Author Topic: George Bertelstein & Medicine Path NAC  (Read 35230 times)

TrishaRoseJacobs

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George Bertelstein & Medicine Path NAC
« on: January 07, 2005, 12:11:18 pm »

Jim Tree

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Re: George Bertelstein & Medicine Path NAC
« Reply #1 on: January 07, 2005, 03:39:24 pm »
Sounds like a just another spritual "MUTT"...{mixed up theology = trouble}...while I believe we can learn much from all the spiritual traditions I cannot see how someone can be a Pipe "carrier" and mix medicines. However, I can see how one could have a personal Pipe and walk in  a mixed way, but to have the responsability of careing for a ceremonial Pipe is all to encompasing of a thing to have room for all the other stuff he claims to have/be.
Just my opinion, probably a real nice guy, just does not really know the Pipe.
Blue sky,
Tree


Offline educatedindian

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Re: George Bertelstein & Medicine Path NAC
« Reply #3 on: January 08, 2005, 03:48:05 pm »
It always bothers me an extra bit to find these exploiter sites run by Buddhists, Jews, or other religious minorities.

Barrett Eagle Bear, Bertelstein's teacher, was listed as a Plastic by AIM Florida in an issue they list. Couldn't find a link to the article itself though.

http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/read/NATIVE-AMERICAN-NEWS/2001-08/0997902156
@ 1/2 of the way down.

Joseph, Trish has an article on Mooney on her site. Seems he sold ceremonies and that's why he was kicked out of NAC. He also can't decide if he is Seminole or "Iroquois".
http://users.pandora.be/gohiyuhi/articles/art00016.htm

We have some older posts on him from earlier versions of NAFPS. I'll do my best to get all the old posts posted, but it'll take time.

Here's a photo and an interview with Estrada. He seems to be a mestizo who's teaching a Nuage version, using their terms like "Andean shaman".
http://www.duncanentertainment.com/interview_estrada.php

Offline JosephSWM

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Re: George Bertelstein & Medicine Path NAC
« Reply #4 on: January 08, 2005, 04:43:25 pm »
Thank you for the  extra links to read. I agree about the religious minorities. That fellow Stanford Lessans is also Jewish, but that should be no reflection on Jewish people.

Most of these folks are needy, searching for something to fill the void that thier very own culture created.

Joseph

Michael Johnson

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Re: George Bertelstein & Medicine Path NAC
« Reply #5 on: April 21, 2005, 10:48:05 pm »
Hi Trish!

Nice to see you on the net again!

Mike Johnson here.

I am back in Texas for a while, but expect to be heading back to Tellico sometime in the next year.

Good to see you again.

Take care and keep up the good work!

Offline Cante

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Re: George Bertelstein & Medicine Path NAC
« Reply #6 on: January 15, 2007, 02:01:22 am »
George Bertlestein and his Medicine Path (www.medicinepath.org) group are known fruads in my community. He charges $400 for a 24hr "vision quest" that includes the use of San Pedro cactus. He charges $50 for a "sweat lodge" that also includes San Pedro. He allows photographs to be taken of his ceremonies. His pipe, which he calls a Canupa, is covered in shiny metal. His "teachings" come from Barret Eagle Bear who is very questionable in my book. He is good friends with James W. "Flaming Eagle" Mooney and his plastic NAC group. He has been invited to traditional ceremony and has refused every time. He is a Jewish psychologist who acts like a cult leader. I have a LOT more information, and proof, on this guy if anyone wants it.

Offline Cante

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Re: George Bertelstein & Medicine Path NAC
« Reply #7 on: January 23, 2007, 05:12:32 pm »
This is the latest email I have received from George and his Medicine Path group. It seems that they are doing a "pipe ceremony" mixed with hallucinogenic San Pedro cactus and selling it for $150. IMO this guy should be put in the known frauds catagory.

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Dear Friends,

Medicine Path is pleased to announce an upcoming Joint Ceremony of the Sacred Pipe & the Andean Medicine. 

We are blessed to have the participation and support of our dear sister Linda "Brighthawk" Mooney, Medicine Woman and an officer and Spiritual Leader of Oklevueaha Earthwalks Native American Church of Utah. Linda is also a member of the Board of Directors of Medicine Path.  Linda and her husband, our great brother James Warren "Flaming Eagle" Mooney and their lives and ceremonies are a part of the foundation of Medicine Path.  We are honored to have Linda join us.

The Grandmother of this Pipe ceremony, my adopted sister and first teacher Barrett Eagle Bear, Lakota Medicine Woman and Sundance Leader, will be joining us.  It is an honor and a blessing to have her loving presence. 
 
If you would like to attend this ceremony or have any questions, please contact Jeff Wright at ****@************.*** or (415)****-****.

Space for this ceremony is limited. Please respond as soon as possible if you would like to participate. 

When: Saturday, 03/03/07. 6:30 pm arrival.

Location: **** **** Avenue , San Francisco

Suggested Donation: $150

Medicine Path is a non-profit organization that relies on your donations to support its intention to offer sacred ceremonies and continuous ongoing support to all who come in a good way. Your donation also enables Medicine Path to offer material support to our friends, elders and teachers who share this intention.

As always, no one will be turned away from this or any other Medicine Path ceremony for lack of funds.

I have attended one of his "normal" (non-drug use) pipe ceremonies. When I asked him where he got his pipe from he refused to answer me. He also rudely interrupted my prayer to tell me I was holding his pipe incorrectly (I know how to hold a Canupa). They also tried really hard to pressure me to take a trip to Peru with them. I told them that was not my way and that I didn't have the funds to go anyway. They told me that I could make installment payments and could also work off any $$ I was unable to pay (I know of 4 women who were molested by the curandero on this trip and 1 who was diagnosed with lukemia shortly after). Needless to say, I never went back. His pipe is covered in shiny metal studs which is not Traditional Lakota. Though I have since learned that he was given this pipe by Barrett Eagle Bear who claims to be a Medicine Woman and Spiritual Leader of Lakota Tradition. How can a traditional mix up and participate in stuff like this? How can a traditional allow photographs of an Inipi ceremony to be taken (I found them on the net and have them)? Barrett Eagle Bear is also supposably Intercessor at the Ina Maka Sun Dance, does anyone know anything about this dance?

I also feel that "Brighthawk" and "Flaming Eagle" need to be put into the frauds catagory as well. They are using the N.A.C. name in a bad way and pitting the real N.A.C. against their psuedo N.A.C. with all their lawsuits regarding their right, as non-natives, to carry the Medicine and pray in this way. And as you can see they are also supporting the mixing of Traditions and Medicines... And charging for it...

Offline Barnaby_McEwan

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Re: George Bertelstein & Medicine Path NAC
« Reply #8 on: January 23, 2007, 07:28:13 pm »
IMO this guy should be put in the known frauds catagory.

Done. Thanks for all the info.

Quote
I also feel that "Brighthawk" and "Flaming Eagle" need to be put into the frauds catagory as well.

Mooney is already there. I don't think we need a separate thread for his wife.

Offline Cante

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Re: George Bertelstein & Medicine Path NAC
« Reply #9 on: January 23, 2007, 10:01:48 pm »
Pilamaya aloh for moving this.

I do still have some questions about Barrett Eagle Bear though. Does anyone know anything about her (see my questions in my previous post)?

btw - I also passed the information I have on all these people to Alfred Bone Shirt of the DLN Coalition. Mr. Mooney claims to be adopted by the Sicangu Lakota Oyate and that is where he also claims to have gotten his N.A.C. Fireplace and become a Roadman.

Offline Barnaby_McEwan

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Re: George Bertelstein & Medicine Path NAC
« Reply #10 on: January 23, 2007, 11:13:30 pm »
Pilamaya aloh for moving this.

You're welcome!

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Mr. Mooney claims to be adopted by the Sicangu Lakota Oyate and that is where he also claims to have gotten his N.A.C. Fireplace and become a Roadman.

I wish he'd make his mind up! He used to be "Iroquois" and then later was descended from a Seminole band.

Offline Cante

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Re: George Bertelstein & Medicine Path NAC
« Reply #11 on: January 24, 2007, 01:38:02 am »
He still claims to be Seminole. But he says that he was adopted by the Sicangu and that is also where he became a Roadman.

Offline educatedindian

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Re: George Bertelstein & Medicine Path NAC
« Reply #12 on: April 19, 2013, 08:39:39 pm »
Got a report that Bertelstein's fraud group is coming to Canada, being hosted by fellow fraud Erick Gonzalez.

Bertelstein is described in another link here.
http://www.newagefraud.org/smf/index.php?topic=253.msg30136#msg30136

His website selling ceremony is Medicinepath.org, falsely claiming to be NAC just like Mooney does.
They have a form you have to fill out before they sell you ceremony. You actually have to agree that you won't sue, even if you die. Seriously, and they make you state you agree, twice.

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http://www.medicinepath.org/ceremony-participation-forms/
Ceremony Participation Forms
All participants in Medicine Path, N.A.C. Ceremonies are required to submit a Ceremony Participation & Medical Release / Information Form before participating in a ceremony....

Ceremony Participant Registration
By submitting this form I acknowledge that I am an authorized Ceremony Participant of Medicine Path Native American Church. As an authorized Ceremony Participant, I agree to participate in Native American Church ceremonies under the following terms and conditions:
1. I agree to participate in Medicine Path Native American Church ceremonies of my own free will, choosing and volition. I have been informed of the nature of these ceremonies and do state affirmatively that I have in no way been coerced or manipulated in any manner by any representative of Medicine Path, N.A.C.
2.I agree not to leave any Medicine Path Ceremony before the completion of the Ceremony. I understand that if I choose to leave any Medicine Path, N.A.C. Ceremony before its completion, I do so at my own risk.
3.I confirm that I have no medical, emotional, psychological condition that would put me at risk in participating in Medicine Path Ceremonies.
4.I have read, do understand, and have completed the “Medical Information / Release Form”.
Type your name below indicating that you have read and agree to the terms & conditions above.*

0 of 30 max characters
MEDICAL INFORMATION / RELEASE:
We ask for this information so we could know in advance of special medical conditions you may have, rather than learning about them during the ceremonies... The form will be retained along with your liability waiver for a period of time following the meetings, after which it will be destroyed....
Medical History....
Release:
In consideration of being allowed to participate in this event, I hereby RELEASE, WAIVE, DISCHARGE AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE the event’s leader, organizers and participants from any and all liability, claims, demands, or course of action whatsoever arising out of or related to any loss, damage, or injury, including death, that may be sustained by me, or to any property belonging to me whether caused by the negligence of release, or otherwise, while participating in this event, or while in, on or upon the premises where the event is being conducted. To the best of my knowledge, I am in good physical condition and I am not aware of any physical and/or psychological infirmity, which would place me at risk to participate in any way with the ceremony activities. I am fully aware of the risks and hazards connected with this event. I VOLUNTARILY ASSUME FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY RISK OF LOSS, PROPERTY DAMAGE OR PERSONAL INJURY, INCLUDING DEATH, that may be sustained by me, or any loss or damage to property owned by me as a result of being engaged in the event's activities whether caused by the negligence of release, or otherwise. In submitting this release, I acknowledge and represent that I have read and understand it and submit it voluntarily.

Epiphany

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Re: George Bertelstein & Medicine Path NAC
« Reply #13 on: April 20, 2013, 05:49:17 pm »
Quote
Then he said, “Let me show you a trick.  Get down on your knees.”  He had me kneel on the ground and place my hands behind my head.  Then he put a cup of medicine in my hands and told me to carry it over my head without spilling a drop – a simple, total gesture.  “The only way you can do that is to be a human being.  Breathe.  Be a human being.” I followed, crying, breathing, praying with every aspect of my being to release, to let go of the tyrant of my own perfectionist.

Bertelstein did this to a woman who was already displaying stress and turmoil. Ideally the tyrant she let go of would have been Bertelstein.

Quote
As one who has given everything, we trust him.  We take his lead.  We follow.  And, we, too, show up to serve the circle.  As elder, he defines the space, sets the boundaries, shares the teachings, opens the heart.  His stewardship is clear, unwavering, intensely loving and immensely disciplined, yet it arises though a deeply feminine surrender to his own prayer.

http://samanthasweetwater.wordpress.com/2011/10/30/let-the-circle-lead/
« Last Edit: April 20, 2013, 05:51:43 pm by Epiphany »

Epiphany

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Re: George Bertelstein & Medicine Path NAC
« Reply #14 on: April 20, 2013, 06:31:23 pm »
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xp0OzxzkkuI

Interview with Bertelstein. When asked he agreed that his first "teacher" was Barrett Eagle Bear.

He speaks about his sister, that helps verify some of his past family history, no sign of him being anything other than a white guy who is a fraud.

His use of the phrase "in a good way" over and over again is just plain wrong.

He also does a several versions of this:

Quote
I asked her, “How do I get one of those?”

She asked, “What would you want one for?”

This in his story of first seeing a sacred pipe, but he also uses a version of the story about his first time out of a sweat lodge.

Starting at about 5:50 he displays more of an arrogant style and does state "we're not a cult".