RojoNegro (Maria Sosa & Noé Martinez)

We are living with the decisions made by our ancestors. At some point in history, humanity began thinking they were better than the rest of the world. I would say universe, but they had no knowledge of the universe. Our consciousness and our ability to reason, I presume, made this possible. The separation began. We learned that we were able to control aspects of nature. Agriculture flourished. Architecture developed. Art, literature, and science followed. The improvement to the living conditions of humanity was extraordinary. At first slowly, then faster and faster. For some time, humanity at least remained tied to the land and the seasons. There was a clear understanding of the relationship to nature. Civilizations developed. Trades and professions that had no relationship to nature also developed. Slowly, without noticing, humans began cutting ties with nature, always thinking they were superior and that they deserved control. Cities grew. Riches were accumulated. For the first time in history, individuals accumulated more than they needed - something animals did not do, something they did not learn from nature. There is something in human nature, or in certain individuals, that makes them reach for more possessions, more wealth, more power.

At this point in history most of us in this world find ourselves completely disconnected with nature. Every year, fewer and fewer people farm their own food. More and more people no longer know where food comes from. Yet there is always hope. There are still many that wish to break this cycle. It is not necessary to deny ourselves humanities achievements. We can find a way to live in this world and still respect nature. Know our place in nature.

Awakening. Awareness. This begins with admitting that humanity is a part of nature. Nature is not under the dominion of man. Every single part of this universe has its place. No one thing or organism is more important than any other. It is more like a symphony of diverse and interrelated parts - that together form a beautiful song - but when one part loses its way all are affected. Temporarily. Nature will prevail. Nature will reorganize to find its equilibrium, with or without that negligent part. If necessary nature will write us off as a failed experiment of evolution.

The question is not whether we have to find our way back to nature or not. If we do not become enlightened beings, and seek to re-unite with the universe, we will not survive. We can continue to hurt the environment, but it will recover, with or without us.

Our ancestors knew this. Somehow we have forgotten. We can awaken. We can heal the separation. But we have to relearn how to listen - not to what we want, but to what nature is asking of us. And when we do, we will realize that our connection has always been there, waiting for us to return, always seeking balance. In the words of Jessica Berlanga Taylor, “There are intelligences that only awaken in the silence of the rite. In the awakening, the illusion of separation dissolves,” discover this and you will again be able to see that “Everything breathes in unison.”