Zone of Totality: Kalani Revisited

Saturday, November 26, 2016

Kalani Revisited

Thankful for the very existence of Kalani, where Dar and I have stayed many times. Today's post from Kalani:

"The outpouring of grief and increased outbreaks of hate crimes in the wake of the U.S. election reminds us that our work - championing individual freedom and equality, while protecting natural resources - is more important than ever. Here, at Kalani, we will continue to hold space for the complex dialogues that these times require, while respectfully engaging a wide diversity of individual points of view. Our community remains grounded in oneness and guided by love for self and other."

A Post-Election Invitation | Kalani Retreat Center - Big Island, Hawaii

Kalani is located on the Big Island of Hawaii. We offer healing retreats and workshops that celebrate Hawaii, nature, culture, and wellness.

KALANI.COM

November 10, 2016, 5 a.m.

Awake. Cool wind and palms sway. Coquis and bullfrogs sing to the moon and rising sun.

Exhaustion knocks me out for a few hours, but the shocking upset of the presidential victory + the the Senate and House wins jolts me awake and now I’m up and writing, pre-dawn. The outcome of this election is both a wake up call and an American tragedy for climate change, women, people of color, people with disabilities, immigrants, affordable healthcare, queer folks, civil rights + basic human decency. Despite this...

The lava still flows into the ocean. Liquid rock sliding into the waves and the rhythmic hiss and steam of it all making new earth.

Here, on this part of the Red Road, we keep bees and grow a lot of our own food. Here, our WiFi comes and goes with the clouds and cell service is spotty. We beat drums in a circle and sing along to blue moons, new moons, black moons. Here, we are about finding deep joy through devotional practice. We hug a lot and organize cuddle puddles. We never mind what we don’t want and instead invite what we do want: to manifest grace + abundance. Here, on this part of the Red Road, we are cashless, naked and free.

This Eden and the few remaining like it are the polar ice caps of peace and freedom in a furious and fearful world. We are the stewards, the caretakers of this sacred place and more than ever, we cannot afford to remain insular. We’ve got work to do and important guests to prepare for.

Our “business” is the work of transforming, balancing, actualizing. This Eden that is Kalani Honua is sanctuary and recharge station for change makers and super heroes: artists and farmers, futurists and permaculturists, yogis and yoginis, psychics and mediums, queerdos and nasty women.

We are a place for slowing down and disconnecting, especially for you mainland progressive social justice soldiers, warrior artists and mad futurists. When the city chaos wears you down, come bury your hands in the cool of our magical dirt and lava rocks. Replace the media drone with bird song and the buzz of bees. Recharge by connecting to deep earth fire.

When the fight wears you down, restore + replenish here, with us.

Let us feed you good, nourishing food. Let us offer you a comfortable bed to catch up on much needed sleep. The jungle will heal you and make you stronger. This place of transformation, restoration, nature, and wellness is where revolutions begin.

Here, on the Red Road, Hawaiian Sovereignty still stands.

Here, on the Red Road, on the Big Island, Pele and a pantheon of Brown Gods rule.

Here. Where you belong.

Authored by:

Joel Barraquiel Tan, Kalani Honua Executive Director