In the heart of the Peruvian mountains, thousands of kilometers from home, in the company of the Qu'eros, the last descendants of the Incas, I discovered a Quetchua word "Ayni", the Inca heritage of reciprocity and balance. I'd like to share the meaning of this word with you.
The Lesson of the Peruvian Mountains: L'Ayni des Qu'eros
The steep trails and cold night under the stars initially seemed like an insurmountable challenge. However, this trip showed me that Ayni is much more than a simple exchange of goods or services. It's an exchange of energies, emotions and mutual support, a balance.
On the Quyllurit'i path, the most important pilgrimage for the Qu'eros, every step was a silent dance between soul and earth, a balancing act. As we climbed the steep paths of the Peruvian mountains, I noticed the special places that lined our route. These sites were not marked by majestic monuments or extravagant signs, but rather by modest offerings and whispered prayers, a balance.
These were modest spaces where the Qu'eros deposited coca leaves, stones and other sacred objects in thanksgiving to Mother Earth, the Apu and the mountain spirits that surrounded them, maintaining a balance. These modest offerings reflected their deep gratitude to the nature that nourished and protected them. Every stone, every coca leaf, every whispered prayer was an expression of Ayni, a promise to give back to the earth that gave so much, maintaining a balance.
These places of prayer and offering were constant reminders of the interdependence that binds Qu'eros to nature, and how important it is to recognize and celebrate Mother Earth's gifts, maintaining a balance. Every time we stopped at one of these sites, I felt part of something bigger, an ongoing exchange of gratitude and love between man and nature, a balance.
These modest open-air altars reminded me that reciprocity is not limited to concrete acts, but can also be manifested through simple gestures of respect and gratitude towards our planet, thus preserving a balance. It's a lesson I've taken with me, one I'm determined to put into practice in my own life, to honor Mother Earth and live in harmony with her, seeking balance.
"Every pebble, every coca leaf, every whispered prayer was an expression of Ayni, a promise to give back to the land that gave so much."
II. The Hopi: Guardians of the Earth's Balance
I was surprised to hear Grandmother Medicine Song talk about reciprocity among the Hopi. Here I found the same spirit of Ayni that I had discovered with the Qu'eros, but for the Hopis, it goes even further. They see themselves not only as guardians of reciprocity, but also as guardians of the Earth's balance.
The Hopis have integrated reciprocity into their way of life for centuries, preserving an essential balance. For them, giving and receiving are not simply acts, but sacred pillars of the community. The Katsina, a ritual rain dance, is a striking example. In this dance, they offer gifts to the rain spirits in the hope of receiving rainfall for their crops, maintaining a balance between humanity and nature. This tradition demonstrates how reciprocity is rooted in nature, the human and the sacred, and how it is intimately linked to the balance of the Earth.
"Take time each day to show respect and gratitude for those you love, for the life you live, for the trees that provide you with oxygen, for the plants and animals that feed you, and for the clouds that bring the rain."
Grandmother Medecine Song
The Hopi see their role as essential, a sacred mission that goes beyond simple reciprocity. They see themselves as guardians of the Earth's balance, responsible for maintaining harmony between humanity and nature. For them, every act of reciprocity is a means of preserving this balance, an act of respect towards Mother Earth.
This broader perspective on reciprocity as a key element in maintaining the Earth's balance is a valuable lesson we can all learn from the Hopis. It reminds us that our responsibility to the planet goes beyond simple acts of giving and gratitude. We are also responsible for preserving the delicate balance between humanity and nature, a balance essential to the survival of our planet and all the life forms it supports.
III. Personal Reflection: Living in Reciprocity
Contemporary trends such as individualism, consumer culture and a focus on personal success have eroded these values. We no longer look to the Earth as a nurturing mother who gives us the magnificent gifts we need to live. We forget to thank her, to honor her, to pray to her, and to keep her in balance.
Instead, we plunder it, destroy it, and engage in a frantic race towards consumerism, individualism and personal success, thus upsetting the balance. We're a long way from reciprocity.
When I read an article in the newspaper "Le Monde" sounding the alarm about a historic drought on Lake Titicaca, where it has receded by up to two kilometers in places, I can't help but think of the inhabitants of these magnificent little islands of the Uros, which I was lucky enough to visit. These people live by a profound philosophy of reciprocity and balance, a relationship of respect and gratitude to Mother Earth.
Today, however, these people are impacted by climate change, the consequence of the exceptional rainfall deficit, and the effects of deforestation in the Amazon. Western man's lack of respect and consideration for his Mother Earth, and the resulting consequences, are profoundly unjust. The people of the Uros, who have managed to preserve this link with the sacred and maintain a balance, are now suffering the repercussions.
Is this fair? Is this living in a just and balanced relationship? As Grandmother Medicine Song tries to teach us. Can we be at peace when our egocentric actions cause the suffering of others? These questions don't just concern the inhabitants of the Titicaca islands or the Qu'eros and Hopis, they concern us all. We are all responsible for Mother Earth, and it's time to think seriously about how we can restore the balance between our individual actions and our interdependence with the world around us.
Reciprocity is the path to reconciliation with Mother Earth, with our fellow human beings, and with ourselves. It reminds us that every act, no matter how small, has an impact on the world. It's time to get out of the rat race of consumerism, individualism and personal success, and get back to the essence of reciprocity, gratitude and respect, while maintaining a sense of balance. It's through these values that we can live in peace and harmony with our planet and with every being who shares it with us.
Please feel free to share this article with your friends, family and loved ones. Reciprocity is a universal value that can inspire change and reflection. Together, we can cultivate a world where respect, gratitude and generosity towards Mother Earth and our fellow human beings become the pillars of our daily lives. If you'd like to learn more about these concepts and join the French Hopi community committed to this approach, we'd be delighted to welcome you. Thank you for joining us in this quest for reciprocity and mutual respect.
I share with you a song, 'Cerro Sagrado', sung by artist Alberto Kuselman. A humble prayer evoking our connection with nature, it poetically sums up what has just been said.
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