In our latest Lumos Community Chat, cultural worker and herbalist Layla Feghali joined us to delve into trauma, displacement, and the journey of reconnecting with our ancestral roots. With warmth and insight, Layla shared how connecting with the land and plants has been central to her own healing journey, reminding us that sometimes, the path to healing is about finding a sense of belonging with the earth and reclaiming the wisdom it holds.
Listening to the Land: Receiving Guidance in Times of Need
Layla discussed how moments of deep vulnerability can bring unexpected guidance. She described how, during challenging times, plants became a source of support and clarity. In these moments, she found herself open to messages that arrived with a sense of urgency and grace:
“There’s this thing that happens when you’re in that trauma portal. It’s so open that really hard things can come in, but also there’s this type of grace sometimes that sneaks in from the universe… So when the plants were like, ‘Okay, us. We’re knocking.’ I didn’t even hesitate.”
For Layla, these encounters reminded her that healing often involves trusting the subtle signals around us, allowing support to come from unexpected sources, and responding to them without hesitation.
The Land is Still Here: Reclaiming Our Source of Belonging
One of the most resonant moments came when Layla reflected on her journey back to Lebanon and the deep emotional pull of her ancestral land. This journey reminded her that there is always something to return to, even when it feels like much has been lost:
“Diaspora spends a lot of time thinking about what’s been lost. And we don’t spend very much time working with what’s still there. And everything that’s been lost comes from the land, and the land is still here. So just go to the source.”
Layla’s words encourage us to find healing through reconnecting with the land. This call to “go to the source” is not only for those returning to ancestral homelands but for anyone in the diaspora. By tending to the land we live on, we honor the memory of our ancestors and open up new pathways for healing and belonging.
Honoring the Plants and the Land Where We Live
Reflecting on the importance of our relationship with the land, Layla emphasized that reconnecting with plants isn’t only about those from our ancestral roots but also the plants native to where we currently live. She urged us to embrace this dual connection as a way to deepen our sense of place and community:
“I always like to tell people to choose a plant from your lineage that you want to connect with and start working with it… but also choose a plant native to where you live so that you start to familiarize yourself and give back to the land you’re on.”
For Layla, this practice is about more than just honoring plants; it’s about building a meaningful relationship with the land. By connecting with plants from both our ancestral roots and our current surroundings, we create a bridge between our past and present, fostering a sense of continuity and respect for the ecosystems we are part of.
Embracing the Land in Our Bones
Layla spoke about how connecting with the land provides a sense of belonging that transcends displacement. Even when it feels like belonging is out of reach, she reminds us that the land offers a steadfast form of connection:
“The land is source. It’s a source that’s part of us. Wherever we are, everywhere we are. It’s the unwavering truth of our reality as a species and as a people, whoever we are, from wherever we are, that just is.”
In her words, Layla invites us to see the land as an enduring presence in our lives—an anchor that is always available to us, no matter where we find ourselves. This reconnection with the land offers a grounding sense of belonging, especially for those who have experienced displacement and loss.
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