Giving Back
It seems so much of the world as we know it is striving to “make it”, looking after ourselves and doing what we can to get ahead in the world. How many people do you know who actually “give back”? Yes, people donate to charities, that’s good, but do they ever see where their money is really going? How do you give back?
In Peru AYNI means right thought, right love and right action. Do you share your knowledge with the world? Do you help strangers? Do you forgive yourself and others? A few days ago we went to Urubamba market to buy supplies for the kitchens that we support. Each group had a list of things they needed to buy: Dawn and I had vegetables, Susie and Cristian had spices, Paivi and Glendi had chicken and pulses and Carlos and David had all the fruits.
It was great fun perusing the markets for the right ingredients and we had big bags and an envelope of money and the rest was pretty much winging it! Who knew cauliflowers could be so HUGE! Dawn and I had the longest list and ended up buying more bags until we finally had eight bags between us. We also stopped so Dawn could buy some footballs for the schools.
Eventually we all reunited and took all the supplies up to the first school in Rumira where the children sang songs for us. I have done this a number of times so my tears don’t tend to flow as much as they used to as it is a very moving experience. We proceeded high up the mountain to T’astayoc where the children still wear their original orange and red ponchos and hats. They are so loving and greeted us with hugs and kisses and helped us carry all the supplies across the fields to their school.
They decked us with flowers from the greenhouses and we enjoyed see-sawing and helping prepare the wonderful food that they cook under ground. I would really love to bring corporate groups here for team-building a greenhouse over two days. Making a difference first hand is a completely wonderful experience and touches you more deeply than simply writing a cheque. 10% of my trips’ cost goes towards supporting these schools kitchens and greenhouses so I like to bring my groups up to see where their money is going. Everyone had the most fantastic day.
Later that same day we descended back into Ollantaytambo and climbed up to the temple. Cristian is by far the best guide I have ever had the pleasure of exploring Ollanta with a group. I have been there so many times and never heard many of the wonderful stories he shared with us. He was born and raised there and recounted much of his childhood experiences. When Cristian speaks, magic happens. In fact when Roberto speaks, magic happens, and when Freddi speaks, magic happens. We are so blessed.
We all went to dinner together and then went to our friends bar and stayed there until quite late. Sacred healing comes in all forms! The next day we went up the mountain to Antanuca where our San Pedro Shaman Freddi was waiting for us. San Pedro is a beautiful sacred plant medicine, cactus based and it connects you to all there is. We made individual despachos (offerings) putting our prayers into them while we waited for the medicine to take effect. Then we put on our warmies and went outside of the sacred circle to begin the purging process. It is different every time.
The moon was high in the sky and there was mostly cloud cover which was surprisingly okay because it made the lighting so cool and gave a background for spirits and Beings to appear where they might not be so visible if all the stars were taking all of our attention. We saw some stars, but the night was with the mountain. Four of us had lost our mothers recently so we called in their spirits. Freddi told us his mother had said, “Love God above all else and you will always be happy in this moment.”
It touched my heart so profoundly because it really is THAT SIMPLE. We are born connected and knowing this, then somehow we get shut down and some people never get to re-remember this. Those of us who do, realise we have always known it, always understood there is another way of being; connected to the earth, connected to spirit, always trusting we are part of God, One with the Universe.
There was drumming and fabulous instruments that made the coolest sounds and because of the cloud cover the night was surprisingly warm, still cold, but not ridiculously freezing as it usually is! I danced around the circle, and with the fire, and sang a few songs for everyone. In the morning Carlos and Cristian prepared breakfast for us, wonderful fried egg and cheese sandwiches and fruit and yogurt on a table with a white lace tablecloth! Perfect.
Now we are in Machu Picchu.
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