Daniel, a retired Argentine psychiatrist, now applies his skills and many decades of professional experience in Buenos Aires to social action and service among indigenous communities in Mexico and volunteering his service in some of the poorer neighbourhoods of his hometown with rampant depression and rising suicide rates. The WHO (World Health Organization) now identifies economic and social factors as major contributors to mental illness.
Daniel shares about how increasingly prevalent self-isolation in adult life conditions how people love and how they work - two major determinants (Freud) of mental and emotional health. Having intimately observed First Nations communities in Mexico, he discovered a whole new attitude toward family, community, decision-making and justice, where “my” is replaced by “our”, and where individual chiefs or “leaders” follow decisions of the village council, not their own personal agendas.
He suggests western society can learn deep and valuable lessons from the wisdom tradition of the “original people” regarding the above and also re the environment - our Mother Earth upon which our very lives depend. Organic farming is the “rule of the land” and an individual cannot own the land because he belongs to the land.
When asked how non-indigenous people can glean some of this wisdom and worldview, other than watching documentaries, he suggests a respectful, mindful & and perceptive visit (a gentler tourism) where no photos are taken, and lots of authentic, sincere listening happens.
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