Rooted in ten Indigenous values, this thoughtful, holistic book-written by Randy Woodley, a Cherokee descendant recognized by the Keetoowah Band, and Edith Woodley, an Eastern Shoshone tribal member-helps readers learn lifeways that lead to true wholeness, well-being, justice, and harmony.
The pursuit of happiness, as defined by settlers and enshrined in the American Dream, has brought us to the brink: emotionally, spiritually, socially, and as a species. We stand on a precipice, the future unknown. But Indigenous people carry forward the values that humans need to survive and thrive. In Journey to Eloheh, Randy and Edith Woodley help readers transform their worldviews and lifestyles by learning the ten values of the Harmony Way. These ten values, held in common across at least forty-five Indigenous tribes and nations, can lead us toward true well-being: harmony, respect, accountability, history, humor, authenticity, equality, friendship, generosity, and balance. By learning, converting to, and cultivating everyday practices of Eloheh--a Cherokee word meaning harmony and peace--we have a chance at building well-being and a sustainable culture.
In this riveting account of their own journeys toward deepening their indigeneity and embodying harmony, Edith, an activist-farmer, and Randy, a scholar, author, teacher, and wisdom-keeper, help readers learn the lifeways of the Harmony Way. The journey to Eloheh holds promise for all of us, Indigenous or not.
We know the Western worldview is at odds with a sustainable Earth, a just common life, and personal well-being. Together we can convert to another way of living--one that recognizes the Earth as sacred, sees all creation as related, and offers ancestral values as the way forward to a shared future.
What does it mean to become rooted in the land? How can we become better relatives to our greatest teacher, the Earth? Becoming Rooted invites us to live out a deeply spiritual relationship with the whole community of creation and with Creator.
Through meditations and ideas for reflection and action, Randy Woodley, an activist, author, scholar, and Cherokee descendant, recognized by the Keetoowah Band, guides us on a one-hundred-day journey to reconnect with the Earth. Woodley invites us to come away from the American dream--otherwise known as an Indigenous nightmare--and get in touch with the water, land, plants, and creatures around us, with the people who lived on that land for thousands of years prior to Europeans' arrival, and with ourselves. In walking toward the harmony way, we honor balance, wholeness, and connection.
Creation is always teaching us. Our task is to look, and to listen, and to live well. She is teaching us now.
In the Harmony Tree, an old grandmother oak tree is spared when loggers come through and clear-cut a forest. Grandmother Oak finds herself alone until new houses start showing up on the land, along with new trees. Grandmother Oak tries to make friends with these trees, but they are shallow and focused only on themselves As Grandmother Oak shares her stories and how she came to have such deep roots, she finds hope and healing The other trees, seeing the value of Grandmother Oak's history with the land, begin to find strength too.
The inspiration for this story comes from the author's own fifty-acre farm, where all the virgin frees were logged except for a large, white nak tree that sat at the top of a hill. Randy Woodley, says, I was always grateful the loggers left that one 300-year-old tree for us to enjoy. That and the tragic circumstances that caused the Woodleys to lose their land and farm just because they were Native Americans inspired Randy to write this story. Under such circumstances, Randy wondered, How could this one tree bring about healing and friendship in the world? If we can change our minds about our current views of progress, ecology, and the relationship between settler and host peoples, then maybe that one grandmother oak tree, left uncut, offers some hope for everyone.
This is the third book in the Harmony Tree Series. It is a story of how a boy, Sage, who is different than all the other boys, finds his place in society because he is accepted for his particular giftings instead of complying to popular expectations. In most tribal societies differently gifted individuals were not looked down upon but considered sacred. The author has close relatives who are neurodivergent, but the story will be an encouragement for any child who is different; to the parents of such children, and to teach other children cultural and inter-relational sensitivity. In this third book, as in the prior two, parents will be able to pick out the ecological theme. The Harmony Tree Prequal: Different is Good encourages animal species preservation.
Randy Woodley is an esteemed scholar, teacher, and author known for his work in the fields of theology, justice, and Indigenous rights. With a deep understanding of Native American culture and spirituality, Randy has dedicated his life to promoting reconciliation between Indigenous peoples and the rest of the world. As a Cherokee descendant, recognized by the Keetoowah Band, Randy brings a unique perspective to conversations around spirituality, ecology, and social justice. His teachings emphasize the interconnectedness of all living beings and the importance of caretaking the Earth.
Randy has written numerous books, articles, and essays, sharing his wisdom and insights. His works are renowned for their thoughtfulness, depth, and ability to challenge traditional paradigms. Randy Woodley invites us all to reflect on our relationship with the Earth and each other, urging us to recognize the wisdom and presence of Indigenous voices in shaping a more inclusive and sustainable future. He and his wife co-sustain Eloheh Indigenous Center for Earth Justice and Eloheh Farm & Seeds.
Randy Woodley, a Keetowah Cherokee, casts a biblical, multiethnic vision for people of every nation, tribe and tongue to live in community together. Includes a study guide.