Meet Jake Vawter: ECC Teacher
Jake Vawter, one of our newest teachers, began his journey to the Eagle Condor Council as he was questioning many things. He knew there was a unique calling in his life. His dad was a pastor who raised him with Christian ideologies, but Jake's own perceptions of life and the world made him question some Christian narratives. He always knew there was something more mystical and beautiful about life than what he was taught. It was through his trials and experiences in life that he gained deeper spiritual insights about the world.
When Jake encountered the mountain spirit of Apu Shasta, he was guided towards more love and enlightenment regarding life, reality, and the world. The sacred mountain showed him the boundless love that the universe has for each and every one of us. The spirits of the plants and animals he built relationships with showed him how amazing and special we are. He was on this journey when he met Jeff Firewalker Schmitt, and he was soon introduced to Andean Mysticism and the teachings of Eagle Condor.
With the Eagle Condor Council community, Jake felt peace knowing that he was not alone in his perceptions about the world and his spiritual experiences, and in fact, he had tapped into ancient wisdom that has existed for thousands of years. He believes these teachings are fundamental to understanding who we are at a deeper level, and should be recovered. Jake hopes to provide space for others to study with him, to show the expansive paths that are available to us in our human life experience.
Connecting with all the elements of the universe, from rocks, trees, birds, and the sun, is one of the teachings of Eagle Condor that excited Jake the most. This, in addition to working with the Mesa teachings, has supported Jake's fascination with expanding reality and perceptions about life. The supportive community and the wonderful relationships he has built within the Eagle Condor Council community are something that Jake especially values, as he has felt alone most of his life.
"We get to be that glue that binds us together and holds us deeply within ourselves… there's nothing more empowering than that. There's nothing like having a community to fall upon when you need help, or to celebrate with you when something great happens, or go to when you just need advice or someone to talk to."
Sacred reciprocity and recovering balance in life is a concept that Jake looks forward to guiding students through. He believes it is especially important that people better understand the natural balance of life and become aware of "hucha" energy – the experience of depletion and unhappiness. He believes that empowering more universal awareness of Ayni will help us reconnect to ourselves, our relationships, families, communities, nature, and all the things that we have in life, including our workplace responsibilities.
Helping people honor self-care in consumerist cultures will be a passionate subject in Jake's teachings. Jake wants to help remind us not to take on all the burdens of the world, and to provide ourselves with more moments for nourishment, mindfulness, quiet space, and reflection. It is important that we become aware of our innate needs to buy or get something to make us feel more fulfilled. Jake is here to remind us that we already have all that we need within!
Contact Jake Vawter: jdvawter@live.com
Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/3vZhaa2gRrM