Flying into the outer reaches of the vast and still Sierra Madres mountains southwest of Chihuahua, Mexico, invited by a friend to visit Romayne Wheeler, classical composer/pianist, and his indigenous Raramuri community, I had little expectation of what was to transpire. Yet, a vulnerable and welcome openness to diversity of Possibility was certain. This was to be a journey of opening, trusting, releasing, and welcoming, while being present to the magical wonder of the moment. I was in the company of my beloved partner and wife, Janna, my spiritual friend, Curt, and an intuitive choice of Andi, a devoted aspirant for life richness. A motley crew were we, well-experienced with the amenities and treats of varied travel destinations, and yet willing to step into a much leaner arena of accommodations with nominal clue as to how we would fulfill the American’s ever-present need to be “doing.” The art of “being” awaited its own revelation, much to our appreciative surprise.
We fly in on a single prop plane, 200 miles off the grid to see who we shall be. Our snug mechanical bird oversees the surrounding immense geography, including a 6500’ crest of the mountains, on which lies a very short rough-hewn dirt runway of about 1500’. Lo and behold, is a spartan hamlet below, including Romayne’s home hanging off a cliff edge over a 2000’ canyon wall, which also falls into a 5000’ depth of endless neighboring canyons. As we begin a death defying descent, we are teeth-clenched trusting our pilot is well adept to land at just the right marker to assure stopping in the precious time/distance allotted before the runway ends just about 150 yards from canyon edge. Holy whew!
We are warmly and graciously welcomed by Romayne and his dear, trusted administrative and heartfelt support partner, Marichu, Alfonso, father and husband of Curt’s God-family, along with a diverse array of spirited community dogs. We are guided to our spartan lodging spaces overlooking a boundless distance of approximately 8-10 mountain ranges outreaching 150+ miles in the covered embrace of an expansive and ever-so-clear blue sky. How is it this precious spot on the planet can feel so like a homebase for the soul? As the week unfolded, I would discover why, with the grace of ease.
We conscientiously walk along the canyon edge to Romayne’s humble and heavenly abode, which is attached to the cliff edge facing south, as it beholds the panoramic dimension of diversely-hewn mountain peaks of many ranges, as well as a multi-diverse design and mystery of innumerable canyons. Romayne’s home was given and built for him in 12 days by a contractor, who gladly traded his expertise of building acumen, along with gifting the metal and stone-distinguished structure to realize approximately 1500 square feet of a Lookout castle. Romayne’s gifted artistry of a piano concert paid the price. This home houses a 1917 Steinway Grand Piano with the keyboards and piano bench strategically positioned to see through an all-glass paneled south wall 50’ wide and 20’ tall to view God’s majesty and inherently stimulate an endless abundance of Romayne’s creativity for piano magic.
Romayne attuned to this sacred area of the planet through the guidance of a Jesuit friend, Father Verplancken, and his life transformed. As it unfolded, he developed a heartfelt connection with the people of the extended village on the “top of the world.” As we encountered and met the people, ever so quietly and presently do they welcome you—without expectation, need, or stimulation. Their humble greeting is so very precious, as they extend a hand to yours silently and brush the inside of your fingertips with their hand, ever-so-wistfully in silence. Said moment is a sweet reminder of the quietude and strength of Center we all share with an evaporation of need and acceptance reigns.
The sounds of silence are prominent throughout the extensive environs. Inside and outside of our stone cabin I was awestruck by the sweet caress of silence. To listen to the all-embracing quietude and peace inherently allows one a release of all concerns, resistance, business and thoughts of any life aspect. One’s slate is cleared to welcome a serenity of emptiness, that exemplifies the profound richness of life we all have within and without. To behold this vast expanse of Mother Nature’s wondrous life force in the grace of unequivocal peace is to give oneself a precious taste of the Moment, which is all we truly have and yet fail to own, as we rush to future trip or past languish.
Romayne has so graciously attuned to the magical breath of this cloak of silence, that his creative spirit is not to be bound, but to be liberated in the most sparkling of musical tones, notes, and symphonies of sound, mesmerizing to hear, as one attunes from an unfettered openness of heart and gift of listening. It is the indelible magic of Romayne’s frequent expressions of musical genius, that has ingratiated the Raramuri people to welcome the distinctive wonder of this “bearded one” as a beloved brother. It is Romayne’s ever-awakening heart and grace of mind, which has moved him to play his magnificent music around the world’s great concert halls and bring home the financial rewards for his people to assure vibrant health, awakening education, ample food and water, with overall enhanced well-being. For the Raramuri, as one of the most traditional people in the world, imbue a level of industriousness, honesty, kindness, and peacefulness, which is awe inspiring and an integral blessing for our planet.
The Raramuri are the same people who are known internationally as the most powerful runners in the world, running +200 miles without physical limitations or the encumbrance of tennis shoes. How intriguing, that Romayne Wheeler, a great pianist is attracted to a tribe of the greatest runners, and these two disparate beings develop a lifelong friendship of mutual care, respect, and appreciation. How the Universe works in mysterious ways!
To be continued
-David Hill
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