Sacred Legacies

Drawing on her Native American heritage, author Denise Linn writes of the profound importance of paying attention to the family legacies we inherited and the ones we will pass on. According to the Great Law of the American Indian Iroquois Confederacy, "In every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations." This is Linn's point exactly--we must take responsibility for how our thoughts, actions, and beliefs affect our present life, but also the future of the world. In order to create a healthy and positive legacy for subsequent generations, Linn outlines a four-part plan: 1) "Re-establish our connection to the past by exploring our roots and realizing that we are a product of a long and noble lineage of human beings that came before us." 2) "Sort through our heritage by embracing that which strengthens us, and by breaking negative ancestral patterns." 3) "Shift our limiting beliefs about the future at a fundamental level." 4) "Take concrete actions to empower the future." Specific suggestions and exercises for healing damaged legacies and creating ones that strengthen are presented throughout this well-organized and easy-to-absorb book. --Gail Hudson