Hello, my name is Derrick Gonzales Moreno (Deersinger) I am Tohono O’odham, Pasqua Yaqui and Piipaash originating in modern day Arizona.

With this project I decided to talk about the ceremonial practice that the Tohono O’odham do which is called the Salt Run. I can only share what was shared with me.

To begin this journey the males come together from different communities and gather the tools necessary for their path. There is a ceremonial blessing, dinner, and gathering to help nourish the mind, body, and spirit before they leave.

They are typically gone for about two months and that is a very heavy thought to think about. Along this pilgrimage there is a preparation process for new perspectives that are going to be gained, self-discovery along with collecting the salt for blessings and trade is the goal.

Trust is crucial for the challenges ahead. Creating bonds, gathering lessons of strength, humility, and self understanding are all part of the offerings and blessings that will create clarity for all teachings and struggles.

That search for self-discovery is a good thing. It’s all about sharing and reconnecting for the next generation to understand one another. When working together there is more solitude and room for creation, as well as character-building and life lessons.

Two paths, one journey

As for me, it’s like my foot is in both paths but there’s one journey. There is one road and my feet are on both sides, and it leads in the direction of self acceptance. When I think about it, it’s very inspiring and beautiful because we are all capable of so much.

Especially when we spark that light within ourselves, to push ourselves, to find that spiritual awakening to get closer to Creator. But we’re all different. With that understanding, it helps the foundation we want for ourselves because we are masters of our own destiny.

When you think about it in that way, we can all have that balance between ourselves and the natural world. The higher power, our ancestors, are helping to guide us. We’re all the same in a way, because like in biblical books, they say ashes to ashes, dust to dust. And even in the science field, the big bang provides a framework that includes all of us as part of the fragments and elements.

Breaking through the threshold

Within the perspective of cultural teachings, techniques, stories, ceremonies we’re a part of nature and we all are connected. That is the beautiful part that fascinates me because we’re not different. Those are just principles and elements that shouldn’t divide us and there shouldn’t be any type of hierarchy.

I wanted to be vulnerable with this piece to share my thoughts, experiences and ideas. I was definitely scared to put it together but at the same time I know and feel that I needed to share this to help inspire, motivate, and encourage others to be yourself. With this abstract writing and zine that was created, I feel it is a way for me to encourage being vulnerable with one another.

To support each other to go for our goals, utilize that talent that was given to us, and tap into that psyche that creative spirit to become who you’re supposed to be and to understand you’re not alone.

Sparking your enlightenment

Facing hurdles builds our strength, skills, and character forging a mindset for higher callings. There is always room for progress and growth, mental, physical, and spiritual. We need them in order to have that grounding.

This cycle is life; vulnerability to rebuild ourselves and understanding to process emotions in a healthy way. This is how we gain lessons and the humility that’s part of the process that helps us deal with challenges and it creates bonds and it strengthens.

It’s all about that honor, the reflection of who we want to be and why we’re here and that skill set we can bring to the table. It’s that clarity and peace in order to be reborn and have that open mind.

Enlightenment to work together in that natural way of love, compassion, understanding, knowledge, blessings, and family. That spiritual awakening to become who we’re supposed to be and strengthens characteristics, reconnecting with ourselves and our surroundings builds solitude.