Several years ago, during a trip to Pisac, I had the opportunity to meet René, a native of the region and a long-time friend of one of my friends. René possesses a deep knowledge of Andean spirituality, and our meeting was going to mark a turning point in my understanding of "right relationship" with nature and living beings.
A transformative encounter
René had arranged to meet me at his store. From our first meeting, I was struck by his warmth, generosity, and open-mindedness. He immediately invited me to participate in a "Despacho" ceremony the following evening. This ceremony, an ancient practice of the Andean shamans of Peru, aims to restore balance in our lives through reciprocity and gratitude towards nature.
The Despacho Ceremony
The Despacho is a ceremonial prayer that harmonizes the energies of the mountains (Apus) and Mother Earth (Pachamama) through an offering aimed at establishing a deep connection with the elements of nature. It represents an act of love, a gift, and a reminder of the sacred bonds we share with all living beings, natural elements, spirits, and sacred places. This ceremony draws at the heart of the concept of AYNI, a fundamental notion discussed in more detail in another one of my articles that I invite you to read here
Discovery of Ayni
Leaving René's store, he showed me the symbol of an open hand drawn on the wall and asked if I knew its meaning. When I replied in the negative, he explained that it was Ayni. This essential concept represents mutual aid and interdependence of all living beings in an ecosystem. According to this vision, we do not live in isolation but in constant reciprocity: each person's actions condition or are the consequence of others' actions.
Living in right relationship according to the Hopis and the Quero's
The teachings of the Hopis of living in "right relationship" share this same essence. You can read a previous article where I discuss it here. They emphasize the importance of maintaining harmonious balance and practicing reciprocity with the Earth and all living beings. This idea of "balance and reciprocity" is so fundamental that, according to the Quero healers, disrupting this balance is what causes illness. Thus, to heal, it is necessary to restore this right relationship, or Ayni.
How to rebuild Ayni
René introduced me to this "Despacho" ceremony with unforgettable gentleness and generosity. It was a beautiful and touching experience that helped me reconnect with the Apus and Pachamama. This evening deeply marked me and taught me the importance of living in right relationship with all elements of creation.
Questionnaire: Reflecting on your relationship with Ayni
To help you identify where you may have broken your connection with Ayni and how you can restore it, answer the following questions:
Recognition of interdependence
- Do you regularly think about the impact of your actions on others and on nature?
- Yes / No
- If no, how can you begin to integrate this reflection into your daily life?
Practice of gratitude
- Do you often express gratitude towards elements of nature?
- Yes / No
- If no, could you start a gratitude journal or create a natural gratitude altar at home?
Balance in relationships
- Do you maintain a balance between giving and receiving in your personal and professional relationships?
- Yes / No
- If no, what small changes can you make to restore this balance?
Respect for natural cycles
- Do you respect and honor natural cycles, such as lunar phases or seasons?
- Yes / No
- If no, could you integrate moon rituals or other seasonal practices into your life?
Community connections
- Do you participate in wisdom circles or discussions on respectful practices of nature and ancestral teachings?
- Yes / No
- If no, would you be interested in joining a circle or group to deepen your understanding of these teachings and improve your relationship with nature?
Personal ecological impact
- Do you reflect on your ecological impact and take steps to reduce your footprint?
- Yes / No
- If no, what changes can you implement to live more harmoniously with the environment?
Connection with ecopsychology
Ecopsychology, like the teachings of the Hopis and the Quero's, recognizes the interdependence between the well-being of the planet and that of the individual. By adopting a synergistic approach, we can work for the health of the Earth while improving our own well-being.
To integrate ancient wisdom
Living in right relationship is a fundamental principle for achieving harmony and balance in our lives. The teachings of the Hopis and the Quero's offer valuable keys to restore this reciprocity with nature and all living beings.
To further explore this journey, I invite you to visit our teachings page, book a drum healing session, or become a member of our community. Together, we can care for our planet and ourselves. Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
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