Meet Maria Yraceburu: Native American Spiritualist & author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maria Yraceburu and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maria, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
When I first was asked to be a spiritual leader in our community, it was hard to balance time. I grew up in cyclical time of Native American Earth, all my presentations were scheduled according to this version of time. It flowed well for those of us that grew up in this lifestyle. But not so much for contemporary folks that had grown up on linear time with attention deficiet and separation from Earth as a living entity. So I went linear trying to accomodate others. That was a disaster. I lost a lot of my drive and momentum because of it. The support I had been afforded by working within the Earth’s supportive energy was gone! Now since covid- my lifestyle has been able to slow and return to this format. I firmly and gently move my community into this easier paced way of being. It’s a calculated risk that’s been a long time coming. Will it work? Who knows, but it definately is worth the effort.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
We are a church. I am … a lot of labels. Teacher, Priest, Healer, Mentor/Counselor – they use the title shima… it means One Who Is Like My Mother, or Aunty. I guess what sets me apart is that there are not many of us still out operating in the world that were actually born into, and raised in a tradition of Earth Spirituality/shamanism. Most these days have learned from books or through workshop, so their life experience has been a shift from one consciousness to another as they have grown and healed. Mine has always been solid in the world of mysticism. There as never been a waiver in belief or practice. Was this easy? Well no. I’ve been challenged alot, even called a fraud by my own family, because I ventured out to share the wisdom with others of non-native descent. This is where my elders and upbringing came into important value, because if I had been brought up any other way, I would have given up. I was fortunate to be valued as a child, as an important piece of future history. I was taught that if the Sacred Parents gave us a dream to act on, it was ours to do… and no matter how hard we might try to run from that destiny, it would always come back and we would always fulfill it, no matter what. So wasn’t it just less mind spinning, just to stick with it? The fulfillment of confidence in who we are and what we do comes from this… no one is me, no one has to do what has been given to me, it is mine to do, and however I do it, it will be effective. So don’t give up. Get out in nature, and let her heal you and stick to your dreams. Don’t be swayed by people telling you how great you are, or aren’t. There’s only three voices out there that anyone needs to listen to with this… yourself, the Earth Mother and Sky Father. No other opinions really count in the grand scheme of life.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We’d hit the four directions… 1- We’d go to Chula Vista to the Nature center – right now the water in the tide pools turns purple, not a sight most people have seen. It’s not because of any pollutants either, it’s about the algae. From there we’d go to Bizzy’s to pick up shells. Most of my folks are artsy and love shells they can’t get for their work. 2-We’d go to Torrey Pines State Beach and walk. It’s such a nice long stretch with views of wildlife and landscape unique to this area. While there we’d swing by and pick up Beatrex Quntanna and then go to El Speciale for lunch on the Coast Highway. Cooking like home. 3- We might go to the zoo. I love to work with people on yang-ai… the silent calling energy, a type of mental telepathy/animal communication. Everyone loves to go do this with me. Brings the little kid out and I’ve found the zoo is the easiest place to do this… with snakes and hummingbirds is where we start, and folks learn their capacity for facilitating the unseen. Puts them in a more responsible place with the Earth and her needs. 4 – Our ranch on the back side of Mount Woodson in Ramona. A hidden little fairy grotto of nature abundance. Connecting to the Earth is our work, EarthSpirituality is our work, Human Healing is our goal. United humanity and peace is our work, tending to the spirits of others.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would say most of the folks that have helped me be who I am as mentors, have crossed. Beatrex Quntanna is one noteworthy friend still with us. I can also cite those on the other side of the veil: Kahuna Kalei’iliai, Woody Bailey, Grandfather Juan Ten Bears Yraceburu, Grams Twylah Nitsche, Grandmother Juliette de Bairclai-Levy… there are so many that I have been honored to work with, be guardian to, and assist in their work as I learned in the traditional way of native earth. Others would be my students, who I learn alot from: Mellissa Seaman, Alora Cheek, LeahRose Farber, and so many others out there changing the world now. I am very proud of this continuance.

Website: https://www.yraceburu.org
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yewsandiego/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-yraceburu-8b7a94a2/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MYraceburu
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Maria.Yraceburu/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGzhTxpTI3QPzvl02nmrgbQ
Other: Yraceburu EarthWisdom Echoes in Time Learn how Mother Earth shapes your daily life Join Us, learn to accept love, and cure your soul sickness. Everyone will benefit from this group, Maria and Linda are powerful teachers – Juliet Wise Wolf 13th Generation Native Spiritualist-Author & Rom Lineage Healer Trace your EarthRoots, as the shims, Maria and Linda, share their most significant teachings.

Image Credits
Photographs taken by Linda Yraceburu