Newsletters
May 2007: Lessons From Machu Picchu
Greetings,
A week ago, Linda and I returned from Peru after spending two weeks touring much of the country and visiting a number of historic and sacred sites. In addition to our outer journey our group engaged in an inner and interpersonal journey that added a dimension of depth and understanding to the trip that we otherwise would not have experienced. The theme of the trip was The Healing Power of Relationships, and we not only investigated this theme during our trip, but we actually experienced it, first hand. The structure of our itinerary included an alternation of touring and seminar time in which we were able to integrate the amazing experiences that we had in our travels with an ongoing workshop which allowed us to more fully internalize and appreciate the extraordinary experiences we were absorbing along the way. This process was greatly enhanced by the presence of two extremely wise and knowledgeable guides who accompanied us throughout our travels.
The sponsor of the trip, Power Places Tours, lived up to its name, and by the end of the tour, even the skeptics of our group were convinced that genuine "power places" do exist on this planet, and that a number of them are in Peru.
"Power places" are geographical locations in which energies that promote healing, growth, and personal and social transformation are present. In some locations, there is both subjective and objective evidence of the presence of these energies. On a subjective level, there is often a sense of clarity, deep connection with self, others, and the earth itself, and a feeling of well-being and power that one may experience. There is often a sense of inner tranquility that might be equivalent to the biblical reference to the "peace that passeth all understanding". On a less subtle, more objective level, there can be outer indicators that one is standing in a place of extraordinary possibilities. There may be great beauty natural or man-made. There may be structures that can be so stunning that it seems that nothing short of a miracle could have created or even conceived of them.
Such was certainly the case in Machu Picchu. One member of our group described the experience as being an ongoing series of miraculous sights and experiences. None of us could argue.
While it would be easy to fill dozens of pages with descriptions of what we saw in our travels in Peru, this information is easily obtained in most travel books. What is less attainable but perhaps more valuable are the teachings and lessons that we experienced during our trip.
We found that being in sacred places allowed us all to realize knowledge that was rooted in ancient wisdom. Some of these teachings came from specific lessons that were illuminated during our travels, and some came from insights and understandings that sprung up spontaneously in response to the experiences that we had on the trip. Towards the end of our travels, in our final group meeting, we shared with each other the essential teachings and lessons that we each had experienced in Peru that we were taking back to our lives at home. These teachings speak for themselves and don't require much in the way of interpretation or explanation.
Some have to do with very specific observations that were made and are very literal, and others are more impressionistic and abstract. In reading them, we encourage you to try to resist the temptation to analyze the statements but rather to simply experience whatever impressions or responses you have to what you are reading. One of the understandings that I came to more fully appreciate on our trip was to more fully trust my experience and to accept it without trying to assess whether or not it "makes sense" or passes the "reasonable" test. Although many of the teachings that I experienced were difficult to put into words, they were nonetheless very valuable.
Some of the other teachings our group members shared are:
• A profound respect for the synergistic power of mobilizing collective commitments and energies in the direction of the fulfillment of a shared intention or goal. Harnessing these energies has the potential to literally create miracles.
• The understanding that love, knowledge and wisdom are the source of great accomplishments.
• Reciprocity and mutuality are more than good ideas; they are the underpinnings of all healthy societies.
• Faith isn't a belief, but rather it's a deep knowing that underlies the foundation of trust in the benevolence of the universe.
• We are all responsible for caring for the earth and that responsibility is an honor and a privilege, not a burden.
• None of us is independent. We are all interdependent, and this is a good thing.
• We are infinitely more than who we perceive ourselves as being.
• Miracles happen.
• In times of suffering it's good to remember that "This too shall pass". And in times of pleasure and happiness it's good to remember the same thing.
• There is a big difference between making a decision and getting clear about something.
• Beauty is everywhere if we look carefully for it.
• The answers to most questions can be found through an open heart but they don't always come in the form we desire or at the time we expect.
• A good friendship can be created in minutes and can last a lifetime.
• There is a universal language and it's not English. It's the language of the heart.
• It's possible to connect deeply to another person without being able to speak a word of their language.
• The beauty of nature can receive your prayers as well as the world's most elegant cathedral.
• Generosity is it's own reward. Selfishness is its own punishment.
• Climbing a steep mountain may seem impossible but taking one step at a time isn't.
• Wealth isn't a function of how many possessions you own, but of how much gratitude you experience.
• We are the ones that we've been waiting for.
• It isn't necessary to have a middle man to have a relationship with God.
• An enemy is someone whose life story you haven't heard yet.
• Loneliness is a delusion.
• It's possible to be bored in exotic places and to be fascinated in your own back yard.
• The eyes that we bring to new sights are more important than the sights that are there.
• A change of heart is more powerful than a change of scenery.
• Travel, particularly to far off places which are inhabited by people who live in cultures very different from our own, can be mind-opening and even life-changing. Traveling with others who are like-minded and who appreciate the value of immersion in other cultures and deep connection can provide a very different experience from tourism or sightseeing.
If you would like to join us on one of our future adventures, let us know where you are interested in going and when you are free to go. We are currently investigating several locations for next year, including a return to Peru, Greece, Italy, Bali, Alaska, and Bhutan. Let us know if these or any other locations interest you and check our website for other possible destinations.
In the meantime, bring a spirit of discovery and adventure to your life wherever you are.
Bon Voyage!
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