Dreaming of Madre Selva

1.

It’s been 5 years since I entered the Amazonian jungle with my dear teachers @shamanyaacov Yaacov and Susannah Darling Khan and with amazing people who will become my friends. I had a plan to go back this year. Life had other plans obviously. Still, I feel I can visit it even from where I am.
The journey into the jungle is a life changing experience. It resets our whole being in a way I did not know was possible. It is one of those experiences you do not forget, but keep on dreaming with the jungle, with the Forest life, with the Heart of the World for as long as you live and breathe. It is one of those experiences you wish everybody has and wish to share it with the world around you.

2.

Entering the jungle is nothing like you planned. Just the opposite, it teaches you that you are not in control what so ever. I remember the beautiful long wait for the rain to stop so we could get on our planes to fly in. And you wait. And you wait. And you wait. And it can be for hours. And you dance. And you start listening to the Nature, getting in tune, relaxing in the waiting, but also in alertness to get going as soon as that window open. You turn on your instincts and start to rely on your body intelligence more than ever before. And then they say it’s time. And you go. And you run. And you get on the plan. And you just hope that all of you will manage to get in their planes and take off. And you pray that all of you will land safely. And suddenly you’re up in the skies leaving the cement roads far far behind you. And wherever you look from that plane it is green green green with rivers becoming the most incredible roads and guides through the scenery. And then you finally land. You set foot on the ground that is muddy and dusty at the same time, you inhale that humid air with the sense of freshness of the soul. It takes a while to realise where you are. You see it, but you cannot grasp it fully. And you start to surrender, to the meeting, to the Nature, to the beautiful welcome of the tribe, to your friends, teachers, your amazing guides… and you start to surrender to the guidance of the Great Spirit and the Majesty of Life.

3.

Being a (young)woman in the jungle is for sure much different than what we experience in the West. The strenght that those women have, the endurance, mutual care, grounded presence, wisdom and songs…
This young Achuar beauty was taking care of her 2 sisters and brother while their mother was with us sharing their songs. Achuar women, among with many other, are the same women who went out of the jungle marching for indigenous rights and preservation of the Forest. Breathtaking, the Life in this one is just breathtaking. Would love to see the woman she grew into.

4.

Sumpa. That is the name of this extraordinary, extraordinary powerful, extraordinary kind Achuar Shaman.
We came to their village just a short while after his wife passed away. They were together longer than I have been then (and am now) walking this Earth.

Indigenous tribes that I’ve met bury their family underneath or close to their homes because they believe that their spirits stay close by as long as their loved ones are alive…
Being with Sumpa in this time of his life was incredibly touching. He welcomed us with his heart, his heart, with his family, his people and their traditions.

To receive a healing from this man and through his heart is a gift I have been carrying since and have been blessed by it on my every step. As If I have received a rainbow into my soul that I am always carrying with me.
The joys of this world have been so much brighter for me after meeting him. I am am forever grateful for the love and wisdom I’ve received.
Deep deep love and appreciation dear Sumpa, sending love to you and the Forest.

5.

Cristina Serrano aka Cookie – best guide you could ever wish for when entering the jungle, amazing woman and amazing friend. This woman’s heart calling is to bridge the worlds between what we know, letting that be with us, but entering the jungle respectfully and open towards humility and trust into the wisdom of la selva, of the indigenous tribes, their ways, traditions, memories, connections and knowledge. Her home is the Forest. If all of us would have even the tiny bit of how much she cares for the Amazon, for the people there, for the children… our world would be a much much better place.Hope you are well dear amiga, hope to see you soon!P.s.this photo was taken after the swim – beautiful, loud, joyous exciting swim in the lake. Gosh, i wonder how many kids these days are missing out on that magic

6.

Community. Quite a difficult word for our society. Even though we are pioneers in the development of Self, learning slowly to bring more presence and consciousness within our personal circle, we have forgotten the wisdom of ineterconnection.In the jungle you remember that connection with everything and everyone around you. You remember what it’s like to be a part of the much greater intelligence. You remember how sharing, being with and working with makes us fulfilled in the parts where we are often empty.Family, friends, colleagues, brothers and sisters walking the path together.l, that is something that we need and need to learn. That we cannot and should not do this thing called Life on our own.Feeling blessed love to all my relations on this magical spring Tuesday. Thank you for sharing your journey with me. And the photo.. this is a photo of communal space of one prt of the Achuar tribe. Space for community sharings of dreams, rituals, songs, meals, joys and sorrows.