My experience with the indigenous tribe from Colombia the Aruacos who are part of the Collective Teyuna was one of the most powerful of my life. We traveled the South Pacific of Costa Rica from the March 4th-12th. I was blessed to spend the entire journey with them because my husband, was one of the main coordinators. I really had no idea what I was in for. I packed enough clothes for two days and five days later I found myself in the middle of our journey. We met with tribes indigenous to Costa Rica and offered pagamentos or offerings with specific intentions to designated areas. This was the first time that the Teyuna and many of these tribes had met. It was so important to for these tribes to come together because it was a potent reminder that they are not alone as guardians of their land.
The Teyuna think of themselves as the guardians of the World. They are on a mission to bring order back to the planet. This order they speak of isn't conforming to a strict dogma written by man. It is one of simplicity, ancient knowledge, written by nature. Something that the modern world has gotten further, and further away from since colonialism, the industrial age, and the era of capitalism. We have gotten so wrapped up in the matrix. We work so we can afford our cars, houses, toys, vacations, etc. But what happens to the living part of life? Who takes care of our bodies; physically, emotionally, spiritually, energetically? Who takes care of our children; teaching them by example and experiences? Who takes care of the land that we live on? As we ponder these questions and come to honest answers more often than not there is a feeling of abandonment.
The deep ache in the human psyche is something swept under our conscious awareness but it is deeply ingrained into societies who have distanced themselves from living in union with nature. It explains much of the mental ailments that so much of our population suffers from. Understanding this ache can also give rise to compassion for all because we all feel this pain on a collective level even if its subconsciously.
For those of us who have awoken or accepted our reality it is also an opportunity to be tactful and teachers to those who are still living in the illusion of materialism. Instead of judging them for mindless consumption we can ask questions, we can tell them how we understand why they feel the need to act in this way. We can relate to others by speaking of this collective void we all feel. Once we have built a bridge to others whom live differently then ourselves we can begin share what are practices have made us remember our wholeness. But imposing our ideas, separating ourselves from people who live their lives differently is trying to solve a problem from the same kind of energy which the problem was created, disconnection.
The time I spent with Teyuna and other indigenous tribes gave me the chance to create some space around my unconscious patterns that perpetuate this deep ache. I was taken out of my convenient life in the States. I tell myself, "my life is so easy, I have everything I want."
But why do I want a life that is so easy? How much of what I consume is something I truly "want" and how much is what I've been "programmed" to want? What value can we gain by living an existence that isn't "easy" but that has its challenges that encourage growth and innovation. Being with those who live in a more simplistic lifestyle you see how little you really need to have a purpose and fulfillment. Not to say that you have to live in a hut without electricity or running water. We can have the things that serve a purpose which allow us to be the most productive and vibrant people in accordance with nature. We just have to get curious and seek out those who are living the reality that we aspire too.
We have lost the value of creating a loving and respectful relationship with ourselves. Instead we look to others and society to tell us we are enough, worthy, and capable. This builds a foundation of disorder because all of our relationships are built off of being validated by something outside of ourselves. This encourages egocentric behavior that pollutes all aspects of our lives. We create our own chaos and always turn to someone else to blame.
So how does one live a life of order? I believe the Coronavirus is an opportunity for us to re-order and transform the disorder in our lives. The fact that there is some much pandemonium over this Virus in itself speaks volumes. Yes people are sick, yes people are dying. But we live in a world where there is more any enough resources to feed everyone yet 9 million people die each year from hunger. That's almost 25,000 people a day!! (click for reference) Why isn't this on mainstream news everyday? How could something so substantial be so overlooked. As of today, March 21st 13,000 people have died, and there are 304,493 cases globally confirmed. (click for reference) The reason why there is so much fear around this is because we feel the immediacy of it happening to us. Why don't we care about the millions of people who die from preventive ailments everyday? Because of disorder and disconnection.
The media has blown this virus into a machine of fear. Why are we so easily swayed into a state of chaos and scarcity? Because the people who are in power know that our power relies on us rebuilding a healthy relationship with ourselves, our communities, and the land. We are now all called back from the places we've traveled to our places origin. Then, instead of coming together we are being separated for preventive measures. Yes these measures will help lower your chances of contracting the virus. But we must use this time of separation very carefully. We are dancing on a fine line of scarcity, fear, and isolation. All of these create more disease, more disorder. This is a time to reflect on how, what, whom and why you expend and consume energy? What are the implications? What are the wastes? What could you release? What is a priority? How are you making those things a priority each day?
What do we need to survive? Clean water, air, food, land, shelter, community.
To the indigenous land is the most sacred. It is not a commodity, a resource, or something that we have to protect or heal. The land is our mother she is one to be honored and respected. The Mamo explained that putting a sign do not liter is out of order. The fact that we need to put signs up stating the obvious illustrates the sickness of humanity. We are out of order and so is the planet.
We must now take the time to bring our attention back home, and by home I mean our bodies. When was the last time you said, "I love you to yourself?" The last time you massaged your feet? The last time you held yourself and fell into your own embrace. Whatever the answer there is no judgement, just an awareness. Now right, right now is the time to rebuild a relationship to yourself like you never have before. Our borders, schools, grocery stores, restaurants, churches, community centers are closing. So we have to create these centers of nourishment within ourselves. We have to communicate to each other more than ever before on how we can utilize our skills and resources so no one is left behind`, no one, no land, no body is abandoned. We already have everything we need to thrive but we can only do this together listening and following the natural order.
