Navigating the Spiritual Terrain and Cultural Landscapes of Leticia: A Journey Beyond the Ordinary. Spanish translation at the end

 Navigating the Spiritual Terrain and Cultural Landscapes of Leticia: A Journey Beyond the Ordinary

In the heart of the Amazonian enclave of Leticia, I encountered a moment of profound introspection and connection, a testament to the intertwining worlds of spirituality and anthropology. Leticia, a place where the pulse of nature beats in harmony with the essence of human curiosity, became the canvas upon which a series of extraordinary encounters unfolded, reshaping my understanding of Vipassana meditation and the role of healing in our lives.

: A Journey Fueled by Spiritual Inquiry

My venture to Leticia was no mere coincidence but rather a guided step towards deeper spiritual exploration. Amidst the lush greenery and vibrant cultures, I found myself pondering the significance of Vipassana meditation, a practice rooted in the pursuit of inner peace and mindfulness. This ancient technique, I realized, could offer solace and a path to understanding the intricate dance between mind and matter.

: The Anthropological Tapestry of Leticia

As a traveler, not just a tourist, every destination offers an opportunity to immerse oneself in the cultural and anthropological richness of a place. Leticia was no exception. From the only air-conditioned café in this remote outpost to observing the subtle shifts towards western-style obesity, the town presented a microcosm of development and change. Yet, amidst these transformations, Leticia remained a stronghold of spirituality and connection, where churches and spiritual centers dotted every corner, illustrating the deep spiritual fabric that constituted the town's identity.

: Unexpected Encounters of Healing and Compassion

It was in Leticia's singular air-conditioned sanctuary that I crossed paths with locals who saw in me not a stranger but a healer. Dressed in vibrant attire adorned with beads and rings, I was mistaken for a medicine man. This misinterpretation led to a poignant interaction with a couple seeking solace and healing. The husband, a young man grappling with panic attacks and the weight of past traumas, found in our conversation a glimmer of hope and relief. As a practitioner of Vipassana and someone who has spent years among indigenous communities, I shared insights on mental wellness and the power of emotional healing.

: A Moment of Euphoria and Tranquility

In the wake of this heartfelt encounter, I was enveloped in a profound sense of euphoria, a state of being that transcended mere happiness. It was a moment of adhukamasukha, a term from the Pali language signifying a blissful state that is both fleeting and profound. This experience served as a reminder of the transient nature of all things and the importance of detachment or annica, in achieving true serenity and contentment.

 Reflections from the Heart of the Amazon

As I continued my journey, the vibrant tapestry of Leticia, with its rich cultural and spiritual essence, left an indelible mark on my soul. The lessons learned and the connections forged in this remote corner of the world illuminated the interconnectedness of spirituality and anthropology, reminding us of the power of human compassion and the pursuit of inner peace. In Leticia, I discovered not only the depths of my own spiritual journey but also the universal quest for understanding and connection that binds us all.

Navegando por el terreno espiritual y los paisajes culturales de Leticia: un viaje más allá de lo ordinario

En el corazón del enclave amazónico de Leticia, encontré un momento de profunda introspección y conexión, un testimonio de los mundos entrelazados de la espiritualidad y la antropología. Leticia, un lugar donde el pulso de la naturaleza late en armonía con la esencia de la curiosidad humana, se convirtió en el lienzo sobre el que se desarrollaron una serie de encuentros extraordinarios que remodelaron mi comprensión de la meditación Vipassana y el papel de la curación en nuestras vidas.

: Un viaje impulsado por la investigación espiritual

Mi aventura en Leticia no fue una mera coincidencia, sino más bien un paso guiado hacia una exploración espiritual más profunda. En medio de la exuberante vegetación y las culturas vibrantes, me encontré reflexionando sobre la importancia de la meditación Vipassana, una práctica arraigada en la búsqueda de la paz interior y la atención plena. Me di cuenta de que esta antigua técnica podría ofrecer consuelo y un camino para comprender la intrincada danza entre la mente y la materia.

: El Tapiz Antropológico de Leticia

Como viajero, no sólo como turista, cada destino ofrece la oportunidad de sumergirse en la riqueza cultural y antropológica de un lugar. Leticia no fue la excepción. Desde el único café con aire acondicionado en este remoto puesto hasta la observación de los sutiles cambios hacia la obesidad al estilo occidental, la ciudad presentó un microcosmos de desarrollo y cambio. Sin embargo, en medio de estas transformaciones, Leticia siguió siendo un bastión de espiritualidad y conexión, donde iglesias y centros espirituales salpicaban cada rincón, ilustrando el profundo tejido espiritual que constituía la identidad de la ciudad.

: Encuentros inesperados de sanación y compasión

Fue en el singular santuario con aire acondicionado de Leticia donde me crucé con los lugareños que vieron en mí no a un extraño sino a un sanador. Vestido con un atuendo vibrante adornado con cuentas y anillos, me confundieron con un curandero. Esta mala interpretación llevó a una interacción conmovedora con una pareja que buscaba consuelo y curación. El marido, un joven que lucha contra ataques de pánico y el peso de traumas pasados, encontró en nuestra conversación un rayo de esperanza y alivio. Como practicante de Vipassana y alguien que ha pasado años entre comunidades indígenas, compartí ideas sobre el bienestar mental y el poder de la curación emocional.

: Un momento de euforia y tranquilidad

A raíz de este sincero encuentro, me envolvió una profunda sensación de euforia, un estado de ser que trascendía la mera felicidad. Fue un momento de adhukamasukha, un término del idioma pali que significa un estado de bienaventuranza que es a la vez fugaz y profundo. Esta experiencia sirvió como recordatorio de la naturaleza transitoria de todas las cosas y de la importancia del desapego o annica para lograr la verdadera serenidad y satisfacción.

  Reflexiones desde el Corazón de la Amazonia

Mientras continuaba mi viaje, el vibrante tapiz de Leticia, con su rica esencia cultural y espiritual, dejó una huella imborrable en mi alma. Las lecciones aprendidas y las conexiones forjadas en este remoto rincón del mundo iluminaron la interconexión de la espiritualidad y la antropología, recordándonos el poder de la compasión humana y la búsqueda de la paz interior. En Leticia descubrí no sólo las profundidades de mi propio viaje espiritual sino también la búsqueda universal de comprensión y conexión que nos une a todos.

Embracing Self-Employment: A Path to Work Satisfaction and Happiness

Embracing Self-Employment: A Path to Work Satisfaction and Happiness

In the bustling economy of the United States, a significant 10% of the workforce has embraced self-employment, translating to approximately 15 million pioneering individuals. This evolution in the work landscape reveals a more intricate picture than merely numbers—it encompasses a thriving segment that often extends opportunities to others, contributing positively to the economy's dynamism.

The Economic Ripple Effect of Self-Employment

The essence of self-employment is far-reaching. It's a terrain where entrepreneurs, in pursuit of work and happiness, often find themselves providing employment opportunities to others. The scenario is a common one across the nation, even incorporating the informal sector, where migrants, regardless of their status, find opportunities. Take, for instance, the young Nicaraguan entrepreneur who, with his team, offers a car cleaning service. This example embodies the entrepreneurial spirit and the subtle employment network inherent in self-employment ventures.

The Struggle for Stability

Despite the allure of autonomy, many in the workforce, whether self-employed or otherwise, grapple with economic stability. With half of America's workers earning below $30,000 annually and the cost of living, such as housing in cities like Miami, soaring, the financial strain is palpable. This economic squeeze pushes many towards sharing living spaces or clinging to jobs, primarily for essentials like medical insurance, given the exorbitant cost of private coverages.

Self-Employment: A Journey Towards Job Satisfaction

Interestingly, a survey highlights that 62% of self-employed individuals report high levels of job satisfaction, a stark contrast to the 51% among their traditionally employed counterparts. This data underscores the link between self-employment and personal fulfillment, marking self-directed work as a potential avenue toward enhanced enjoyment and happiness in professional endeavors.

Global Perspectives on Self-Employment

The inclination towards self-employment is not confined to U.S. borders. In 2021, the European Union averaged a 17.8% rate of self-employment, with varying degrees across professions. Even nations with centralized economies like Cuba are witnessing a noticeable shift, with 9.3% of its population venturing into self-employment. These statistics not only illustrate the global reach of this trend but also emphasize the diverse opportunities self-employment offers across different economic systems.

Personal Reflections on a Self-Employed Life

From my firsthand experience as a self-employed Specialist Physician, the autonomy associated with self-employment has shielded me from the stress and trials often associated with traditional employment in the medical field. This career path has afforded me the financial stability and flexibility to engage in humanitarian work, enriching my professional and personal life profoundly. It stands as a testament to the fulfilling and balanced lifestyle attainable through self-employment, marked by reduced stress and enriched by meaningful connections and experiences around the globe.

The narrative of self-employment is one of resilience, innovation, and pursuit of happiness in work. It's a testament to the enduring spirit of individuals striving for satisfaction and fulfillment in their professional lives. As more embrace this path, self-employment is not just redefining personal career journeys but also reshaping the economic landscape with its potential for growth, diversity, and sustained happiness in work.

Invitation for Global Fellowship

Whether you're considering the leap into self-employment or are on this gratifying journey in cities as vibrant as Istanbul, Kuala Lumpur, Marrakech, or Cochin, the essence lies in the freedom and satisfaction it brings. Let us connect, share, and inspire each other towards greater heights of achievement and joy in our work.

THE HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

I like my language very much and fascinated by the etymology of the myriad of words that has entered the English language through conquest of and conquest by the British nation, which one had an immense presence in all parts of the world.

In sheer numbers it has more words and phrases and the curious habit of adding prefixes or suffixes to make another word, such as visible and invisible or labyrinth and labyrinthine. While it may not be as romantic as French or Spanish nor ornamental as Farsi, it is certainly rich in descriptive terms, groups of animals of all sorts have special words to describe them, such as a pride of lions, pod or school or team of dolphins etc etc etc.

An English civil servants curiosity about the similar sounding words in English German Farsi and Sanskrit led to the theory, now fully accepted of a group of people who might have spoken an ancient common tongue, Indo-European. 

When I was introduced to the farsi word mibusamet and cotlet, I wondered whether the words bus came from bisou in French and more obviously cotlet could have French origin in the word, côtelette, small cut of meat.

Bill Bryson, a prolific american author, has a book The mother tongue in which he with his characteristic sense of humour lays bare the history of our language, named after a tribe from the German Danish border, Angles or Engels and of course the other tribe of Saxons. After the 1066 CE war of Norman conquest thousands of words arrived from France as well of new words , a thousand of which were coined by just Shakespeare alone ( leapfrog, excellent, lonely and majestic). American Indian tribes contributed their names for things the Europeans were unfamiliar with Tobacco, Hammock, hickory, squash, raccoon etc. English has a prodigious contribution from Spanish and Dutch languages as well. The diversity that is India which was under British rule for a couple of centuries padded the English language with Avatar, Chutney, cot, Bangle, Bungalow etc.

In 2024 , more foreigners speak and write (some excellent writers in English from India alone, Amitav Ghosh, Pankaj Sharma and hundreds of others) English than native speakers. USA inundated with immigrants has their own peculiarities , and speak an English far removed from the King’s English.

Good Night from me, in Miami

A POEM FOR SOMEONE I HAVE NEVER MET

For Rocio Bogota Colombia 

She was ready to cast his memories into the dustbin of oblivion

When she saw an envelope with multiple stamps, colourful from a country with a strange name 

The cursive writing of her name gave a pang to her heart 

Could this be from Maqroll El Gaviero Judio, Yehuda ?

It began, ever since I left the cordillera that had cut my heart into two of your native land of eternal spring, I tried to wash your memory with my tears, flowing like the waterfalls that dot your country’s landscape . A somnambulistic customs officer had mistaken my offerings to various Gods as something counterfeit and now I sit in the cold bench of a detention cell in an airport where multitudes enter illegally seeking their fortune. I had my legal but forged passport from Uruguay in which the photo is grainy as the artist crafting those illegal documents in the backstreets of Beirut lacked the proper chemicals to add colour to my face.

After some curious interrogations from the police, I was allowed to leave the immigration hall into the steamy heat of tropics which reminded me of days I had wandered lost in the Amazon forest . Adjusting to the glaring sun, he realised that the friendly immigration officer was also a pick pocket who had taken not only his fake ray ban sunglasses as well as the various hallucinogenic powders he had collected 

VIPASSANA SENSATION IN LETICIA IN COLOMBIAN AMAZON

Yesterday I had a very strange sensation in the amazonian town of Leticia. Perhaps it was the reason I had travelled there ? It seemed , or was it a signal that I need to study more deeply the Vipassana meditation.

While I have the chance and desire to travel constantly, I am very seldom a tourist but a traveler in whose  path are thrown extraordinary experiences. In the only air conditioned cafe in that outpost of CoCa-Colonization (why should there be a bottling plant there ?) I met people who contribute to this happiness I my life.

The western style obesity is creeping in, and soon Colombia would join the rank of the developing countries, developing economically plus people heavier than before.

In this town of 38 000 , you are never a stone’s throw away from a church or a preaching or converting centre..(remember GianCarlo Giannini in Swept Away saying.. Crucifix  more popular than Coca Cola !). So, it was no coincidence that my colourful way of dressing and beads and rings made the locals think of me a medicine man or an evangelist.

As I entered the only air conditioned cafe in town, to escape the intense heat, the ladies behind the counter looked at me closely and asked me.  Could you please pray for us ? Taken aback by this strange request, I confessed that I am not religious but years spent with indigenous people has contributed to my becoming a Healer. Then briefly talked about their individual health. I must have touched some raw nerves, when the lady who brought me the cake and coffee , said Doctor, please can you talk to my husband, tomorrow when you come.

He is 34 years old, a well built young man who had been recently admitted to the hospital because of suspected heart attack, investigations showing, as expected, no damage to his heart. Then why do I feel this impending sense of doom, tremendous fear of future which does not allow me to sleep. This is somatasized into panic attacks. First I had to assure him that his heart is healthy and that he would not die anytime soon leaving two orphans. Fortunately my faithful stethoscope was in my bag and I checked him very thoroughly. His partner had mentioned that his father had been stabbed to death in the recent past and his mother is disabled with medical problems. I was trying to connect these and his panic attacks which only began recently, he burst out crying. It looked natural to me, this muscular man, sitting next to me bursting out crying in a busy cafe in an isolate town near the mightiest river on earth.

I spent some more time  with him, I can see him visibly relaxing and by the time I said goodbye to him, to catch my flight to Bogota, he cupped my hands with his, and said, Doctor I feel so much better, thank you for your time.

As I left the cafe, I was hit with a feeling of euphoria, which was a high and at the same time a low feeling, but an incredibly grateful moment . I was so so happy.

Being a student of Vipassana, I recognised this sensation..still in the realm of mind and matter, coming and going like a wave, a sense of extreme tranquility and calm which can be named, adhukamasukka. But I told myself, dont become attached to this feeling, Annica or attachment, which to me is the basis of so much unhappiness in the world at a personal level, professional level and a national level..

I floated along like a log bopping up and down along the mighty river which was near by.

FREEDOM DENIED TO SO MANY IN THIS WORLD IN MANY SENSES OF THE WORD

This is what I feel like today, this Sunday, on a beautiful afternoon in Miami, while keeping my fingers on the pulse of the hearts of my friends in Iran, Mexico, Cuba

On a «رندی» rendi lifestyle, Sokhan Comprehensive Dictionary (2003) offers this description of its meaning for the general Persian-speaking reader today: «مرد رند» mard-e rend [rend man] is: 

بی توجھ بھ اصول اخلاقی، بیباک و لاابالی و بیقید، بی سر و پا، ولگرد، بی اعتن ابھ ظواھر.
)در ادبیات عرفانی( شخص پامدل، نیکسیرت، آزاد اندیش، حقیقت جو
bitavajjoh be osul-e akhlāqi, bibāk va lā’obāli va biqeyd, bi sar-o pā, velgárd, bi’e‘tenā
be zavāher; (dar adabiyyāt-e erfāni) shakhs-e pākdel, niksayrat, āzād andish, haqiqát’jú.
inattentive to ethical principles, fearless/intrepid, irresponsible/careless, vagabond/vagrant, indifferent to /heedless of appearances; (in gnostic literature) good natured/disposition/character, freethinking/liberal minded/freethinker, truth-seeking/truth-seeker. 

This is what Freedom is about, not in the banal sense that people use this precious word, I admire my educated friends in Cuba and Iran struggling with their eyes trained on the distant glimmer of hope. Freedom to be what you can be.. to overcome FEAR and also to put into action the principles of the dreams they have and get over the ever-present doubt and self doubt.

I wish you well my sisters in Iran and Cuba

BEST CITIES TO LIVE

I have been fortunate to travel a bit in my life, I have always wanted to travel ever since I was a boy! Which country is your favourite, people ask? Not a fair question, as I am not a tourist but a traveller who looks for good in every place I travel to, especially in the local people, many of whom have become friends over the course of years .

Monocle magazine and Forbes magazine each year publish a list of best cities in the world. They use their own metrics to decide why these cities are liveable, they take into account, public facilities, transportation, crime rate, some sort of friendliness index. 

I agree with the lists published and I am glad to say that I usually have visited those cities, most often more than once.

So here are the best cities in the world to live. If you are thinking of migrating, the best cities are either in Australia or Scandinavia , Northern Europe , Japan . Only one city in all of the Americas make the list consistently that is Vancouver, Canada. No Cities in USA or the other countries in the Americas make the list. Needless to say, none from Africa or the Middle East or South or South East Asia make the list.  These lists are published by these magazines taking into consideration the quality of life .. so please do not complain to me, write to the magazines! 

I have lived in some of the most liveable cities during my school and university days and I am very grateful ..