A dream of mine was to meditate in the Andes with a Shaman has come to pass.
No rain and no harsh sun met us for our walk to Ulba, a small canton outside of Banos, but still part of Banos' government. Along the way we passed flowers, foliage and cactus that are other worldly. We ventured across a mama vaca with THREE horns, a dried and vacant forest of arbol de tomate, river moments and pauses to capture the vistas of mountains and clouds. Pato pointed out 'special' leaves, plants, sticks, rocks and stories of the river, stories of the mountain(s), stories the heart. He explained in Spanish and I probed with more and more questions, all in Spanish.
First stop was just that, a stop. While he settled for a moment, I blissfully did a chakra centering and cleansing meditation. During this time, to realize a dream can become a living moment, filled my eyes with tears that didn't drop. Warmth and kindness was all around. When I had completed my placement, I opened my eyes... looked around to make sure I was really where I was. Looked at him, he smiled and nodded and without saying anything, asked if I was ready to continue.
Walking a bit, we came upon an indigenous woman of the mountain. She was dressed in a deep, bright purple jacket, skirt and brimmed hat. As we passed she looked up and smiled, stopping her hoeing and gardening. She was planting seeds and tending her garden of corn, tomatoes, radishes, herbs, potatoes. She was so gorgeous with her leather-tanned face broad smile with no teeth I was salivating to take a photo. I asked Pato if I could... no... then let me know she was 93! Todo bien! Her baby cow was tetherd to a rock and looked at us curiously. On our way back, Pato made friends with the vaca and offered it food.
Once at the cascada, he prepared for his meditation ritual. Fruit, herbs, water and rocks were placed on a rock/alter. He proceded to strip to his undies, walk barefoot to the base of the waterfall and chant, partly in Kichwa, partly in Spanish. After 10 minutes or so, I heard him chant "alegria, corazon, cuerpo"--joy, heart, body in repetition. Immediately, the sun broke through and the air was glistening with diamond water drops.
He came back up, dried off and dressed. Then we ate the food.
Taking our time, we walked back to Banos re-enjoying previously seen things, seeing new things and talking about how the heart is the source of joy. Picking a bit of strange Andean fruit along the way, eating freshly plucked coffee beans off the trees and savoring mandarinas.
I spy question: Can you see the walking man??
