There is only a day and a night
Written in Jan 2021
2021 has been off to a wild start! Although the world is still dealing with the challenges of COVID and the US is adjusting to life with a new team in the White House, I have been living a very different reality.
On December 6th, I came down to Ecuador with the intention of connecting with my friend and spiritual leader, Manari Ushigua, and to get to know the spirit of the Amazon Rainforest.
I spent the first 10 days in the forest completely offline and with an open heart to connect with all of the life that exists in the jungle. There were many moments where I felt like I was on another planet but then remembered that I was walking on the very same Earth I’ve lived my whole life.
For the last several weeks, rather than focusing on the many challenges that we face in the world, I’ve been immersed in how to integrate the different realities I am experiencing:
the jungle & the outside world
the spirit world & the material world
living in the present & planning ahead for the future
On New Years Eve, the president of the Llanchamacocha community, Atataweka, pulled me to the side before the celebratory festivities began to share an important and simple message. He told me that although we were going to have a celebratory day as a community, the Sapara and many indigenous peoples don’t pay much attention to January 1st.
IN THE SAPARA COSMOVISION, THERE IS NO WEEK, NO MONTH, NO YEAR. THERE IS ONLY A DAY AND A NIGHT.
Months ago when I helped launch the Dream World program with Manari, he shared with the group that it’s only in the outside world that people love to plan weeks, months, and years ahead. In the jungle, when people wake up, they are preparing for just that day.
The Sapara pay close attention to their dreams as a way to understand and prepare for the day ahead. When the day is over and they go to sleep, they’ll receive the information they need for the following day.
It’s so simple but this system of living has worked successfully for thousands of years.
Photos from the Sapara Territory in the Ecuadorian Amazon
In the jungle, having a 6-month or 5-year plan doesn’t have a place. The most important thing is being present for the day and then being present for the next day. The spirit of time feels completely different.
While in the jungle, living this way feels so natural, but as I’ve transitioned back to the outside world (I’m currently in Quito), it’s so easy to get caught up in future planning (and often future worrying).
MY NEW MANTRA HAS BEEN “THERE IS JUST A DAY AND A NIGHT.”
Saying this simple phrase to myself or asking the question “If all that exists is this day/night, what would I like to do?” has supported me so much to drop excessive thoughts of the future and rest into the reality which is the present.
As we close out January 2021 and continue walking the path of this very unknown time of humanity, I am embracing this practice of the jungle and living life as just a day and a night and invite you to give it a try.
Sending my love,
Jess