I've had so many experiences since my last entry that I'm not really sure where to begin with this blog entry.
Some details will show up in my newspaper column, but I think the blog will be more of a chance to share my own thoughts about what I am experiencing.
My time on the Pachamama rain-forest journey was so special. What made it special?
Well, first of all the travelers I went with were an amazing group of people. Several from the US, two from Holland, two people from Argentina, one from England.
Typically I tend to avoid organized travel, but this group made the whole experience special and one that I will never forget.
The journey organized by the Pachamama Alliance did a masterful job of providing opportunities to meet and be engaged with some of the indigenous cultures in Ecuador.
I am still trying to integrate my experiences within myself, to grasp the depth of how I was touched by these shared experiences.
Going to sleep at night in the middle of pristine rain-forest is like jumping into a pool of life that pierces to the very essence of whom you are. The diversity and abundance of life there is staggering. An energetic buzz of life that feels familiar to the soul.
What I discovered were several groups of people, living the way they have always lived, and very happy about that fact. People not ignorant to the ways of the west, but not willing to buy into the dream of what it takes to be happy.
Lots of bugs, birds, animals and a rich green forest so diverse that one could spend several lifetimes in a small location and never stop discovering something new. I wonder if we actually realize how rich this ecosystem is, we don’t have anything to compare it to in the states. It would be helpful if we had a point of reference, something to allow us to appreciate how precious the rain-forest truly is. This opens up another question, how can we create a sustainable way of living? I do know it is not a disposable world, we’ve only got one, and there aren’t more on the shelf in the supermarket. Serious questions are beginning to be asked that no one really knows the answers too yet, like what are the long-term effects of all the chemicals we are pouring into ecosystems?
It takes resources to answer these questions, and those who have the majority of the resources have a stake in keeping things the way they are. They also want us to fall into a state of resignation and denial, so they don’t have to be held accountable for the decisions they make. But, the good news is, all people are not falling into this trance, people are asking good questions, demanding justice and taking action to express their concerns. The companies have underestimated the power of the people. And this gives us hope.
The ordinary people living their lives in the rain-forest are depending upon us to be engaged in life, to be involved in the system of choices and decisions.
As I wrestle with thoughts like these, my mind and heart floats back to the village of Ti’inkias, in the heart of the Amazon rain-forest, where I taught a group of school kids the hokey poky. The smiles on their faces are images burned into my heart, the giggles and laughter still ring in my ears. Undeniable is the fact that my choices on how to live life affect them, not in a heavy way, but in an empowering way.
(Photo by Tom McKnight)
Showing Achuar children photos of Nebraska.
There will always be work to do, always opportunities for us to grow and learn. It’s what we do with what we know that will ultimately makes the world a better place to live.
Where ever this finds you, I hope it finds you with a sense of peace in your heart.
Cheers,
Dean
I've had so many experiences since my last entry that I'm not really sure where to begin with this blog entry.
Some details will show up in my newspaper column, but I think the blog will be more of a chance to share my own thoughts about what I am experiencing.
My time on the Pachamama rainforest journey was so special. What made it special?
Well, first of all the travelers I went with were an amazing group of people. Several from the US, two from Holland, two people from Argentina, one from England.
Typically I tend to avoid organized travel, but this group made the whole experience special and one that I will never forget.
The journey organized by the Pachamama Alliance did a masterful job of providing opportunities to meet and be engaged with some of the indigenous cultures in Ecuador.
I am still trying to integrate my experiences within myself, to grasp the depth of how I was touched by these shared experiences.
Going to sleep at night in the middle of pristine rainforest is like jumping into a pool of life that pierces to the very essence of whom you are. The diversity and abundance of life there is staggering. An energetic buzz of life that feels familiar to the soul.
What I discovered were several groups of people, living the way they have always lived, and very happy about that fact. People not ignorant to the ways of the west, but not willing to buy into the dream of what it takes to be happy.
Lots of bugs, birds, animals and a rich green forest so diverse that one could spend several lifetimes in a small location and never stop discovering something new. I wonder if we actually realize how rich this ecosystem is, we don’t have anything to compare it to in the states. It would be helpful if we had a point of reference, something to allow us to appreciate how precious the rainforest truly is. This opens up another question, how can we create a sustainable way of living? I do know it is not a disposable world, we’ve only got one, and there aren’t more on the shelf in the supermarket. Serious questions are beginning to be asked that no one really knows the answers too yet, like what are the long-term effects of all the chemicals we are pouring into ecosystems?
It takes resources to answer these questions, and those who have the majority of the resources have a stake in keeping things the way they are. They also want us to fall into a state of resignation and denial, so they don’t have to be held accountable for the decisions they make. But, the good news is, all people are not falling into this trance, people are asking good questions, demanding justice and taking action to express their concerns. The companies have underestimated the power of the people. And this gives us hope.
The ordinary people living their lives in the rainforest are depending upon us to be engaged in life, to be involved in the system of choices and decisions.
As I wrestle with thoughts like these, my mind and heart floats back to the village of Ti’inkias, in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, where I taught a group of school kids the hokey poky. The smiles on their faces are images burned into my heart, the giggles and laughter still ring in my ears. Undeniable is the fact that my choices on how to live life affect them, not in a heavy way, but in an empowering way.
Showing the Achuar children photos from Nebraska.
There will always be work to do, always opportunities for us to grow and learn. It’s what we do with what we know that will ultimately makes the world a better place to live.
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Dear Mr. Jacobs,
My name is Steven. I'm a second grader. I live in Colorado. We are learning about the Amazon Basin. Monkey frogs walk like a monkey. When are you going to start on the Amazon river? How hot is it there? Thank you for going to the Amazon!
Your friend,
Somebody... actually my name is Steven
Posted by: steven | November 30, 2011 at 06:12 PM