connecting to the self, connecting to the world

birthday reflections

I turned one year older last Friday. I felt really connected to the various parts of my emotional web, seeing where I needed tending to, and where I needed rest.

I wanted to share some thoughts on how self love, nature, my ancestors, and Lion King are all connected.

I decided to celebrate my birthday by watching Lion King on broadway. My brother’s and I loved the movie when we were little. Especially the video game. The vibrant, psychedelic colors and of course the synth version of the soundtrack.

It was interesting seeing what movement they choreographed to express a lion in reflection, a lion in celebration, a lion in enlightenment, and a lion in bliss.

This is definitely not sponsored by Disney but I have a lot to say about Disney’s themes on connecting to ancestral beings and land.

There’s a moment in Lion King where Nala is truly over being complacent with the condition of pride rock 🌈. Scar has driven them all to hunger and despair. The rivers are dry, their land is out of balance. Before leaving to find help, Nala receives support from the elders and a blessing from Rafiki. This was the most moving part of the whole performance for me.

The rivers in my ancestral land are drying, so I felt that scene deeply.

Another moment I loved in the story is when Simba felt lost in his ancestral journey. He was guided into a bed of grass, told to look at his own reflection (where his ancestors live) and up into the stars. He saw his father in a beautiful constellation.

I was at Blue Stockings the other day and picked up a book on connecting with ancestors. It suggested to look into the stars and begin talking to loved ones. I giggled at the thought of everyone in NYC connecting to their ancestors through a single visible star.

Since 2020 I’ve felt the need to connect urgently with my ancestors. Whether it’s through food, using their grounding techniques, or honoring the four elements. I feel this sense of urgency amongst all my friends and community. If you’re reading this, you are most likely being guided towards the work.

I’ve found that nature has a beautiful way of connecting us back to our selves and our ancestors. Nature is so expansive and limitless in this way.

Rivers and birds have been my connecting force. Through sitting near a river, I’m connected not only to the energy of my ancestral land, but also to the rivers I once swam in as a child.

Connecting intimately with ourselves and nature will automatically connect us to the whole world!

I’ve been sitting with the Gurus I learned about as a child, and reinterpreting the medicine of my spiritual lineage. This all started when I started to sit intentionally with rivers.

I’ve specifically been using my art work as a tool to connect in this way. I want to thank the New Cinema Club for screening my video “Dear River” that I created as a tool to connect with Rivers. I hope this video is used as a portal to connect to the spirit of Rivers.

Along with feeling urgently called to do ancestral work, I’ve been finding flow and grace to ease through some of the challenges that come with this type of work.

I started reworking a video that reflects on my mom and her sisters’ first night in Yuba City after immigrating from Punjab in the 70s. As I started editing the video ( I’ve been working on and off on since 2019), I felt a loud voice in my throat/ heart say WAIT. The voice asked me to pause and save this project for later. The experience was a little more visceral and sent me into panic lol but I’ll save that for another time.

I thought connecting to my familial grief and pain was my duty, but turns out that’s not always my job. I’m starting to feel like my ancestors want me to have more fun lol.

After realizing this I immediately shifted my energy towards a short film I wrote titled “ROSE QUARTZ” which is about a magical night in the city filled with art, community and time travel.

I’m now officially in the preproduction phase of the process. Turns out my ancestors have a different mission for me, one that is guided towards joy and lightness for the heart.

So here I am embarking on my very first narrative short film, one that normalizes joy for my community, one that encourages rest and play.

Anyhow I will certainly be sharing more on ROSE QUARTZ in the near future.

For now, I’d like to leave you all with a Youtube Video I made about “Creating Art From An Intuitive Place”. This video breaks down how I was guided towards creating art and connecting to the spirit of Rivers.

If you are moving through some ancestral work, I’d love to hear how it’s been filling your cup.

I hope you all are surrounded with love, and guided by the purity in your Hearts!

Till next time,

JAKARI WING

latest work

P.S. If you’d like to gift me something for my bday - venmo: @jasdeep-kang

P.S.S. Sharing a VERY sweet tiny desk related to lion king.

P.S.S.S. If you’re based in NYC, I’m Dj’ing here with Disco Auntie on 03/01/23 :) I’m preparing a set that is infused with self love <3