Holy Wind

Embedded in Diné (Navajo) origin stories and worldview is the concept of an ordered universe, thanks to Níłch'I Diyin (Holy Wind). After the emergence onto the earth's surface, the Wind People placed the Holy Wind into all living things as a source of life, movement, speech, and behavior. Because the Holy Wind resides in all that lives, the Diné are reminded daily of their unity with the natural world. The simple act of breathing allows the sacred breath of Holy People to enter humans and direct good actions and thoughts. The intimate relationship between speech and breath makes speaking a sacred act.