The Real Story of The Two Wolves

Teachings Of The Ancients

24 Nov 201603:34

Summary

TLDRThe video script explores the Native American tale of the two wolves, contrasting the widely circulated internet version with the original Cherokee story. The modern narrative suggests feeding the 'good wolf' to overcome the 'evil wolf', but the authentic version emphasizes the importance of nurturing both wolves. The 'black wolf', symbolizing negative traits, is acknowledged for its strengths like tenacity and strategic thinking, while the 'white wolf' represents virtues like compassion and strength. The script teaches that internal balance is achieved by feeding both wolves, leading to peace and the ability to make wise choices, highlighting the Cherokee philosophy of harmony and the interconnectedness of life.

Takeaways

📜 The story of the two wolves is a Native American narrative, but the version widely circulated on the internet is not the original.
👴 The tale is usually told by an old Cherokee to his grandson, symbolizing the internal struggle of good versus evil within each person.
🐺 The 'two wolves' represent opposing forces: one embodies negative traits like anger and greed, while the other represents positive traits like love and hope.
🧠 The grandson is taught that this internal struggle is present in everyone, not just within the old man.
🔍 The modern internet version often ends with the idea of feeding only the 'good wolf', but the original story has a different conclusion.
🌱 In the original story, feeding only one wolf leads to the other becoming stronger and more aggressive when not attended to.
🤝 The old Cherokee explains that acknowledging and feeding both wolves is essential for balance and harmony within oneself.
💪 The 'black wolf' has positive qualities too, such as tenacity and strategic thinking, which are necessary at times.
🙌 The 'white wolf' possesses compassion and the ability to discern what is best for the collective good.
🔄 Feeding both wolves ensures they serve the individual well and contribute to a greater purpose in life.
🕊️ The message concludes with the idea that peace is the ultimate goal, and it is achieved by managing the internal forces rather than suppressing them.

Q & A

What is the central theme of the 'Two Wolves' story as presented in the transcript?
-The central theme of the 'Two Wolves' story is the internal struggle between good and evil within every individual, and the importance of acknowledging and balancing both aspects to achieve peace and harmony in life.
What are the characteristics of the 'evil wolf' mentioned in the story?
-The 'evil wolf' represents negative qualities such as anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.
What are the characteristics of the 'good wolf' according to the story?
-The 'good wolf' embodies positive qualities like joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.
How does the modern internet version of the story differ from the original Native American version?
-The modern internet version simplifies the story by suggesting that one should feed only the good wolf, while the original story emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and feeding both wolves to maintain balance.
What is the message conveyed by the original ending of the story, where the old Cherokee says 'if you feed the right they both win'?
-The original ending suggests that both the good and evil aspects within a person have their roles and should be nurtured. Ignoring one aspect does not eliminate it but can lead to an uncontrolled struggle, whereas feeding and caring for both leads to a harmonious and balanced life.
What qualities does the 'black wolf' possess that the 'white wolf' lacks?
-The 'black wolf' possesses qualities such as tenacity, courage, fearlessness, strong will, and great strategic thinking, which are sometimes necessary but are not as prominent in the 'white wolf'.
How does the story suggest we should deal with the opposing forces within us?
-The story suggests that we should not ignore or starve one aspect of our nature in favor of the other, but rather guide and care for both, allowing them to serve us well and contribute to a greater purpose.
What does the 'white wolf' represent in terms of personal qualities?
-The 'white wolf' represents compassion, hearing strength, and the ability to recognize what is not in the best interest of all, which are essential for maintaining balance and making wise decisions.
What is the significance of the phrase 'a man or woman who has peace inside has everything'?
-This phrase emphasizes that inner peace, achieved by balancing the opposing forces within, is the ultimate state of being, from which a person can draw strength, wisdom, and fulfillment.
How does the story define the mission in life of a person who has achieved inner peace?
-The mission in life of a person with inner peace is to maintain that peace and to listen to the deeper knowing that guides them in choosing what is right in every circumstance.
What is the consequence of not feeding both wolves according to the story?
-The consequence of not feeding both wolves is an internal struggle for attention, as the neglected wolf will become uncontrollable and always fighting, leading to a life of turmoil and imbalance.

Outlines

00:00

🐺 The Tale of Two Wolves: A Cherokee Lesson

This paragraph narrates a modern adaptation of a Native American story, focusing on the internal struggle between two symbolic wolves representing good and evil. The story is told by an old Cherokee to his grandson, illustrating the constant battle within each person between emotions like anger, envy, and greed versus joy, peace, and love. The modern version concludes with the idea of feeding one wolf to overcome the other, which is a departure from the original Cherokee teaching.

🌿 The Original Cherokee Perspective on Inner Conflict

The original Cherokee story, as passed down through generations, offers a nuanced view of the internal struggle. It suggests that both the 'white' and 'black' wolves, representing both positive and negative qualities, must be acknowledged and cared for. The story emphasizes that by feeding and nurturing both wolves, one can harness the strengths of each, such as tenacity and compassion, to achieve balance and harmony. The narrative concludes with the wisdom that peace is the ultimate goal, and that by managing the opposing forces within, one can find guidance and make right choices in life.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Internal Struggle

Internal struggle refers to the conflict within oneself, often between opposing emotions, values, or desires. In the video's narrative, the internal struggle is symbolized by the two wolves, representing the good and evil within a person. The theme of the video revolves around understanding and managing this struggle, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging both aspects of one's nature to achieve balance and peace.

💡Evil Wolf

The 'Evil Wolf' in the script symbolizes negative emotions and traits such as anger, envy, sorrow, and greed. It represents the darker side of human nature. The story uses this concept to illustrate the constant battle within individuals between their baser instincts and their higher aspirations, highlighting the need to recognize and address these negative aspects without completely suppressing them.

💡Good Wolf

The 'Good Wolf' embodies positive qualities such as joy, peace, love, and faith. It is the aspect of a person that seeks harmony, kindness, and moral righteousness. The video emphasizes nurturing this side to foster a life of virtue and serenity, yet also suggests that the good wolf needs the qualities of the evil wolf to be effective, indicating the complexity of human nature.

💡Feeding the Wolves

The act of 'feeding the wolves' is a metaphor for giving attention or energy to certain aspects of one's character. The video suggests that by feeding both the good and evil aspects, one can achieve a balanced and powerful inner life. This concept is central to the video's message, which is about the importance of acknowledging and integrating all parts of oneself rather than rejecting one side.

💡Balance

Balance is a key concept in the video, representing the equilibrium between the opposing forces within a person. It is achieved by feeding both the good and evil wolves, ensuring that neither side becomes dominant to the point of causing internal conflict. The video uses the concept of balance to convey the idea that harmony in life is about managing these opposing forces rather than eliminating one.

💡Cherokee Wisdom

Cherokee Wisdom refers to the traditional teachings and philosophies of the Cherokee people, which are often passed down through stories and oral traditions. In the video, the wisdom is encapsulated in the story of the two wolves, which provides a profound lesson on human nature and the importance of maintaining inner peace through balance and self-awareness.

💡Tenacity

Tenacity is portrayed as one of the qualities of the 'Evil Wolf,' which, despite its negative connotations, is necessary at times. The video suggests that even negative traits can have a positive role when acknowledged and integrated into one's character, contributing to resilience and determination in the face of challenges.

💡Compassion

Compassion is a key attribute of the 'Good Wolf,' representing empathy and the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. The video positions compassion as essential for achieving inner peace and for making choices that consider the well-being of all, illustrating the importance of empathy in personal growth and societal harmony.

💡Peace

Peace, in the context of the video, is the ultimate goal of managing the internal struggle between the two wolves. It signifies a state of inner tranquility and harmony, which is achieved by acknowledging and feeding both aspects of one's nature. The video uses the concept of peace to emphasize the Cherokee mission in life, where internal peace is equated with having everything.

💡Deeper Knowing

Deeper Knowing refers to an intuitive understanding or wisdom that guides individuals in making the right choices. The video suggests that when there is no internal battle, one can listen to this deeper knowing, which helps in navigating life's circumstances with wisdom and integrity.

💡Strategic Thinking

Strategic Thinking is presented as a quality of the 'Evil Wolf,' indicating the ability to plan and foresee outcomes effectively. The video implies that even traits typically seen as negative can be harnessed for constructive purposes, contributing to one's overall effectiveness in life.

Highlights

The modern internet version of the two wolves story is not the original Native American version.

The original story has a fundamentally different ending and lesson.

The story is about an old Cherokee teaching his grandson about the internal struggle of life.

There are two wolves inside every person, one representing evil and the other good.

The evil wolf embodies negative traits like anger, envy, and ego.

The good wolf represents positive traits such as joy, peace, and faith.

The grandson asks which wolf will win in the internal struggle.

The modern internet story ends with feeding the good wolf, implying the evil one will starve.

The original Cherokee story has a different conclusion.

In the original story, feeding only the good wolf is not the solution.

Both wolves must be acknowledged and cared for to achieve harmony.

The black wolf has qualities like tenacity and strategic thinking that are necessary at times.

The white wolf lacks some of the black wolf's qualities but offers compassion and strength.

Feeding only one wolf would lead to the other becoming uncontrollable.

Both wolves need to be fed to serve the individual well.

Internal struggle ceases when both wolves are in balance, allowing for deeper wisdom to guide actions.

Peace is the ultimate goal, and it is achieved by balancing the two wolves within.

The story emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and guiding the opposing forces within oneself.

The original story of the two wolves teaches a lesson of balance and harmony, rather than suppression.