How and why do you live with diverse viewpoints?
I was raised in Latino, African, and Indigenous traditions. My DNA reflects this fact. I am more than one thing. I also have a passion for cultural heritage preservation. Few know, I am a retired senior executive who spent 40 years advocating for mindful nature and cultural heritage preservation in the National Park Service. I participated and supported Congressional research studies that provided the justification for what becomes important American heritage. I also served two Presidential commissions to protect Latino and African American heritage. In early 2000, I was engaged in review of a Congressional project to review the Gullah/Geechee Peoples and Culture to establish Te Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor. Tis area is now a National Heritage Area established by the U.S. Congress to recognize the unique culture of the Gullah Geechee people who have traditionally resided in the coastal areas and the sea islands of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. It was one of the most mind-blowing experiences of my life. You see. my mom died when I was twelve and soon aſter I went to live with my dad. I missed my mom tremendously, and on a work trip
I stumbled upon this area of the country that was singing and dancing as I had seen my mom as a child. My mom adored her Yoruba traditions passed down through centuries of oral history. I was shamed to think this was something I needed to reject. At that moment, I was healed and liberated from suffering in ways that words cannot describe. Soon aſter the US Supreme provided the okay for me to practice what is wise for me. Tis is a mix of many traditions that nourish my well-being. Yoruba religious beliefs are part
of complex songs, histories, stories, and other cultural concepts which make up the Yoruba history and society world-wide. Te origins of these beliefs and traditions date back to the 8th century CE, where Ile- Ife, was established as the spiritual capital of a formidable Yorubaland empire. Many worshippers and non-worshipper of the religion alike believe in the existence of a Supreme Being, spirits, ancestral worship, the practice of energy management, divination, and natural medicine. As a way of worship, the religion has survived several internal and external challenges to remain significant. In November 2005, UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) proclaimed Ifá, the formal divination system of Yoruba, as one of the 86 traditions
of the world to be regarded as Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. UNESCO then encouraged all nations and peoples of the world to give their unflinching support to these traditions so that they would not perish. Today, it is estimated that 75
million individuals worldwide practice some form of traditional Yoruba traditions. Those practicing some form of indigenous traditions is infinitely higher. One of my Mindfulness and Meditation coaches, Dr. Ruth King, is an Insight Meditation Teacher, Life Coach, and Author of Healing Rage: Women Making Inner Peace Possible and Mindful of Race: Transforming Racism from the Inside provides a framework to building internal resilience and liberation from mindsets that harm. She asserts that Mindfulness serves to aid in ending
Soul in Mindfulness: Asian, Indigenous, Latino & African Practices for Navigating Daily Life Meditation • Music
One Love Sangha: Sundays at 8p
Poetry • Reflection Inspired by the acknowledgement that our collective healing and progress are strengthened by the support of community, Redwing Collective formed to offer free mindfulness learning to nourish and support communities in bridging the mental health equity gap.
Introduction to Mindfulness: Thursdays, Sept 8 - 29, 2022 • 8-9p Cultivating the Loving Heart:
Thursdays, October 6 - 27, 2022 • 8-9:30p 20
For Mindfulness workshops at your organization, email
redwingsoars@gmail.com. Central Florida
www.NACFL.com
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