a question Hey,
I've been researching ayahuasca and huachuma and landed on your interesting article. I was interested to read about your re-wiring and hacking of the program, but didn't find anything.
When I read your first comment, " I have come to know that everything is perfection..." I almost stopped reading because I wondered if ayahuasca or huachuma makes people think that everything is great or perfect so nothing changes because there's no need for perfection to be other than what it is. But I don't see it as perfection and that's one of the reasons I decided not to take ayahuasca - I don't want to take something that makes me comply in a way that would spiral life into more of this. Relativism isn't my thing.
But then I read further down your comments that you didn't approve of what is happening, something that I can agree with completely, so now I'm sort of confused as to the perfection part. I view this as a virus and I can see it as a black dot, which when accepted becomes extremely addictive involving survival instincts believed to be ''normal'' and a billion beliefs and concepts to support it to keep going.
I am very unsure about ayahuasca now and wonder if you have any insights that may help if you'd care to share I'd be grateful. If not, all the best to you.
Perspectives Hi - and thank you for your question about ayahuasca and it's effects on awareness and perception. This medicine is a tool, not unlike other tools, that can be used for various reasons. One, of many, is gaining a lived/ known experience of the truth beyond the 5 sense reality we live in. Seeing and experiencing life from that perspective, which is a very expansive and limitless perspective, is very freeing, and has the ability to dissolve past fears, addictions, and past traumas. It is always left up to the individual as to how this new insight is going to be used - if at all. But being thrust into ONEness with all that is, is not always an easy experience - and the ego/identity is a very fear-based fragile construct - hence your possible fear/apprehension for taking the dive into the deepest part of your being...which could result in the loss of your illusory identity. If we believe what our 5-sense reality has taught us, then we are attached to a series of beliefs that are very limiting. On the subject of "Perfection": A deep inward journey ( from Aya, or another tool) can lead to the knowing that all is well in the bigger picture. The fears, pain, and suffering of humanity, are largely due to our disconnection from our true nature, and our connection to all that is. When I saw that time does not exist, that my fears were all based on former limited beliefs; that fear was ultimately an illusion, and that we are all connected as ONE, that knowledge has the capacity to make substantial shifts in one's life and it did in mine. With this knowledge, we can become more self-empowered and make choices from that newfound perspective. It is up to each individual... I choose the path of questioning, seeking to know, and expansion. When there is fear present, I ask why? Seek freedom from mental slavery. We are not the mind. We are not the thoughts. We are not the body. Find the truth for yourself. The truth isn't hiding in repetitive thought patterns - it is beyond the thinking mind. If we keep trying to discover the truth by thinking it out logically, it will escape us forever. The earth is a great teacher. Where is the struggle, the fear, the disease? Isn't it a perfect system as a whole? it would be especially easy to see if you take mankind out of the picture. Good luck on your journey! - Joel
Is it possible to communicate ? Dear Joel
Your history inspires us. Congratulations on all you have achieved!
I am traveling with my boyfriend Antoine. We are traveling to Peru as well we started the trip hitchhiking in Argentina and chile so that we would arrive to Peru speaking Spanish. The aim of this long travel is to find answers. So reading about your experience it seems to us that contacting you could be enriching. We have a contact in San Francisco where we planned to begin travel in Peru but haven't had any anwers for a while. The plan now is to go to San Francisco try to find the family and meet them. We don't know if we will but trying never hurts. Our question is : is it possible to meet people there without the relationship being too polluted by the misunderstanding between tourists and local people. From my experience in other countries it is possible with patience and time. But we have never been to Peru and we don't know anything only that we want to learn about original cultures and they it is hard to do so because we are white and still know very little and understand very little.
If you feel like it send us send me an e mail we would love to talk to you.
Best of luck and many blessings
Camille
the TRUTH the spirit world i too have experienced it. energy never dissipates the universe has no limits or boundaries.
have more to say than i can post
stay true
Dinner My father (we are from Chicago) just arrived in Peru a couple of hours ago and is on his way into the jungle (2 day boat ride) to minister to about 500 people there. He just received a message that they have been out hunting in honor of his arrival and will be serving "majas". He was told it was like a big chipmunk. I grew up on the mission field with my family - I've eaten some strange stuff, but my dad - who continues to travel and minister for the past 30 years - has eaten even stranger food. But I think this tops it. He's as gracious as ever though, and will accept the meal they provide with warmth and gratitude...and possibly armed with a bottle of ketchup. I found this picture and sent it to him, telling him to "enjoy your dinner, dad!" (we all hear it's rather good though! Maybe it's just the thought of eating the "huge amazon rat" that has my stomach turning a bit...)
Wow That was an amazing entry... very deep, yet so simple. I think the difficult part is finding a way to implement what the ideals are with all the other life events that pulls us in different directions.
Thanks for sharing your amazing story.
Awesome Pictures Hey Joel! It's your cousin Katy...remember me?? :) You're pictures are awesome! (except for the giant spider!!) i sent your blog to my friend brian...he served his mission in peru and said he spent time in a lot of the same places...
well it looks like you're doing well...keep taking care of yourself and keep us updated! love you!
Komm gut nach Hause! Hi Joel,
Thanks for sharing your journey and feelings during your experience in Peru. Take good care getting home and I look forward to seeing you and sharing bread. Give a call soon and hugs...susan
de tiempo amigo Greetings Joel,
wonderful to see your photos and read your words. I have been working and learning here in the states and I will finally be able to return in June. My plans are not yet finalized, but I am looking into setting up a mini-farm using the the techniques described by John Jeavons at www.growbiointensive.org. I am looking for a few hectares to plant a 2000 sq/m farm. Are any of your neighbors selling?? How much was your plot per hectare?
I hope to begin a five year project that aspires to achieve a closed loop agricultural system. 370 sq/m should be enough room to grow enough calories for one person for 365 days. We shall see...there is so much potential.
I couldn't find your email so you may respond to me at brbest@gmail.com
take care.
b
we are all amazed by your rat. way cool. they found all kinds of creatures under the building this summer when they were putting in the new steel girders and the stabilizers.
any plans to return? got a call from a woman in TN who knew you ten years ago and wanted me to put you in contact with her.
don't have her info here.
are you painting? Anything to ship to us?
mari
What a journey! Here it is almost a year and you're still in Peru! I know that whatever you do and wherever you go, you will be alright. Such rich experiences and enlightenment in your life since you've been there! We all miss you and hope soon we will be together again. Peace and love be with you always.
Love, Mom
Thank you... Thank you for let us know that you are safe and still love painting.
I beleive it is time for you to return home, after all these adventures you must be exhausted !
I am thinking of you.
Sweet thoughts from France
I loved to read your Blog Some excellent writing! I think u hit the nail with what u write about the western influence - and its a shame, that there is almost no hope that the expanding system can be stopped, its too late for so many other cultures that are eaten up.... Lets hope that they are clever enough to see behind the fasade of all these new convenient gadgets and use them in a wise way... I am also wondering about the ayahuasca experiences. As it sounds, it must have helped u a lot to see clearer. I am curious about trying it myself - just heading down to leticia in colombia tomorrow...
Regards
Daniel
Good work Well I must comend you Joel on a Adventure well done you proved alot mabye to your self but to me as well. Good Job joel-you did it. We will have alot to discuss.
Peace
Color of your soul The soul is dyed the color of its thoughts. Think only on those things that are in line with your principles and can bear the full light of day.
The content of our characteris our choice. Day by day, what you choose, what you think, and what you do is who you become. Your integrity is your destiny. It is the light that guides your way!
Interesting I've really appreciated your comments and observations that you've been sending us about all of your experiences in Peru. A lot of what you are learning are things that I, too, discovered while living in jungles in Samoa. Our spirits ARE eternal, as are our personalities and our knowledge. Much of western civilization lives sheltered and ignorant to the wealth of knowledge that is available to us in this life. However, these things can not be learned at the mall, or at the movie theaters. They are to be learned in nature, surrounded by only the things that are REALLY important - God's creations- nature, family, friends.
We should always think for ourselves. In fact, most of what you are learning are deeper teachings of the Church, including the teaching that we are children of a supreme Creator, who has endowed us with the potential to also become Gods. I want to send you a book called The Other Side of Heaven. It's about a man's experiences while living in Tonga half a century ago. Let me know how i can get that to you, an address of some sort...
Take care of yourself (i know you are) and keep in touch.
Love,
Michael
hi sweetie coming home soon i hope. we miss you and you seem to be in need of some hugs and some time to create your art. i had not realized the experience with the artist you planned to meet was so difficult - but then had he not been there - would you have gone to peru? Had you not gone to Peru - you would not have built your house, found your dogs, and met the sweet honest people in rural and village Peru.
Isn't there sweet, gentle way a wonder when you think of road rage and the "gimme generation" that is everywhere in the states.
we just lost a sweet steward of the universe - phylis knutson here and i am working with her light body. she is one of the 6 i most respect in this life.
Being One Wisdom is knowing you are one with everything.
Love is what that feels like.
Compassion is how that is expressed.
Good to here from you Joel.......KNowyou.
Life Sounds Good For You Your starting to confuse me my friend but I read your blog and try
to understand where you are coming from. Your eyes are so nice - those I will never forget and your sense of humor remains intact I believe. Merry Christmas to you. I will be in Idaho with my brother
Al and family. Quiet and relaxing. The only thing he asked that I do
is make a pineapple upside down cake and a huge shrimp salad. That I can do gladly. Keep up the blogs please. Any more thoughts on returning to the states for awhile? Hella and I want to have dinner with you!!! Bye for now
Hola! Hola Joel!
Me alegra que estes bien y que ya estes bien acomodado en tu nuevo hogar. Que imprecionante ver que tan linda quedo tu casa y tu propiedad!
No te preocupes si algunos piensan que estas "predicando" tus creencias...es importante que las compartas con los demas para que sepan que es lo que estas aprendiendo y econtrando sobre la vida. Es dificil para una persona que nunca ha salido de este pais entender como es la vida en un tercer mundo pero a la vez es importante que lo sepan. Vivimos en este pais contentos porque no queremos ver como viven y sufren los demas. No queremos creer que hay alguna otra manera de vivir mas de la que estamos viviendo en este instante. Estamos tan involucrados en nosotros mismos y las cosas materiales que tenemos que estamos perdiendo nuestro espiritualidad, lo que nos hace seres humanos.
No dejes que la incomodidad de otros prevengan que compartas tus experiencias y lo que estas aprendiendo.
Cuidate Joel.
Gayle
p.s. Recientemente conoci a un amigo tuyo y de Bartolo de San Benito High, Enrique Moreno. Estaba preguntando por ti. Le conte de lo que estas haciendo en Peru y me pidio que le diera tu correo electronico. La proxima vez que lo vea se lo doy. El esta viviendo al sur de Sacramento super cerca de Elk Grove.
ON TRACK Joel I understand everything you are talking about it is hard not to preach when you know the truth. This reation is expected evry one is still evolving if they seek it it will come. Spread the light Brother for there are many seekers! Also I know how you feel. I think of you every day your worth of knowlege is worth its knowing hang in there Brother you know the truth!
I am 28 years old and still don't feel like I have found my true path in life, so I have sold everything I own and will be heading to the Peruvian Amazon on April 20th 2006. Once in Lima I will find my way to the Amazon city of Pucallpa, most likely by bus, then meet up with a man by the mane of Pablo Amaringo who started an art school in the Amazon. I want to experience life in the Amazon and learn more about myself, and what better way than to jump off into the unknown.....
... full info
Dawn
non-member comment
a question
Hey, I've been researching ayahuasca and huachuma and landed on your interesting article. I was interested to read about your re-wiring and hacking of the program, but didn't find anything. When I read your first comment, " I have come to know that everything is perfection..." I almost stopped reading because I wondered if ayahuasca or huachuma makes people think that everything is great or perfect so nothing changes because there's no need for perfection to be other than what it is. But I don't see it as perfection and that's one of the reasons I decided not to take ayahuasca - I don't want to take something that makes me comply in a way that would spiral life into more of this. Relativism isn't my thing. But then I read further down your comments that you didn't approve of what is happening, something that I can agree with completely, so now I'm sort of confused as to the perfection part. I view this as a virus and I can see it as a black dot, which when accepted becomes extremely addictive involving survival instincts believed to be ''normal'' and a billion beliefs and concepts to support it to keep going. I am very unsure about ayahuasca now and wonder if you have any insights that may help if you'd care to share I'd be grateful. If not, all the best to you.