Hola mi gente,
August brought profound reminders of life's impermanence as I fulfilled two lifelong dreams: reuniting my dad's family in Pasto after four decades and experiencing Burning Man.
From heartwarming family reunions to an empowering diversity of Karol G's concert, from introspective psilocybin therapy to Burning’s Man playa, each experience highlighted the profound essence of impermanence.
Family bonds were reignited through Ho'oponopono, emphasizing reconciliation and forgiveness. Karol G's concert celebrated women empowerment with a Latin audience diverse in age, background, and color being comfortable in their own skin.
Introspection during a profound psilocybin-guided journey condensed hundreds of hours of therapy into mere hours. Burning Man's reflection of life's cycles reinforced the principle of radical self-expression and the understanding that there's nothing inherently wrong with me, despite the complexities of my personal challenges.
Challenges, like emotional struggles and consistent habits, revealed the elusive nature of control and ownership. Surrender, self-compassion, and embracing change despite difficulties emerged as potent engines for growth.
Join me on this journey through life's impermanence in this month's newsletter.
-Mario
HIGHLIGHTS
Family reunion: Orchestrated a family gathering in Pasto with 35 family members spanning ages 8 to 87 joined to celebrate my dad's 84th birthday, just one year after his brain stroke.
Ho'oponopono: Three generations came together during our family reunion for this ancient Hawaiian practice of forgiveness that brought forth tears of love, forgiveness, and gratitude, fostering healing and connection among us.
My dad's short film: A sabbatical project transformed into a family endeavor as I embarked on filming a short film about my dad's illness. Moments of joy, shared laughter, and deep introspection were an unexpected outcome of this project. The film's title might be "El Milagro de la 10".
Karol G’s concert: Beyond the 'sold-out' of her concert, the diverse audience of women and LGBTQ+ from across Latin America inspired me. Witnessing their empowerment and comfort in their own skin was beautiful.
Psilocybin therapy session: This guided session condensed a hundred hours of therapy into just a few hours. It helped me rethink concepts such as control, ownership, and death. It also encouraged me to feeling okay about being lost.
Burning Man: An indescribable experience that helped me confront and process emotional challenges. BM illuminated the realization that there's nothing wrong with me, and it deepened my connection with dear ones. “Playa provides”.
LOWLIGHTS
Adapting to change: Coping with a constantly changing nervous system has been a significant personal challenge during this sabbatical.
Stress: Making multiple life changes simultaneously, like leaving behind my home and car, added unexpected stressors. This journey also revealed that I'm in a midlife transition, which, while mysterious, is kind of cool.
Low self-kindness: One of the most significant challenges during this sabbatical has been extending the same compassion and understanding to myself that I readily offer to others.
Marital challenges: Navigating this transitional period has brought unexpected obstacles, but we've come to see them as authentic opportunities for personal and relational growth.
Maintaining habits: Staying consistent with fitness and meditation routines while on the move proved challenging.
LEARNINGS AND INSIGHTS
Ownership could be an illusion: I've come to realize that the notion of ownership, whether it's of our bodies, our relationships, or our possessions, can often be an illusion. True ownership resides in our words, thoughts, and actions.
It's okay to feel lost: I've been learning that it's acceptable to not knowing exactly what I want. These periods of feeling lost can be valuable for reflection, ultimately leading to a more profound sense of purpose when the time is right.
Control is an illusion: The belief in our ability to control external circumstances is a mere illusion; change is the one and only constant in life. Events like the unpredictable weather at Burning Man serve as stark reminders of this fact. Embracing life without the need for control can make the journey more enjoyable.
The power of surrender: Radical surrender is a potent tool for navigating life transitions. Embracing surrender can lead to inner peace and grounding during difficult times.
Self-kindness: Reminding myself that there's nothing wrong with me is an essential aspect of personal growth. Practicing self-compassion is an ongoing journey, and I'm committed to being a good guy to myself.
Sabbatical medicine: Month three of my sabbatical journey is beginning to reveal internal growth. Small gestures of connection, like kids saying hi or dogs wagging their tails, signify the positive effects taking hold.
SPECIAL GRACIAS
Maryanna and Adam: Your unwavering support and constant check-ins during Burning Man meant the world to me. I felt embraced by your love during the challenging moments, making it feel like we were one supportive family.
Laurita: Your meticulous preparation for our Burning Man adventure made navigating the challenging weather conditions feel easy. I'm deeply grateful for everything you did to ensure we had an unforgettable experience. I love you!
Alejo and Astrid: A heartfelt thanks for generously lending your car, which was instrumental in making our BM preparation possible.
Agudelo888: Thank you for inviting me to Karol G's concert who’s taking our Latin culture to a level that many of us had only dreamed of for a long time.
Note: One of my favorite art pieces at Burning Man was "Fear not," created by a the one and only Adam Libert.
FAVORITE WISDOM NUGGETS OF THE MONTH
"You get the burn you need, not the one you want" - Adam. It captures the essence of how BurningMan provides the experiences I required for growth, even if they weren’t what I initially desired.
"Everything I needed was next to me all the time" -My 87-year-old tío Jaime, who left Colombia in the 70s. His journey serves as a reminder that sometimes, what we seek far and wide is already within our grasp.
“Playa provides”: -Mark from the Indigenous Peoples of the World camp. It draws a compelling analogy between BM’s playa and life itself, highlighting how our thoughts and consciousness can attract the experiences we encounter.
"When I swim, my monsters drown" - Hannah. Cool personal reminder of how swimming can be therapeutic for me. It's a powerful tool that helps me confront and ease my insecurities and inner fears.
“We always try to make sense of the nonsense”- Me. This thought reflects our innate human tendency to seek meaning in our daily experiences, even when they appear nonsensical. It underscores our continuous journey to understand and interpret the world around us.
AUGUST IN FLICKS
All of this in just August?! Dang, what a month! Drinking right from the firehose. Awesome to see you reflecting and integrating in real time. Really inspired by you!
All love and peace, my friend!