Adventures are not only synonymous with fun and thrill. Physical journeys, emotional experiences, or unexpected challenges all fall under this category, and they often test our morality and spirituality.
For Tessa, the protagonist of Kristena Prater and Salodius Byrd’s “Tessa Eyes on the World,” her challenges in Tonga go beyond adapting to a new culture.
Raised in a progressive, free-spirited family, Tessa holds values of individualism, environmental consciousness, and spiritual freedom. However, in Tonga, she finds herself in a society governed by strict customs, religious dogma, and gender roles that she struggles to accept.
This cultural clash tests her beliefs about autonomy and equality. As an athlete, an explorer, and someone accustomed to outdoor adventures, she feels restricted when local customs prevent her from exploring the “bush” simply because she’s a woman.
The Burden of Privilege and the Desire to Help
Another significant challenge for Tessa is her sense of responsibility as a Peace Corps volunteer. Arriving in Tonga, her intentions were clear: to make a difference. However, reality struck her, and she learned that her ideas of “helping” were shaped by her Western lens of privilege.
The trash scattered around the village, the treatment of animals, and the simplistic way of life all strike her as problems that must be fixed. But villagers were submissive towards their reality, finding no flaws in their lifestyle.
The desire to change was driven by her modern upbringing, where efficiency, progress, and environmental consciousness were prioritized. But in Tonga, she is confronted with a different reality, where traditions and simple living are valued over modernity.
This raises a crucial moral question for Tessa: What does it mean to help others, and who defines what help looks like? Her struggle to reconcile her desire to serve with the need to respect local ways of life challenges her beliefs about what it means to make a positive impact.
Spiritual Identity
Tessa’s spiritual journey is an integral part of her adventures. Having devoted herself to Buddhist philosophy, she carries the teachings of compassion, empathy, and non-attachment.
However, life in Tonga tested her spiritual ideals. The animal killings, the lack of care for the environment, and the outdated religious customs all force her to question how she can live out her spiritual values in a world that seems at odds with them.
Her experience in Tonga echoes the teachings of the Bodhisattva, a key figure in Buddhism who vows to work toward the enlightenment of all beings despite the suffering and imperfections of the world. Tessa sticks to this vow, aiming to help ease suffering wherever possible.
The Tension Between Individualism and Community
Tessa initially struggles with the communal mindset of Tongan culture. When she thought of her home, she was reminded of the connections that people share, and the desires often take a backseat to the community’s needs. Tessa’s journey becomes one of learning how to integrate her identity with the collective values of the village.
This contrast between individualism and community is something many of us face in our own lives. The world often encourages us to prioritize personal achievement and independence, but Tessa’s experiences remind us that true fulfillment comes from being part of something larger than what we recognize as our reality.
Want to join Tessa on her life-altering journey? Read Kristena Prater and Salodius Byrd’s “Tessa Eyes on the World” today.
