ROOTS OF BELONGING

May 16

Quote: “Walk humbly and walk in service, and nothing can ever touch you.” ~ Lyla June

In Chapter 4, Roots of Belonging, I begin the episode by sharing a formative story from my life of belonging to Earth and community while witnessing a wise elder of the Diné reservation, speak truth and compassionate wisdom from his heart.

I also interview Dr. Lyla June Johnston (aka Lyla June). Lyla is an Indigenous musician, scholar, and community organizer of Diné (Navajo), Tsétsêhéstâhese (Cheyenne) and European lineages. Her messages focus on Indigenous rights, supporting youth, traditional land stewardship practices and healing inter-generational and inter-cultural trauma.

In this deeply personal interview, Lyla shares her wisdom on why loving and forgiving ourselves and others is crucial to being a warrior for the creator during these threshold times. With passion and clarity, she expresses how both mentorship from elders and her own healing journey has supported a path towards honest expression and heart-centered service. Lyla also describes what it means to truly belong to ourselves, our people, and the Earth and how everyone can connect to their Earth-worshiping, indigenous ancestors even when one’s ancestors can feel distant and challenging to reach.

Being with our most challenging feelings, prayer, knowing one’s Indigenous roots, and honoring our ancestors, are crucial to re-membering who we are during this time of collective unraveling and awakening.

Each episode ends with a Root Awareness meditation.