I first heard this beautiful wisdom in a sacred medicine ceremony. It’s like all the deepest wisdoms: it’s almost haunting in its simplicity and precision. This parable is most often attributed to Cherokee origins and the indigenous people of America.

A grandmother sits with her grandchild braiding their hair while telling an ancient story:

“This fight rages within me,” she said to the child “It is a terrible fight and it is between two great wolves. One Wolf is Hate—this spirit is strengthened by and embodies anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other Wolf is Love—this spirit vibrates and is expanded by joy, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, humor, empathy, generosity, playfulness, truth, compassion, and peace.

The grandmother paused , slowed her braiding hands to a stop and offered with grace, “My dear one, this battle within me is also going on within you and inside all the bodies around us.”

The grandchild then paused in kind, drinking in this new level of understanding. They then asked, “Grandmother, which wolf will with the fight?”

The Elder assuredly replied, “The Wolf that you nourish & feed.”

Photo Credit from lifepower.com