Ara. A Māori Guidebook of the Mind By Dr Hinemoa Elder
This evocative book describes a metaphorical underground journey through a series of 23 caves, each of which represents an aspect of the mind. The author’s poetic portrayal takes us on a circular downward spiral, visiting various mental chambers, each offering supportive resources as we approach Te Whatumanawa, the seat of the emotions in the bowels of the earth. From there, we change direction and spiral upwards again, touching base with more mental attributes as we climb back to the surface.
This is a healing journey as well as a wellbeing check. Unlike a Western psychiatric approach, there is no diagnosis and nothing to be ‘fixed,’ but rather it offers an opportunity to know ourselves a little better, and to remember our own mental strengths and the external support we receive from our loved ones, our ancestors and our connections to spirit and nature.
