Navajo traditions and worldview are not much different from the classical accepted values in human relationships and moral principles throughout the world. Special rituals, names of deities, and forms of following the genuine Blessing Way are just shells that hide concern for mental and physical health, loved ones, and family, and postulate respect for everything created, including knowledge. As someone reading this article and becoming familiar with the Navajo way of life, I understand that the best intentions drive these people and that the difficulties they face are problems faced by the entire modern society.
Despite such an unusual language, form of worldview, and traditions, behind them lie the same motives and issues familiar to each of us. However, the integrity of these views, supported by the symbolic philosophy of the masculine and feminine, the four cardinal directions, and various spirits, is genuinely fascinating. The apparent division of family responsibilities and goals of both sexes in our society, without immersion in philosophy, can be perceived as a lack of freedom and tolerance. Still, the teaching does not go beyond natural processes. Moreover, in every person, there is something from a man and something from a woman, and only when these parts balance each other does a person find harmony.
As a student, I am highly interested in getting acquainted with this way of life and its traditions, whose primary goal is to put a person on the right path while leaving complete freedom in their decisions. It is worth noting that victory over the evil spirits of disease, laziness, and others is achieved through the outstanding efforts of many people. The concept of family as a unit of society goes beyond this among the Navajo, and through constant craving for knowledge, teachings, and training of one’s soul and body, a person becomes harmonious and happy.
The accumulation of knowledge and its transmission occur through following the traditions of many generations, where each person is an irreplaceable part of their role. This mechanism looks pretty fragile, since as soon as one of the family members refuses the role of k’é, is captured by the spirit of laziness or illness, the next generations may no longer receive the full knowledge, love, and care, which will result in future mental and emotional problems. As a student, I am highly interested in these traditions, but no less attractive is how they are maintained by the Navajo people now in the modern world.
As a teacher, I have found fundamental professional principles reflected in this philosophy. Teachers are not only people who aim to impart knowledge; their purpose extends beyond this. Teachers raise children by their example, often working with them from a very early age, and the adoption of values of recognition, respect, and gratitude is not only a life position for the teacher but also included among the “knowledge” that children should receive. Introducing the concepts of happiness and harmony in matters of future vocation, and not separating work from personal life, is also an essential mission of teachers, which is not always clearly stated in the purpose of professional activity.
Finally, the management of a small class society by a person of experience or a leader whose actions will have an imprint on the future lives of the students implies great responsibility. It is essential here, as the author of the article pointed out, not to put the sign of a snake on the creation, implying evil, but to leave a crooked stamp or uneven line – the spirit of freedom on the future adult, without ultimately determining their views or behavior.