Chingona Presence

Written By Lorraine Martinez Cook

Guest Writer Piece

Originally posted on sierraness.com Thumbnail Image by Lorraine Martinez Cook

Having a Compassionate Chingona Presence . . .

It all began with the extraordinary times that I found myself in - 2020. The election year, Covid-19 pandemic, social and physical distancing brought most of us to a standstill, as least it did for me. I retreated to the boundaries of my own 2 acres and found peace there. My only connection was the internet. What I found there disrupted my peace. There seemed to be so much miscommunication?!? Arguments of wearing mask to minimize the infection rate of a deadly virus. A political leader that seemed so cold, calculated and self-serving. Continued racism that thrives in this human experiment we call United States. It became exhausting as it went on day after day. One may wonder why I just didn’t turn it off?!

I’ve been involved and evolved most of my life. I belong to many circles. To turn my back to the community circles I serve, no matter how small or how large is not in my nature. The circles could be 3 people, or a nation, or the global community itself. This world matters to me and I'm glad to be alive here and now. So when I became exhausted with miscommunication over the internet I decided to collaborate with 2 powerful sister-women who share the spark of Chicanisma. We all grew up in the barrios of our beloved City of Angels. We see ourselves as true native gals to the land that raised us. There we learned how to walk the talk and it has served us well as we have matured into our “Elder” years.

We got together and said, “No topic is taboo!” Let’s speak truth like a Chingona would! Chingona in our world is one badass woman. Afraid of nothing when it comes to defending right from wrong. People will try to bend that demarcation line, but a Chingona sees right through that shit. Don’t even waste her time. Right is looking out for the unspoken. Right is compassionate for all sentient life, the Earth and all her creatures. Right is respect for facts. Right is honoring Ancestors and the Generations that come. Right is holding integrity. Right is hard truth. Everything else seems self-absorbed and shallow to the Chingona.

Originally posted on sierraness.com

Lorraine Martinez Cook

My life Journey began in the city named after Our Lady Queen of the Angels, Los Angeles. When life switched gears I found myself residing in different cities around the globe, Dallas, Singapore, and Jakarta. I found opportunity to travel the world and learn about my love for all people.

A quest to heal came while feeling opened, surrendered and vulnerable because of family tragedy. I embarked on an inward journey and discovered the ancient teachings of the Q’eros of Peru. I found comfort in the earth-based teachings of the Four Winds Society.

I continued my journey into the rainforest of the Amazon and undertook the teachings of Maestro Amador and the sacred plant medicine Madre Ayahuasca.

When I returned home it was the Tias (aunts) that knew I was ready to learn the teachings of my own native heritage, Mexican-American/Apache/Caddo.  Several years ago I embarked on a sacred sojourn of the Water teachings of my Apache ancestors in the San Juan mountains of Colorado. There I reunited with my passion, my purpose, my true nature and my joy. I continue to learn with beautiful and gracious Medicine Wisdomkeepers along the way.

It is my personal belief and experience that we as humans have a natural tendency to collaborate with compassion.

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