I have two weeks left of my Tamera experience, and although these past seven weeks have been a complete rollercoaster of emotions, I have finally reached the point where I’ve come to understand why I’m here.
A few weeks ago, I watched a documentary called ‘Water is Love’ that moved me so deeply. It made me realise there are tangible ways we can help the earth regenerate, and it devastated me that we have the knowhow and technology, yet the greater society continues on the path of destruction to feed the capitalistic greed that drives most behaviours and decisions in this world.
Hiking the PCT gave me an appreciation of nature I’d never had before in my life. After living outside for 6 months, I became so connected to the phases of the moon, waking with the sun, drinking from the streams, and sleeping under the stars, I felt one with nature. This deep connection has stayed with me, and when I think about the destruction of the planet, I feel a heavy grief. It made me realise that for people to really care about the planet, they must fall in love with her first, because we are wired to protect the things we love. The big question is how can all people fall in love with the planet without having to take off multiple months from their busy lives to thru-hike?
I got very sad today listening to a talk for Tamera’s 30th anniversary where residents spoke about where things stand in this project that has almost spanned 50 years. It’s been 30 years since they began creating the community in Portugal, but the project began long before then.
Their goal has been to create a healing biotope of peace, which in laymen’s terms is creating a model and energetic vibration of how to live peacefully with all beings that resonates across the planet. It was such a privilege to hear what they are celebrating and grieving after these 30 years here, and it really moved me because I realise that even a community like Tamera isn’t immune to the challenges of individualism, ego, lack of diversity and difference of opinions. The residents used to dedicate much more time to community building, speaking openly and transparently about all issues, attending their internal love school and experimenting in ways to live harmoniously. But since their visionary leader became sick a number of years ago, their vision isn’t as clear and there is a big discrepancy of opinions between the young and older residents. The demands of life and continual needs for funding the project have affected their precious time together.
One man said that for the community to thrive, individualism needs to die. This really made me think about the state and structures of the world and how so many things from our schooling to social media is designed for individual consumption. There needs to be a radical shift in our collective consciousness to find an alternative to the capitalist society we live in, and thankfully Tamera and many other communities are experimenting with these alternatives.
The problem is, these communities alone are not enough. I’ve often felt that it’s futile to do my part for the world when I know my neighbour is dumping chemicals into landfill or that the big corporations are going to destroy this world anyway. But I’ve realised we can all play a part in bringing that healing consciousness back into the foreground, knowing that this energy spreads whether we notice it or not.
I also realised that so many of my posts are simply about me and my experience without touching on the big issues of this world. I know most people are overwhelmed by the harm in the world with genocide and multiple wars happening across the globe. But I’ve come to realise how important it is to find time and space to grieve what’s happening to humanity in order to do my part to fix it. Doing anything is better than doing nothing.
This is why I’m writing this post today. I have been meaning to share this documentary link for ‘Water is Love’ for weeks, and I hope you will take the time to digest it’s message of hope and share it with the people you love. https://www.waterislovefilm.org/
Namaste xo
Serial Nomad 
Your post shows a distinctly deeper concern for Earth. This is unsurprising to me given your current community. I’m reminded of another long distance hiker who became very vocal and active with their concerns for immigrants to these united States and ecological disasters and ‘late stage’ capitalism. Long ago we were manipulated into believing, through lobbyists, pseudo-science at the behest of corporate front-agencies and flagrant shaming on television, that Earth couldn’t be saved without our doing the cleanup the corporations were responsible for doing. I still clean up after myself, on and off trail, but I’m always reminded of the real culprits proportionately. I developed a profound compassion for animals while in residency at an intentional community and though I’m not as strong in practice now compassion has remained all these years and kept me sober (self disciplined). I think if we think we’re in ‘control’ we sour the experience of dependency on others to do their part.
Hold on Loosely, but don’t let go
If you cling to tightly, you’re gonna lose control
I love this message so much. Thank you for this amazing reflection and understanding. You seem to have lived so many similar life experiences and have the same understanding of the things I’m learning and being exposed to through this community experience. I appreciate your words about control and will continue to reflect on them today. Thank you again for this important message. 🙏
I’m glad it resonated! Intentional communities are intense. Thru hiking is intense. But we’re all the same animal and our minds, for the most part, are all wired to work in the same manner. We’re so fortunate to live in a time that provides so many opportunities to gain experiences as varied as the cultures from which our world is comprised. I pondered the other day about how many data I absorb through podcasts. While they don’t compare to reading a good, thick book they allow me to learn the connections to so many mysteries of our world. How wonderful to not live in the darkness of the past. How wonderful to spend time with others on the journey who appreciate these opportunities. I bet you’ll always realize the benefits of the sacrifices you made to go to Portugal. Bon Chance!
This is such a wonderful perspective of our current times. Thank you for sharing! I’m so grateful to have the privilege and opportunity to expand my mind through this and so many other experiences.
Hi Rozanne- Â Â Â Â Thank you for including “Water is Love” Â with your last message. Â It’s a powerful warning about the importance of restoring the delicate balance that existed between water and vegetation before man messed with it. Translating that message into action is always the challenge, of course. Â One thing about living to be an old fart is that you see a lot of stuff along the way. Â When I was a kid there were days when you could barely see the Manhattan skyline from the Jersey side of the Hudson River, maybe 1/2 mile away. Â The air in Los Angeles was so bad that the cars there had special tires that wouldn’t crack from the smog. Â Those days are gone. The air is substantially cleaner in those 2 cities and throughout the country. Â And, I’m guessing, throughout the world. Â The challenge for the water issue is that it isn’t as sexy and so it draws less attention. Â It might take a sustained period of violent weather to change that, I’m afraid. Â When people began getting sick from the bad air things changed pretty quickly. Â It might take something similar to alter our relationship with water. Â At which point the folks warning us now, like yourself will be proved correct. Â Â Â Â I’m glad to hear you’re feeling better about your experience at Tamera. Â And I’m guessing it’s left you with some new views on things, always a sign that it’s been worthwhile. How’s the book coming along?
Love, Dave and Joan    Â
So good to hear from you and thank you for this beautiful reflection from your experience in LA. Wow, that is wild. Thank you for watching the film and sharing your insights. Tamera has been teaching me so much. It is by no means a perfect utopia. But it is filled with people dedicated to peace and love for the planet and their efforts are inspiring. Regarding the book, I haven’t heard anything back from the agent I queried many weeks ago. I haven’t given up hope, but will be sending out more queries once my time here is over. Sending all my love to you both!! 🩷
Hi darling, they are lovely replies from Gleaming and David. I am happy about , that you have come to understand , why you are here. It is a pity that the world is changing so quickly at the moment. The technology is overwhelming . The leadership in countries are not as we like it. which brings us a lot of frustration. We all should stand still and think about what life is all about. In the Baby Boomers time, we had the flower power time. Peace and love was all you heard and felt around you. People were doing things together. Generations changing things all the time. I hope that people are starting to realize what they have and what they have achieved. Live in harmony together and fall in love with the planet.
Love you heaps, Mutti xx
Thank you, Mutti! What a gorgeous response! I love how you see the world and have helped me to follow in your footsteps. Living in harmony together seems to be one of our greatest challenges. But it’s great to be in a place that is learning to navigate those challenges everyday. Love you heaps! 💕
Finally took the time to watch the production in its entirity. A commendable emotive message highlighting how critical and fundemental water is to all forms of live on earth. We shouldn’t forget we and everything else alive today evolved in the primordial oceans of the planet over 3 billion years ago. Water is love and water is life. So the called western capitalism structure cops the blame from so many activists and while blame is warranted it is also the system actually making gains in mitigating and repairing ecological damage. The culprits of continuing and excalating damage to our water resources and quality are actually in the east. India is a prime example. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WV0lOY_L6n4&ab_channel=WildFilmsIndia Countries in Asia and the Marxist Lennist communists of China are getting away with the murder of their environment, especially in regard to water. One of the hottest issues today is the plan by China to dam the headwaters of key rivers like the Mekong for hydro schemes decimating the essential flows feeding the nations downstream. Much of the plastic in our oceans originate from dumping in Asian rivers. It’s made worse by developed countries sending plastic for recycling to Asia when so much of it is not processed and dumped into rivers. It is estimated the weight of waste in our oceans will soon be equivalent to the total weight of all living aquatic life.
I’m very happy that the experience has had value and it would have reinforced much of what you already know and feel as well as adding new and valuable insights. I read your blog to friends and they were very moved and taken by the sentiments and commented what a spiritual person you must be. Deep love and positive thoughts to you.
Thank you so much for watching the film and for your thoughtful message, Rex! I am so grateful for the abundance of knowledge and experience you have acquired throughout your lifetime, because I have learned so much from our deep conversations over the years. Though we may have differences in our political views at times, I love when we debate because you always expose me to new perspectives. When it comes to loving and caring for nature I know we are on the same page, and I’m so grateful that you took the time to watch this feel that I feel so passionate about. Sending you much love and respect and I so look forward to seeing you in a few months! 🥰