“When one person truly lives, everyone else lives too.” – Clarissa Pinkola Estés
Ancestral wisdoms dedicate moments to honor their ancestors, respecting and revering those who preceded them.
Native peoples, deeply connected to elemental and human Nature, believe that life does not end with death, it continues to exist despite the cycles of birth and death of the physical body, in different dimensions.
“African people believe that those who went before made us what we are.” Angeles Arrien
The belief in the transience of life keeps us in the present moment, it is the invitation to appreciate and contemplate every second of coexistence, strengthening bonds, openness to forgiveness and love, in human relationships.
“I live, but I cannot live forever, only Mother Earth and Father Sun live forever…” Song of the Kiowa Natives
Remembering scenes, stories, parties, qualities, talents or teachings of the ancestors help to keep access to the memory and wise presence of grandparents, great-grandparents, great-grandparents. It strengthens and nourishes our roots, biography and identity.
I have strong memories of my paternal grandmother, with whom I had the most relationships.
In 2019, a family constellator friend presented me with a constellation. It was one of the most incredible experiences I've ever had, I could feel the energetic and deep connection with my grandmother Ana Cândida. I understood the beauty of everything she taught... without teaching... she showed through her attitudes and example what respect, donation, detachment, care, love and deep understanding of the human essence were. A woman who was born in 1900... and made her way to other dimensions at age 103.
I could understand the choices I made and make, the impetus to question and at the same time a sharp intuitive sensitivity, love, spirituality, curiosities about life, the universe, the stars always pulsating in my heart and the desire for freedom to be and express myself from my feelings and experiences.
I also feel the more conscious presence of the grandparents I couldn't live with, because they died when I was very young.
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I believe that the greatest legacy that families can leave to new generations is the coexistence and relationship with grandparents, whether by blood or by heart.
By honoring our ancestors, opening the door to recognizing the harmful qualities and patterns we don't want to perpetuate, we can break a cycle that repeats itself from generation to generation.
I often use the following metaphor, a personal experience.
“We bring a 'backpack' of ancestral patterns, inside it there are several stones, of different shapes, colors and sizes. Until maturity we carry all the stones in this backpack, and sometimes it gets very heavy. We repeat patterns of behavior without understanding why. Then we feel tired, a desire to change arises. Ready! It's time to open the backpack, look at the stones, they are all beautiful and precious, but you have to choose only the ones that make sense. It's time to give thanks and let go of the 'weights', choose to follow the journey itself by writing an original script, choose which gemstones I want to take and which I want to leave with my ancestors, making room to find other gems, perhaps lighter and more useful. ”
Perhaps this is why some native and ancestral peoples believe that life begins at 50 or 60 years old. With the expectation and quality of life increasing, it will be incredible to live another 40 or 50 years with joviality, joy, producing and entrepreneurship.
It is an admirable reality to be an attuned grandmother and grandfather, dialoguing with grandchildren, great-grandchildren, teaching and learning. Who wins? All, without a doubt!
I leave a suggestion for meditation, inner silence strengthens our ancestral and personal wisdom, it can be an effective balm.
Sit in a comfortable position, loosen your shoulders, relax your neck, face muscles. Let your mind focus on your breath, inhale and exhale several times, gently and deeply. The more you surrender to your breath, the deeper you go inside. You begin to feel comfort, security, arriving at a pleasant place… inside you. In this place, you are welcomed by an old woman and an elder, how do they welcome you? What are the gestures, speeches, feelings? You talk to them, open your heart, deliver what you want… Stay in the meeting for a few more minutes, thank them, inhale and exhale deeply, go back to the present moment. Notice if you feel like writing, recording an audio or drawing, as a way of recording the experience.
Be grateful... Be happy... Be your best version!
Loving embrace
