Two Wolves: Unveiling the Ancient Parable

By Deborah

The Parable of the Two Wolves: A Spiritual Journey and Native American Wisdom

two black and white wolfs facing each other with their eyes glowing yellow in the background
two black and white wolfs facing each other with their eyes glowing yellow in the background

Told by Cherokee Elder, Kevin Tata, this ancient parable has echoed through generations, captivating hearts and sparking profound introspection. The tale of two wolves offers a profound insight into our inner struggles and the power of perspective. Let's delve into this Native American wisdom.

an image of a wolf with red eyes in the dark and poem written on it
an image of a wolf with red eyes in the dark and poem written on it

The Two Wolves: A Spiritual Dilemma

Two Wolves, according to the parable, embody our contrasting human nature. One is characterized by peace, kindness, humility, love, and wisdom. The other represents greed, envy, fear, frustration, and despair.

January 2025 | Jared Dees
January 2025 | Jared Dees

These two wolves represent the duel nature inside every human being. They struggle, each seeking to dominate the other. The question is, which wolf will win?

The Internal Struggle: The Wolves within

a wolf standing in the snow with two words on it's front cover and back side
a wolf standing in the snow with two words on it's front cover and back side

The competition within us is not physical, but psychological. It reflects our daily battles- between self-control and indulgence, courage and fear, love and hate.

Understanding this dynamic helps us grasp the significance of our moods, our decisions, and our personal growth. It offers a lens to assess our spiritual health and encourages us to nurture our peaceful nature.

Fueling the Wolves: Actions and Thoughts

Two Wolves At War
Two Wolves At War

The wolves within us can be nourished and strengthened by our actions and thoughts. Every kindness feeds the peace-loving wolf, every act of hatred, the aggressive one. The wolf that we feed is the one that grows stronger.

The parable isn't a condemnation of human nature. Rather, it's a call to recognize our inner battles and choose the wolf we want to nurture. Like a garden, we reap what we sow; the wolf we feed is the one that grows stronger.

The Power of Choice: Nurturing the Peaceful Wolf

The Two Wolves
The Two Wolves

Understanding which wolf wins is not a mystery. It's a product of our choices. Every action, every thought, every decision is an opportunity to feed one wolf or the other.

We can choose to feed the wolf of serenity, love, and joy by nurturing these emotions and engaging in actions that reflect them. Alternatively, feeding the wolf of despair and hatred is equally within our power.

the story of two wolfs is written in black and white with an orange background
the story of two wolfs is written in black and white with an orange background
“The Parable of Two Wolves,” author unknown
“The Parable of Two Wolves,” author unknown
two wolfs sitting next to each other in the snow with an interesting poem below
two wolfs sitting next to each other in the snow with an interesting poem below
two wolfs in the dark with a poem written on it's front and back
two wolfs in the dark with a poem written on it's front and back
I know this is probably a cliche by now …
I know this is probably a cliche by now …
a poster with the words inside each of us are two wolfs and one is god
a poster with the words inside each of us are two wolfs and one is god
The tale of two wolves
The tale of two wolves
The Real Story of the Two Wolves – A Life Lesson Uncovered
The Real Story of the Two Wolves – A Life Lesson Uncovered
three wolfs are walking in the same direction with one looking at the camera while the other looks on
three wolfs are walking in the same direction with one looking at the camera while the other looks on
About the Parable - The One You Feed
About the Parable - The One You Feed
the wolf and the lamb are standing in front of a river, with trees on either side
the wolf and the lamb are standing in front of a river, with trees on either side
Light and Shadow: Two Souls, One Path
Light and Shadow: Two Souls, One Path
Warm Fuzzy Message | Worksheet | Education.com
Warm Fuzzy Message | Worksheet | Education.com
The Tale of Two Wolves
The Tale of Two Wolves
The Tale of Two Wolves Art Print (Gallery Wrap)
The Tale of Two Wolves Art Print (Gallery Wrap)
an old man told his grandson, my son, there is a battle between two wolverines inside us all
an old man told his grandson, my son, there is a battle between two wolverines inside us all
two black and white wolf standing next to each other in the woods with leaves on the ground
two black and white wolf standing next to each other in the woods with leaves on the ground
two black and white wolfs with their mouths open showing teeth, one has green eyes
two black and white wolfs with their mouths open showing teeth, one has green eyes
the tale of two wolfs written on parchment paper
the tale of two wolfs written on parchment paper

Mindfulness: A Key to Nurturing the Peaceful Wolf

Mindfulness, or being fully awake and alive in the present moment, is a crucial tool in nourishing the peaceful wolf. It helps us recognize our thoughts and actions and choose to feed the wolf we want to encourage.

Through mindful awareness, we can identify negative thought patterns and ask oneself, "Is this thought from the peaceful wolf, or the aggressive one?" This cognitive awareness gives us the power to choose which wolf to feed.

Practices for Nurturing the Peaceful Wolf

Various spiritual practices and therapies can help us feed the peaceful wolf. Meditation, yoga, journaling, Therapy and those seem to ring a bell the most. They offer a space to observe thoughts, cultivate acceptance, and practice self-control.

Acts of kindness, gratitude, and forgiveness also feed the peaceful wolf. Every time we choose to respond with compassion instead of anger, or express thanks instead of complaint, we nourish our peaceful selves.

In conclusion, the Parable of the Two Wolves serves as a potent reminder of the power of choice in our spiritual journey. It's a call to mindfulness, a nudge towards introspection, and an encouragement to nourish the wolf within us that embodies love, wisdom, and peace. After all, the wolf we feed is the one that wins, and it's our choice which one that is."

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