The Spanish Word for Nonsense

“I’m going to teach you a new word,” says Carlos Santana, “it’s chingadera, and it means nonsense.”

The crowd goes wild at the 20,000 fan filled ampitheatre outside of Chula Vista, California. Santana hadn’t spoke or sang for the 90 minute show then he closes the concert as a preacher of Truth. He says man created borders. Man created separation. Man created hatred, guilt, and all sorts of nonsense for control. Then he taught us the word “chingadera” in Spanish which is a vulgar word for nonsense, according to the Spanish dictionary. He spoke of the practice of standing in the mirror and remembering you ARE the Light of God and then speak words of worthiness. It was a powerful and beautiful teaching. I didn’t record it. I stood and took it in. I allowed the words to baptize me, to anoint me and to remind me of who I am and why I’m here.

He went on to call fear, guilt, disappoint, anger all “chingadera.” He recommended we practice learning the difference between Truth and chingadera. I couldn’t find his talk on video, yet, but I did find a similar one on Instagram that I transcribed:

“When you look in the mirror it is important that you say to yourself, ‘I am worthy.’ ‘God loves me, He believes in me and God’s proud of me, you know.’ ‘Because we’re here, I’m here, to unlearn all of the stupid s**t that was put on me. I am learning to unlearn that we are separate and unworthy. I was indoctrinated with guilt, shame, judgment, condemnment, fear since I was a kid. I said, “I don’t think so.” That religion, that philosophy is Godzilla. That’s not God. God is Love and Light is Love. You dig it? We are going to go forward to a place on this planet where we can transform fear, ignorance, superiority complex and all that infection. It’s an infection to believe that you aren’t worthy of God’s Grace. It’s an infection to believe this. We need to disinfect ourselves.” (from ramfit4life instagram)

I was told by a fan that Carlos Santana had recently had back surgery. He sat the entire concert chewing gum and picking on his guitar. Days south of 80 years old, his songs were sung by others in the band. His contribution was the guitar and the preaching. I left the concert grateful for the beautiful Southern California night, the power of collective music — the musicians and the fans — and the wisdom that comes with a life well and long lived.