What is
the Andean
spiritual
tradition?
The Andes is a vast mountain range in South América, home to many Peoples and ancestral wisdom with a deep understanding of the Spirits and Forces of Nature and of Humans.
The Andean Espiritual Tradition gathers this knowledge in a series of concepts, rituals, temples, stories, healing methods and techniques that teach how to move Kawsay, the living energy in us all. It is a life philosophy and also a practice that shows us our own power and our ability to recognize and relate with a world of abundance and well being.
The teachings we share come specifically from masters in the Cusco Region, former capital of the Inka Empire.
How can
it help me?
Entering a new Tradition different than ours is like learning a new language. We are not just understanding its structure, but also learning to think and perceive reality in a different way.
The Andean Spiritual Tradition in that new language that through concepts and specific tools, helps us complement what we already are from our culture and beliefs.
This tradition has helped us heal wounds, find answers, it has brought wealth to our lives, and connected us to our roots, valuing the inner and outer life. It has taught us to live in the present moment realizing harmonious intentions.
If you are here now, it`s likely you have heard a calling, and to find out how these practices can help you we invite you to walk along us. For now, and so that you can feel the essence, we offer the following concepts that structure this tradition:
Kawsay,Pacha, Ayni, Sami and Hucha, Karpay, Yachay, Munay, Llank’ay, Yanantin, The three worlds, Tawantin, Chakana, Misha, Despacho.
Kawsay
Pacha
"Kawsay" means "to live" in Quechua, "Pacha" is the place and moment we live in (the cosmos) Kawsay Pacha means "the Living Cosmos", a diverse organism in which each part has a concrete life experience. From a human being, or a stone, to a star. This vision has allowed the andean being a deep aknowledgement of the wealth of his or her world, and a humble relationship with it.
Pachamama (the feminine aspect of our universe), Tayta Inti (the father sun), Mama Killa (mother moon), Apukuna (the mountains, guardian spirits), Chaskakuna (the stars), Mallkikuna (the ancestors), Mama Qocha (the feminine spirit of waters, in the sea and lagoons) or K'uychi (the rainbow) are all breathing and dancing aspects of Kawsay Pacha.
Ayni
An Andean principle that teaches us about the reciprocal relation of the forces of Kawsay Pacha. It's a way of life, delivering the best part of me into everything I do and everyone I meet, and in consequence, receiving the best part of everything and everyone.
The Andeans practice Ayni with the land, with their Ayllu (community), their ancestors, and in doing so they don't measure what they put in or what they get in return. They just know that by knowing their Karpay (their personal power) and by sharing it, the Cosmos will create a rhythm of well being and reciprocity for all the parts involved in the melody.
Sami & Hucha
Kawsay, life, can be understood in terms of Sami, pure and refined or light energy, or Hucha, heavy, chaotic energy. Both are relative depending on who or what is "living" (what can be Sami to me, can be Hucha to you and vice-versa).
The Andean Spiritual Student learns to identify the energy blockages and move the Hucha for him or herself and others. Also to receive or generate Sami in an act of Ayni with the Kawsay Pacha.
This belief is not about right or wrong, good or evil, but it rather helps us understand how the energy flows when internal or external conflicts arise. So that we can create personal and social wellbeing.
Karpay
A Karpay is a traditional rite or ceremony in which the Paqo, Andean priest, serves as a channel between a Power of Kawsay Pacha (Apu, Ñusta, Mama Killa, etc) and the person receiving it. It is an exercise of empowerment and growth of our conenections with the Spirits of nature and a way in which Masters share their personal power.
For this purpose, they must know and understand it. In the Andes power can be understood in three different aspects: Yachay, Munay y Llank'ay.
Yachay
It Literally means "to learn". In the Andes, it is the power to live something and know it by directly experiencing and understanding it. If you really know something it also means that you will be able to share it by heart when the opportunity arises.
That who masters the art of Knowledge is known as the Tukuyachayniyoq.
Munay
Munay is translated as "to want, or even love" something or someone. It is the power of having a clear Intention and Will. Munay is generally placed in the Sonqo, or heart, a place where our true wishes shine the brightest. That who masters the art of Will is known as the Tukuymunayniyoq.
Llank'ay
Llank'ay in quechua means "to work". It is the power of direct and concrete action.
Thus, first we "know" something, then we intend it, and finally we work to make it happen in the material world.
That who masters the art of Action is known as the Tukuyllank'ayniyoq.
Yanantin
In the Andean Cosmos everything has its complementary aspect. There are a Right and a Left side, a Male and a Female, an Inside and outside, to almost all of the parts in the universe. Yanay means "to help", a Yanantin roughly translates as pairing with what is something that will help me, improving my reality.
Every complementation of two different things creates a third part, and that's why yanantin is so important in the Andes. Because what's different to me, actually brings something that I lack, and that will help me create something new.
Hence, Yanantin means "Sacred Union".
Ukhu, Kay & Hanaq Pacha
These are the three worlds of Pachamama.
Ukhu is the inner world, the world below our feet and inside of the earth. Where all kinds of beings with heavier energy inhabit. According to the Tradition, we can come to them to find material richness or so that they eat our Hucha. A treat they feed upon.
Kay is the surface world, the one we see and touch.
Hanaq is the above, a world with lighter beings such as the sun, the moon, the stars, the ancestors and the apus (technically in between kay and hanaq pacha), that guide and protect us and teach us how to be lighter.
As inhabitants of the Kay Pacha, our duty is to be "Chakarunas" People that serve as bridge between the different worlds.
Tawantin
Tawa means "four". A tawantin is the union of 4 different factors that complement and create an axis. The territorial government of the inkas was called "Tawantinsuyu", four regions that came together in a living organism.
By choosing 4 elements, or organizing something into 4 parts, different cosmovisions have induced a higher energy level that allows you to connect with a harmonious totality
This way we align our inner universe and it reflects in our outer universe.
This principle teaches us about the importance. The Chakana is a symbol of this idea.
Khuya
A Khuya is an object that helps us channeling the energy of a certain Force in nature, such as an Apu (mountain spirit). It is useful in healing, vision, empowerment, etc
Khuyay is "to love or feel tenderness toward something", thus our love for the object is also the power that brings a sense to it. In the Andes they are generally Rumi Khuyas, power stones that represent our experience as Paqos.
Misha
The Misha, sometimes called misa or mesa, can be understood as a personal portable Altar, within which the Paqo (andean priest) carries his or her experiences of power, represented by khuyas. Misha is generally kept by fold mastanas or unkhuñas, different size weaves with beautiful and symbolic designs called "pallay".
It is used for energetic cleansing, for Karpays, and to make "Despachos" among other uses. In our classes we teach you how to arrange, feed and use your misha.
Despacho
It's a physical and energy offering in order to create reciprocal relationships with the Apus, Pachamama and other Spirits.
Generally, assorted elements with different purposes are placed on a piece of paper, From corn, flowers, animal fat, incense, etc, everything is placed forming a certain shape, to finally be wrapped and burnt, buried, etc.
Despachos are also used to clean heavy energy, to lure wealth, to heal, etc
We also teach how to make despachos for different purposes.
Study the Andean tradition taking one of our online courses, workshops, retreats or trips.
