Jay Shetty, former Hindu monk, said “There’s so much stuff that’s been said for years and we think we need something new. Ivan Pavlov famously said that if you want a new idea, read an old book. What are the parallels between timeless wisdom whether it’s 2,000 year-old Stoic or 5,000 year-old Vedic? Our problems haven’t changed at the deepest level because we still experience loss, fear, and anxiety in different ways.
Some of the richest history we’re not taught in our school system is of the Native Americans. D.J. Vanas, author and revered leadership expert from the Ottawa Tribe of Michigan, has traveled around the country speaking with 500 tribal nations and corporations to distill tribal principals combined with some of the invaluable lessons he learned as a decorated Air Force Captain.
Chief Pontiac of the Ottawa Tribe notably fought during the Battle of Bloody Run and successfully defended their siege of Fort Detroit from British troops. This was a catalyst for the Proclamation of 1763 which led to the American Revolution.
The Warrior Within
Penguin Random House
In The Warrior Within: Own Your Power to Serve, Fight, Protect, and Heal — Vanas delivers a compass to live an extraordinary life. Through his lens of jumping out of airplanes, hiking the infamous Kalalau Trail on essentially one foot, spiritual and sacred ceremonies, this guide book motives you to take action and reminds you of the mental callouses you already posses. Below are eight pieces of timeless wisdom from Native American culture Vanas shares to make these lessons accessible which we also discussed during our interview.
A Warrior May Surrender, But They Never Quit
This is a critical distinction woven into the fabric of the book. Vanas says “When we quit, we just stop trying and putting forth the effort. We start talking ourselves out of the challenge, pointing out to why it won’t work, and finding selective proof that we’re right in our assessment.”
The mythical Sioux warrior, Crazy Horse, became a reluctant leader at the Battle of Little Bighorn.
25th June 1876: General Custer and Crazy Horse (centre couple) during the battle of the Little Big ... [+] Horn between the US Army and Sioux Native Americans commanded by chief Crazy Horse. Custer had underestimated the size of the encampment and all his column were killed. Original Artwork: Painting by Feodor Fuchs Entitled Custer's Last Charge (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Getty Images
During a raging blizzard in early January of 1877 along Montana’s Tongue River, General Miles and his troops opened fire on Crazy horse and his camp. He managed to return fire, but they were eventually holding off soldiers firing ammunition with their bows and arrows. While he was able to retreat 1,100 Native Americans to Fort Robinson, he never quit or lacked effort — but he eventually surrendered because his tribe was cold and hungry — and it was the best option to avoid all of them being hunted down.
Use What You Have
Tecumseh, the great Shawnee chief and warrior said, “When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the morning light, for your life and strength. Give thanks for your food and the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies with yourself.” Vanas says that Tecumseh speaks to our ability to see the bounty in the first place.
He says that the Ottawa Tribe used birchbark for housing and the canoes that made them successful in trade and war. The Lakota used every part of the buffalo to make everything from clothing to bowstrings and canteens. Often when we have constraints it forces us to be resourceful. As Vanas explains, “When we see past our fear, resistance, and confusion, we realize we are all surrounded by an embarrassment of riches.”
Our Medicine Bag
“In Native American culture, a medicine bag is filled with sacred, meaningful items — such as herbs like tobacco and cedar, beads, bones, arrowheads, stones, and animal claws or teeth — that hold power of protecti
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