Practices from an Indigenous Elder
What’s your relationship to the Land and the Water? You might not think about it much, but honoring them is so helpful for staying healthy, grounded in our bodies, and for remembering our connection with all of life.
Looking back at my time in New York City surrounded by tall buildings and concrete, I credit walks in Central Park and along the Hudson River with keeping me sane!
Now that I have much easier access to the Land and to the Rio Grande River, I’ve adopted these beautiful practices taught by Grandmother Mona Polacca, and I’m happy to share them with you.
Grandmother Mona is a Hopi, Havasupai, Tewa elder and a member of the Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers - a group that Russ and I adore!
We were fortunate to meet Mona in person and do ceremony with her in 2016.
Water is Sacred
When you approach the water, say a simple prayer and acknowledge it as a living being, having the power to give life and take life.
When you drink water, drink it with reverence and respect.
Here’s a prayer to say as you hold your water:
Bless this water.
Bless the source.
Bless all water on this Earth.
Then put your intentions into the water for healing or help going with the flow!
Morning Prayer to the Elements
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Grandmother Mona shares a practice to acknowledge the foundations of life each morning: the water, the air, the fire, and the earth.
Give thanks to the water as you take your first drink.
Walk outside and breathe in. Thank the air.
Reach your hands out to greet the sun with thanks for the light it brings.
Touch the earth. Then touch your heart.
She calls this the Beauty Way. A simple path of sacred reciprocity. A way to have balance in our lives.
If you’re feeling the call to slow down and to nourish your body & soul by connecting to the land & water - join us for a fully customized personal retreat in the Taos high desert.