Joseph Rael Sr. promotes newest book
Southern Ute tribal elder and author, Joseph Rael Sr. is not slowing down. At 80-years-old he’s still accomplishing goals many of us will only dream of accomplishing. Rael has written numerous books with his newest, “Being & Vibration: Entering the New World” on sale now at Maria’s Bookshop in Durango, Colo. You can catch Rael talking about his book next Thursday, Nov. 19 at 6:30 p.m. at Maria’s Bookshop.
In his new book, Rael expands on a previous book, “Being & Vibration.”
“I wanted to emphasize what I had said in [Being & Vibration], therefore I kept the same title.”
“Being & Vibration” has received much praise from numerous readers.
“Outstanding as a volume which brings American Indian philosophy and wisdom into today’s world,” Awareness Magazine said about the book.
Rael said the reader doesn’t need to read the previous books in order to enjoy his newest release.
“Its very easy, I use simple words and lots of examples on being and vibration,” Rael said. “My books promote being in touch with the creator and being in touch with the Sun.”
He was born on the Southern Ute Indian Reservation, but as a little boy went to live with the Picuris Pueblo in North Central New Mexico, where his father was from. Spending much of his childhood there, he learned to speak the Tiwa language and learned and lived the culture and traditions of the Picuris people. After moving back to the Southern Ute Indian Reservation, Rael began practicing his Southern Ute traditions by Sun Dancing and Bear Dancing.
Rael recalls when he started having visions and from that point on he began writing them down until he wrote his first book, which was published overseas in England.
“I had trouble finding publisher in the United States to publish my first book. They thought I was lying or making up my visions,” Rael said. “The English people took it, but not before they came and visited me here on the Southern Ute Reservation … and understood that I was Native American and that I was made up of the culture.”
Though Rael suffered from learning difficulties early in his life, due to a head injury he suffered as a boy, he has gone on to accomplish great things. In addition to the success of his books and artwork, Rael received a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of New Mexico and a Master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin.
“I grew up in a political world and traditional world of prayer,” he said.
To hear more about his life and how it influences what he writes the public is invited to join Rael at his book reading next week.
Following is an excerpt from chapter three of “Being & Vibration: Entering the New World”.
“When one grows up in the ancient teaching everything is metaphor and everything is a resonating energy at the Great Spirit, then all life is sacred.”