We are an educational spiritual center in New Mexico dedicated to serving the Earth.
As our co-founder, Arkan Lushwala, explains in the video below,
"It is very important, very necessary at this time, that we humans return to a child-mother relationship with the Earth. And really have a relationship. By talking to her, by being with her, by giving thanks to her. By crying to her when we need her nourishment. As long as we learn again and practice again having a good relationship with Mother Earth, there is hope that we may continue being here."
Mission & Vision
Our primary mission is to promote a better relationship between human beings and our Mother, the Earth. Our prayer is for the following generations: that they may inherit the Earth in better condition than we inhabit Her now.
Our efforts are directed towards increasing awareness and awakening our hearts to the level at which we become capable of recognizing the Earth as our Mother and all living things on the Earth as our relatives and our partners in life.
Arawaka is a nonprofit organization and ceremonial center founded in 2001 in Ribera, New Mexico. We work in alliance with Indigenous peoples and ancient principles from North and South America, creating a living container where these teachings can be shared with the modern world. Arawaka serves the community through ceremonies and oral teachings, with the intention of increasing awareness, opening hearts, and awakening minds back to the remembering that the Earth is our Mother, and that all living beings are our relatives and partners in life.
Every summer, a longstanding and ever-evolving international community gathers at Arawaka. During our ceremonial season, we share a living experience that benefits all generations—from babies to elders. This is when we fully embody our mission: to live in harmony as a community, in deep connection with the land and a shared purpose—to grow as better human beings.
We steward two hundred and twenty acres of high desert in New Mexico and are committed to preserving the wildness, diversity, and beauty of this land. We engage in sacred dialogue—listening to the land and responding through ecological restoration. Two areas of this beautiful land have been thoughtfully developed: one serves as our community center, and the other as our ceremonial grounds.
Water Projects
The water cycle is an integral part of the cycle of life on Earth, and the preciousness of water is felt strongly in the high desert of New Mexico where, like in many places around the world, human activities have amplified erosion and drought.
Water that falls to the Earth needs to be received in such a way that it can slowly soak in and permeate the soil, rather than running off quickly, which contributes to desertification and climate change.
With the water restoration project at Arawaka, we invite rainwater to soak into the land, to feed the grasses and trees, to rest in pools, and to move more slowly along its downward path. The vision of more abundant water is a physical embodiment of our continuous prayer for health and balance for all life.
Arawaka’s friendship with Ccotataki community members gave rise to Waters of Ccotataki.
This is a grassroots, community-led collaboration to create permanent water sources in Ccotataki.
Ccotataki depends on rainfall to replenish groundwater and irrigate their crops. However, the dry season has been growing longer with climate change, and reduced rainfall for the area is expected to continue into the future.
Since 2018 the community has worked together to make adobes, plant native plants, and construct reservoirs and irrigation channels. Continuing to cultivate a consistent source of water will provide a stable foundation for the community to continue living as their ancestors have lived - closely connected with the land, producing healthy and nourishing food.
Media
This five-part video series presents the teachings of Arawaka's cofounder Arkan Lushwala. The series highlights the importance of ancient Indigenous wisdom in addressing the major issues of our age and invites us to
re-identify ourselves as Earth People who both revere and contribute to the sacred rhythms and flows of life.
CARETAKERS OF LIFE (Part 1) Time is Limited
CARETAKERS OF LIFE (Part 2) Wave of Renewal
CARETAKERS OF LIFE (Part 3) Who You Are
CARETAKERS OF LIFE (Part 4) The Gift of Being Human
CARETAKERS OF LIFE (Part 5) Making The Change
Support Arawaka
Throughout our twenty-year history, we have operated almost entirely through the generosity of private donors. We partner financially with people who resonate with the spirit and content of our work on behalf of the Earth.
General donations are necessary to cover basic operating and program expenses and are greatly appreciated. If you would like to make a specific gift, please let us know on our payment page.
All donations are tax-exempt. Thank you!
Contact
* Messages here go the Arawaka administration. Arkan does not receive email communications through this website.
We are also a small organization. So a response to your message may take up to two weeks. *