Each woman has potential access to Rio Abajo Rio, this river beneath the river. She arrives there through deep meditation, dance, writing, painting, prayermaking, singing, drumming, active imagination, or any activity which requires an intense altered consciousness. A woman arrives in this world - between - worlds through yearning and by seeking something she can see just out of the corner of her eye. She arrives there by deeply creative acts, through intentional solitude, and by practice of any of the arts.
This beautiful passage from Clarissa Pinkola Estés' "Women Who Run With the Wolves" captures the profound journey women embark upon to connect deeply with their inner selves and the untamed spirit that lies within. The metaphor of "Rio Abajo Rio," or "the river beneath the river," evokes a hidden, mystical source of wisdom and creativity available through transcendent experiences. These experiences are accessible through various channels: meditation, dance, writing, painting, and many forms of artistic expression that facilitate an altered state of consciousness. The quote suggests that this world "between worlds" is not merely a physical place but a transformational one, accessed through yearning and a subtle, almost elusive impulse, like perceiving something from the corner of one's eye. It emphasizes that deep creativity and intentional solitude are vital pathways to accessing this mysterious realm.
What resonates deeply is the recognition of the arts as sacred acts — pathways not just to creation but to spiritual awakening and discovery. It encourages a respect for the internal landscapes women navigate, marked by both longing and the pursuit of something just out of reach. The idea that those transformative journeys require practice and devotion further underscores the discipline and courage necessary to delve into one's soul. Ultimately, this quote honors the wild, creative, and spiritual essence within women, offering both inspiration and permission to seek and express that hidden river beneath the visible one.
