Victoria Rivera McKinley - In Search of the Luminous Heart: From the Mountains of Naranjito, Puerto Rico to the Mountains of Crestone, Colorado

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT

IN SEARCH OF THE LUMINOUS HEART

An amazing story, epic in scope, of a familys struggles through poverty and dispersion from Puerto Rico to the US mainland. It is the story of a people caught in the impersonal forces of history, economics, culture and heredity. Victoria reclaims four generations of her family offering their individual stories through the insightful lenses of a sociologist, the softening lenses of a poet and the compassionate lenses of a daughter and sister. Laugh and cry with her as she courageously faces her most private emotions. This story will resonate with anyone who has ever faced what may seem insurmountable obstacles.

Sylvia M. Montero, Human Resources professional, and author of Make It Your Business, 2011

This is an inspired work by a Puerto Rican woman who has lived through the experiences and suffering of her people. This work will motivate, teach and encourage others to break through barriers and find the courage to realize their dreams.

This is a complex weaving of a story which starts at the beginning of the twentieth century in a small, poor, rural town, Naranjito, situated in the northwest mountains of Puerto Rico, and finds its way to the mystic mountains of Crestone, Colorado.

Reading this epic story, we come to know in detail the culture, religious beliefs and values, economic, social and psychological development, customs and traditions of Puerto Rico in those times, such as Christmas celebrations, Three Kings Day, wedding feasts and practices, cockfighting and others. These have much in common with celebrations in other Latin American countries.

In an open and clear way, the author recounts dramatic and impactful life-changing events for herself and her family. Events that were wrenching, some sublime, and some that were amusing, all narrated with great mastery.

This is a life full of struggle against adversity to achieve personal growth and finally professional prowess as a psychotherapist with a private practice in New York City. A life tinged with intense moments of confusion and darkness. But by good fortune, almost a miracle, a light of hope emerges in that darkness. We see how Emerita (Sor Rosa), the second oldest sister, embraces the most sublime love which may exist. Her love one of total surrender to a life of humanitarian labor and brimming with joy.

Rosa shines as an inspiring light, a guide to her family and all the lives touched by her.

It is this inspiration that leads the author to explore new paths that help her overcome religious conflicts and prejudices, and that eventually heal her soul. Traveling different paths, Victoria discovers the importance of maintaining an open heart which does not judge but that appreciates the path corresponding to each who seeks enlightenment and goodness. In this and in only this manner she finds the way to the luminous heart.

Esther Irizarry-Vsquez, Director of the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico Libraries, 19952009

First published by O-Books, 2015

O-Books is an imprint of John Hunt Publishing Ltd., Laurel House, Station Approach,

Alresford, Hants, SO24 9JH, UK

www.johnhuntpublishing.com

For distributor details and how to order please visit the Ordering section on our website.

Text copyright: Victoria Rivera McKinley 2014

ISBN: 978 1 78279 899 6

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014952387

All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations in critical articles or reviews, no part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission from the publishers.

The rights of Victoria Rivera McKinley as author have been asserted in accordance with the

Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

Design: Stuart Davies

Printed and bound by CPI Group (UK) Ltd, Croydon, CR0 4YY, UK

We operate a distinctive and ethical publishing philosophy in all areas of our business, from our global network of authors to production and worldwide distribution.

CONTENTS

Acknowledgements

To my parents, Jos Ins Rivera Morales Morales Iglesia and Narcisa Perz Burgos Berros Pagn. To my siblings Eugene, Laura, Emrita, Antoln, Genoveva, Miguel, Alberto, Manuela, Matilde and Aida Rosa. To my daughters Dara and Alma, my grandchildren Thomas Robert, Emrita Abigail, David Shea and Aislinn Sophia. To my numerous nephews and nieces and their descendants. My desire to ferret out the love, sometimes unseen, other times gleaming through the struggles, the chaos, the sacrifices of my ancestors and immediate family, and my desire to pass on this knowledge to the future generations inspired this work. May you benefit from this history of your predecessors and knowledge of your roots.

Special thanks to Ms. Wallis Wilde-Menozzi, poet, writer and editor. She held my hand and encouraged me to go on during the most difficult moments of this project. More than an editor, she has been a wizard whose provoking questions helped distill my life story to its barest energy and essence, and, from its turmoil, spin a cohesive narrative. Yet, she did not lose sight of simultaneously boosting my confidence with her patience and gentle guidance.

Special thanks also to my poet friend, juanantoio. He generously read the memoir in various phases of development and offered invaluable feedback from different points of view, including his intimate understanding of the Puerto Rican culture. In addition, I thank Gerald Berman, close friend who patiently stood by my side and offered emotional support throughout this writing.

Foreword

At first glance, Victoria Rivera MacKinleys memoir recalls experiences of an individual life. But as we read into it, we realize it is telling a story of what spirituality is actually like, as lived by individuals in the modern world. Victoria is a true searcher, on the way to use a Zen phrase, seeking the meaning of her life in the largest possible terms, in the world that we all now live in. She begins her life with deep roots in her natal family and her native Puerto Rico, held in the strong embrace of a traditional Roman Catholic faith. But, as we see in Victorias reflections, that was only a beginning. Like so many today, for Victoria the answers suggested by home and hearth, by the very nature of their inherent limitations in an ever changing and expanding world, catapult her out into a long, individual, and lonely spiritual search.

With the exception of the venerable indigenous traditions, all of the great religions of the world are now more or less organized religions. But there are certain times in history when the institutions seem to become tired, when, as much as they free the human spirit, they also limit and inhibit it. Jesus lived in such a time and so did the Buddha. We also live in such a period today. At such times, while the great majority of adherents continue to follow the status quo, although not always entirely happy with it, there are a few brave souls, and Victoria is one of them, who set out to see whether there might not be more to life than what received tradition has bequeathed to them.

Victorias memoir calls for our attention on several levels. Right off, of course, we meet a person of profound spiritual inspiration who seeks, above all, direct and personal experience, in her own life, of the highest spiritual realities. She is not content to receive what she longs for to come second hand, mediated through other people, external institutions, or any other outside influence. I think here of Jesus message that the kingdom of God is already right here within you; you just need to see it!