My name is Larry Evans and I live in the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas area. I may not be Native American but I have great love and respect for them and their traditions. This teaching was given to me by Dave Mohawk, a fellow flute maker.

I have always followed the ancient ways of the Celtics and the Tibetan Buddhists so I have adopted the Native American flute ritual to my own combined beliefs. I have always studied many spiritual teachings and believe it is important to take what works for me and leave what doesn’t. I have found that the flute itself is one of those that I have kept because it is such strong medicine. I have used it during my meditations to guide me.

If I’m taking a live tree, log or branch from the forest, I first go to the oldest tree (the grandparents or parents of the grouping - they may be spread apart) and silently ask if there is any I can take. Then I listen closely in my mind. It will be a straight 'yes' or 'no' answer. If it is 'no' then I simply thank the tree and put a little tobacco at it's based as a gift and move to the next grouping to ask the same question. If it is 'yes', then I thank the matriarch and ask which part I can take. And again, I listen closely. You will get an answer and be directed to what you are to have-without thought. (I was told perhaps there is part of a tree, or a branch or another tree that is weak or overcrowding and the Parent tree will tell you) I thank the Parent again and put the gift of tobacco at its base. When I have found what I came for, I again put a little tobacco down and say a prayer of thanks and tell to the tree what I am going to do with it and how happy it will make me and the people I play it for or those who are also lucky enough to share it's gift. I also thank the Creator for giving us all plant life and for bring this tree and myself together.