Dripping Sunshine in the Smog: From Mango Bliss to Traffic Hell
I grew up hearing this quote: “Peru is a beggar sitting on a golden chair.” For someone who, as a kid, was drawn to places where water streams were surrounded by an abundance of life and beauty—like small pockets of paradise amid the city—that phrase didn’t make any sense to me. I remember sneaking to a hidden stream on the city edges, where dragonflies danced over crystal water and picking black berries from trees as finding jewels of flavors —a child's Eden that whispered riddles of plenty.
Years later, I became more exposed to reality and traveled around the world. I could apply that line of thought to all the South American, African, and other countries south of the globe where they are struggling with their economies, yet have such richness in resources. As I see it, many cultures are fused with a mindset of scarcity—a cultural virus inherited from colonial legacies that stripped lands and spirits alike. In these places, indigenous wisdom has been overshadowed, creating a hybrid where fear of lack overrides the earth's generous pulse.
From Lima's dusty hills to Johannesburg's townships or Mumbai's bustling markets, the pattern repeats: fertile soils ignored for fleeting fortunes, leaving communities dried in spirit despite the rain.
I’m here in Lima, smelling these delicious mangos and looking at the vibrant produce, and I am in awe. The air is thick with their sweet, tropical perfume, skins bursting with juice that drips like liquid sunshine—an absolute contrast to the exhaust-choked streets just beyond. I perceive the fertility of the land; it thrives in the cellular structure of this radiant, glowing, and appealing yumminess in front of me—so much better than in many places in the US and Europe. These mangos, plump and defiant in their ripeness, mock the swarming cars below—nature's quiet rebellion against our man-made chaos. Yet, even though abundance is our birthright, in this large city—a perfectly designed place for abundance—it only takes a look outside to see how it can be overwhelmed by separation, waves of foggy thinking, and embedded conformity in the distorted “what isness.”
I see how easily things can grow here in Lima. Dusty mountains can become green paradises in no time; streets can be filled with such abundance in one season. Ironically, amid all this traffic and pollution—the traffic in Lima is one of the most aggressive in the world—people are stressed out, moving to places trying to make a buck, living in massive extensions of land with no trees, when they could live in a green, prosperous paradise. Humidity is high in Lima; you breathe water, and trees don’t even need as much watering. Peru isn't just sitting on gold—it's lounging on a throne of emeralds and sapphires, yet begging for scraps from a system that values greed based-development of concrete structures over unity-sustainable and in harmony with nature creations.
It is a common pattern in so-called “third world countries,” but a scarcity mindset is also overwhelming in developed countries as well. Do not think you are out this picture, if you are from there—if you're sipping a latte in a glistening mall up north, don't roll your eyes; that shiny illusion might hide the same soul-sucking scarcity we're dodging down here—because having a better economy, a better standard of living, better malls, and roads without holes does not necessarily mean happier or healthier, united and connected. The level of “lack of common sense” is a worldwide disease, and it reflects in the way people live in harmony with their environment. If you think building roads through places that still hold nature’s abundance is not just a lack of common sense, it is madness. We sell our souls to the devil for unsustainable profit, and don’t blame your government and corporations—we allow it.
Why Harmony with the Environment Benefits Humanity
Living in harmony with nature isn't just poetic—it's essential for our survival and thriving as a species. Trees aren't just pretty; they filter pollution like particulate matter, significantly reducing ailments like asthma and respiratory diseases in urban areas. For instance, neighborhoods with higher tree canopies show lower levels of crime, fostering safer communities. In places like Detroit, urban farms and greening initiatives have been linked to reduced crime rates by building community stability and pride.
Economically, this harmony turns "beggar" nations into self-sustaining powerhouses. Pollinators, those unknown heroes like bees and butterflies, enhance numbers in over 75% of the world's principal crop species, ensuring bountiful harvests without heavy chemical reliance. Restoring ecosystems also boosts carbon storage—forests managed for long-term health can store up to 80% more carbon than those exploited short-term, helping mitigate climate chaos. Grasslands, if preserved (even just 10% more in key areas), hold vast amounts of carbon, securing our planet's breath.
On a deeper level, tuning into nature reignites our innate love for nature—our love for life—combating the "foggy thinking" of disconnection. Contact with nature improves mood, vitality, and psychological well-being, reducing stress and fostering a sense of interconnectedness where humanity thrives as part of the web, not apart from it. This isn't about going back to the stone age; it's about forward-thinking abundance that heals colonial scars and unites diverse cultures.
Retaking Our Ancestral Wisdom: Lessons from Moray, the Inca Agricultural Laboratory
A powerful symbol of this lost harmony lies in Moray, an extraordinary Inca site in the Sacred Valley near Cusco. Often called the world's oldest agricultural laboratory, Moray consists of massive concentric circular terraces carved into a natural depression, descending up to 150 meters deep. The Incas ingeniously designed these "muyus" (circles) to create a series of artificial microclimates—temperature differences of up to 15°C (27°F) between the top and bottom levels—allowing them to experiment with crop adaptation across altitudes, climates, and conditions without traveling vast distances.
This wasn't mere farming; it was sophisticated science: testing seed varieties, soil responses, frost tolerance, and biodiversity in controlled environments to develop resilient, high-yield crops suited to Peru's diverse ecosystems. The terraces preserved and enhanced soil fertility through natural irrigation, crop rotation, and integration of wild plants—principles that supported a vast empire with sustainable abundance.
We can retake this heritage today by embedding Inca-inspired wisdom into modern living:
Microclimate Design in Urban Spaces: Adapt Moray's principles for Lima's balconies, rooftops, or community lots—use tiered planters or sunken beds to create varied conditions for diverse edibles (mangos at "lower" humid levels, hardy greens higher up), maximizing limited space and water efficiency.
Biodiversity and Experimentation: Revive the spirit of testing and diversity—grow heirloom varieties, companion plants, and polycultures in home or community gardens to build resilience against pests, climate shifts, and soil depletion, just as the Incas did.
Water and Soil Harmony: Incorporate Inca techniques like efficient channeling (Moray used natural drainage and humidity) into rainwater harvesting or hydroponics for Lima's arid edges—turning "breathing water" humidity into an asset rather than a challenge.
Community Knowledge Sharing: Form local "laboratories" like urban edible gardens where elders, farmers, and youth exchange ancestral knowledge with modern permaculture—reconnecting to indigenous roots to heal scarcity mindsets and foster collective abundance.
By honoring Moray's legacy, we don't romanticize the past—we actively revive practical, earth-centered intelligence that proves harmony with nature yields true prosperity.
Solutions: From Scarcity to Abundance
The solution could be as simple as stopping unnecessary consumption and being more in tune with the source that gives us life: nature. Could you?
Here's how to start:
Personal Level: Plant fruits trees in your yard or veggies on your balcony—Lima's humidity makes it effortless and around the world, just use your imagination for the common good. Cut unnecessary buys and unnecessary attention to the media, opt for local produce to shrink your carbon footprint and support fertile lands directly.
Community Actions: Join or start urban greening initiatives, like those inspired by community tree-planting programs that transform dusty lots into vibrant orchards providing free food and shade. Advocate for green corridors in traffic-heavy zones, turning chaos into calm.
Policy and Systemic Changes: Push for policies like reforestation incentives that prioritize natural restoration over exploitation. Boycott unsustainable products; support circular economies where waste becomes wealth, reducing pollution and creating green jobs.
Mindset Shifts: Cultivate abundance thinking through daily mindfulness in nature—walks in green pockets can rewire scarcity fears. Educate via stories of success, like Costa Rica's eco-tourism boom, which proves harmony pays in happiness and prosperity.
Global Solidarity: Connect across borders: Support fair trade that values resources without exploitation, turning "golden chairs" into shared thrones for all humanity. Organizations like the Sierra Club and The Nature Conservancy offer tools and campaigns to amplify these efforts.
Perkunas in at an edible garden he created in San Diego , CA
By embracing these steps—including drawing from Moray's timeless ingenuity—we reclaim our birthright: a world where mangos thrive without traffic's insanity, and humanity flourishes in harmony. This is exactly the kind of reconnection I facilitate through my holistic wellness guidance and nature-inspired experiences—whether through edible garden design, energy flows in natural settings, or curated sanctuaries that help you heal, inspire, and expand in life by drifting deeply with nature's rhythms. If this resonates, reach out—let's co-create your own pocket of paradise. 🌿
Below links about expanding the greenery:
