Welcome! Pangaea (pronounced: “Pahn-GYeea” or “Pahn-Gaia”) is an alchemical space for creative inquiry at the confluence of earth, activism, sound, and spirit created by Greek-American writer, activist, dharma practitioner, and lawyer Maria Stamas.
These posts explore what potentialities might arise from applying the wisdom lens of the five elements (earth, water, fire, air, and space), together with Time, to the systemic climate and societal injustices we face today.
Consider your presence here an invitation to embrace your sensitivity, feelings, and heart connections, so we can attune with what’s most important and act accordingly amidst this time of rapid change and crumbling structures.
These (at least) monthly creative reflections are for all activists who see their work as connected to a broader cosmos and who are interested in how deep inner work can shape the outer world, how systemic change is fractal. As adrienne maree brown reminds us, if the same spirals on our fingers are found in sea shells and in the shape of galaxies, how might our internal patterns “cycle upwards?”
These offerings are also an invitation to the healers, meditators, musicians, and spirit-guided folk to consider deeply what “right action” looks like. How might seva or service both include feeding people yet expand beyond to encompass transforming systems of oppression that leave millions hungry.
Most of all, this is a space of confluence, for anyone troubled by these times, who is committed to inner soul work, and who is invested in co-creating alternatives rooted in deep listening and relationship with the five elements of earth, water, fire, air, and space; together with Time and each other.
If Pangaea has a premise, it is this: Colonialism and racialized-capitalism have cut us off from our bodies, and thereby, our hearts and senses. Today, supercharged by AI and social media platforms, digitized capitalism is now even targeting our behavior. With the high level and speed of distraction, violence, and extraction, the elements themselves are losing their vitality. Rivers are running dry, clouds geoengineered to be seeded with salt aerosols, fires supercharged. Disconnection enables harm.
Part of the work, then, is supporting each other to feel, sense, and connect again, to relate with the elements as a form of healing and systemic rebalancing, and ultimately, as an expression of collective care and love.
This writing is shaped by my lifelong study in different ‘ways of knowing’ and my curiosity about what new potentialities may come from deeper integration across these bodies of practice–including yoga and vedic philosophy and practice– as well as its health and astrology systems (ayurveda and jyotish), ancient wisdom and earth-based traditions, sound art and music therapy, climate justice, alternative models of law, governance, and economy, and decolonial and anti-racist praxis.
And, it is inspired by all those who integrate internal, spirit-guided work with responsive action and change in the external world, some of whom I’m in relationship with and most of whom are inspirations from afar, including: Grace Lee Boggs, Ericka Huggins, bell hooks, Bayo Akomolafe, Mariame Kaba, Paulo Freire, adrienne maree brown, Dra. Rosales Meza, Dr. Denise Fairchild, Alice Coltrane, Silvia Nakkach, Lyla June, Reverend Angel Kyodo Williams, Sri Anandi Ma, and many more. I am especially grateful to all those leaders and friends whose support and example have helped inspire me to share.
Taproot Earth has a movement principle called “speaking in draft.” In essence, it’s about not holding back even if you only have a partial thought, and to trust that the community will be able to complete it.
In that spirit, consider these monthly posts emergent, “writings in draft” for collective reflection, metabolism, and dialogue. These drafts are likely to include essays, sound experiences, book recommendations, and other inquiries in support of a world where our hearts are open, our vision clear, and where we can create joyful, collective futures in support of life.