Known as Beautiful Painted Arrow, he is a medicine man, healer, visionary, poet, and artist from New Mexico, USA. He carries both Southern Ute and Picuris Pueblo ancestry, shaped by the traditions of his mother’s people, the Utes, and his father’s people, the Picuris Pueblo. Because the Picuris Pueblo community speaks Tewa, Spanish, and English, his life has long unfolded at the meeting point of many cultures.
Recognized early on as a visionary among his people, he entered the mystery traditions of both Nations at a young age. He received sacred Kiva teachings from his grandfather in the pueblo and spent many years taking part in the Southern Ute Sun-dances.
In addition to his traditional training, he pursued formal studies and earned a master’s degree in political science. Since then, he has devoted his life to helping people from all nations reconnect with the sacred and live with purpose and beauty. He has written many books and leads ceremonies and healings around the world. His deeper mission is to foster peace by helping people discover peace within themselves and by inspiring a shared vision of peace and well-being for the planet.
In support of that vision, he received an insight twelve years ago to create Peace Chambers around the world. These underground oval structures, inspired by the Kivas of his Picuris Pueblo upbringing, are intended as gathering places for chanting and prayer. More than 35 have already been built in places such as Australia, Austria, Bolivia, Oklahoma, Ireland, and England, with many more in development.
One of his central teachings is the transformative power of sound. From the understanding that physical reality is energy in vibration, and from the traditional Tewa belief that the essence of a thing lives in its name, he has written and taught extensively about chanting and sound as pathways to the forces of the universe and personal transformation.
To further support peace in the world, he offers Sun-Moon Dances. These are inspired by the Sun dances of his Ute background, but are not traditional forms. Through this creation, he shares a powerful sacred practice while protecting the secret elements of the traditional dances held within his people.
During the Sun-Moon Dance, participants move through four days of practice, from Friday sunset until Monday noon, fasting from both food and water and blowing Eagle or Turkey-Bone whistles to the sound of drumming and chanting. Through movement, prayer, and effort, they are brought into deeply sacred states where illusions fall away and genuine insight, and sometimes visions, arise.
He is known not as a harsh or forceful medicine man, but as a gentle and loving presence who always places people’s best interests first. He believes each person must follow the path they need, while receiving unconditional support and guidance. His aim is to empower people to free themselves.
Rather than impose dogma or rigid methods, he creates opportunities for people to meet themselves honestly and move beyond their limitations with full responsibility for their own journey. One of his favorite sayings is: “Don’t get stuck in the form; after all, we don’t even exist.”