Dreaming a New Way into Being
One of my greatest desires is to remember that we belong. We belong to this earth. We belong to our families. We belong to our lineages. We belong to each other. So many of us have forgotten this. Some of us feel the powerful ache in our hearts, a longing to return to harmony, balance, and knowing that we matter, that our gifts we came here to share are recognized and will be received by the community. The container for this receptivity has been shattered. We stand in the fallout not knowing where we belong, how we belong, if we belong.
Gloria and Manari Ushigua of the Sápara people in Ecuador
Last night, I participated in a ceremony led by Sápara leader Manari Ushigua. The intention of the ceremony was to quell fear of the changes that are happening with the Earth, to heal, and to remember to find joy in each day. Manari and his community have long been defenders of the rainforest in Ecuador defending their territory against oil companies and big league financiers. Fifteen years ago, I met Manari’s sister Gloria in a gathering at the United Nations where indigenous leaders from around the world gathered to share the state of their territories with members of the United Nations. For three months after that Gloria remains in the United States staying at my friend’s house. During this time, she worked with me painting houses while sharing her incredible wisdom with me and transmitting her powerful healing to me. This time was a blessing in my life. It was then seeds were planted in my consciousness that are bearing an exquisite fruit now. It was through a beautiful series of synchronicities these past few weeks that I was reunited with Manari and the current work of the Sápara community.
They have stated an education initiative to teach Sápara children how to become bridges between their culture and the world through maintaining a solid education of their lineage as forest protectors while teaching science, math, and other modern technologies. The initiative is a way to share the wisdom of their people with the masses in hope of making change for future generations on Earth.
I had many inspiring conversations after the ceremony. One was with Rafaela Vargas from Brasil. She works alongside a foundation called the Boa foundation which does land conservation in Brasil, cultural preservation for indigenous peoples, funds community projects with sustainable technologies, and builds bridges between indigenous peoples and westernized communities around the globe. {To learn more about the Boa foundation see link below.}
The indigenous ways of perceiving the world is essential wisdom for us living in westernize societies. Within them lies an opportunity to awaken the resonance of belonging that resides dormant in each of us. It is a huge mistake for us to not listen or receive indigenous wisdom keepers who are willing to come forth and share a different and much needed perspective. It is an even bigger mistake to continue to let indigenous peoples be destroyed and their wisdom be silenced
This is a time of big change. It can be scary because there is so much unknown. It may be tempting to grasp onto what seems like a more idyllic, balanced way of living such as those of indigenous peoples. I do not believe this is the way. It is time for us to dream up new dreams for the places and the people that are our smaller communities to begin to heal, remember, and reconnect in a way that becomes native for us. Indigenous guidance can be a powerful ally as we turn our attention and intention toward remembering. It is from this place of solidarity we can then come together with our unique voices and wisdom to co-create a new vision for humanity.
Are you ready to smash the perceived notion of isolation and work together to create a space of belonging once again - one that is not co-opted but birthed from our own deep inner listening, guidance, and wisdom?
Do you,
Dare to desire?
Kristen
For more information about Manari and the Boa foundation initiatives check out the links below.
Manari Ushigua - www. manariushigua.com (the initiative declaration is at the bottom of his home page)
Boa foundation - www.theboafoundation.org