Teachings from a Taita

Wisdom from a Colombian Taita (Shaman)

              Carlos the Taita in his home Maloca servig Yahé (Ayahuasca) in a ceremony

In my last blog post I shared some wisdom learnt from the Arhuaco elder 'Leo', which I hope was useful & enlightening.

Whilst we were in Colombia we were also lucky enough to visit a Taita called Carlos.

Carlos lives in the Sierra Navada in La Tigrera with his wife, children, apprentice, volunteers and many animals.

Together they run a beautiful retreat centre called Sierra Ancestral

(you can find them on insta @Sierra.ancestral3)

We spent only one night with Carlos but even in that short time his wisdom and teachings were profound.

During my consultation with Carlos he spoke to me about happiness and contentment, on how to control the mind and how to be present and live in what he calls 'the colours of life'

I would like to share what he said with you, so you too can benefit from his wisdom (if it resonates) for your life and struggles.

Carlos' Teachings:

"The mind will always live in the past or the future if you do not learn to control and train it.

The past and future are black and white but the present is full of colour!

If you are living in the past or future your life will always be full of stress, worry, anxiety and depression.

You miss the fullness & joy, the colours of life.

The colours are where presence, love and happiness live.

To live in the present you must train your mind and the only way to do this is to come back to your heart.

Your heart is the natural leader of the mind and it is not the other way around!

(Of course so much of our society and conditioning is mind based)

To come back to your heart you must train your mind to let go of fear and to trust in life, trust in the medicine and come back to love.

Do not fear the medicine, do not fear your heart, come back to love!"

His teachings echo and mirror a teaching from the path of Bhakti Yoga:

Krishna says that he lives in the heart of all beings.

In the Bhagavad Gita it is Krishna who is Arjuna's chariot driver (the chariot and horses being a metaphor for our body, mind and senses) Thus we must allow Krishna (our heart) to lead our lives and not the mind as the mind is controlled by the senses, the horses. If we let the horses run freely we are sure to crash!

I was fortunate enough to get to experience Carlos' teachings first hand that evening through the power of Hapé, illuminating the world through loving presence with that medicine.

My hope is that sharing these teachings will illuminate something for you and help you in your own journey as we all walk each other home.

With love & best wishes,

Dom x