Navigating Spiritual Awakening and Cultural Respect

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The chapter explores the speaker's personal journey of spiritual awakening, discussing challenges like spiritual materialism and ego transformation through experiences like ayahuasca. It also delves into the importance of respecting traditions and genuine connections with the land and the gods, highlighting the need to address cultural appropriation and engage in post-colonial ecotourism training. The conversation further touches on the challenges individuals face when transitioning from profound spiritual experiences back into the societal norms of the Western world, emphasizing the transformative impact on various aspects of life.

“Respect is earned. Honesty is appreciated. Trust is gained. Loyalty is returned.”

— Oscar Auliq Ice - quoted on Savimbo website

In this pivotal episode, we journey with Drea Burbank from the depths of a fundamentalist Mormon cult to the rainforests of the Colombian Amazon. Drea's life story, chronicled in her book "Shaman Gurl" (linked in the show notes), is a testament to human resilience and the quest for truth. From her escape over the mountains, through the fiery trials of being a firefighter, to her awakening during medical school, Drea's path has been anything but conventional.

Now, as a co-founder of Savimbo, Drea is part of an extraordinary mission: to introduce a human rights code for nature. With the support of 60 indigenous leaders from across the globe, she is leading the charge to bring legislation to the UN that enshrines the rights of nature into law. This episode is an urgent call to recognize the voice of nature and the indigenous custodians who have preserved 30% of the planet's intact land and 80% of its biodiversity.

Drea's conversation is a revelation of the indigenous perspective on ecotourism, cultural competency, and the necessity of a post-colonial lifestyle. She shares the transformative impact of ecotourism training programs and the importance of creating safe spaces for spiritual awakening in a world that often suppresses regrowth. As she and her colleagues prepare to share their vision with the world through a series of powerful videos, we invite you to become bridges for this crucial movement. Follow Savimbo across social media platforms, amplify the voices of these indigenous leaders, and help turn the tide towards a future where the rights of nature are not just recognized but revered.

For those who are ready to be part of this monumental shift, to stand with the guardians of our planet's remaining wilderness, this episode is an essential listen. Join us as we explore the profound connections between human healing and planetary health, where the fight for nature's rights is a fight for our collective future.

We were speaking on a starlink and we lost the connection several times so I apologise in advance for any glitches in the conversation, but this was solid gold and I wasn't going to let minor issues of technology get in the way of your hearing it. Enjoy!

Links

Drea’s website
Savimbo
Drea on Medium (on Carbon Credits and Blockchain)
Shaman Gurl
Johnson et al ‘Cultural Competency’