BIO
INSPIRATION AND TEACHERS
GREAT GRANDMOTHER - NANA LUPE (1903-2003)
After the loss of my mother to suicide and difficult experiences in my childhood, I would find comfort and solace in the arms of my great-grandmother. She was of Apache/Spanish descent and nourished me with words of wisdom and experiences throughout my childhood, teen years and young adulthood. She always offered her neighbors and her family, her wisdom, laughter, time and spirit. One of the greatest gifts I recall was her looking deeply into my eyes, with a grounded presence and saying, "the experiences you are having are not who you are. You are so much more. Remember these words." I was 10-years old and still remember the feeling it gave me.
DR ELIZABETH KUBLER-ROSS (1926-2004)
During my college years, I expressed an interest in writing my first essay paper on NDE's. The inspiration came from the lucid dreams I had about my mother. My professor declined the request, but in the end, her curiousity on the subject, provided me the approval needed. My research led me to many pioneers in the study of death and dying. I had the great fortune to take a workshop in New Jersey (1994) with Dr. Ross on Loss, Grief and Transitions. I had set an intention to do hospice work with both children and adults. I learned so much about the value of sitting in presence, with someone else's pain. That era of my life began the seeds of changing my perspective on death, dying and living. It was instrumental in changing my perspective on life and how to live without regrets.
DON ALEJANDRO CIRILO PEREZ OXLAJO - WANDERING WOLF
I met Don Alejandro (“Tata”) and his lovely wife Elizbeth, during a retreat that took place in Guatemala. It was during a pivotal time in my life when I was anticipating leaving my corporate career, which I knew would initiate an indentity crisis. It was the first time in my young adult life that I would bear my soul to another human being. Don Alejandro gently and compassionately helped me understand that the wounded child in me was ruling my life. It was my first invitation to grieve the loss of my mother more fully, integrate that loss and begin the process of stepping into my own power. Five years later, I left my corporate career and entered a dark night of the soul and Don Alejandro was instrumental in stewarding that process. I am forever grateful.
HEATHER VALENCIA- AUTHOR, QUEEN OF DREAMS
Heather Valencia came into my life during what I affectionately refer to as my identity crisis. I was 29 years old and "big magic" brought her into my life. It was synchronicity in it's most blissful form. We met under unusual circumstances and she instantly became family. Heather re-introduced me to my indigenous ancestry through extended First Nations communities, traditional ceremony, vision questing, deep prayer and service to the death and dying. I have learned from Heather the nature of courting my dreams, both from my unconscious and in other realities. I have been Heather's apprentice for well over two decades - learning the studies of Yaqui dreaming, nearing death awareness, transition and dying. With Heather’s mentoring, I have become a Labyrinth Reader (Death Doula) with the American Book of the Dead.
AUNTY MAGGIE MACHADO (1916-2009)
I met Aunty on the Big Island in Hawaii, during my studies in integral and psycho-somatic bodywork. Simply put, Aunty taught me the value of unconditional love and presence while learning the art of Lomi Lomi and dancing the great mystery. I experienced the beauty of learning to hula, while simultaneously providing Lomi Lomi to clients. She also graced me with the experience of living from the deepest recesses of my heart, in silence.
SHINZEN YOUNG
After several years of studying shamanism, the universe led me to Shinzen Young. I have experienced long and intensive meditation retreats with him. For several years, I had tried to find a meditation teacher that had a language for the very subjective states we find ourselves in during the practice. Shinzen is that teacher. My meditation practice and the way I work with clients is well informed by Shinzen's methodology.
CHOGYAL NAMKAI NORBU (1938-2018)
After years of studying several philosophical and meditative approaches in Buddhism, I discovered the teachings of Chogyal Namkai Norbu and the path of Dzogchen and BÖN . Although I have had the privilege of studying with many teachers of Dzogchen, Namkai Norbu was instrumental in my discovery of Dream Yoga, Bon Po and CHÖD. Namkai Norbu was the lineage holder to the teachings of Buddhism that are like a home to my soul. He taught his students to discover the roots of samsara and the primordial state of consciousness. The teachings of Dzogchen, Bon Po Shamanism and Dream Yoga have been instrumental on my spiritual path and compliment my ongoing studies of Oriental and First Nations shamanic practices.
SERGIO MAGANA OCELOCOYOTL
I began my journey on the Toltec path as a teenager, reading the books of Carlos Castaneda. The books have always been for me the closest to my hearts calling. I kept them, with the hopes of attracting a teacher like Don Juan. Many teachers and decades later, I would be led, synchronistically to Sergio Magana. The search for a reputable teacher finally came to fruition. I have retreated with Sergio and am comforted by a teacher who displays the humility I had hoped for. He's not afaid to talk about the darkest aspects of our humanity and it's very refreshing! My intention was to continue to heal aspects related to personal power and deepen my lucid dreaming practices with sincere devotion. The Mexhica and Toltec practices I have learned from Sergio have supported my intentions to "die before I die". Losing the "self" over and over again. I have utilized all that I have learned from Sergio for focusing on the transformational practices of "shadow work" (working with the inner caves) via the Toltec Path and Nagualism. I will continue to return and study with Sergio for the remainder of life. My website domain is dedicated to Sergio and the world, with the hopes that we all reach the state of Amomati.
LUJAN MATUS
When the student is ready, the teacher will arrive. I feel in many ways that I waited to meet Lujan Matus, my entire life. For me, he is the teacher of the hearts knowing. After years of deep personal work, I finally found a mentor for the remainder of my life. Lujans teachings are confronting as much as they are loving. He is a master intuitive empath and created a system called Lo Ban Pai, which I have incorporated into daily practices. Lujan has taught me that the power of silence is embodied when we begin the process of guarding our character and integrity in every moment. It is also the process of stillness that allows us to direct our consciousness, intentionally. He is the embodiment of acutely refined and embodied presence. This is a process I am still learning from Lujan, as a female warrior on the path with heart. I will return to Lujan and his community for the remainder of my journey on earth.