Native Infusion
Exploring how respectful interactions between cultures can engender fresh perspectives.
By Sandra Cosentino
March, 2010

Since childhood red cliffs etched against deep blue sky in wide open spaces have compelled me to return again and again. Illumined in clear bright light by day and by stars at night circling overhead. Here I sense greater potentialities. During the 1980's I began exploring prehistoric puebloan ruins and rock art sensing a presence of the ancients still alive there somehow. Then I began meeting more and more of the Native people living a heritage drawn from centuries or millenia of experience in these lands which deepened my sense of place even more.

Quietly observing, getting to know people, and sharing circles, my life became infused with fresh energies, new perspectives. The land which I have always loved became more alive to me. I will never forget a Hopi leader who spoke at the dedication of an ancestor ruin site here south of Sedona over 15 years ago that had been saved from destruction by purchase by the Archaeology Conservancy. "This is your heritage too," he stated with deep sincerity including us in the circle of his world. I took that in on a deep level.

When you love nature, spend time with her, I know from experience you also absorb the vibrational essences of rock, sun, and evolution both geological and human. On an innate level you experience a wholeness of life. In my cultural upbringing in Phoenix, Arizona, I had no concept of these things taught to me. But something always has called me out to the land to experience life directly.

Again and again I also sense a calling to create circles of sharing betweeen Native peoples of this region and people from all over the world. Fresh perspectives, new energies open up in this exchange when we come with open heart, respect and no expectations. Below are some explorations of what engenders this infusion of energy.

Wide open dramatic landscapes of the Colorado Plateau have a potent resonance. Scene from Monument Valley in Navajoland.

Dawn ceremony with Havasupai people who live in the canyon. For me these are timeless, deeply inspiring gatherings that connect us to circles ancient and modern.   Hopis roasting sweet corn which will then be dried and stored for use all fall and winter. More than just food preservation, these ancient practices always involve gathering of family, bonding and blessings.   A night experience with young Navajo rodeo cowboys . Oh, the fond memories of sharing around the campfire!

Some insights shared by two of my Sedona circle-- "Open spaces and surreal shapes of the landscapes create a feeling of expansion and lift. When you go there, you engage with people who live and breathe that on a daily basis. The land is a metaphor or what happens inside of you. A fresh winds comes in. It allows me to cool my jets in a way that I can get in touch with my core awareness. Even though our modern world invades their world and they incorporate it and deal with it, they are still driven by their own values that often have nothing to do with our world. Part of me gets fed by this resonance. Native peoples have intimate relationship with the cycles of the year. This activates that part of me and allows me to look differently. I think part of that renewal is having my focus drawn out of my own familiar references for a few hours; days. Fish don't know they're in water, and our mindsets, and constellations of feeling patterns can seem to be 'just the way it is'--and habitual, and sometimes boring or uninspiring. Being in close proximity to other mindsets and feeling patterns can give me a vacation from myself and my habits--to return to freedom of individuation in our world and put some of their ways to use in my world--inner and outer. There is an opportunity to reinterpret my relationship to my own life." Tavie J. --- "Native peoples of the Plateau region live in a very different way than I do. Looking at how they integrate the modern into their world is confusing at times--seems to be a world of opposites. It is the closest we in the greater westernized parts of the US can get to being in the third world. It jars my psyche, shifts me into a very different way. I see my world in a different context of possibilities. The effects last for a day or even several days. I feel like I have been in an altered place. Then when home, I can feel the difference and it heightens my senses, shifts perceptions. There is an expanded reality of time. People new to Native lands often are shocked or offended when they see litter. Our world appears to be clean and sterile because waste is put in places out of sight. While they live with it in their surroundings and deal with the realities that are happening right now. " Deb W. ------ Some reflections that emerged from our discussion: I have observed that visitors new to Native lands often come with unrealistic expectations that tribes live in a pure world untouched by TV and the litter of modern packaging. That there are tribal medicine people that can magically heal and transform them. Perhaps this portrays a a longing for pureness and spirit connection missing in our own world. Once you get past stereotypes and just relax with what is, visitors to Native worlds often sense a devotional energy that is deeply inspiring. That here people live with spiritual context in daily life. They walk in our modern world and their ancient one trying to balance dualities. When in Native world you slip into a sense of timelessness. We who come from a culture of extreme individuation, have the freedom to choose our life direction and focus. But we can feel disconnected from people and earth. Native people give us a tangible feeling of connectedness and community that touches a deep chord within us. They speak more from a feeling place with more openness than we are used to our fast-paced, frequently superficial style of talking to each other in today's urban worlds. Contrast gives us the opportunity to look at what works for us and what does not. In this dual experience, something gets fed. We can more clearly appreciate our own environment and give energy to that which nurtures us. Joyful circles of sharing to me is the essence. Learning from and appreciating each other. Beyond any rational understanding, I just love to go and hang out. It is always a time out of time experience where the urgencies of modern life just fade out and something deep inside gets nourished.

Backcountry in Navajoland:

Visiting a friend with a new hogan going up.

Being welcomed to a ceremonial circle.

 

Pow Wows -- intertribal way to experience elements of Native culture I enjoyed these comments on what you can take in even by going and spending time at a pow wow (which are held at many locations across the US and Canada). Pow wow dances orginated with Plains Indians tribes, but pow wow intertribal gatherings today are widely participated in by many of the tribes of North America. "One thing is obvious at every powwow, they are truly community functions. The tribal elders are always held is high esteem as are the warriors. The children are cherished. Family, tribe and friendship are extolled. The ceremonies are treated with reverence but all is pervaded with a good dose of humor. Everyone is welcomed in a spirit of peace and friendship." (Mike Leco, http://www.usatourist.com/english/inside/indians2.html)

comments from a recent participant in a cultural seminar/journey: "Having had the privilege to be a part of Sandra's Crossing Journeys, we truly were given a chance to interact with Native American Indians which was only made possible by Sandra's long-term friendship with them.  Having been invited into their homes, tasted their food, and been given the opportunity to glimpse at their culture, heritage, struggles and incredible faith, has changed our lives forever. I was blown away that we were still in the USA sitting on top of the Hopi Mesas.  The spiritual dedication of the Zunis, the creative, passionate ways of the Navajos and the open-hearted hospitality of the Hopis will stay in our hearts forever. " Juliette Guidara (with her husband Frank below)

remote site at Hopi

Experiences related to this theme you might want to consider: Ancient Cultures Experiential Retreat: Hopi, Navajo, Zuni, Chaco Canyon archaeological site, Gallup historical trading post behind the scenes, Canyon de Chelly--cook out, special circles, personalized, authentic. Spring, July and Fall. 1 - 3 day experience of Hopi and Navajo culture Or on your next trip to Sedona, create a night time program.

posted March 24, 2010

Articles Index for more articles on: --Colorado Plateau, Sedona, Pilgrimage, Mystical Nature... --Healing, Wellness... --Hopi, Navajo and other Native American

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