Living A Spiritual Life In Paradise

beach photo with text about living a spiritual life
What kind of life will you live in Panama?

Are you looking for something in Panama that you don’t have in your life already?

Many websites, including our own, sometimes give an impression that there is something down here in Panama that is not available up north, or wherever it is that our readers happen to be.

I hope that we have been clear, and honest with our readership in saying that the old saying, “wherever you go, there you are”, applies here too.

Puerto Armuelles, Panama is no different from anywhere else on the planet. What you bring to each day, is what you can expect to receive from each day.

One thing I am happy to notice in some of our recent arrivals to town is a serious, disciplined approach to their spiritual life.  I do not refer to those who believe that the world is going to Hell, and that they need to find a place to hide out, and hoard scarce resources, so that they don’t have to share any.

I have spoken to a number of folks lately who talk about getting together for meditation practice, yoga, and non-denominational spiritual talks. There is even more talk about “giving back” or “paying it forward”, in the sense of a grateful recognition of all the gifts that we are being given each day, and a sincere desire to want to share our good fortune with others.  I'm not saying that the old-time Puerto expat don't have those same goals, just that I am encountering a greater number of new people who are actively expressing those goals.

I think that living in another culture, as our family has in Panama for almost ten years, causes one to appreciate our good fortune to be able to experience this very simple lifestyle, and a low stress pace of life, which has allowed us to live several years within each calendar year. Time still passes for us. But, it doesn’t feel as if we are running frantically just to keep pace with our society. It is much, much slower here.

However, if you pay attention to poltics here it can be demoralizing.  For instance, from reading the papers and speaking to locals, one realizes that the arrival of the Del Monte fruit company to take over banana production for our region may not take place all because of political influences that have nothing to do with the production of bananas, nor with the employment of hundreds, or thousands, of workers. The apparent reason for the possible non-signing of the contract with Del Monte, according to local experts, is that the favors being offered by Del Monte to the signatories here in Panama are not sufficient.  (Although, now we hear it may actually get signed and approved.  We will know when we learn that Del Monte is actually hiring people to work the banana plantations.)

I will say no more about the Del Monte negotiations.  But the situation reminds me that I am very fortunate that my own livelihood is not dependent upon the good will of Panamanian politicians.

As an expat, whether you consider yourself wealthy or poor, you are automatically perceived by the vast majority of locals locals as visiting “rich and powerful elites”.  It can be a bit unsettling when you realize this.  But in reality even if we consider ourselves barely making it, we are most likely much better off that a big segment of the local population.   So at least comparatively, you are well-off financially.

My questions today, of myself, and of all of us, are these:

What do we intend to do with all of our good fortune, or resources, our talents, and our connections? With all this time at our disposal in Panama, do we have a personal plan of action that includes working on the spiritual side of ourselves, and not just on the material? Do we have a plan of action that includes concrete steps to make life better for others less fortunate than ourselves? Or are we content to just make sure that we ourselves are safe and comfortable?   I know it is a struggle to turn our focus away from ourselves and our family, but is it a valuable goal?

What are your thoughts?

Will You Be Happy In Panama?
Click to find out (12 Quick Questions)