Interview with Ayahuasca Mestizo Shaman Javier Arevalo in the Amazon Part 3

In the third and concluding part of the interview with Javier, we continue to explore the use of Healing plants and Ayahuasca. discusses his involvement with the shamanic Plant medicines of the Amazon, and Ayahuasca in particular. Javier was interviewed by Howard G Charing and Peter Cloudsley in the Peru, Amazon Rainforest 2000.

Howard tells story of his battle with one of Javier's assistants 3 weeks earlier.
(Javier laughs a lot and explains.) Well because he was not really a shaman, he works as a guide, he drinks liquor. Then when he takes Ayahuasca and chants icaros he is not pure and his doctors don't take any notice of him. The spirits start bothering (molesting) the people participating in the session. That is what happened to Howard. When I take Ayahuasca I talk to the doctors who give visions, I ask them to cure, I have dominion over them because I diet. If I don't, they make you crazy or annoy you.

So if the shaman cannot control himself, then the spirits get out of hand?
If you can't dominate the spirits of the jungle you are nobody, instead of curing they run away or take no notice of you.

So the control of the spirits is fundamental?
Spirits are like angels. God withstood 40 days of hunger and temptation by the devil and was resurrected. That's what we have to do too.

This is Christianity, but your (Javier's) people were practicing long before the missionaries came. Is it possible to separate the Christian from the wisdom of the jungle?

No, no, they work together. But it has nothing to do with going to a church. You learn all this in the wilderness. The spirits there are the angels of each plant to which you add your will to heal the client. This is the will of Christ.

Where does the power of the shaman end and the spirits begin?

The shaman receives the power from the jungle, he doesn't have any power of his own that he doesn't get from the forest.

When I look at you by day I see just a normal young man, when you wear your clothes and move into the ayahuasca space you become different, a different presence, you become larger...

(Javier laughs!) The medicine is not in the body, the body can wear clothes for example, and you see that by day. But at night you don't see my body, you see my spirit which receives the medicine which transforms me through the vision. I have to be pure so as to be a receptacle of the spirit of the medicine. It is essential too for a shaman to be happy, the shaman laughs at everything, because a happy heart is what cures. He can't have a long face or fight with his wife and children.

You started off with a desire for revenge, what changed you into a shaman?
My grandfather saw that my heart was bitter and he told me that it would not get me anywhere. My heart was still hard and wanted to kill! Bit by bit through taking the very plants that I had intended to use for revenge, the spirits told me it was wrong to kill and my heart softened.

In the third and concluding part of the interview with Javier, we continue to explore the use of Healing plants and Ayahuasca. discusses his involvement with the shamanic Plant medicines of the Amazon, and Ayahuasca in particular. Javier was interviewed by Howard G Charing and Peter Cloudsley in the Peru, Amazon Rainforest 2000.

Howard G. Charing, is an international workshop leader on shamanism. He has worked some of the most respected and extraordinary shamans & healers in the Andes, the Amazon Rainforest, and the Philippines. He organises specialist retreats to the Amazon Rainforest. He is the author of the best selling book, Plant Spirit Shamanism.

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Source: http://www.positivearticles.com/Article/Interview-with-Ayahuasca-Mestizo-Shaman-Javier-Arevalo-in-the-Amazon---Part-3/40314

Lighten Your Load And Travel Light

Every day you come home from work with shoulder aches and pains from toting your laptop, which you don't open, anyway. The thought that you might just need it badgers you when you start for the door. Is there an end in sight for this problem?

When In Doubt, Leave It Out

Living the nomadic life? Learn to travel light, whether you're taking the trip by plane, boat, or bus. Mastering the art of traveling light can be a challenge to those who seem to think they can't do without the essentials - the hair dryer, travel alarm clock, and that extra pair of shoes. Even going to work Mondays to Fridays, you have to choose the things to take along and eliminate the unnecessary gadgets that just crowd your bag.

First thing's first. For work, check the contents of your bag. There's a makeup kit (for women), a wallet, a credit card holder, cellular phone, pens, a notebook, and other little things that could be left at home. What do you really need to take to work? Do you need your credit cards and a host of pens? If you take along an extra toothbrush, that's fine. But if you have to bring a roll of tissue paper, that's another thing.

As for your laptop, do you have a computer waiting at your desk? If there is, why take your laptop along? No wonder you're having all those shoulder and neck pains because of the unnecessary load. Screen your bag contents and remove the things that you can leave behind. Instead of taking along six pens, just bring one. You can leave those credit cards under lock and key occasionally.

Things To Leave Behind

Traveling out of town? If you're going to stay in a hotel, don't bring those bath essentials unless you have a medical condition and using a prescribed formulation. The hotel provides for everything you'll need at no extra cost.

Decide if you need a digital camera. If your cell phone has a built-in camera, perhaps it is wise not to take it with you. But if you're on a vacation, a camera is important. On a business trip, you will have little or no time for sightseeing, so don't waste precious space in your luggage.

Don't bring bulky sweatpants and jackets if you're going to a warm place where there's sunshine all-year round. As for shoes, limit yourself to the pair you're using. If you need to bring a book, grab a paperback. The less bulk, the happier you'll be with your lighter load.

Your Laptop

Rushing to the tube early in the morning and toting your laptop can be a nightmare. Pause for awhile and assess if you need the laptop for the day. If have other things to do at work that won't need any online browsing or data entry, nix the idea of taking it along.

For a camping weekend, don't bring your laptop. You'll rob yourself of the enjoyment of an outdoor experience. Bring your flashlights, extra lighters, and cellular phone, plus an extra battery instead. Your camping gear and everything needed for the outdoors should be at the back of the Ford pick-up.

Backpacking with a laptop is not an inviting idea. Just imagine the miles you'll trek, the heat, and the unpredictable rains. So sober up and pack light for every travel you're going to embark on. Once you've learned to live without the unnecessary gizmos, life will never be the same again.

Every day you come home from work with shoulder aches and pains from toting your laptop, which you don't open, anyway. The thought that you might just need it badgers you when you start for the door. Is there an end in sight for this problem? When In Doubt, Leave It Out Living the nomadic life? Learn to travel light, whether you're taking the trip by plane, boat, or bus. Mastering the art of traveling light can be a challenge to those who seem to think they can't do wit...

If you are copying this article for publishing on a website or ezine, please use the "Ezine Ready" button from the righthand menu.

Source: http://www.positivearticles.com/Article/Lighten-Your-Load-And-Travel-Light/40343

Spring Paris events to enjoy the city in the warm season

It has a distinctive character with flea and flower markets where artists just sketch your profile or cut it out from a piece of paper or locals sitting out of the caf?listening to street musicians or cycling around with their baguettes under their armpit.

The French capital is one of the world's truly great cities, with fine museums and excellent food, that is worth a visit either in summer when a riverside expressway is converted into an oasis of swimming pools, sand and deckchairs; or in fall when there are fewer crowds and boulevards trees change their colours.

But for sure Springtime gives to any place a fresher touch of liveliness, or should we say 'joie de vivre'. Some of the coolest events that the city features for this coming warm season vary and will absolutely satisfy any traveller's interest, curiosity and taste!

Starting with the Paris Book Fair ( from the 14-19 March) that will bring together authors literally from around the world, to the internationally renown Paris jazz festival in June and July or the open-air Summer Arts Festival up to the classic Bastille Day on 14 Jul. For sporty people Paris offers some important events too. In April it is possible to assist to the Paris Marathon (Sun 06 Apr 2008 ) starting at the top of the Champs Elysees and ending at the bottom of Avenue Foch. Not to mention the French Open Tennis (Roland Garros) dispute between 01 May 2008 until the very end of June.

And cherry on top, while in Paris you can assist to the famous arrival of the Tour de France (Final Stage of the cycle race) presumably on Thu 31 Jul 2008. But dates have to be confirmed. If you like races you also have the chance to see the Great Paris Steeplechase in May (Sun 25th 2008) at the Auteuil Hippodrome. It is a Parisian jump racing held at one of the city's bigger and famous Hippodromes.

Some other music events like the Music Festival, held on the summer solstice on the 21st of June, are worth a visit to the France Capital. There is also the Saint Denis Festival running from June to the end of July, during which time concerts are held in the Saint Denis Basilica. In the gorgeous frame of the Chateau of Versailles you could be the spectator of some venues organized by the Baroque Music Festival, usually held from the middle of September to the middle of October.

To complete this nice picture it is important to find a suitable accommodation that, far from being too much luxurious or too much a pain, it has to be clean, comfy and romantic. There are some hidden treasures in this sense in Central Paris, where the French atmosphere is well preserved. Just to mention some 1-2 stars hotels, we suggest Cecil hotel, Taylor, Mon reve Hotel, Des Artes hotel, Altona hotel, Bac Saint Germain (in Latin quarter) or the Hotel du Parc Saint Charles.

All these hotels offer good value rooms and services starting from 35-40 euros per person. Hotels in Paris are usually more expensive and too standard to give you a genuine Paris vibe. Some of these have private gardens, or terraces where breakfast is served. Be aware that in France it is not always said that breakfast is included in the price! And it is usually not abundant.

Well, now that we have given you some ideas on how to spend a spring weekend in the French Capital, we have only to wish you a romantic trip!

Source: http://www.postarticles.com/Article/Spring-Paris-events-to-enjoy-the-city-in-the-warm-season/116913