The Arhuaco believe that the land communicates with them. During their time of waiting and asking they receive answers for questions like when they should plant or if they should allow visitors. They are quite slow to make decisions which implies that the process of listening is taken quite seriously and patiently. They used the example of a cell phone and satellite to explain how it works. Their sacred spots have good signals, Miguel explained. At first read I know it can feel like a stretch for our western minds to imagine but I’m reminded of how my small plants communicate with me. Today we noticed the basil looking quite yellow. Are they getting too much water? Are they not getting enough water? Are they lacking nutrients? Upon further thought and research we came to find that they prefer warmer nights similar to tomatoes. The plants physically change to alert us as to what they need. I am even more bewildered at the idea that at some point in time humans received information and learned how to cultivate the land. Was it intuition? It must have come from close watching and listening probably similar to the Arhauco process.
I sometimes take for granted such magical principles because I've had them handed down from the generations before. Water + sun + nutrient rich soil = tasty veggies.
When I choose to slow my life down and submerge myself in nature something happens. It’s hard to explain but I know others are out there experiencing the same sense of peace. It makes me wonder what more I could hear and how I might feel if I listened closer and more often.
See what @kelseytimmerman wrote. #travelphotography