Category: Personal Contemplation

Just thinking about personal things in a way that might benefit someone out there…

  • Earth Energy — What Is It?

    Earth Energy — What Is It?

    A very fine Cuban cigar got me thinking…

    … all that ancient wisdom about “Chi” or “Shakti” is obviously true on some level. I’m not a big cigar smoker, though I am a lifelong nicotine addict. Nicotine addiction has had me since I was forming in the womb — back then, women didn’t know that smoking while pregnant was le bad. I’m not sure it is, frankly. Both my brother and I turned out pretty well, and we were both born as nicotine addicts. He kicked it, but I’ve leaned into it.

    This is a very old living thing that provides for other living things. Trees are awesome! Hug one today.

    Tobacco is a sacred gift of the Great Spirit in my opinion, along with coffee, chocolate, many herbs and even hallucinogenic substances like magic mushrooms. Of course all of these things can be abused, but they can also be used to great benefit. That is a topic for another post, however.

    Currently, my mind traverses the subject of quality, not merely the fact that this marvelous world offers such gifts.

    What is it that makes New York grow such crisp, juicy, wonderful apples while apples grown in Ohio or California are just… apples? What is it that makes Cuban cigars so incredibly superior to all other cigars? I’m no aficionado, but I have smoked more cigars than usual in the past couple months. Nicaragua comes in a close second from what I can tell, but Cubans are a cut far above.

    You could try to make the argument that it’s just le science — Cuban soil has a mineral composition that (blah blah blah). Cubans take great pride in their cigars and cure and roll them with more skill than people in other countries. Yadda yadda — tell me you’re a dumb, compliant, materialistic, “science”-worshipping, non-doubting NPC without stating it in those words.

    It would be an interesting experiment testing purely empirical science itself to take Cuban soil, Cuban water, Cuban seeds, Cuban farmers and tobacconists to another country at the same latitude, grow tobacco, and see if we get the same result in terms of cigar quality.

    I’d be willing to bet that we would not.

    Why? Chi. Shakti. Energy. Travel enough, and you will begin to appreciate how the energy of the realm, flowing between the earth and sky, affects its fruits. If you’ve ever crossed the Pyrenees from Spain to France, you’ve experienced it. Even crossing the Rockies in Colorado demonstrates it — the Western Slope and Front Range have distinctly different feels.

    Latin America’s vibrant earth energy presents itself boldly; Mexico alone is full of different vibes reflecting its many microclimates. Colombia is a whole new experience for me, energetically. It’s like a more intense version of Mexico. The sexual energy here is next-level; everywhere you go you see couples elegantly and passionately doing the dance leading up to “the nasty.” Percentage-wise, there are more beautiful women here than I’ve ever seen anywhere.

    It is definitely somehow related to the fertility and abundance and beauty of the land. I’ve noticed the same phenomenon in other places — parts of California, specific regions of Korea and Japan, the south of France, La Paz — but here it’s a whole. notha. level. like Cuban cigars.

    Soon I’ll be moving on to Peru, right next door, and I’m sure that the energy there will be something different. Several trusted sources have reported that Peruvian cuisine is among the best in the world. Of course I’ve eaten in Peruvian restaurants in New York and even here in Medellín, but it’s like Thai food or Mexican food — it just doesn’t hit the same outside of those countries where the fresh local ingredients make it pop. It will be something like smoking a real Cuban to eat real Peruvian food, I think.

    I’m also looking forward to experiencing those massive mountains and will make a point of getting to the Amazonian side which is off the beaten path and apparently quite magical.

    For now, though, I’m here in Colombia, and I’m liking it. I have a couple more Cubans to enjoy. 😊

    Wherever you are, take a moment to breathe and tap into the energy that Gaia gives freely. Trust me on this.

    You might also consider subscribing to my podcast. Soon an episode will drop like Colombian rain. Next episode relates to energy and how it delineates natural from artificial intelligence. Don’t miss it!

    Peace,

    Chuck

  • Exclusivity vs. Inclusiveness

    Does a rich man feel lonely in his mansion?

    I’m doing my best to find out!

    A lot of you know that I’m mostly uncomfortable with putting my personal business out there on the Internet; it’s one of the reasons I don’t do “social media.” Yeah, if you go back and look at this blog over the past 20 years, you will find posts where I show my whole ass, but it’s usually in relation to some global event or trend. Right now, i have no idea what’s going on in the world. I came across something about a shooting in Australia or something but didn’t look into it and don’t care, frankly. RIP to the victims, “thoughts and prayers,” whatever…

    Anyway, this is feeling like a public diary entry, and that’s apropos to the topic at hand: the battle between introversion and extroversion, between chillin’ like Bob Dylan on an exclusive private beach or wilin’ out on a public beach with the hoi polloi. What follows is a bit personal but potentially of interest to the general public so here goes:

    I’m posting this from a private beach, the nicest beach I’ve ever experienced, and I’ve seen some nice ones. I’m here 24/7, vibing to the sound of the waves. I put my feet in the moist, black volcanic sand and play in the surf whenever I want, and the water temperature is perfect. I’ve not seen one piece of garbage in the water. The surf is better than I’ve seen anywhere, not a single rock, even a nice, smooth round one that bumps but doesn’t gash you should you catch a wave and eat earth at the end of your ride. A wonderful breakfast arrives as if by magic each morning. There are exotic and lovely flowers and birds. Only a few lucky people share this beach; it’s private, exclusive.

    But that’s the problem. I think I prefer the social beach experience. All those days at Coromuel in La Paz were so… social. I met people, normal people, working people and befriended some of them. There was music. There was food (that I didn’t cook and wasn’t served to me on a schedule). It was free, wide open to the public and inclusive, not fancy or “elite” in any way, but a breathtakingly beautiful beach open to everyone nevertheless.

    The “problem” I’m facing here in El Salvador after one week is that I’m experiencing exclusivity… and not really liking it even though this beach is objectively superior to the private beach at the Ritz in Kapalua — and a hell of a lot less expensive.

    Don’t get me wrong: I’m not complaining, just thinking. My gratitude is boundless. It’s just that this is a new experience for me and one that is both perfectly aligned with the introverted “twin” who is happy to read and write and contemplate his navel for days on end while anathema to the extroverted “twin” who happily presses the flesh with billionaires and hobos alike. It’s tough out here for a Gemini, man. We’re always at home and never at home.

    Intuition informs me that I’m going to make incredible friends here… but how do I meet them? Are they lurking in the few other bungalows and haciendas enjoying this very experience, or do I need to venture out to other, more publicly available beaches? There seem to be plenty within a mile or two.

    The wrath of my own independence bears down as well. I’m not generally susceptible to loneliness, preferring my own company most of the time, yet willing to take others along for the ride or to ride with them. But I’m really feeling the lack of a companion right now, like all of this would be better with a best friend, confidant, and lover. I suppose this is a result of ending a 20+ year partnership recently. Then again, if she were here, she’d be annoying me, killing my buzz, and ruining it for me as usual so… growing pains? A necessary respite from guaranteed company? A chance to reconnect with myself in a profound way? I’ll go with that.

    It has only been a week, but I haven’t made a single friend other than the dueña. This is probably the longest I’ve ever gone in my life without bringing a single person into my orbit. It’s a little strange, but I’ll just go with it for now.

    We’ll end it on a positive note: I have been writing, cooking yummy food, playing my guitar, and flowing nicely at my day job. 24/7 wave action does that to a person, no matter how thick or jovial the crowd.

    Peace,

    Chuck