Learning to listen II

I am reading a book transcribed from interviews with Don Policarpio Flores Apaza, an Amawt’a (a traditional Andean spiritual leader) whose knowledge and understanding of the cosmos, agriculture, medicines and living fully is much richer than you could get from any formal education. Maybe he has never even heard the words global warming, but his depth of listening doesn’t depend on reports by the International Panel on Climate Change.

"The ayllu (Andean community) is the meeting place of many people with a feeling of brotherhood and sisterhood; the ayllu is also union with Pacha mama (mother earth), with the plants and animals, it therefore doesn’t depend on politics or religion, just a big heart. Our grandparents had a big heart and used to walk with a sure step because they talked with Pacha mama, with the stars, with the flowers, that’s why they didn’t make mistakes…

"But today Pacha mama is crying. The cars, airplanes are contaminating the earth and the air, are destroying the earth and if we don’t listen to the stars, the river, the mountains and all Pacha Mama’s messages, we will have nothing to eat. Even the birds are talking to us, the flowers, the insects, the plants. Today we have to listen to them."