Sixty feet up the spectacular Mayan pyramid known as Nohoch Muul, wind
buffets me and I cling to the rock desperately - trembling in the 100 degree
heat - my heart pounding wildly. As I carefully climb up the steep face of one
of the tallest known Mexican pyramids sweat drips down my forehead onto the
ancient rocks.
Looking back the steep sixty feet of crumbling steps I have climbed, I am
reminded that no safety fencing or climbing gear is there to protect me. A
single rope hangs down the middle of the stairs and that's it. Each step brings
me closer to the top of the pyramid and as it does, the wind increases. Already
the view is spectacular - miles of jungle stretch out before the pyramid.
Hundreds of years ago Nohoch Muul was the center of
the local Mayan Indian community. Mayan Indians from across Mexico traveled to
Nohoch Muul seeking guidance and friendship. Every day a priest would climb
nearly 140' to the top of the ancient pyramid to spend time in the ancient
temple at the very top to offer prayers to help his people. Nohoch Muul is a
part of a much larger Mayan Indian community known as Coba which was discovered
in the late 1980's. Amazingly, only 10% of this ancient Mayan community has been
uncovered.
Located in the Yucatan peninsula rain forest near the Mayan Riviera, the
ruins of Coba puts me in touch with the idea that all people crave, like the
Mayan Indians, existence within a community as an important part of our
humanity. This craving explains our passion for social media and our desire to
live a life in a neighborhood which is welcoming here in the United States.
While modern day life in a community may not require a daily 140' climb,
being a part of a supportive environment helps ease life's woes. Like the
pyramid climb, it is not always easy, yet it is rewarding. Building and
maintaining friendships, helping one another, particularly during trying
economic times, and living life in general can present difficult challenges. Yet
when you share time with other human beings, volunteering and helping improve
the neighborhoods and community's where we live, humanity is lifted up in a
powerful experience of sharing.
When we take care of our neighborhoods we feel less depressed, more
satisfied, and generally happier with who we are and those around us. These
thoughts drift with me as I struggle to reach the top of the 140' monolith.
Several times I lose hold and think I might be blown off the pyramid. Always
another climber helps me so that I am able to safely reach the top. After the
last shaky step, I turn and see an ocean of green rain forest stretching for
miles below me (see above photo). White clouds float through the blue sky. There
are no skyscrapers, or buildings, or airplanes; just nature and the ruins.
Smiling, I reach my arms up in triumph. I made it! Grinning even wider, I
realize that I did not reach the top on my own. I had help. Sometimes life is
about more than our own selfishness. Achieving a personal triumph is always made
easier when you have a community of caring people to help you.
Living a green lifestyle and building emotionally healthy relationships will
help you when you are climbing your own personal pyramid. Family and friends
will lift you up when you need help so you can live a better, less isolated,
life. Perhaps building community will help you realize the true value of
humanity - or perhaps it will just make you smile more. Either way - working to
build a greener and healthier community will improve the quality of your living
- so do it today and make a difference.
Shawna Coronado says Get Healthy! Get Green! Get Community! www.thecasualgardener.com, The
Green Blog - www.gardeningnude.com,
or The Garden Blog - http://thecasualgardener.blogspot.com
Filed under: Eco-Travel, Help Neighbors
Tags: community, eco-travel, mental health, Mexico, pyramid, travel, Yucatan
