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 KIA
ORA - GREETINGS
Kia Ora is from the Maori
language of New Zealand, and while it is a greeting it also has a
deeper meaning. When we greet people with kia ora we
also call upon them
to radiate life and be wellness.
My name is Ruth Makuini Tai and
welcome to my
personal insights into the Heart Teachings of the Maori of New
Zealand. These teachings speak to the Rangatira - Enlightened Leader
in each of us.
When I speak of the heart teachings of
the Maori I am referring to the teachings that are coded within
the Maori language and expressed through ancient chants, ritual
practice, mythology, dances and crafts. This exploration has
not taken place within a university. It has been a heart
journey evolving over time. There have been many times when
tears have welled in my eyes, as the memory of a highly evolved
peace inheritance reveals itself.
I remember in the early 1980s beginning to see
that Maori language coded multiple realities. I would often read a
story and insight several physical and meta physical translations. I
was fascinated by this phenomenon but could not explain it at the time.
Today I am more able and more confident to express what it is that I
insight. |
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As a modern scholar of Maori language I
explore the roots of words and let them tell me their story. I compare the
story of the root words with my experiences alongside my elders of the
1950s and 60s; those GREAT GRAND MOTHERS like Nanny
Te Wai Harakeke and Nanny Makuini.
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Te Wai Harakeke could not speak English, and
lived to the ripe old age of a centenarian. She was 112 when she
transitioned. Makuini was also a powerful teacher and watched over me with
true love during those early years. Indeed I still feel the love of
all the grandmothers and grandfathers for all the grandchildren, during a
time when
whanau (extended family) was still important. Read more about these
mentors
here.
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| Nanny Te Wai
Harakeke |
Nanny Makuini |
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I also compare my insights with observations
recorded by the early writers of Maori life. I was intrigued when I
read that
Captain James Cook on his first voyage to
Aotearoa
New Zealand in 1769,
"had found no king or great prince
but.., a people strong, well made, active, ingenious, artistic, brave,
open, warrior like, void of treachery (pg 223)"
and,
"with the characteristics of the
people here, no one seems to have been as favorably impressed as was Cook
(pg 519),"
reported in 'Captain James
Cook' by
J.C. Beaglehole.
Later writers like Edward Tregear, Sir George Grey, Herbert Williams, S
Percy Smith , Elsdon Best and Raymond Firth also provide access to old
time Maori language and practices. However it is important to know
that some of the works credited to these writers were actually first
written by Maori. For example at the time the teachings of the
ancient
wananga
(process to activate higher consciousness)
were being taught by three old sages named Moihi Te Matorohanga, Nepia
Pohuhu and Rihari Tohi. From 1865 Te Whatahoro Jury recorded the
talks given by Te Matorohanga and Pohuhu. Smith and Best later
edited Te Whatahoro's manuscript without crediting Whatahoro as the
original writer.
I have explored the work of Makareti
(Maggie Papakura 1873 - 1930) who wrote
The Old Time Maori. She was the first Maori scholar to study
at an English university. She attended Oxford university and
completed a manuscript which sat unpublished for many years. Her
contemporaries like Sir Apirana Ngata and Te Rangihiroa - Sir Peter Buck
also left powerful treasures for us to delve into. In the early 80's
I was enthralled by the treasured teachings transmitted by Dr Rangimarie
Turuki Rose Pere CBE, CM, as they resonated a familiarity within me.
Today she is fondly known by all as Rose and has completed two ground
breaking works - 'Ako: Concepts and Learning In The Maori Tradition' and
Te Wheke: A Celebration of Infinite Wisdom'.
It was also in 1990 that I was with Rose and
Anita Moke, another mentor of that time period. We attended the
first Healer's For Peace conference in Hamilton New Zealand. Rose
had received a 'sign', a new star had appeared in the sky. Rose said
this signaled the end of the reliance on the old time
'tohuna' or
'keeper of the secrets'
to interpret 'signs' -
tohu means sign.
The appearance of the star meant it was time for all of humanity to
wake up to their own
'tohuna' potential.
In Maori mythology it was the
loving peace action of Tane that freed the children from the darkness
created by their close embrace. His brother Tumatauenga wanted to
kill their parents, after failing to separate them using brute force.
Tane listened for the peace sign and a compassionate way was revealed.
As a Kai-Arahi Spirit Trail Guide, Transformation Coach, Writer, Keynote
Speaker, and Peace Ambassador I am
proud to share my
'tohuna'
insights into the peace teachings of the Maori.
Aroha Nui (Great Love)
Ruth Makuini
Tai
Kai-Arahi Spirit Trail Guide
Transformation Coach
Writer
Keynote Speaker
Ambassador for Peace |
