NOW HERE WE GO!

No one wants to be purely functional, like machines or robots used for practical and efficient purposes. The animal and plant world doesn't want that either; we are all loving beings!

When we go shopping in large Swiss stores these days, we have the choice of paying at a staffed checkout or completing the transaction at a self-checkout machine. These machines initially elicit astonishment and critical comments like "how inhumane!" from most people.

We can also see this technological innovation as a valuable opportunity to cultivate a more conscious approach to our interactions with others. When we are stressed, everything should be... "Now hurry up, hurry up!" To be efficient. If we don't have the time or inclination for genuine exchange and a true encounter, then nowadays we can simply use the checkout machine. We no longer have to treat checkout staff with contempt because in certain situations we are functionally focused and only want efficient service, while not seeing the person involved at all.

At other times, we have time and consciously choose to interact with cashiers. But then we mustn't expect that humanity will come to us from the outside and that we'll be treated like royalty. Even people who work at a checkout have bad days or challenging situations – what do we really know about each other! Choosing against a purely functional machine and consciously opting for human interaction means being open to the current situation of the person we're interacting with, being present with goodwill, love, appreciation, and perhaps even humor. This unconditional openness to the outside world means that we take responsibility for our true selves, and our own natural connection to well-being is activated.

"YOUR HEART AND MY HEART ARE ANCIENT FRIENDS. WHILE STORIES Separating Us Come and Go in This World, We Are Always Fortunately in Being Reminded of Our Ancient Heart Bond."

In Peruvian markets, it's striking how vendors and customers address each other as "Mammi," "Mamita," or "Mamay" in Quechua, regardless of whether they're meeting for the first time or have known each other for a long time. This affectionate way of addressing each other fosters a human connection, a benevolent exchange, and genuine empathy. Moments spent at the market generally don't feel like purely profit-driven commerce, but rather like nourishment for the soul—who in this vast world doesn't long for heartfelt encounters?!

This gentle way of communicating and this goodwill remain an important part of Peruvian culture in many places, despite colonization. Would you like to experience it for yourself? In spring 2024, SONQO is again organizing various group tours to the Andes and the jungle – you can find detailed information here:

Click here to go to sonqo.tours

Working with plants, and especially with Ceremonial Grade Cacao, requires a dedication to the difference between emotions (functionally oriented towards the external world) and feelings (exploring the inner world). Cacao opens the heart. And the heart longs to expand unconditionally into inner peace and goodwill. This is absolutely not about feel-good spirituality, but rather, first and foremost, it involves a responsible relationship with oneself as a human being (individual being), as a social being, and as part of the entire cosmos (ecological being). Are you ready for this unconditional encounter with yourself?

For those interested in working with PACHAMAMA CACAO and with other people in the future, SONQO has therefore created a CACAO COURSE created.

You will learn valuable background information about cacao, how to prepare it differently for a cacao ceremony, a cacao celebration, or a daily cacao, and how to work with it in different ways. You will gain in-depth knowledge of Munay meditation and many other helpful methods.

With joyful hearts – Ángel & Aline with the SONQO team