Last weekend, I had the pleasure of attending the Gathering for Humanity, a five-day event in Galisteo, New Mexico. It was a concert hosted by The Chi Center and led by the renowned Chinese Master Mingtong Gu. Little did I know that this experience would be a profound journey of healing, connection, and joy.
Master Mingtong is a master of Wisdom Healing Qigong, a form of healing that harnesses the energy of the life force within us. His teachings are deep and accessible, incorporating sound, meditation, breathing, movement, and embracing the joy of life. As I watched him on stage, I couldn’t help but admire his open heart, open mind, and lightness of being. He truly embodies the qualities of a healer that I resonate with.
At the Gathering for Humanity, Master Mingtong joined forces with Flordemayo, a spiritual healer and seer known as “grandmother” to the attendees. Flordemayo hails from Nicaragua and holds a profound vision for this gathering. She is a keeper and distributor of seeds for future generations, and her approach, known as The Path, embraces all spiritual traditions and honors the wisdom of indigenous people around the world.
Upon arriving, I was introduced to other grandmothers who were indigenous women and leaders of wisdom, prayer, and action. These grandmothers embody the highest values of love, wisdom, nurturing, teaching, and connection. They are a testament to the power of acknowledging and supporting one another, as well as honoring our Earth, the source of all life.
In the evening, the concert took place in a geodesic dome, providing a magical setting for the performances. The headliner was Joanne Shenandoah, a Grammy award-winning Native American songwriter, acoustic guitarist, and singer. She shared her personal journey of healing, having overcome a serious illness with the help of many. It was an honor for her to be a part of an event that aimed to help and heal others.
Another captivating performer was Madi Sato, whose traditional Japanese singing transported the audience to a world of balance and calm. Her ethereal voice seemed to infuse every soul with luminous energy and love.
But what struck me most about the Gathering for Humanity was the unique performances by Moetu Taiha and Eila Paul, two Maori grandmothers from New Zealand. They showcased a female version of the Maori haka, typically known as a challenge or war dance when performed by men. However, their expert and powerful performance felt like an invitation into their culture – a sharing of their rich tradition. The audience couldn’t contain their appreciation as they cheered for these incredible women.
As the night progressed, I met Angela Lynch, a young woman from the Crystal Earth Project. She spoke passionately about engaging and amplifying the earth’s powerful energies for personal and collective transformation. It was clear to me that Angela was committed to healing and self-growth. In that moment, I realized that becoming a grandmother is not solely defined by age but by the path one chooses. If we follow a path of healing, honor our wisdom traditions, and live in harmony with the Earth, we may all be well on our way to becoming one of the grandmas.
Reflecting on this experience, I invite you, dear reader, to embrace the wisdom and teachings of grandmothers in your own life. Whether you are already a grandmother, know a grandmother, or aspire to be one, the qualities of love, wisdom, and connection that grandmas embody can guide us all towards a life of healing and harmony.
So, will you choose to walk the path of the grandmas with us?
