Guatamala

Slowly plodding by horse thru the countryside and habitations of this country I have pondered what it means to be Guatamalan.  The people are so diverse even in the way they dress,  and physical features.  Often more than not we encounter different tribs of indigenous people that speak their own language and not even spanish.  So how do they all come together to become Guatamalan hemmed in by invisible lines drawn by now forgotten and long dead persons of the past.  What is the connection that keeps them in a national frame of mind?  I am reminded of my own country that is a melting pot of cultures and peoples from all over the world.   There was a time when it was expected and evan applauded to learn a common language (english) and adopt common goals of things  like freedom and fairness and equality, things hard won and which must be continually fought for.   Now, however my countrymen are more indulgent if not respectfull of people retaining their original culture and language while blending with the whole.  We even accomodate the differences in the quest to educate everyone.  This is I am sure evolution in the right direction because in the midst of all our interactions here in Guatamala I am seeing these people as myself with the same needs and desires as well as frailties and foubles as myself.  Is it possible that someday we will all evolve into a gracious balance of acceptance and the invisible lines drawn on the maps are no more?  It would require a change of loyalty and patriotism to humanity and human dignity instead of to our own personal pride and prejudices.   Obviously this will take a great deal of time and love!!  thes are not new thoughts for sure.  Lofty as they might be they bring a smile to my face that we can and will someday accomplish this mighty task (probably not in my lifetime).  So in my very small way I am trying to picture myself and those we contact on this wondrous journey as fellow citizens of the earth and the differences in those things that don't bind us together like politics and religion and cultural practices I see as rico (rich) and interesting but temporal.  I analyze things as to wether they are love based or fear based and without judgement try to move in a love based mentality.   Last nite tired and looking for a place to camp and in need of water for the horses we happened upon a gate that was open that had wonderful grass so we went thru it to ask for permission to stay the nite and get some water.   It turned out to be a retreat of some type for Catholic priests complete with Nuns.   I went in with hat in hand thinking as I looked up at the pictures of Jesus that we would be warmly recieved  and all was well.   The responce we got was complete fear and we were told to leave now and not even water was given to our horses.  The guard dogs would be released and they shut the gates behind us as we left.  This then sadly showed me that even the most professing of of love can be filled with fear.   One of my favorite sayings is from the Bible that there is no fear in love but perfect love casts out fear.  The quest for perfect love is the quest for all humanity, without judgement, and indeed it is so very difficult.  It is however the only thing that will bring about the evolution of consciousness that will bring a higher balance.

rl