I’m getting ready to take a group to Peru for a two-week spiritual, energetic, and hopefully, life-changing experience. It’s my first time. Friends and students have been asking for years, “When will you take us to Peru???” My answer was always the same, “Never.” Peru belonged to my original Teacher of all things Andean, Juan Nunez del Prado. How could I possibly bring a group there without his guidance and leadership? After all, he’s the Master.
On Valentines Day weekend 1997, Juan came to my house and helped ground and give context to my shamanic initiation. A few of us spent the weekend with him amongst the trees at Muir Woods and Redwood Park. I had a vision one day, and Juan anointed me. A I write these words, tears freely flow for the gratitude I will always feel for his presence that weekend. How long would it have taken me to integrate and move forward without him?
That same year, I had a visitation from Putu Cusi, the only female mountain at Machu Picchu. She asked me to perform a specific task for Her, and I agreed. During the summer, a few of us spent a month with Juan in Bolivia and Peru. He was very supportive of my relationship with Putu Cusi and arranged for us to stay in Aguas Calientes an extra day so we could do the ceremony. After a surprisingly powerful experience for everyone, while Juan and I walked back into town together he chastised me for my indecision about something. “A Master always knows,” he sternly said. I’ve never forgotten that teaching. I took it to heart a few years later when I was with a small group at the north face of Mount Kailash in Western Tibet facilitating a ceremony for the planet.
I recently saw Juan and his son, Ivan, for a week of Andean Path teachings. I’d never done that before—sat in a workshop with Juan for eight hours a day for six days. Listening, taking notes, participating in experiential exercises. I learned “in the field.” In vans, restaurants, trains. At the ruins of sacred sites. During ceremonies. While creating despachos. Walking up steep mountains. Sitting at the base of a glacier with Q’ero elders. In caves.
This past October I journeyed to Peru for the first time without Juan. When I got off the plane, something spontaneously stirred deep within my soul. I felt fabulous. And— two days later—knew I could bring a group. Peru is inside of me, We have our own relationship. It awakened eighteen years ago with Juan and now is solid enough to stand alone. Although in Peru one is never alone, for the energies and spirits of Pachamama, the Apus, sacred sites, and people are ever-present.
How can I possibly bring a group to Peru without Juan’s guidance and leadership? Because my Inka seed, first awakened by him in 1996, has been nourished ever since and grows abundantly inside of me.
FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART, I AM GRATEFUL TO MY TEACHER, JUAN NUNEZ DEL PRADO.
THANK YOU FOR SHARING, LEADING, TEACHING, AND HEALING.
FOR PAVING THE PATH.
This is Juan and I in 1997 after the ceremony for Putu Cusi:
Beautiful sharing. Love the picture! I am honored to be part of your first group to Peru.
Ah Annie, what beautiful recognition of your teacher. I am so grateful to you, for you have been my teacher. Much love and many blessings on this new journey of yours!
Well, you are my Juan!!!! And I love it!!!! Always asked to be guided to Peru with someone that would give me the ” Spiritual Essence” of Peru – and I know you are the one!!!!
Thank you Pachamama for answering to my request!!!!
🙂
I love how certain and grounded you are as you walk your path going into this big journey. I honor you! I love you!
I can only imagine the radiance you will all bring back. For some reason Ecuador or Guatemala calls, but one never knows.
May Peru bless us all. Have fun!
What a beautiful posting and tribute to your teacher.
I can’t wait for my teacher, whom I also honor and thank for paving the path, to get down here!! I so look forward to spending some time with you and the group in this magical country.
I just love you!!
Annie,
This is beautiful, and a teaching in itself. Thank-you, A Ho!
And it is true…I am deeply grateful for you and your path.
I love you, Gena
Annie, what a gracious and beautiful example you’ve just written, of honoring that which we are moving on from. I learn from what you know, and what you do!
I know this Peru trip is going to be something super amazing.
LOVE YOU ALL
Salita
I’m so excited for you and for everyone going with you on this journey. I can already feel the love that emanates from Peru and calls out to all of you. May you continue to bless and be blessed. Much aloha dear Annie.
Thank you for being my teacher and helping me with my spiritual growth. I will be thinking of all of you on your beautiful journey.
Much love to you Annie, and to all who will share this journey with you in both the physical and the spiritual realms.
Marita
Beautifully written, Annie. This re-awakening is precious. I am excited for you and those who will witness and share in all Peru has to offer.
Much love,
Julianna