There is a serenity and warmth to her that goes beyond the correctness of a career diplomat. A woman of many parts, she has worn different hats with aplomb: as lawyer, environmentalist, mother of seven, grandmother to one and a Yoga teacher for over 15 years. Driven, committed and energetic, Costa Rican Ambassador H. E Mariela Cruz is a woman on a mission-to spread the messages of Yoga and peace, whilst reiterating human responsibility towards the environment
An indophile Yogini to the core, she informs you that she has been coming to India to learn Yoga since 2003. And though most of her trips have been down South to perfect the art and science of Ashtang Yoga, off late she’s had the opportunity to visit Vrinadavan the childhood home of Shri Krishna, author of her favorite book-the Bhagawad Gita. “In order to succeed in life, you’ve got to be fearless,” she says. “And to be fearless you have to be connected to something much bigger than yourself.”
The silver bindi on her forehead has its own story to tell-”This is for Radha (Krishna’s consort) from Vrindavan-while her pretty pink bangles (as Indian as they come) offset the pink Costa Rican jacket on her shoulders. Multi culturalism at its best! Which brings us to one of her core reasons for visiting Pune-building a relationship between India and Costa Rica, two diverse, tolerant and multi cultural societies with much to share and learn from each other.
H. E. Mariela Cruz: Costa Rica is like a jewel in the heart of Latin America, a heaven of peace. As soon as you reach Costa Rica, you are struck by the pristine beauty. Costa Rica is big on environmental causes and reiterating responsibility towards it. Apart from which, we haven’t had an army since 1948 and instead, devoted our money towards development. As a result, we have an educated population with good health prospects. We are a tiny country with a population of just 5 million, but we have big hearts.
Yes, apart from holding a Masters’ in Ecology; I have a personal interest in it as a mother of seven and grandmother of one. We owe it to future generations to keep the environment in a safe custody for them. It is a gift much greater than leaving them money.
First and most important, is to build a relationship through music, culture, art, literature and exchange programmes. That’s the first step to knowing each other. In my country, there’s not enough information about India-it is perceived to be far off, dangerous. I want to change that, by bringing more Costa Ricans here for the simple reason that this is one country with the deepest connect to human values; this is the ancient land of rishis, great teachers, yogis and spirituality. People are simple, yet strong and giving. You could go to the poorest home, and they will be so happy to share their chai and chapati with you.
I want my people to know all this and more. There is a beautiful and positive vibration to this land that I have had the privilege of discovering in the course of my Yoga Studies in Mysore.
As we speak, there are four Costa Rican girls in Pune as part of an exchange programme; and four women in Rajasthan learning all about solar panels. Education is an important arena of connect- particularly “Education for Peace” which is so integral to everyone’s well-being today.
Well, sometimes we tend to be very conservative in our thinking while being happy and complacent in our world. (laughs) Costa Rica is breathtaking, a slice of paradise so to speak with all that greenery and pure air. Having said that, it is important to go out and explore the world so that we can share who we are with the world. At the same time, the challenge is to hold onto our mentality for peace amidst the turbulence of Latin America. In that sense, it is quite the yogi, given its vibrations and calming presence.
In an ever-changing world, this is an area of concern, yes. Even in Costa Rica, satellite TV, apps and technology are changing lifestyles and cultures. It is for us to prioritise. As a parent, I am firm that my children go biking, hiking and swimming rather than devote their time to apps.
It is same with India. What an amazing country with so much to teach the world. Look at your Prime Minister, for example. He is so tech-savvy and driven, and yet he’s the epitome of a Yogi with a generosity, outreach and presence that is making an impact everywhere.
"I want my people to know more about the real yoga which comes from the deep-seated parampara of India. I just returned from a beautiful ashram called the Art of Living in India. My President is interested in exploring a partnership with them to create a wellness centre in Costa Rica"
I would like to highlight wellness tourism, which is slightly different. Wellness tourism is a big trend the world over, with yoga playing a major role. But then, that is commercialised. World over, stress and depression are taking over people. But popping pills is not the way to go. I would know, having been part of the rat race as a lawyer till the age of 33 when I came to India and learnt about meditation, yoga, and ayurveda.
I want my people to know more about the real yoga which comes from the deep-seated parampara of India. I just returned from a beautiful ashram called the Art of Living in India. My President is interested in exploring a partnership with them to create a wellness centre in Costa Rica, rooted in authentic yoga and the science of ayurveda, which has so much to offer.
I would say-don’t be afraid. Sure you have roles to play as women and mothers, but each of us also has another higher purpose, apart from our domestic roles. In order to find out what that purpose is, we have to let go of fear. But that can happen only if you are connected to something much deeper and bigger than yourself. Like the Bhagvad Gita-a book that has had a profound effect on my life says: Surrender the fruits of your actions and do your work. The first time I came to India in 2003 to learn Yoga, I had to cut short my trip because one of my children fell sick. I was angry, but then I had to do what I had to do. I thought: would I ever be able to return? But I did, many times at that. My current role is something that is a huge responsibility, something I have had to choose over my family, for the time being. But it is something I just could not say no to.
By Kalyani Sardesai
