The power of Mother Earth as a second coach

Recently, I read on the internet that the volcano Turrialba in Costa Rica had erupted. The consequence of this eruption was fortunately limited to some emissions of smoke and ash. For a moment, I recalled the time when my friend Bob and I were on vacation in Costa Rica and spent the night at the foot of this volcano.

I still remember that I was a bit afraid of what could happen with the volcano when we stayed so close to the source. The power of nature is so unpredictable and leads its own life. Much stronger than humans.

Mother Earth

We were allowed to explore this powerful nature of Costa Rica! We did this by, among other things, taking night walks with our pants in our socks for protection against crawling and biting bugs. And by kayaking in the mangrove and taking a canopy tour (with a harness on a rail), 40 meters high, among the treetops of the rich rainforest. This way we got to know the pure life, ‘Pura Vida’, of Costa Rica.

What was particularly remarkable to see was that in most places we visited, nature was treated with great respect for Mother Earth. This profound respect for everything that lives, grows, and blooms made me realize that we, as humans, are guests on this earth and may borrow all the beauty that nature has to offer.

Silence and Delay

During a day trip, we suddenly find ourselves face to face with a sloth and her baby. It is wonderfully beautiful to see how slowly they move and face all possible dangers and obstacles from silence and delay. I am deeply touched by this incredibly beautiful moment, and I realize that I can learn a lot from them.

With this thought in mind, I go with a travel companion to chant on the beach of Tortuguero: a deserted island where Bob and I sleep in a half-open cabin in the middle of nature. At the bottom of our ‘camp’ lies a vast sea, unspoiled and deserted. Here I look for a nice spot in the evening to chant. The idea of this singing form of meditation is that you send a message out into the universe.

My message at that moment is: gentleness for myself and others around me. With each exhalation and message I express, I come a step closer to my own core, and I feel myself merging with the surroundings. Every sound of nature comes more and more to me as I breathe in and out deeper. The soft sound of the wind and the sea around us, the rustling of the palm leaves, the birds flying by and the jungle sounds in the background.

When we are finished, I open my eyes and see a pelican fly by. I feel intensely happy. As the tears of joy roll down my cheeks, I experience a sense of deep relief and freedom. Freedom to determine how I stand in life and to deal with others. Free(dom) to choose what I give and receive.

Light Space

I have realized that holding onto this feeling in daily life is difficult upon my return to the Netherlands. However, it is true that I now try to return to that moment every time I find it a bit difficult and could use love and inspiration.

This trip was an absolute highlight for me and incomparable to all previous journeys I have made. What a beautiful diversity of flora and fauna, and what beautiful lessons from mother nature. Overwhelming! I have never felt so connected to nature as I did there.

Pura vida!