…we at Soltara strive to pay such precious gifts forward however we can. We are grateful for such inspiring work – not only do we get to be creative in the ways we give back to the environment and improve the lives of others, but in truth, it is our highest mission and ultimate purpose.
At Soltara, we believe each person is on their own healing journey to free themselves from the things that hold them back, in order to best use their talents and skills to serve the world. In this way, the path to healing comes full circle, and the integration of that healing in turn leads to the healing of others. Through fulfilling this sacred duty, each of us can do our part to move the whole world forward.
“The love within us is meant to extend outward. The closer we grow to our inner light, we feel a natural urge to share it. We all long for meaningful work, some creative endeavor that will be our ministry, by which the energies within us might flow out to help heal the world.”
– Marianne Williamson
Our Track Record
Before Costa Rica became our home, the founders and team members of Soltara were part of a center in the Peruvian Amazon, where we worked closely with the local indigenous population in the jungle village of Libertad. There, we completed many projects and initiatives, including:
- Helping finance and build a new school for the ~80 children in the village.
- Financing and building 6 bathrooms for the villagers (who previously did not have working toilets).
- Raising over $12,000 for installation costs and donating solar panels for the entire village to have light and electricity.
- Collecting and donating school supplies, toiletries, clothes, shoes, medical supplies, and other needed items.
- Providing a monthly monetary donation to the village.
- Providing employment opportunities as well as a place for the local women to sell their crafts.
- Providing free English classes.
- Contributing a portion of our profits to the Amazon Rainforest Conservancy.
- Coordinating the filming of a documentary about war veterans suffering from PTSD and their healing journey with ayahuasca, in order to spread the message of the dire need for alternative forms of healing for our veterans.
Our ethos of reciprocity describes the important and beautiful lesson of the medicine that all of life is interwoven and interdependent – none of us exist in isolation, and all are connected. As such, we are committed to living out this universal law in everything we do, and strive to embody the indigenous wisdom and spirit of the medicines and its people in order to be responsible stewards of the Earth and her bounty.
Soltara’s Initiatives in a Sustainable Paradise
Choosing Costa Rica as our home was no accident. According to various world indexes, it is considered one of the most progressive, sustainable, and greenest countries in the world. It is a country that understands the need to protect Earth’s biodiversity, and follows through in action and policy. There is much we can learn from this way of living, both individually and as a collective. Rated the greenest country in the world in 2009, Costa Rica also has the highest percentage of land dedicated to national parks and reserves. It was ranked the highest in the Latin Americas on the Human Development Index (a composite index of lifespan, education, and per capita income), and is the only democracy in the world without a standing army (preferring instead to have “an army of teachers”). In 2016, over 98% of Costa Rica’s electricity was generated from green sources, and the country plans to be entirely carbon neutral by 2021. Our location on the Nicoya Peninsula is considered one of the 5 “Blues Zones” of the world, where a significant percentage of people live active, healthy lives over the age of 100. [Source]
We plan to continue living out the values of our ethos and country by supporting both our local Costa Rican community as well as the Amazon rainforest – the birthplace of Ayahuasca and the home of our healers – through our work at Soltara.
We are honored to be working closely with indigenous healers and creating employment opportunities for our local community. Before we arrived, the property was being used infrequently as a family vacation rental, and was deserted for most of the year. Through Soltara, we have been able to provide dozens of employment opportunities for the local population, and we are so humbled that they are as excited about us being there as we are! As such, we are continuing efforts to develop a symbiotic relationship promoting ecological and economic opportunities and benefits, including:
Local, organic farming and permaculture
A quick drive from Soltara to a neighboring village brought us to a small farm collective. Run by a local family, this collective employs low income women to live and work on the farm, and shares the profits evenly. Their organic, pesticide-free produce blew us away – we had never imagined cucumbers could be so delicious (and if you add a little salt, it makes for a perfect afternoon snack!). We are honored to partner with and support their efforts, cut out excess plastic packaging and waste, and adhere to our principle of food as part of the healing process.
Sustainable, local fishing
We are lucky to live along the coast of the largest ocean in the world, and our fisherman neighbors agree! We are happy to support their small and sustainable fishing business, and as such, enjoy fresh fish, shrimp, and other seafood delivered to our doorstep and without excess packaging. The local ecosystem of the Nicoya Peninsula is one of the healthiest and most thriving in the world, thanks to the sustainable fishing and environmental practices of the locals, and we are pleased to report that this conscious living reflects in the taste as well! Complemented by the excellent (and ayahuasca-friendly) preparation of our talented kitchen staff, we are honored to join forces with others who respect the ocean’s health and sustainability as much as we do.
We’re just getting started!
This is the beginning of our path, and we have big plans for the future! As we grow and evolve, we plan to build out longer-term initiatives and ideas with our advisors and community. Some of these future plans include:
- Working with our advisor Dennis McKenna on eco-initiatives such as an ethnobotanical garden and permaculture program.
- Continuing to serve veteran populations with specialized retreat programs and promotions.
- Developing a robust volunteer work exchange program.
- Offering internships for students to learn about plant medicines and shamanic apprenticeship.
- Providing a scholarship program based in communal reciprocity.
- Being a platform for intercultural dialogues and indigenous voices.
- Hosting guest lectures and scientific conferences …and more!
We are always open to ideas and collaborations, so if you have an idea or would like to work with us on a project, feel free to contact us
By living out the values of our ethos and our home, we hope to contribute to a global awakening that inspires balance, harmony, respect, healing, transformation, and a deeper understanding of what it truly means to live a pura vida.
