Remembering Sillustani, Peru: First-hand experience of a Shamanic Journey
Those who have been on a Vision Quest to Peru with Mona and her co-guide, don Pepe Arancibia, nearly always return home, saying that the experience was “life-changing.” The vibrations of the sacred lands, the impact of partaking in ancient spiritual traditions, the surrender and release of one’s own energies, and the receiving of new energies, together they make for a complete mind-body-heart-soul experience.
This is Mona’s remembrance of her experience on a trip to Sillustani, Peru, where there are ancient burial grounds comprised of tall stone buildings called chullpas. Archeologists report that they were likely used by upper-class families and other groups related to the pre-Inca and Inca eras. Maybe something more?
Notice Mona’s embrace and acceptance of her guidance, challenges, and unique insights. This is one example of what it is to be a pilgrim of the soul.
Sillustani, Peru 2012, 10/28/12: After leaving the Islands of the Floating Reeds in Lake Titicaca, in the city of Puno, we boarded our bus and proceeded further along the northeastern border the lake, approaching the mysterious chullpas of Sillustani.
I began to feel ungrounded, nauseous, and weak and chose to offer myself an “integrative time-out” during the drive instead of engaging in the conversation of my fellow travelers. We arrived, and with all my might, I picked up my backpack and gingerly began the hike, fighting back the weakness in my legs & body, and ever-increasing nausea.
As I looked up the side of the mountain, I realized that this was going to take every ounce of strength I had in me. I had little idea of why I felt this way, but I did know I was determined to make it to the top and visit this mysterious place. I allowed for the mountain’s powerful energy to “pull” me upward, no matter how long it would take.
At one point during the ascent, I reached out to our guide from Cuzco and said, “I know that I’m supposed to purge on this Earth of Pachamama right here… I feel it. But please don’t help me, I am releasing something here!”
“Yes, Monita… Allow and let the energy of the site guide you. Be with its spirit,” he responded very calmly and softly, with knowledge in his eyes and reassurance in his voice.
Finally, our group of 7 arrived at the top. We were guided to the larger circular opening, known in the Amayra language as “Pacha Tata” or Creator-God, invited to enter, and to “just be”. As my feet stepped inside the ancestors' ceremonial circular formation, I lost the ability to think; I could only follow the energy of the ancestors and spirits as they led me to walk around inside the circle, around and around. I walked to the west and began to purge, kneeling down in supplication to the sacred Earth I was remembering. Releasing deeper aspects of what no longer belonged to my construct of who I thought I was in the days before.
Without thinking, I arose several minutes later and proceeded to the central vortex of Pacha Tata that many footsteps have witnessed for millennia. I walked in a spiraling circle, the spiral tightening, closer and closer into the center, until I arrived. Wobbly, like a drunkard, from the spiritual energies I weaved back and forth until I again came to my hands, elbows, and knees directly over the vortex of the site. I sobbed as I prayed into the ground, experiencing an activation throughout the whole of my being. Then, I felt my qosqo, midsection, and heart, “explode” in a shaft of light that went up into the heavens, and then down through me and into Pachamama!
Saywa! Woooo… What had just happened? I couldn’t speak… I was dazed, images of intensities of light everywhere, and felt instant relief from the weakness and nausea – it was gone! Slowly I gathered myself, and returned to the side of the ceremonial circle, allowing each compadre to enter the center. No one spoke; silence remained until each was done. Then it was complete, we exited, and we were led further down the open path.
As I thanked the ceremonial circle, ancestors, and Pacha Tata upon leaving, my guide was waiting for me as I stepped out. He held out his hand, offering me a small gift from Pacha Tata, Pachamama, and from the sacred Earth and chullpas. It was a pure white, circular stone, no bigger than a dime, and incredibly light in weight.
“Monita, She [Pachamama] just now told me that this is yours, for your ‘work’ here. Please… Be Blessed!” I thanked him, joy in my heart, and wonderment of a child filled me. To this day, this gift is one of my most treasured Khuyas, and potent prayer pieces.
As we were led to the far side of the path, we each gasped at what we saw next. Heaven and Earth meeting, each a pure reflection of the other. High in this remote place, my heart opened expansively, and I just stood still as the magnificence of the beauty enveloped my soul.
What was really the Earth, and what was really the sky? Where did one end and the other begin? Such beauty, such magnificence, such wonder and blessings our Mother Earth allows for us. The words do not describe the ethereal vibrations present at Sillustani.
And the chullpas? Many people, many archaeologists say they were funerary towers for the Inca. My personal experience? From 45 feet away, I felt an incredible vibration and light emanating from one as one of my compadres crawled inside it… It moved light photons, and vibratory energy fields – like waves in the ocean! I heard tones – phonons. Expressions of particles of light and matter. Particles of creation. Some chullpas are taller, wider, shorter, some are dark, and some are a combination of white, like my stone relative, and dark stone. Magnificent and mysterious, awe-inspiring. What do you think?
Another profound, beautiful mystery of the magical and mystical lands of Peru!
Be Blessed!
~mona
