~Yacu Yura~

Hola amigos! It has been one full week since i arrived at Yacu Yura, my new home, and there is much to report. First, I am alive and well, sane and sound. The 12 hour bus ride from Buenos Aires was relatively quick and comfortable, as the seats recline to nearly supine for easy sleeping. My traveling partner Susan and I arrived in Capilla del Monte, a small town 2 hours north of Cordoba, and promptly took a remis (taxi) out to Yacu Yura. The ride in helped me to understand just how rural and rustic life here is.

After being dropped off at the entrance to the community, we walked up the stone marked path, through some dense areas of foliage, and ran into James and Gabby (the bearded man on the left and the woman), who are the long-term caretakers of Yacu Yura.

Welcome!

From this first moment, they have been an incredible presence, striking well the balance of giving hands-on support and allowing hands-off freedom. In this way I have been healthfully integrating, finding my own rhythm while attuning to the natural rhythms of this land.

Speaking of this land, striking beauty surrounds me, for which I find myself daily thankful. In some ways, the landscape reminds me of Escondido, California, my childhood home. Yet the trees, birds, bugs, sounds and smells are certainly unique. The climate is arid, and the land has been in recent times overgrazed and generally ill-treated, but through the efforts of the Yacu Yura community, the land is gradually revitalizing. I am happy to be a part of this process of revivification, as I find myself also revivifying.

My diet here is gradually and naturally moving more and more towards a raw/living one. We pick greens and herbs everyday from the gardens, and make salads for lunch kicked up with raisins, carrots, beets, and cashews, and dressed with olive oil and lemon juice. The mornings are marked by fruits and mate, while the evenings are much the same, sans mate.

Our 'official' work here comprises the hours from sun-up to around 1 pm. We maintain the gardens, weeding and watering. We take care of the compost piles, tend the young fruit trees, harveset crops, build irrigation ditches, and generally beautify the landscape. We usually stop around 12:30 to prepare some of the fresh food dishes for lunch.

Susan sorting and drying peppercorns

Tending to the hens

Spiritual work is a large and integrated aspect of life here, from silent meditations before sunrise to heart sharings at dusk. Similar to Sirius and Findhorn communities, as well as many of the spiritual leaders of our age, Yacu Yura is committed to universal spiritual principles, honoring the best in all traditions. On any given morning, we may share an Indian buddhist chant, or an Arabic incantation, or a Tibetan buddhist invocation, or a Hopi dance, or a Sufi song, or a Taoist laughing circle, etc. This, to me, is an indication of true spiritual health and balance.

Our Sacred Circle Space

Universal Spirituality

The Igloo, meditation hall

Capilla del Monte is one of the larger towns close to Yacu Yura. This past Thursday, the winter solistice, we went for the first time into Capilla to participate in a solstice ceremony. The ceremony itself took place within an open air cement circle about 50 feet across, filled with many people. Several of these people, including James and Gabby, brought Tibetan crystal singing bowls which were used to invoke and express the spiritual intentions of the humans there gathered. The intentions were five: harmony, acceptance, unity, happiness, and compassion; and like the universal practices mentioned above, these five were extended to all forms of life everywhere, beyond condition. I wish i could share with you the pure and resonating sound of the many crystal bowls harmonizing together.

A small meditation pyramid

After this inspiring ceremony, our small group went into Capilla proper for some shopping and general sight-seeing (for the edification of Susan and myself more than anything). I bought a beautiful alpaca sweater, some health food products, a mate gourd, and some ice-cream (not quite raw food i know). This was certainly fun, but I was happy to return to our quiet home after this long day.

The main drag of Capilla

Assorted crafts in Capilla

'Gordy'

Susan and I are staying in one of the dorm-esque buildings, a very beautiful structure that receives strong sun throughout the day, overlooking one of the young orchards that my work is focusing on.

An irrigation ditch for the growing orchard

A young citrus

Each day it feels more and more as a home to me. Each day I find more purpose in my work and presence here.

Well, the day is now waning, and I am off to rest. I will be back with more as time continues. Love to you all, love truly from me to you.

Here to end are some more recent pictures.

The 'drunk tree'--true oddity

Bugs and cats and flowers, oh my!

Oh great water god...

...bestow on us lifegiving water

The tower of power that brings me to you

Precious, precious hot water

LightLifeLove
Eka