Cantando La Vida~~ February 17 – 19th, 2012
A sharing and teaching gathering for ceremonial/devotional singing circles, dancing, and music
We change the world as we transform ourselves with songs of light, love, peace on earth, and goodwill to all beings
Cantando la Vida, Costa Rica, is a sister celebration to Singing Alive, a Song Tribes gathering birthed in the bosom of the Pacific NW (Cascadia) eco-festivals. It, like Singing Alive to the north, is part of a growing global ‘song culture’ which is knitting itself, and the world, together, thru the harmonics of communion with our common spiritual heritage. This culture has been fragmented by the various scatterings of sacred traditions, neglected as community rituals have secularized, atrophied as singing professionalized, and devitalized as songs became disposable consumer items. However, it appears the innate urge to sing to, with, and as, the glories, and often terrible beauties of this world, is something that may be suppressed, but is never forgotten!
Cantando la Vida exists to encourage the remembrance of this deep desire to sing from the heart. It provides resources in the form of, 1) songs, 2) the community to sing them, and 3) support for those of us who want to live the teachings, the sadhana, of the songs. We therefore invite all who wish to activate and nurture their spiritual life in this way. We call all who long to gather in devotion to personal and planetary regeneration.
Cantando la Vida offers itself as a ceremonial space in the vibrant magic of the tropical rainforest, a chrysalis in which participants can rebirth, grow, enliven, and enlighten themselves in attunement with the Garden of the Divine family of Creation. Check here for a look at some of Cantando La Vida 2010
Please join us there, at Finca Amrta. Finca Amrta is a wonderfully majestic river-side land of forests and fields, with organically cultivated fruits, flowers, and vegetables. There we will spend three days and night in various circles around fires and altars. These circles will activate with many songs, stories, prayers, invocations, intention settings, blessings, mantras, and so ommmmm. Circles will be scheduled thruout the day, and each will be facilitated, recorded, and offered as a teaching venue. Other activities during these days include the occassional plant walk, yoga sessions, learning the ways of an organic farm, and . . swimming in the river!
We will nourish our bodies, as we nourish our souls, with wholesome, vegetarian food. Three meals a day of yummilicious delectables. Food include rice, beans, lentils, pasta, cheese, oats, vegetables, and from the farm fruits, such as oranges and bananas, cob oven baked bread, and yogurt. Please bring your own special treats and snacks or items to share.
Just as we evolve ourselves in service to the flowering of consciousness, so do we each do the practical work to create this ceremonial village. This is a participatory gathering. We ask all participants to volunteer, as we suggest and you all feel moved, to help things run smoothly.
Participants should bring ~
Tent with rain fly and camping accessories; flashlight; your own dish and utensil; snack food; water bottle; bathing suit; Deet-free insect repellent; sunscreen; biodegradable soap; musical instruments; altar items; smudging herbs; candles; songbooks; and if you wish items for barter or trade. Recording devices are also useful.
The weather ~
San Isidro del General is in February is usually dry, in the mid 80′s, though check weather reports before you pack.
Costs
$20 per day meals included, $60 for the entire weekend.
$10 per night for camping
Teens 13 – 18 = 1/2 price. Children (13 and under) are free (parents are in charge of their children, though we will have some childcare helpers). This fee supplies food, reimbursement for event organizers, full-time staff and preparation and restoration of Finca Amrta.
Early registration: if in Costa Rica, staff (ask for Suzanne or Miguel) will be at the Ferria (farmers market) of downtown San Isidro on Thursdays. Arrive early for the freshest choice organics! Otherwise pay at the gate
Directions to Cantando la Vida
When you land in San Jose, Costa Rica you can take a cab from the airport to the Musoc Bus station. All cab drivers know where to go. Buses from this station go ONLY to San Isidro, so don’t worry that you will get on the wrong bus. You should not pay more than $30 for this taxi ride. Buses leave every hour (8:30~9:30 etc., with 5:30 being the last bus.) And the cost is around 2000 colones.
Make sure that you keep track of your belongings in San Jose. Always keep your money, passport and plane ticket on your body.
From San Isidro to the farm: you have three options:
1) Taxi: Tell the cab driver that you want to go to the entrance to Arizona on the road to San Ramon Sur: “Me gustaria ir a la entrada de Arizona entre Pedregoso y Pedregosito.” Cost should be around 3000 colones.
2) Bus: Buses leave San Isidro from the Mercado Central – (Central market) for San Ramon Sur/Pedregoso for the farm at the following times: 8:00 (sat-sun); 11:00; 2:30; 4:45 (there are more times, frequently during the daylight hours.)
Get off at the Arizona stop. Don’t worry; the bus usually makes this stop, so be sure and tell the bus driver,” la entrada de Arizona, por favor”. Los Chofferes (bus drivers) are great and will easily help.
At the San Isidro Mercado you will see many buses. The destination is written above the driver outside of the bus. Our bus says: San Ramon , Pedregoso and is blue and white. Cost is: 300 colones.
Across from the entrance to Arizona is a wooden gate with a sign that says Amrta. This is the way to our farm. On the left hand side of the driveway, on the first large tree you will see a sign that says AMRTA. Go down the hill. Follow the road all the way to the end and you will find the volunteer house, and . . . Welcome to Finca Amrta!
3) Walk: its about 45 – 60 minutes
PLEASE NOTE: If you arrive in San Isidro at dark (around 5:30-6:00) plan on taking a room at the Hotel Chirripo (across from the central park) and come to the farm in the daylight hours.
For those just touching in on the singing path, remember the wise African proverb, ‘If you can walk, then you can dance, if you can talk, then you can sing’!
We hope to Sing you there!!
