Navajo Blessing Way Prayer

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Navajo Blessing Prayer: ‘Walk In Beauty’

“The following traditional Prayer originated from the Navajo Nation Blessing Way Ceremony and can be found in many places. The original author of this beautiful prayer is unknown. Some say that reading the words bring peace and calm. Many have found this to be true.” Courtesy: Talking-Feather Blog

Chaco Canyon NM, Courtesy Philip Greenspan

Walking in Beauty: Closing Prayer from the Navajo Blessing Way Ceremony

In beauty I walk
With beauty before me I walk
With beauty behind me I walk
With beauty above me I walk
With beauty around me I walk
It has become beauty again

Today I will walk out, today everything negative will leave me
I will be as I was before, I will have a cool breeze over my body.
I will have a light body, I will be happy forever, nothing will hinder me.

I walk with beauty before me. I walk with beauty behind me.
I walk with beauty below me. I walk with beauty above me.
I walk with beauty around me. My words will be beautiful.
In beauty all day long may I walk. Through the returning seasons, may I walk.

On the trail marked with pollen may I walk.
With dew about my feet, may I walk.
With beauty before me may I walk.
With beauty behind me may I walk.
With beauty below me may I walk.
With beauty above me may I walk.
With beauty all around me may I walk.
In old age wandering on a trail of beauty, lively, may I walk.

In old age wandering on a trail of beauty, living again, may I walk.
My words will be beautiful.

Photo: Corn Flower. The pollen of the corn is dusted off the tassels and used in ceremonies as a blessing, and is offered in prayer.

*Scroll down to listen to Navajo Historian Wally Brown discuss “Walking In Beauty”

Short Lesson for Navajo Prayer

VOCABULARY

Directions: Look up the meanings for the following vocabulary words from the Prayer and create sentences using the words. Look up any additional vocabulary from the prayer. Share as a class.

beauty

negative

hinder

pollen

wandering

lively

Questions For Reflection

What does the word “beauty” mean to you?

Give examples of how you use the word beauty.

What do you think it means to “walk in beauty”? Provide examples.

Explain what the following lines from the prayer mean to you:

Today I will walk out, today everything negative will leave me

I will be as I was before, I will have a cool breeze over my body.

I will have a light body, I will be happy forever, nothing will hinder me.

I walk with beauty before me. I walk with beauty behind me.

I walk with beauty below me. I walk with beauty above me.

Art/Research Projects

Look up the Navajo Blessing Way Ceremony. What is the significance of the Blessing Way Ceremony?

How is this prayer “Walking In Beauty” connected to the ceremony?

If you had an opportunity to meet a member of the Navajo Nation, what questions would you ask them about this wonderful prayer? Share your questions with class members.

Find photos (maybe some of your own) to go with the words from this special Prayer and create a special “Beauty” collage.

Are there any Prayers that you know from your own culture similar to the Navajo Beauty Prayer? What about Prayers from other cultures?

Share your information with your class members.

WATCH THE VIDEO

Listen as Navajo Historian Wally Brown discusses “Walking In Beauty” and teaches a little about harmony in life. Write a short essay on what new ideas you’ve learned from this video.