I did start out using some of what Chaska was doing as an example , but underneath this is some more general questions about what kind of teachings can be effectively shared in books and what can't be.
I am still trying to sort my own thoughts out on this...
AH, I think you are right in your idea that there is some core principles which can be shared , but perhaps the underlying assumption that there is riches that can be mined from other cultures is tinged with some colonialism.
One thing it seems people tend to overlook , is that in the outward sense , most indigenous peoples opportunities for new experiences were extremely limited. So if people look at indigenous peoples and feel they have wisdom, it is probably important to remember they didn't get this wisdom from an individual pursuit of knowledge from other cultures or adopting a blend of Spiritual practices from around the world. It seems to me what is closer to the core of the wisdom of indigenous peoples is a deep and persistant respect for being where they are.
So while I think that respect and thankfulness are a "Spiritual technology" that could be transfered to another culture or situation ,and that appropriate knowledge does develop when people make a practice of doing this , the secrets of purifying yourself before hunting or talking to the Spirits of the Buffalo probably isn't going to be a lot of help to someone living in New York city.
Another example of how something appropriate to one culture is inappropriate to another might be the practice of animal sacrifice. In a culture that has a close relationship with domesticated animals which it also butchers and eats, a ceremony of animal sacrifice might be a good way of making this right , but for someone living in New York , it would be a bit goulish.
Many of the inside secrets of a culture can't be learned in a real way without a lifetime or even a family background of actually living in that culture.
From what I see , most of the people wanting to learn this sort of cultural inside information are approaching this as consumers and colonists looking to lay claim to one more area to mine for treasures. Not all are greedy , some are just desperately poor , but it is the same colonial mentality that brought non native people to these shores in the first place.
Almost always these people seem to be looking to escape from where they really are, because they aren't feeling Respectful or Thankful for where the Creator put them, or they are not rising to the challenge of finding a good way to be where the Creator put them.
I don't have any indepth knowledge and I only understand very basic things, but it seems to me this desire to leave where you are is the opposite of the core Spiritual values of most indigenous people.
On the other hand, learning about other cultures, which have different values, social structures and beliefs can be beneficial. When cultures have similarities , often seeing these in a different context, that we haven't grown up taking for granted, can help us identify important fundamental values. Some of these values we may want to strengthen, and sometimes there is underlying beliefs that could be rethought. Learning about different cultures can be like visiting different peoples homes and seeing new and innovative ways to improve your own. This borrowing seems to work as far as technological innovations like how to make a better mouse trap , or even social improvements - for instance learning from cultures that don't use physical punishment, that sparing the rod does not spoil the child.
Information about some plant medicines is another thing that might be transferable, but it is important that indigenous people's right to maintain, protect and benefit from their own knowledge is respected , and sharing this knowledge is truly mutually beneficial.
So I guess it all depends on what sort of exchange of knowledge and technologies is being attempted, and if this is something that can be conveyed in a book without losing so much context it becomes distorted.
I hope this makes sense - as I say I am just in the process of sorting out my own thoughts on this ... I only understand very basic stuff so if anyone with more knowledge feels any of this is wrong I hope they will say so.
I'm a bit ashamed of myself to have written so many long posts in this thread. I probably could have been more concise if I had known what I was trying to say sooner...
There is a thread on books here called "NAFPS highly recommends" - so I guess there is a general recognition that books can be an educational resource.
http://www.newagefraud.org/smf/index.php?topic=79.0
