Dolores Mannix
(518) 441-6336
(518) 441-6336
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Greetings! Making the decision to take a vision quest journey was easy for me, since I've learned to follow my heart. I instinctively knew the experience would be profound in a life enhancing way, and I was right! When guided by your heart you feel exhilaration, excitement, desire, and it stays in your feeling centers and sends messages to your brain making you think about your heart's desire over and over. This is how I felt when I read about the trip. I knew it was the right path for me to gain higher spiritual awakening and be a better person, so I quieted all the internal dialogue about money, time and prior commitments, and mailed a check in full! The trip turned out to be one of the highlights of my life! I arrived in Quito to find lovely accommodations, and one by one I met my traveling companions who were all like minded, intelligent, very cool, adventurous, funny characters. As we journeyed together we laughed, learned, opened our hearts through our connection with nature and quickly formed close bonds. We still continue to communicate by phone and email, and we named our group the Mariposa tribe. Our guides were part of our tribe, even though they were the leaders and excellent in those roles. They we so loving, totally supportive, really funny at times, and we were one big happy family going through a magical adventure, together. It was so inspiring!!! It warms my heart to remember our time in natural paradise through writing this. The first few days of our journey towards the rainforest, where we would stay with the Grefa family, were so well planned and comfortable that we could all relax and enjoy the truly spectacular views, as we listened to the stories of the land told to us by our guide. All the accommodations, along the way were surprisingly great. I had expected less and got more! When we arrived in Tena, meeting Don Augustine and his family kicked the whole trip into higher spiritual gear, along with lots of adventure and fun. I wish I could relay the rush of climbing up a waterfall with a pure oxygen supply, being totally supported by strong guides as we walked through streams, hiking through pathways of wild ginger, orchids, butterflies, perfume smells, bird calls, and jungle sounds to be in the presence of ancient petroglyphs, and stopping along the trail to sample herbal medicine growing on the side of a tree, used for centuries by the Quichua people for healing. The great adventure of hiking into the Grefa's Eco lodge was an unforgettable experience. The path was physically challenging, although there was so much support from the team that everyone made it. The sights, smells and sounds were enchanting, crossing the bridge over the raging Hollín River was amazing and fun, and finally arriving at the lodge was one of the best moments of my life, absolutely spectacular! The accommodations were again a delightful surprise - very rustic, hand built with a spectacular view of the Hollín River. The entire stay at the lodge was surreal. We entered a world that I had only dreamed of, filled with healing ceremonies, sacred caves, singing, dancing, hiking, swimming in the river and gaining further insight into my divine mission. Don Augustine is a great Shaman, or Yachak, as the indigenous people of the Amazon call the healers of their tribes, told me about a health challenge that I had suspected and took steps to correct when I returned home. For this healing and the relief it has brought to my life, I am eternally thankful. Then the day came when we had to hike out to civilization. There were gift exchanges, hugs and tearful goodbyes with promises to return and keep in touch. We all shared so much together and became so very close that it was challenging to leave. Our group leader, knowing just what we all needed, drove us to a wonderful hot springs spa where we bathed in pools of warm mineral waters, had relaxing massages, herbal baths, and yummy meals, as we processed all that we had experienced. For me, this time provided great insight into my future service. I saw ways in which I could gift my knowledge of low light gardening to the Grefa family. The rainforest is often shaded from the sun because of the jungle canopy, therefore growing vegetables is challenging, but by sharing my skills with the Grefa family, I could help them conserve their land and traditions. Since returning home I have started a not for profit company, named Mariposa International Projects. The first project is to build a greenhouse and composting center for the Grefa family. It's difficult to bring in fresh produce to feed guest, since stores are very far away and everything has to be carried in by foot. With the critters, heavy rains and poor soil conditions, it's also challenging to grow fresh veggies. With a properly designed greenhouse, with composting and protection from critters, the Grefa's will be able to grow green sprouts, baby greens such as sunflower and buckwheat greens, lettuces of all kinds, in addition to salad type vegetables. Cross culture herbs can be grown so guests from all over the world will be able to be treated by herbs grown in their own country, prescribed according to their own healings with the Yachak, Don Augustine. At the present time, I am in the process of having a greenhouse designed, locating organic seeds, and searching for the best composting methods. I need all the assistance that I can get to bring this dream into reality. If you feel you can contribute in any way, or please send an email to: sharon@earthsummitllc.com. From My Heart to Yours |