As I prepare for a sacred journey to Peru, I am reminded of my first visit. From the first time I stepped off the plane to Peru, I recognized it as one of my 'heart's homes'. A relief and joy in the cool thin air, the simple and pure nature of the Peruvians and the capacity to live intimately and closely with the Earth brought a sigh of relief and an ease to my being.
On that trip, I went with two Q'ero paqos (healers) who are now friends, to visit their homes and families in Hatun Q'eros. The journey there was incredible. After an 8 hour bus ride, then 2 hours on a dirt road, followed by 8 hours on horseback over mountains at 16,000 feet, we arrived at their home. The silence and the pure raw power of the nature was breathtaking.
Being amongst the Q'ero is quite an experience filled with love, simplicity and a deep connection with the Earth. As the Q'ero would attend the papa (potatoes) (which at that altitude is the only food that grows there), they would leave their newborn and young babies lying on the Earth while they worked. The babies would awaken from time to time, wimper or cry for a brief moment and then fall back to deep sleep. At first, I was confused by this experience I witnessed. Later, I would come to a deeper understanding and appreciation of this and their deep trust in Mother Earth.
A few days later, my friend Luis and I took a walk up to a lagoon which was about 30 minutes walk from their home (a stone hut with straw roof). After we arrived and were there about five minutes, strolling up along came his five year old son Ignacio with his full smile and glowing red cheeks. He had followed us the entire way. We all started laughing in great joy. I was deeply touched at what I just witnessed.
That trip I participated in two ceremonies. These ceremonies are called despacho ceremonies, in deep honor, gratitude, and connection to Mother Earth and the guiding forces of light in our lives. These ceremonies support living in sacred reciprocity and right relationship. When we are in right relationship to the Earth, the Sun, and inner guides, it helps us be in right relationship within ourselves and all of life. After my ceremony, everyone in the family and community hugged me and congratulated me. That moment felt like a beginning of a rebirth and a deeper and more intimate connection with the living presence of our beloved Mother Earth.
So, as the Fall season is here and there are still pockets of delightful weather, I invite you to take this time to spend some time in nature. Take your shoes off and connect with the Earth. There is an amazing gift called Earth time, that we as Western's don't get to experience as frequently as other cultures In Earth time, there is a pace that is more naturally harmonious to the rhythms of the Earth and in that, more naturally harmonious to our own bodies and life. I believe that the Earth wants us to connect with her. To lie on our backs or belly to her, offering our complicatedness and hardships to her, so she can soothe and fill us, her children, with love and a true and deep holding.
On that trip, I went with two Q'ero paqos (healers) who are now friends, to visit their homes and families in Hatun Q'eros. The journey there was incredible. After an 8 hour bus ride, then 2 hours on a dirt road, followed by 8 hours on horseback over mountains at 16,000 feet, we arrived at their home. The silence and the pure raw power of the nature was breathtaking.
Being amongst the Q'ero is quite an experience filled with love, simplicity and a deep connection with the Earth. As the Q'ero would attend the papa (potatoes) (which at that altitude is the only food that grows there), they would leave their newborn and young babies lying on the Earth while they worked. The babies would awaken from time to time, wimper or cry for a brief moment and then fall back to deep sleep. At first, I was confused by this experience I witnessed. Later, I would come to a deeper understanding and appreciation of this and their deep trust in Mother Earth.
A few days later, my friend Luis and I took a walk up to a lagoon which was about 30 minutes walk from their home (a stone hut with straw roof). After we arrived and were there about five minutes, strolling up along came his five year old son Ignacio with his full smile and glowing red cheeks. He had followed us the entire way. We all started laughing in great joy. I was deeply touched at what I just witnessed.
That trip I participated in two ceremonies. These ceremonies are called despacho ceremonies, in deep honor, gratitude, and connection to Mother Earth and the guiding forces of light in our lives. These ceremonies support living in sacred reciprocity and right relationship. When we are in right relationship to the Earth, the Sun, and inner guides, it helps us be in right relationship within ourselves and all of life. After my ceremony, everyone in the family and community hugged me and congratulated me. That moment felt like a beginning of a rebirth and a deeper and more intimate connection with the living presence of our beloved Mother Earth.
So, as the Fall season is here and there are still pockets of delightful weather, I invite you to take this time to spend some time in nature. Take your shoes off and connect with the Earth. There is an amazing gift called Earth time, that we as Western's don't get to experience as frequently as other cultures In Earth time, there is a pace that is more naturally harmonious to the rhythms of the Earth and in that, more naturally harmonious to our own bodies and life. I believe that the Earth wants us to connect with her. To lie on our backs or belly to her, offering our complicatedness and hardships to her, so she can soothe and fill us, her children, with love and a true and deep holding.
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