Wednesday, December 14, 2011

The Hollow Bone Teaching

Frank Fools Crow was a revered Lakota Holy Man who taught that you must become like a "hollow bone" to be a great healer. He believed that to become a conduit for the source of all creation fulfills the destiny of the human spirit: to sustain the order of existence. According to Fools Crow (paid link), "We are called to become hollow bones for our people, and anyone else we can help. We are not supposed to seek power for our personal use and honor. What we bones really become is the pipeline that connects Wakan Tanka, the helpers and the community together." In his becoming a hollow bone, Fools Crow believed that he went through four stages:


1. First, he called in Wakan Tanka (Great Mystery) to rid himself of anything that would impede him in any way, such as doubt, questions or reluctance. 

2. Then he recognized himself as a clean tube, ready to be filled with hope, possibilities, and anxious to be filled with power.

3. He experienced the power as it comes surging into him.

4. Finally, giving the power away to others, knowing that as he is emptied out, the Higher Powers will keep filling him with even greater power to be given away.

Becoming a Hollow Bone

Close your eyes and breathe slowly and deeply seven times. Let your abdomen rise and fall as you breathe. Inhale for a count of four, hold for a count of four, and then exhale for a count of four. Focus on the breath as it enters the nose and fills your lungs, and then gently exhale any tension you might feel, clearing the energy channels of your body. Release all of your worldly concerns, doubts, and fears, allowing them to drift off on the air of the wind, on the breath of life. Feel yourself relaxing with each breath.
   
When you are fully relaxed, ask the "Higher Powers" to remove any blockages that prevent you from functioning as a hollow bone. Repeat the affirmation, "I choose to be a clean, hollow bone." Visualize yourself as a hollow bone or tube that is all shiny on the inside and empty. The cleaner the bone, the more energy you can channel through it, and the faster it will flow. 

Now begin drumming a steady tempo of about 3 beats per second and imagine the power of spirit flowing through you. You may feel it, see it, sense it, or simply imagine it. As you focus on it, it will occur, for all energy follows thought. If your mind wanders, bring the focus of your attention back to the beat of the drum. Drumming opens portals to the spirit world, draws spirit in, and opens you up to receive it.

22 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing this x

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  2. Thank You Michael (and Frank Fools Crow) This came just when I opened to willingness. Carolyn

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  3. Thank you for this article. Since I have willingly answered the call to be shaman, I have noticed a lot of confirmation coming up in what I already do. This is another. The process outlined here by Frank Fools Crow is exactly the process I have gone through when doing reiki with someone, only the words are different. Thank you.

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    1. Thank you for your feedback Michelle. I really appreciate it.

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  4. In the Biofield Tuning being "hollow bone" is critical to our success in working with humans and animals. I was a bit confused, so searched for more info to help me and I found your post. BLESS YOU, I am so grateful to have found your wonderful post.

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    1. You are welcome. Thank you for commenting.

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    2. Omg I believed I've been a hollow bone shaman since long and now when I read this, I actually came to conclude the same things as mentioned and my affinity to crows. Is beyond something that I can describe in words I.e. my crow caws cannot be discriminated from real ones. Besides I'm a shaman and a healer and all fills perfectly. I believe I channel energy through the hollow bones, life force that brought the universe into existence, the great spirit, the divine consciousness which is omnipermeable.

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    3. Thank you for sharing. I like to do bird calls as well. Raven is one of my favorite birds to mimic. When we become a conduit for the source of all creation, we help to sustain the order of existence. Aho!

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  5. Pila Maya (Lakota for thank you). I AM a mixed Native American woman. I AM a Traditional Native Guide to Spirit. I have been called to be a Hollow Bone by Spirit. I have just recently began to ask Fools Crow if He would teach me HOW to honor such a calling. I spoke this prayer a few days ago, then tonight I was doing some work on the computer and when I typed Hollow Bone I felt a strong urge to type in Fools Crow Hollow Bone and this came up...Aho Fools Crow, ANd Pila Maya to you Brother... Aquene

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    1. Wendy:
      Thank you for your kind words. I am grateful. We are called to become hollow bones for our people. May we all honor that calling.

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  6. Thanks for this, I'm enjoying you articles after being sent here by Jim Pathfinder Ewing.

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  7. Hello Michael Drake,
    I appreciate the information that you have provided here and it will be very helpful for me as I move along on my journey.
    The Goddess called to me in various forms a few years ago after an unexplainable and debilitating sickness took my old life from me. After surrendering to what I was sure was a terminal illness, She came to me in various ways - in music and nature, our ancestors singing praise for my arrival, and very often a sunset. My pride took over for a few years after the experiences, I wanted so badly to feel special. Recently He has come to me and has aided in my meditation and now my Self is migrating to the front and center of my brain. I feel so grateful for them the thought of them makes me cry with love.

    My gift for you:
    https://youtu.be/CP7VcsaoqZc

    Jai Kali Maa

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  8. I've been doing something similar for years and didn't even know it. I use breath control to empty my mind so I can hear the still small voice telling me what the patient needs. Oddly enough the silent voice never gives me advice unless it has to do with healing or something spiritual. I don't know if I've programmed myself like that or if it's how its supposed to be. Thank you for posting this article.

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  9. Thank you for sharing this, I am so amazed. I just completed a life time of healing and went to the ocean, resting next to me was a little hallow bone, a little debris left inside, but a good cleaning will help.

    I am feeling very called to learn more. Do you have any good recommendations for reading of shamanism.

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    1. Thank you for your feedback. The link below is to a list of the ten books that most influenced my path of shamanism. I have read many other informative books, but these are the books that most resonated with me on my shamanic path of learning and fulfillment.
      https://shamanicdrumming.blogspot.com/2014/07/top-10-books-on-shamanism.html

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