Eagles and Condors - Heartland
(Page 2 of 2)
November / December 2006
Nina Utne Utne Reader
On one particularly memorable day, we hiked for five hours in
the jungle, through mud, across slippery logs, and up a stream in
knee-high rubber boots. We had spent the previous day and night
warmly welcomed in the village of Sharamentsa, and were on our way
to Wayusentsa to meet with a shaman and participate in a sacred
ceremony.
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There was one man in our group of 20 who had severe back pain. A
young Achuar man, seamlessly and gracefully, began to assist him on
the difficult hike. I was moved by the Achuar man's acute awareness
and anticipation, his steadiness and ease, and his unobtrusive
elegance and respect.
Those qualities seemed universal in the indigenous leaders we
encountered. Before we went into the rainforest, we had a briefing
with several of them, who are currently engaged in a political
struggle with oil interests to protect their lands. Most of them
are young and were brought up traditionally, trained as tribal
leaders, and, thanks to the work of the Pachamama Alliance, now
have the tools to be ambassadors to the outside world. They are
passionate about the dangers and opportunities of their situation,
eloquent when they articulate how the interests of the North and
the South are inextricably entwined.
The Achuar people have urged the Pachamama to help 'change the
dream of the North,' since transforming our appetites and desires
is ultimately the only solution. Political and economic strategies
are important tools, but just as essential is a change of
heart.
I personally experienced that change of heart as my sense of
separation and difference dissolved. I came back home deeply
connected to the people I shared this pilgrimage with and
profoundly grateful to those who opened their way of life to us. I
know more fully that the life force pulsing through all of us and
animating every bug, leaf, and animal has no boundaries.
For more information on the work of the Pachamama Alliance
and the trips it sponsors, check out
www.pachamama.org.
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