Blog Full - Maurice Leavitt | Personal Essays, Travel Writing & Reflections

13 Jul 2022

The Price People Have Paid for OUR Freedom – Lima, Peru

by Maurice | posted in: Adventure, Family, Love, Personal Growth, The Human Condition, Travel | 0

If you are looking for some happy go lucky piece of writing from me here about my travels, then I would invite you to move along. This topic I am going to attempt to write about was a surprise and a harsh realization for me. This learning was accompanied by many tears, exhausting me one afternoon after being explained from a local friend their experience of fleeing from their home in Lima, out of fear for their lives. There were pieces put together for me from different events, places, and people… from back home in USA, Colombia, and Peru.

… and then I was invited to go to the Place of Memory, Tolerance and Social Inclusion and a lot came together for me. I felt sad, ignorant, heartbroken, angry, and frustrated with the patriarchy and toxic (machismo) masculinity. Inside this memorial, wave after wave of emotion washed over me, I felt small, a foreigner/gringo, helpless. I felt the pain, grief, and tears of the people I know from South America and the ones I don’t know from the pictures and in their stories on the walls. I didn’t want to carry this around inside of me and thought I needed to write some of this out and see where it might take me.

There is a lot of information surrounding Peru’s political structure, economy, coca production, domestic violence, crime, and all the individuals and families and how they are affected by all of it I am going to do my best to give the most simple and complete picture from the perspective of the human condition, which is the most fascinating for me.

First, I am staying in a building in Miraflores, Lima, Peru where down the block, two truck bombs exploded, each with over 1000kg of explosives on 16 July 1992. There has been an ongoing internal conflict in Peru between the government and a guerilla group called the Shining Path. At the same time there was a Revolutionary Movement to rival the Shining Path. All this took place between 1980-1997, not all that long ago. The stories can get a little convoluted but that is the short of it. The sad part of the story is between 50,000 and 70,000 people were killed during this internal battle inside of Peru. The bloodiest since the Spanish occupation.

Second, after hearing a lot from locals about their first-hand experience with domestic violence, I had to ask the google baba guru. Up came a website with this information… “One in three women in Peru will likely suffer physical and/or sexual violence from an intimate partner in their lifetimes, according to the United Nations. Violence against women is the most widespread form of violence in Peru, and it occurs across regions, income levels, education levels, and age groups”

Third, there is a significant amount of street crime that people are concerned about. Mostly directed against women, glittered tourists and people distracted by their cellphones. It’s something the local government is aware of, and they have street security on almost all street corners. Not full-on police with guns, but security who are connected to the police by their radios. This is not something I am particularly concerned about for myself yet; I try to have good situational awareness and I don’t wear any jewelry nor are any of my clothes of the Gucci or Armani variety.

Fourth, Covid protocol. Everyone wears masks here mandated by the government and people don’t make an issue of it. It does not seem to hinder anyone’s personal freedom. They even want you to wear masks outdoors on the street when there aren’t people around. You cannot get into any grocery store, market, mall, or the movies without proof of vaccination. I don’t have an issue with any of this at all. It’s a way people can protect themselves and others in the spread of this virus. Sure, I do find some of it over the top sometimes but, deep down I know that is why their covid levels are lower than most. Their health care system is free and aren’t as sophisticated as the ones back in USA and I think that has something to do with it as well.

What a dose of internal conflict, eh? It for sure is different than the endemic mass shooting problem, what happened to the native population in north America, the taking away of women’s sexual and reproductive rights, and the libertarians who think mask wearing is against the constitution back home in the USA.

This is only a small slice of what others had to pay, as a price for our/my freedom?

What does freedom mean to you? Freedom means…

To ability to travel freely around the world, un-incumbered!
To be able to lovingly stare at a mango to see its ripeness and see all the colors of the fruits at the local markets.
To watch your children dress themselves in all the colors of the rainbow and see them happy and be free with all their choices.
To tell lies to the police security to try to get inside where they do not want you to belong!
To look at people in their eyes when they tell you their feelings, emotions, and share their tears so you can take them all into your heart.
To be free to retire to another country, not because you speak the same language but, because the people there make you feel at home and happy with yourself and your choices.

Take that all in!

Lima, Peru Protests — Protests in Lima… for fair wages for government workers. The police closed down the main square.

8 Jul 2022

Cusco, Pero – Machu Picchu – The Ways of the Inca

by Maurice | posted in: Nature, Personal Growth, Spiritual, Travel | 0

As much as I have studied the great traditions and their mystical components, being in Peru, the Incas and shamans embrace the dualities in nature, the cosmos and in humanity. Humanity is the creation and product of the universe, so the expression “as above, so below” holds truth here. Except they would explain it as the rights of the mother (earth), Pachamama. That human beings are not the central and most important entity of the world.

The rights of the mother, Pachamama the earth mother, is the vision of the people in the Andean region of South America. This indigenous vision entails a deep respect for nature, not only at the level of human livelihood but also as a social organization and our vision of the universe – spirituality. In this vision, everything on Earth and in the universe has life, and a right to life. Humans are not superior beings who are above plants, animals, or mountains. Humans exist with non-human beings to form an Earth community.

Pachamama holds a variety of meanings. It is not the result of science, but the manifestation of the knowledge of the ancestral Inca culture, it is the complete coexistence of the people with all living things. It represents the whole of the human and non-human entities, from the human to the animals… from the plants to the rivers, oceans, and the rocks and the stars. She is the Mother Goddess… Pachamama. It is though understanding of our inner selves, our unique selves, and our own bodies, where it’s then possible for us to hear and listen to the Universe calling us, to realize our own laws of nature.

Western philosophy of today portrays itself as hedonistic, individualistic, and utilitarian thinking, and is only concerned with consumerism. It seems to neglect a lot of the importance of human socialization, physical and mental well-being, of solidarity as a collective, of love and mutual aid and rejects any idea of interdependence that humans might (or need to) have with nature. The human centered point of view displayed by western society sees humans as the only moral subject, the only bearer of dignity and intrinsic value… that it is humans who are the only central agent that can regulate actions, values, and ethical models. Western culture has transformed nature into a place where humans can proclaim themselves master.

Western culture is treating the earth as a thing, a grocery cart of items, that can be dominated, subdued, and exploited, with little concern at all for all animal and plant life and its suffering. It’s in our self-proclamation as the great ruler of the living world, that we have lost our way, away from our roots. We have forgotten that Nature is not just a marketable resource, but the matrix of all life – including human life. It is earths ecosystem that cradles us, feeds us, shelters us and keeps us alive. And yet, we are in perpetual war against life, with permanent dissatisfactions, consumerist appetites, and major human misunderstandings. Capitalism and the logic of for-profit business has taken precedence over any other societal objective. Threatening earth’s limited natural resources, biological diversity, ecosystems, and landscapes. The liberal-capitalist system is in the process of destroying the biological and physical conditions of existence. Pollution is raging, and while the climate is going crazy, the biodiversity of the planet is crying out for help. Nature has been stripped of its substance; it is not considered to be a source of metaphysical and spiritual meanings to which we are to understand, to feel, to symbolize aesthetically and spiritually, that nature has become a resource to be exploited, a “natural resource”, violated and abused.

A key concept attached to this indigenous philosophy is that of “Buen Vivir”, which is Spanish for “good living” or “living well”. In this concept I am talking about, it refers to the paradigm of living in harmony between human beings and nature. It implies a holistic and integrated vision of the human being, immersed in the great earth community that includes water, air and soil, mountains, trees, and animals. It is in fact a true harmonious symbiotic relationship, it is the affirmation of a deep communion with Pachamama, with all the energies of the universe and with God.

There is a rising new paradigm for change. A change to the world and its rules to build a democratic society more sustainable, fair, egalitarian, free and maybe, even, more human.

2 Jul 2022

Kindness, Good Nature, Affection, Generosity in Lima, Peru

by Maurice | posted in: Adventure, Love, Spiritual, The Human Condition | 0

It was unfortunate that I felt I had to leave Ecuador last minute. I believe it was a good decision as things have gotten worse. When I travel, I typically give myself a little time to research and investigate the next place I am considering traveling to. In this circumstance, I did not have the kind of time to do that. In fact, I had very little time. I was not planning or expecting to be in Peru at all. Due to what I would consider limited time. I only have about 10 weeks until I need to be back home to start my 24^th year of teaching at the college. I was thinking I was going to stay in Colombia and Ecuador. I like to stay in a place and really soak in the culture and the people. Not just to see the touristy things and leave.

But, as my friend Kathryn “The Bag Lady”, who, BTW, has stage 4 cancer and refuses to stay at home and continues to travel, albeit through USA. She posts regularly on social media so I am not breaking any confidentiality, said to me… “Just take what the Universes puts in your path. That usually makes for the best adventure.” I truly just want to be here and let the rest unfold. The universe is doing just that whether I like it or not. It really is up to me to see all this for my benefit or choose negative thinking. Seems like a simple decision, right?

The universe is a stage
on which your mind dances with your body,
guided by your heart
#YogiTea.

I am remembering the saying, wherever you go, there you are. No matter the location. So here I am with the same body and mind no matter where I land. Unplanned and unexpectedly, now in Lima, Peru. I’ve been here for a week and preparing to go to Cuzco and Machu Pichhu as I write this. I didn’t have a particular drive to be here.

I’ve always known Lima is a place with a reputation of having wonderful food and restaurants. I have not been disappointed thus far. It’s all about corn, beans, rice, potato, and fish here… I am in heaven. Of course, you can find all the Amerikkan shit food like steaks and burgers and pizza, in addition to chifa (the word they use to say Chinese food) and other international options.

Immediately upon my arrival to Lima, Peru, I experienced such generosity and kindness from people. Charly, my taxi driver from the airport, took me to a place to get an inexpensive sim card for my phone because he did not want me to overpay (At the airport, they wanted to charge me over $100 to “rent” a sim card). Percy, the owner of the apartment I am staying, is a man in his 70’s, well-educated and travelled and offered me his time, conversation, and compassion for the position I am in having left a violent Ecuador at the last minute. Ana, who has been more than happy to show me around a bit and share with me all the nice places to eat. I have been overwhelmed with kindness and generosity that has come my way since I’ve been here in Lima. When love’s reciprocity is in action, the balance of giving and receiving where you can’t locate where you are in the cycle, I just melt. My heart is filled with gratitude.

I tear up just writing this. (I am sitting in a coffee shop in Cusco, Peru reflecting on my time in Lima)…

…to be continued

29 Jun 2022

Civil Unrest & The Human Condition – Ecuador and Peru

by Maurice | posted in: Adventure, The Human Condition | 0

This is a tough one for me to write. I’ve been in a bit of a tough spot inside myself and having to contend with my thoughts and feelings. The divide and disdain of the country I am a citizen. The continuing dissolving and tearing apart of my family. The job changes in my work. All the while contending with the changes inside myself after living in Asia. Any why now, add upon all this a worldwide pandemic. There are times where I haven’t been sure which way is up. I have a feeling that I am not the only one who has similar feelings like this.

Why would I even mention all of the above? Especially in a public blog for F sake! I’m certainly not looking for sympathy or to perpetuate any suffering for me or others. But it’s a natural occurrence to experience “suffering”, just as the buddha describes it. I’ve written about it a lot too. It is because I believe we all go through similar things that … 1. allow us to stay stuck in our own thoughts or 2. to use life’s circumstances to grow and become the best versions of our ourselves.

This is how I am translating some of what is going on here in South America. I am not a native Ecuadorian nor will I claim to know what their experience is like. and from my experience being here.

Ok, so, here’s the deal… I was in this bubble on a boat in the Galapagos with no real connection to the world and experiencing paradise. Then, in preparation for leaving the Galapagos Islands we are all briefed about the state of emergency and the civil unrest in Quito, Ecuador. You could feel the people in the room stop breathing out of fear.

What was I going to do about it? The group I was with could not stay in the hotel in the city center because you could not get there, and there were lockdowns with little movement allowed for the residents. I could not get to Otavalo for the largest textile market in South America nor to the surfing camp in Montanita. I felt it would be best to leave Ecuador as people’s freedom of movement had been severely stifled. Things have gotten worse since I left.

There is this expression – “As above, so below, as within, so without, as the universe, so the soul…” ― Hermes Trismegistus. This expression is considered a universal truth or law which shows us that the outside world reflects our inner world. What we feel and what we believe tend to manifest in our lives.

For example, we have all had periods in life where bad things happen, and it feels like we don’t get a break from the problems and challenges? If we can stop and remember that our outer world reflects what we think, believe and are feeling. To shift back into a positive and upward spiral we need to change the perspective of our inner world. As we transform the negative thoughts and feelings into positive ones, we will begin to attract the people, opportunities and outcomes that inspire us to pursue our greatest desires.

To live our best lives, it is so important to be true to ourselves and to take ownership over our feelings and our beliefs. Once we do this, we begin to make the world a better place. Inner peace creates outer peace. In addition, by being true to ourselves we no longer have an overwhelming need to seek validation and approval from others

Many have expressed concern for my safety while I am here. Yet, I do not feel I am in danger. I actually feel more unsafe in my own American country with all the gun shootings and violence and the power/money hungry society in which I am a citizen. I am embarrassed to admit that I am “Amerikkan”. I realize making peace with being called a “gringo” and “farang” when in a foreign countries is the gateway to my peace. Why might this be important enough for me to write about in combination of this civil unrest in Ecuador and Peru? That’s a good question I’ve been pondering how to express in writing.

The people (Ecuadorian, Peru, USA and others) are unhappy with their governments’ lack of involvement in the stabilization of the prices of gasoline and other necessity items to live. I realize this is happening all over the world. It’s just that most of the people here truly cannot afford gasoline at about $8/gallon. I wonder about this is the USA … If the government is involved in setting prices for some food (wheat, corn), electricity, natural gas and heating oil… so why aren’t they involved in the gasoline industry?

Instead of keeping all those negative feelings and thoughts inside, the people are transforming them into something more positive and effective. Taking to the streets. Protesting the lack of government involvement in caring for the people. At first, peacefully! Although it has gotten more violent. I think this might be a good example of the expression, “As within, so without”. A practice that is not particularly easy to do all the time.

I’ll get off my philosophical high horse about all this “As Within, So Without” stuff for now and get a little more down to earth… In all seriousness… I am not concerned for my safety here. Sure, there is violence and places around in which you would not want to enter. I have good situational awareness with eyes behind my head. I am not wearing flashy jewelry nor expensive clothing. I realize I am not immune to some of the things that happen to people and tourists, but I will not be dragged around by the nose by fear.

So, off to Lima, Peru I go….

(to be continued)

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