DdmAll continents and places have a unique energy and way of existing. Since I travelled a bit to some places, I appreciate the differences to my own culture very much, and the potential it has for our personal evolution and quality of life if we learn from each other.
I grew up in a small town in the center of germany, which is already different to the city, or the south, the coast or the capital of germany. Not to speak of other countries and cultures around.
But what I found predominantly, especially after I travelled a bit, is the pre-dominance of head-centeredness. We calculate, we plan, we reason, we think through things. Some of the greatest minds and philosophers of our time come from germany. Just as world leading companies and quality products.
But living in a head centered culture like that also comes at a price. Performance mindsets, overthinking, pre-occupations and headaches, migraines and general misunderstanding of another, are just a few common examples. Caring about other‘s businesses before ones owns — the farer the better (especially for neighbors or foreign countries).
The word „german angst“ is world famous. We have fears for the future and regrets of the past. Rarely being in the here and now. Much less in the body. Sharing feelings is untypical, and people hide a lot more what is inside them. Stigma, judgements and what others think or might think is big.
This is very different to other countries around the world.
I was lucky enough to have spend quite some time in colombia and other latin american countries, like the dominican republic. Especially the dominican republic is probably the biggest contrast to german head-centeredness. Budgeting the income, thinking something well through, or general mindfulness is almost non-existent.
As soon as the paycheck comes, life gets lived and money gets spent. The rest of the month will take care of itself. Enjoying life is more important than worrying.
Colombia is very much like that, but a bit more reasonable and in strive for keeping up with western culture. Still, the latin way of life is and probably stays dominant.
Indigenous people and the amazon connect deeply to the planet and all of life. „Pachamama“ („Mother Earth“) is a common term and surrounds a lot of practices. Cultivating devotion and appreciation for her, as the great spirit and protective being of the earth, is still an integrative part within the continent.
It is also a big heart-centeredness in colombia and latin america generally. Just talking about emotional topics, about love, feelings or the heart in general is much more common and much easier than in other languages, especially german. Words like „amor“ or „corazon“ dont carry the same weight and flavour in spanish. And people appreciate to open and share their feelings.
Living in and enjoying your body is much more cultivated than in europe. What germany is in the head, colombia is in the lower body. And it shows itself in many areas. Dancing, birth rates and appreciation and cultivation of ones body are just some positive examples coming from it. Its hard to find any colombian which does not dance. Many dance styles come from colombia and children basically grow up with it. Body shaming almost does not exist. Sensuality and romance are very much appreciated and lived. No one can love like a latin woman. This is not a secret. Also sexuality and nakedness are much less shamed as in germany for example. They value the beauty of it. Conversations about love and life are regular topics and held with great emotional investment.
But just as our head-centeredness, this body-centeredness also has a big shadow. Over-emotionality, financial instability, lack of quality products and services, high birth-rates in minors and poverty, and a general tendency of carelesness. Those are also just some generalized examples.
But with all this, both countries can learn greatly from each other. To improve our lifes, culture and society. What europe lacks in the body, south america lacks in the head — but what europa has in the head, south america has in the body. This makes a very great mix. An enjoyable life in the hear and now, with the right amount of focus and stability.
A better general mix and balance between body and mind I have surprisingly found in india. And this also made me aware to see it a bit from the perspective of the chakras.
India has one if the most advanced and established systems of body-mind-practice and knowledge. Yoga and meditation are very common, and so it is also to find a lot of people having a great balance, being rooted in life and well established in the body, but also mindful and well focused, all with a great connection to the divine, God, the Universe, or whatever one wants to call it. The differences in quality between south america and europe, I somehow find just within this one country. The south is much different to the north, and the center is different again. Its like the whole world within a country, but in a completely new way.
So speaking of the chakras, south america would be more connected to the lower ones, the root (Muladhara) and the sex (Svadisthana). Europe and germany more to the third eye (ajna). But one of my teachers also made me aware of especially germany‘s connection to the navel chakra (manipura). India I wouldnt know where to put. Definitely the crown chakra (sahasrara). However the chakra system is complex and those are just my thoughts on it. Im still exploring 😉
