The Great Mysterious

 

"You can call Wakan-Tanka by any name you like.  In English, I call Him God or the Great Spirit.  He's the Great Mystery, the Great Mysterious.  That's what Wakan-Tanka really means - the Great Mysterious.  You can't define Him.  He's not actually a 'He' or a 'She,' a 'Him' or a 'Her.'  We have to use those kinds of words because you can't just say 'It.'  God's never an 'It.'  So call Wakan-Tanka whatever you like.  Just be sure to call Him.  He wants to talk to you."

Matthew King (Noble Red Man),
Lakota Elder

Photo: Ponderosa Pine and Bear Lodge; Devil's Tower National Monument, SD; May 18, 2013

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