Dora (Vivi) Silverstein

Hola, como estan? My name is Vivi and I was born in Colombia. I moved to Canada twenty-eight years ago and have found more than just a home here. I have being blessed with two loving sons and I would like to share my story with you, a story that centres on my heart. After four open-heart surgeries (the first when I was twenty-four) some might conclude that I have a "weak" heart. In truth, it is my heart that has given me incredible strength. It has given me the courage to break out of the world I "knew" - leaving behind comfort and security - to step into something that was foreign and, at times, very scary for me. My heart has led me on an incredible search for truth, meaning and purpose. It has guided me to a place of miracles and an environment of healing. It has helped me recapture the feelings of freedom and joy that come from embracing the medicines of unconditional love and forgiveness.

I come from a family of privilege. I grew up with material comfort and on the outside, had everything that our world deems necessary for a successful life. I am grateful to my parents for their sacrifices and for how hard they worked to give me a good life. But the "privileges" I was given came with a long list of social norms and expectations. I was taught that social acceptance is everything. I was never encouraged to think for myself or express my feelings, and I certainly never felt that I had anything significant or special to offer to the world. I tried my best to fit in and accept this picture of my life, but my heart had another plan. It had already started its search for truth.

It was in my early forties when I met Diane Longboat, Kakontakwas, a Mohawk traditional teacher. I was immediately struck by her willingness to help people. She shared her gifts and wisdom unconditionally. I remember hearing the love and sincerity in her voice as she prayed to the Creator. I had never heard anyone talk to God with such tenderness and love. Her relationship with God was so strong that she was able to receive messages and direction in response to her prayers. She had established an actual relationship with God!

I heard the medicine songs, the beat of the drum and the sound of the turtle rattles and it awakened within me, an Ancient memory. The high point of that first meeting with her happened during a purification lodge. I had spent so much of my life living in fear: fear of my "fragile heart," fear of the unknown, fear of the "what-ifs." Allowing myself to enter into a small, dark, and humid lodge in my condition, defied all logic but something inside of me told me to trust - and I listened. It was in that lodge that I felt true peace. Not only was I unafraid; I felt loved, comforted and safe.

That experience changed me and initiated a fourteen-year journey of letting go of all that I thought made me happy. I also embraced a different plan for my life. This new plan required faith, sacrifice and the ability to trust what I was feeling, over what my mind told me I needed to do. My journey did not "make sense" to many of my old friends, family and colleagues. However, in the process of letting go and not heeding their expectations, I began to discover who I truly am.

What I appreciate most about the ceremonies and the gatherings that we host at the Sacred Fire of The Great Peace, is that they honor the cyclical order of the Natural World and are inclusive to all people. It is so rare to see people of all races, faiths and traditions come together in the spirit of true love and respect. People come to celebrate the beauty and uniqueness of what the Creator has given them. It is not about trying to change anyone's tradition or culture; rather, it is about embracing our diversity. Through the ceremonies of the Indigenous people, I have strengthened my faith through the Jewish tradition of my Ancestors, and have found a way of life that honours Spirit and The Creator. This relationship keeps my heart ignited with joy. I have come to discover that we can only be truly happy when we honour and share the gifts that we have been given, and live a way of life that is guided by the heart.

As mentors for the next generations, we have to search deep inside of our hearts to find our own truths. This requires the strength to find the healing we need, to become balanced human beings again. We have a responsibility for the children and the unborn.

"May all the children feel joy, security, beauty and peace. May they feel accepted, loved and respected for who they are, as they carry their vision forward and create a world of true love for the generations to come."

I carry this prayer deep in my heart.

Shalom

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