Episode 13: Paradox of Life, Death, and the Snake Medicine with Devaiya Ra

In this deeply reflective episode, Rebecca Cavender and Devaiya Ra explore the two undeniable truths of life: birth and death. From there, they delve into the paradoxes that define human existence—our constant cycle of living, dying, and being reborn with each breath we take.

They discuss the role of the nervous system in navigating this constant transformation and how we can learn to honor it rather than fear it. Devaiya introduces the concept of "snake medicine," which symbolizes the power of digestion and transformation—how we can "consume" life’s challenges (like the "rat race"), extract wisdom, and release what no longer serves us, returning it to the earth for regeneration.

They also explore the notion of privilege, especially in the context of the modern, digital age. With constant stimulation and over-consumption, many are disconnected from appreciating the simple, yet profound resources that sustain us—such as water and the natural world. Devaiya challenges listeners to ask, "Why do I do what I do?" and to consider how their actions serve both themselves and the planet.

Rebecca and Devaiya emphasize that the spiritual journey is not about transcending or escaping humanity, but about coming home to ourselves. The conversation ends with an invitation to embrace life with gratitude and reverence, allowing us to better appreciate our interconnection with the earth and the people around us.

Key Themes & Insights:

• Embodiment of Land & Ancestors

• Living Between Worlds

• The Power of Pause & Integration

• The Rat Race & Snake Medicine

• Decolonizing Work & Leadership

• Liberating the Nervous System

• Cyclical Wisdom and Snake Medicine

• The Paradox of Life, Death, and Rebirth

• The Paradox of Shadow & Light

• Privilege, Gratitude, and the Spiritual Path

• Coming Home to Yourself

Key Takeaways:

• Life is a constant cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, felt with every breath.

• Our nervous system’s sensitivity is not a weakness but a source of deep connection and wisdom.

• Snake medicine teaches us to consume, digest, and release the cycles of life, nourishing ourselves and the earth.

• In a world of privilege, we must learn to appreciate what we have and use our resources mindfully.

• The spiritual path is about embracing our humanity, not escaping it—coming home to ourselves and our interconnectedness with all beings.

Listen to the full episode for a powerful conversation that invites listeners to reflect on the deeper aspects of being human.

Quotes from the Episode:

• "Life is in seasons, and the more we live in the go-go, the less connected we are to those cycles." – Rebecca Cavender

• "What would happen if we liberated our nervous system?" – Devaiya Ra

• "The primary goal on this planet is to come home to ourselves." – Devaiya Ra

• "No matter how hard we try to quantify what it means to be human... it will always come back to creating a circle, or an infinity loop." – Devaiya Ra

• "Through love, we give ourselves permission to appreciate life." – Devaiya Ra

• "The two absolute truths of life are that we are born and we will die. The moment we are born, we start to die." – Rebecca Cavender

 

Connect with Devaiya Ra

• Website

• Instagram

Connect with Rebecca Cavender

• Website

• Instagram

• Free Snake Goddess eBook: get it here

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Join us in 2 weeks for another enlightening conversation on the Snake Priestess Podcast, as we continue to explore the intersections of embodiment, spirituality, and personal growth.

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