Names. Sitting Owl - Spiritual Advisor, Shaman, counsellor and Traditional Native Healer">

Names
(From: ‘Earth People’ Volume 1 Number 6)
By: Sitting Owl

Now Playing: 'Cherokee Morning Song'
By: Robbie Robertson and The Red Road Ensemble

Many people have asked me how I got my name. On this subject I will say that a spirit name is most commonly given by spirit during a Vision Quest or Sweat Lodge, and it is usually given when there is no “Desire” for a name but the ceremony is done “For All Our Relations”. Or often a master or teacher gives a spirit name when the time is right.

Also there is no reason why someone who is desperate to let go of a name and past experience that they have out grown can’t spend a number of meditative days or weeks considering a name. But it must be a name that represents not only their past, which is still part of them, but also the new characteristics, energies or aspects of their being. A name should also embrace a person’s new understanding of their spiritual path. When the true name comes into consciousness, either from your inner self or from another person, there will be an “AHAH!” feeling. But remember a true spiritual name will only come if it is your BLISS, not just to be trendy or hastily rushed into. As the Great Spirit gives us everything we need, if we need a spirit name it will come, usually when you least expect it.
Brooke Medicine Eagle says:

“Names can be profoundly useful in calling forth aspects of ourselves from the left side, out of the realm of Spirit and mystery. Many people I am in contact with – whether they were San Francisco flower children, ardent vision questers, or people building new lives for themselves after divorce or major life changes – are looking for a name that speaks of who they truly are. They want to be called something that is meaningful to them now and expressive of their uniqueness and their special gifts, not of their father’s name or what thousands of mothers thought sounded cute when they were born. Sometimes this name-seeking actually takes the form of reclaiming their given name and its meaning, when they have been called a diminutive of it as a nick name for all their lives.”

Regarding my own name, I would firstly like to make the point that my given name is just as important to me as my spirit name. This is because the name “David” comes from the Hebrew root word ‘Dovid’ meaning lover, in its true spiritual sense, not as a physical stud (although I could be this also). As I found out from Fred Alan Wolf in his book ‘The Eagles Quest’, the spiritual meaning of the word “Dovid” is “From resonance to resonance” or “From resistance to resistance”. So this name has great meaning for me as the compassionate resistance or resonance, depending on how you resonate or resist me.

My other names “Graeme” and “Littlejohn” come from my father with whom I am honoured beyond comprehension to be connected and associated. While he could not be considered a religious man, he is certainly a very spiritual and moral human being who taught me through example. He taught me to be flexible, caring for others, to be grounded, not to waste anything (including time), how to improvise or do without, and most importantly and missing in much of today’s society, common sense.

I received my spirit name after a Stone-people (Sweat) Lodge in which my major spirit guide ‘Owl’ was clearly seen by more that one participant. While driving home Running Horse (my step-son) said to me: “See, I told you, you where owl. You’re ‘Sitting Owl’, sitting on all the knowledge and wisdom you have gathered. But the sitting part is also to remind you to sit and listen to others also.”

Running Horse’s own name was given to him in a very vivid dream vision by a group of Cherokee tribesman, around a fire where the only words he could understand where: “You are Cherokee Indian Running Horse.” And I can vouch that this name suites him perfectly.

Some very sacred names may sound a bit silly, but I can assure you that all names given from Spirit are very meaningful. For example I know someone named 'Quantum Gravity' and I assure you that that name is very sacred and expressive of that person's spirit.

You are more than welcome to ask me more about the details of the more complex associations and meanings of these names. And maybe I can shed some light on a name you may have been given so that you may more fully understand your spirit.

Yours in Spirit