I woke this morning feeling wholly better — no more coughing, stuffy head, vomiting or worse — and totally refreshed. I also woke with the knowingness that the “fight” over which apu will be my benefactor had to do with Ausangate and Salkantay. I have a distinct memory of a man and woman coming to me in my dreams from opposite directions and both beckoning me to “come”. In that dream, too, I saw myself indicating to both that they come to me. In an oblique way, at the time the scene reminded me of when Harry Potter put on the Sorting Hat and it was a dilemma whether he belonged in Slitherin or Griffendor.
During breakfast we heard a “boom” like during last night, and witnessed a dramatic avalanche. Salka energy at work, as it was last night breaking apart any resistance to experience what my unconsciousness already knows.
After breakfast and packing my gear so our ground crew could break up camp, Jose Luis sent us off to the dry streamed to make a sand painting that ties all of our work together and allows for more availability to “see.” My sand painting connected me to each of the saiwas — was increasingly informing my being-ness to an even greater extent. They are the operating principles — manual for living life — I’ve yearned for since childhood. The saiwas are:
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This saiwa establishes that while there are many relative truths in the realms of consciousness, there is only one Absolute Truth — munay or unconditional love. Fundamentally, cheka describes the crossroads where our “little self” (ego) is subordinated by our “higher Self.” This luminous marker teaches that when right-relationship occurs between our purest visions and selfless actions, our personal power increases ten-fold. This saiwa challenges us to truly “know thyself.” |
Kausay | Life-Force : Fuel Everything in the Universe — visible and invisible — is animated or infused with kausay. No thing is absent of life. Kausay is the life-force that creates galaxies, suns, mountains, plants, animals and even humans through its diverse expressions of vibrational frequencies. This luminous marker describes the gift of life — knowing who one is in the tapestry of life. |
Kollary | Embodiment : Motion : Flow : Timelessness : Coming into One's Fullness of Being We live in a Universe that is alive, dynamic and in constant motion. Nothing is in perfect stillness. Everything in the realm of time/space has a cyclic beginning and end (pacha). For shaman, it is imperative to recognize and map these cycles so his or her journey through life continually evolves towards more essential meaning and fulfillment. They know that by being present in the process of life, rather than in a desired future outcome, we can change our relationship to time. This luminous marker teaches that sourcing externally through form creates experiences of suffering. In contrast, co-creation + responsibility = embodiment. |
Munay | Unconditional, Impersonal & Timeless Love The energetic vibration of love is the preeminent affinity that brings together all levels of consciousness and the connective tissue for everything in the Universe — atoms, particles, galaxies, succession of seasons, flow of rivers and tides, and the very cycle of life. Unlike the romantic expression of love that is known to use through enculturation (cause and effect; duality), munay is impersonal, unconditional and timeless. This luminous marker conveys the guiding principle that frees us from consensual imprints and our ego. |
Nüna | Spirit : Right Action Everything in the Universe — collectively and individually — is animated by Spirit, and therefore, sacred. Spirit is understood to be the timeless cosmic blueprint that contains the architecture of life. Practicing reverence grants us the ability to recognize Spirit manifested in everything. It also enables us to create and embody high level (kollana) affinities to our trans-temporal and temporal natures. This luminous marker enables us to articulate the language of Spirit — through our vision, thoughts, intent and actions — thereby making it possible for us to embody the other saiwas. |
Yüya | Wisdom of Power This saiwa describes knowingness and acceptance — at all levels of consciousness — of the wisdom and perfection of the Universe and its organizing principles. It also relates to practicality, efficiency, common sense, and remembering our inner and uncorrupted wisdom. For shamans, this represents the path to primary (kollana) meaning, which in turn, organizes form. Observation, detachment and stillness are key. This luminous marker teaches us how to learn directly from Spirit — to create rainbows without knowing the science of molecules or refraction. |
Chullya | Oneness : Communion : Connectedness This is the Law of Unity — everything is connected and nothing is isolated. For shaman, this saiwa is about aligning heaven and earth — vision and action — so their energy is no longer invested in, or subtracted by, the seductions of the “little self” (ego). Alignment occurs when vision is fueled by unconditional intent (open heartedness), and immediately followed by right-action. This luminous marker challenges us to step outside of duality and commune with the Creator’s creation by developing our ability to synthesize and integrate the essential (kollana) qualities of energy; Oneness. |
Once my sand painting was complete, I began the second part of our assignment. I found a place in the meadow, looking towards Umantay, and sat in stillness within my mesa, and connected with each of my kuyas. At some point, I sensed the medicine people coming over to give me the Altomesayoq rites. It was a profoundly powerful experience. |
After a span of time allowing what had energetically just taken place to sink in deeply, I humbly and silently walked back to our first campsite at the foot of Salkantay.
I must confess to always being surprised at how hungry I get from working energetically. Also, I literally hadn't eaten much, at least solid food, in several days. Therefore, I was quite thankful when I reached the location of our first campsite to find lunch was being served — hot soup, bread and other tasty accompaniments!
Afterwards, we hiked back to the road where Willy picked us up in the van and drove us the several more miles to our bus.
I must confess to always being surprised at how hungry I get from working energetically. Also, I literally hadn't eaten much, at least solid food, in several days. Therefore, I was quite thankful when I reached the location of our first campsite to find lunch was being served — hot soup, bread and other tasty accompaniments!
Afterwards, we hiked back to the road where Willy picked us up in the van and drove us the several more miles to our bus.
On the way back to the Sacred Valley and hotel in Urubamba, we stopped briefly in a small village where we bought snacks and Walter had a flat tire fixed.
A funny thing happened while in the village ... Jose Luis was walking down the road with Holly, Randi, Leontine, Harriett and me in tow. Several men looked admiringly at Jose Luis, as if they were wondering how he had “scored” to have five western women walking in single-file behind him!
By the time we arrived back at our hotel it was late, with only enough time to change into warmer clothes before heading to the dining room for dinner. Afterwards, I tried to call Rick, but no one answered. Before showering and bed, I packed an overnight bag, for our journey the next day to Machu Picchu.
By the time we arrived back at our hotel it was late, with only enough time to change into warmer clothes before heading to the dining room for dinner. Afterwards, I tried to call Rick, but no one answered. Before showering and bed, I packed an overnight bag, for our journey the next day to Machu Picchu.