The indigenous way
The people closest to me know that I’m a voracious learner—constantly reading, listening, observing, and studying—both formally and informally. Inspired by my rich cultural heritage, for the last 25 years or so I’ve been drawn to learning about diverse spiritual traditions of Africa, the Americas, and Asia. There’s an abundance of healing wisdom in these ancient cultures that, fortunately, modern-day Western-based healers are beginning to connect with and integrate into their own practices.
For the past few months, I’ve been learning from indigenous-based healers of the Ifugao people in the Philippines. It’s been a divine journey of remembering and rebalancing that I’m so grateful to experience—shattering false pretenses and unveiling more holistic truths.
For example, through most of my youth, I was praised for being intellectually “smart” and shamed for being emotionally “too sensitive.” But indigenous wisdom shows me that honoring these two aspects as equals brings me back into equilibrium. And I’m reminded that the heart is just as valuable as the mind.
And how about you?
We are all indigenous to somewhere. How are you connecting to your own ancestral lineage?
Despite the many unique traditions around the globe, there are some basic commonalties that I’ve noticed to be pretty universal:
Honor nature: Honor the elements. Honor the land of your ancestors. Honor the land that you dwell on. This can simply mean acknowledging the plants, wildlife, and original human inhabitants of the land. See this Native Land interactive map to find your local indigenous nations.
Honor your connection to nature: Take only what you need. Taking more than what’s necessary is a symptom of a modern-day lack mindset. But Mother Nature doesn’t withhold her abundance—she always provides. Honor this sacred relationship and tread lightly.
Honor yourself: Honor your needs to nest and rest. Allow yourself to take up space as an integral member of the community. Regardless of the circumstances of your physical birth—you’re here on purpose.
You are here on purpose.
Simply being yourself is a gift to the universe.
And so in this moment, allow yourself to just be.