So live your life that the fear of
death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their
religion;respect others in their view, and demand that they respect
yours. Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your
life. Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of
your people. Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over
the great divide.
Always give a word or a sign of salute
when meeting or passing a friend, even a stranger, when in a lonely
place. Show respect to all people and grovel to none.
When you arise in the morning give
thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason
for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself. Abuse no one and
no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit
of its vision.
When it comes your time to die, be not
like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so that
when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to
live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song
and die like a hero going home.
******
Meditation by Chief Tecumseh (1768-1813)
Shawnee Nation
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