The Great Spirit (Wakan Tanka)

Wakan Tanka, often translated as The Great Spirit, is a central spiritual concept in many Native American traditions, particularly among the Lakota. It signifies a supreme, all-encompassing divine presence that embodies the interconnectedness of all life—humans, animals, nature, and the universe. Wakan Tanka is not a single deity but a sacred force or energy that pervades and sustains everything. Respect, harmony, and balance with Wakan Tanka are essential values, guiding spiritual practices and daily life. It emphasizes reverence for nature and the understanding that all beings are interconnected parts of a unified spiritual reality.