NEPANTLA

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Nepantla is a Nahuatl word that means "in-between" or "the space in-between," referring to a liminal space or state of transition. It is often used in the context of cultural, social, and personal identity, describing the experience of being in a state of flux or negotiation between different worlds, cultures, or identities. The concept has been embraced in various disciplines, including literature, anthropology, and philosophy, particularly in the study of borderlands, hybridity, and intersectionality.

Here are some key ideas associated with Nepantla:

1. Cultural Liminality: It is the space between two distinct cultures or worldviews. For example, someone living between the cultural norms of their heritage and the dominant culture may experience nepantla, constantly negotiating their identity in the process.

2. Identity Formation: Nepantla is often used to describe the internal conflict and reconciliation that occurs when an individual has to navigate multiple aspects of their identity—ethnicity, gender, sexuality, etc.—which can be seen as being in-between different social roles or categories.

3. Transformation and Growth: The in-between space is not seen as static or limiting, but as a fertile ground for transformation, personal growth, and the creation of new identities and possibilities. It’s a place where one can redefine oneself or find strength in the process of change.

4. Chicana/Latina Feminist Thought: Nepantla has been particularly significant in Chicana and Latina feminist thought. Scholars such as Gloria Anzaldúa have used the concept to explore how women of color experience overlapping marginalizations and how they navigate the boundaries between different identities, particularly at the intersection of race, class, gender, and culture.

In essence, nepantla is a metaphorical space of transition and multiplicity, where diverse identities and experiences intersect and give rise to new possibilities and understandings. It celebrates the power and creativity that can emerge from the process of navigating this in-between space.

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Even though things aren’t going perfectly in life, the imperfection is perfectly itself.

It is a perfect appearance of imperfection.

See that perfection lies not in the appearance of things, but in the very thing itself, being as it is.

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The appearance of limitation is perfect.

It is a perfect appearance of limitation.

Limitation is perfectly being as it is designed to be.

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The appearance of illness is perfect.

It is a perfect appearance of illness.

Illness is perfectly being as it is designed to be.

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The appearance of pain is perfect.

It is a perfect appearance of pain.

Pain is perfectly being as it is designed to be.

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Endless striving to mould the appearance of imperfection into our idea of perfection leads to suffering.

Allowing things to be as they are, enables creativity and influences spontaneous changes in accordance to the destiny of the body/mind to arise and be as they are.

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On the path of Self inquiry, we should find that which claims that something is imperfect and should change, and lose belief in it.

Let that "sufferer" be as it is because even that is perfectly arising and being itself, but we can lose belief in its claim that something is missing, that something is not what it should be.

Practice this and you will come to find great truth in it.