/JHXwPFMvaXk?si=LxmeJBR_3dYVms4a
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