This morning I woke from a very sound sleep with the memory of my lucid dream clearly in my mind and the sound of matte de coca being delivered to our tent. It is an exquisite crystal clear, blue sky kind of morning ... and very cold. The kind of morning that makes getting out of my warm sleeping bag nearly impossible, especially since my morning sponge bath will be in icy cold water! So instead, I spent time catching up in my journal and rummaging the bottom of my sleeping bag where I put my clothes for today so they would be body temperature.
After breakfast, the morning was spent packing up our gear and doing individual chuyaska ceremonies along the creek — discharging, cleansing, imprinting and re-balancing our energy centers and the kuyas held in our mesa.
Next, we were told to find a place to sit in stillness, within our mesa arranged in suyus or quadrants — Salkantay (north), Ausangate (south), Pachatucson (east) and Huayna Kauri or Mama Simone (west) -- and wait for the apus to make themselves present. As a final instruction, Jose Luis told us to “Keep it simple; go into prayer and stillness.
After breakfast, the morning was spent packing up our gear and doing individual chuyaska ceremonies along the creek — discharging, cleansing, imprinting and re-balancing our energy centers and the kuyas held in our mesa.
Next, we were told to find a place to sit in stillness, within our mesa arranged in suyus or quadrants — Salkantay (north), Ausangate (south), Pachatucson (east) and Huayna Kauri or Mama Simone (west) -- and wait for the apus to make themselves present. As a final instruction, Jose Luis told us to “Keep it simple; go into prayer and stillness.
After lunch, we hiked down the very steep cliff face to the Urubamba River, where Walter, our driver, and bus were waiting. Eva, Greg A. and I were the last to leave our campsite — not wanting the deliciousness of this location and sacred work just completed, to end. We were also some of the first to reach the bus. Midway down the steep and often uneven “staircase” trail, Juan told me it would be much easier on my knees, if I found a rhythm and let my feet just do the rest. By jove, it worked … I sailed down the rest of the way!
Back in the town of Urubamba, I quickly dropped off my duffle and daypack, and hurried back to the lobby to meet up with Holly, Randi and Eve for a walk into town. forgetting to bring my reading glasses, I was unable to check email, but did buy and devour a bag of chips. Back at the hotel, a hot shower was needed to scrub off three-days of sweat and dirt before dinner. One of the very simple pleasures of life after hiking and camping is a hot shower, another is eating at a table with a real chair!
That evening, we all gathered in the chapel for haipay, followed by Adolpho calling in the apus. Before beginning the ceremony, Adolpho told us:
That evening, we all gathered in the chapel for haipay, followed by Adolpho calling in the apus. Before beginning the ceremony, Adolpho told us:
“Salkantay is a big mountain. To bring Salkantay to our ceremony requires us to open our hearts and make ourselves available. Continually align to the energy of light (consciousness) and bring forth the energy of love that you hold. We need to continue developing our relationship to Pachamama and the Santa Tierras (Earth spirits) so that we strengthen the coordinates held in our mesa.” |
After the room was completely darkened, Jose Luis instructed us to hold our mesa on our belly and pray continuously! Then ceremony began. One by one, apus burst through the chapel walls — even Senõr Mucho Ausangate and Salkantay -- and Santa Tierras emerged from the earth through the concrete floor. During the ceremony, we were each given an opportunity to ask Adolpho’s apu benefactor, Senõr Yanakaka de Palulu, a question.
My question: “How can I open my heart more fully to Oneness?” The answer: “You have collected lots of information. Now you need to rediscover the gem that has always been within you.” |
Walking back to my room, I've no doubt that it will be an interesting dreamtime ... Senõr Yanakaka de Palulu planted a "seed" that is already stirring and needing to sprout. My job will be to nurture it so it will grow and become visible!