Discipline of the Good Mind-Wisdom from Onondaga Clan Mother Freida Jacques
I have shared this message from Freida, written in early 2025, with many groups and am glad to share it again here with her permission. The Haudenosaunee know a great deal about bearing up under oppression and difficulty! -Kit
Thousands of years ago, at a time when our people were in the midst of wars and pervasive violence the Peacemaker came and brought us a message of love and peace. One of the gifts he brought to us at that time was the concept of the Good Mind (Ga’nigoñhi•yóh). As children grow up in our Nation they hear the words “use a good mind” many times. I felt that a deeper explanation of what using the Good Mind means would be beneficial and this is how I explain it.
I refer to the Good Mind as a discipline, rather than just a description of a person’s state of mind. First of all, Ga’nigoñhi•yóh recognizes that we have access to a loving source of good thoughts. Each and every one of us has many, many thoughts each day. We can become aware of each thought, see its substance, realize its intent, and then determine if you should follow and build on that thought. This realization that you have a will over your thinking is important. You have a choice to follow your thoughts based on a loving purpose (the Good Mind) or let go of thoughts and certainly not build upon thoughts steeped in anger and judgment. In most cases, it takes thousands of thoughts to get to a point where you are harboring hate for someone and capable of violence. This effort of being aware of our thoughts, helps us redirect our thinking to more constructive, kind and loving thoughts. Since our actions follow our thoughts, what we are doing with our lives will be kinder and gentler. Since the words we speak follow our thoughts, we also have a way of affecting the world around us with words that will reflect the Good Mind.
By observing our thoughts, we may begin to identify areas in our lives that may need to be reflected upon and healed. Watch out for over-reactions to your experiences and also under-reactions for they may help identify places that need healing. Consider being more willing to look at these parts of yourself and seek out people who can safely help you work through old hurts and anger. Stifled anger, like all strong emotions, never goes away, it lingers in the background ready to show up to add to your next angry moment. Strong emotions like grief and shame can also be unexpressed and can resurface to make for more dramatic moments that may surprise you. Finding a safe situation to release these strong feelings will make it easier for you to carry a Good Mind.
While we actively become aware of our thoughts, and follow those that have a kind and loving intent, what we do and what we say will naturally has a positive effect on the world around us. This is also how those who carry a Good Mind can affect those around them to be more peaceful. Like ripples on water, the effects of the Good Mind can be amplified, allowing peace to grow.
As Haudenosaunee, we give thanks to all the parts of Creation that make life possible here on Earth (The Ganoñhañnyoñ’). This keeps us connected with the very vital purpose of all living things. Our respect and love includes all parts of Creation. This understanding helps us use the Good Mind in our interactions with the natural world around us.
It has been said many times that change begins with the individual. If you want change to happen, begin by changing yourself. The discipline of the Good Mind is a process anyone can use to help him or herself change. Much can be accomplished with love and patience.
©Freida J. Jacques - revised 1/25/2025