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The Pachamama Project is dedicated to preserving our planet's health for the sake of our children and their children. We do this through special events, education, and activism. Your interest and participation is needed and greatly appreciated.
Michael Antares, the founder of The Pachamama Project, made a solo walk from San Francisco to New York city in 1987 (the details of the walk are available on this
site). The walk was a “Walk of Peace” dedicated to peace for our children and partially sponsored by UNICEF. Michael intends to complete a second solo walk between San Francisco and Washington, D.C., a “Walk of Life”, continuing in the spring of 2008. Here he describes what motivates him to do these long and difficult walks:
“Probably most of us have some activity that we do, or dream of doing, that fulfills us. For me, it is doing these walks. When I am on the walk, I feel that I am doing exactly what I have been born to do and I am acting at the utmost of my capabilities, both physically and psychically. I enjoy the solitude of the high desert and I enjoy meeting people, sharing ideas and concerns with them. I enjoy living my dream and serving as an inspiration to others to live their dream. If I can do my walk then you also can do YOUR walk, your dream. I enjoy the adventure where each day is new and different. I enjoy the risk, the living at the edge, the unknown, the challenge.”
“Why a “Walk of Peace” and a “Walk of Life”? Naming the first walk a “Walk of Peace” and not a “Walk for Peace” celebrates the peace that exists within us, as individuals, as families, as communities, and as all of humanity. It is not in opposition, it is not against, it is not in contrast to something. There is no cost to obtain it. It is a state of being, perhaps the most natural state of being.
“Likewise, a “Walk of Life” celebrates the miracle that is life. That miracle extends from the lowliest bacteria to the ultimate expression of life, ourselves. It is expressed in countless forms, in the sea, on the land, and in the sky. It includes plants, animals, insects, fishes, and all other life forms, plus Pachamama—Mother Earth—as the container and giver of life since all life is made from the earth. For me, to walk in solitude on our Earth Mother is to give honor and respect to Her and to acknowledge my responsibility to care for Her. “
When we are born we acquire two mothers, our human mother who gave birth to us, and our earth mother who gave us all that we are made of. It is right that we should love, honor, cherish and care for both of our mothers in equal measure. The bounty and beneficence of our earth mother is not without limit and our continued neglect of her is causing her to suffer greatly. In the end her suffering will be passed on to us.
Last updated January 2, 2008 (many changes throughout site)
