Andean shamanism Archives - Owl Medicine: Shamanic Healing

Hawks Came Calling

Hawk medicine is all about being a messenger.

I have a deep affinity for Hawk. It was extremely persistent in showing up and prodding me back when I was writing Owl Medicine. It wouldn’t let me go. It wouldn’t let me off the hook.

So as I drove to my presentation at St. Joseph’s University today, I was delighted by all the Hawks that accompanied me on my journey. I spotted at least eight of them, four of which were hanging out in trees along my route. The others were in flight – one being raged at by a crow – and then the final one I spotted was sitting boldly on a speed limit sign right along the roadside, its belly bulging a bit over the top of the sign.

A Veritable Entourage

I felt escorted. Not only by my Hawk allies themselves – but perhaps even more powerfully by the lineage of paqos into which I’ve been initiated. I felt the Hawks’ presence was a signal from Spirit that my lineage was with me, had my back, and supported my effort to be an effective spokesperson to the next generation.

Of course, I joked with the students as I began my presentation. I let them know right up front that I’d radically indulged my intellectual side when I began preparing to speak to a college class. As I described last night, I literally surrounded myself by my substantial collection of books about Andean shamanism – the equivalent of my mind’s comfort foods.

I think they felt surrounded too – I brought ten of my favorite books. Yes, I’d created a “Recommended Reading List” for them, just in case their curiosity was piqued by my presentation. But there’s something special about being able to pick up a book and flip through it. Sometimes you open a book and you read exactly the right words that let you know this is the book you’re meant to read. So I brought them. Just in case.

More Meaning Than I Realized

But I also reassured them while I had indulged my logical, pragmatic side as I prepared, I also opened my arms wide to trusting that I would cover exactly what they needed to hear. And assuring me that I could trust myself and my message were all these Hawks that had basically lined my route as I drove there.

I was puzzled, then, when they all looked at each other and laughed.

Turns out the mascot for St. Joe’s is the Hawk. And as the professor kindly pointed out, “We’re on Hawk Hill.”

I was exactly where I was meant to be.

Hawks Brought a Message of Hope

And I can honestly say, this group of young people was thoughtful, engaged, respectful, and attentive throughout my presentation. They asked questions that honestly reflected curiosity. They give me hope for humanity.

And that was probably the very best message any HAWKS could have given me today.

I’m filled with gratitude: for the opportunity. For the reception. And for the hope*.

(T-1002)

*And even more for my awesome great niece, Madde.

Don Sebastian blessing my mesa and me in February of 2012

Sacred Responsibility

I’ve cut my writing time short this evening. Indeed, I’m lucky I looked up from my books and notes and laptop to check the clock because I’d become so totally immersed in my work that I’d lost all track of time. The catalyst for my intensity was the need to fulfill my sense of sacred responsibility.

I’ll be speaking to a university class tomorrow about Andean shamanism, and more specifically, the Q’ero tradition, which is the lineage into which I’ve been initiated.

In spite of the fact that I’ve been engaging in and living (to the best of my abilities) the teachings, rituals, and ceremonies of this lineage for 15 years, I nevertheless feel like a neophyte. I never know enough for my own comfort to consider myself a worthy messenger of this tradition.

It’s probably connected to some weird thing I have in my own head about teaching – such as one must not only be an expert on the subject but also impeccable in your execution of what you know.

Hmm. Just writing that belief out (which is akin to saying it out loud) gives me pause.

A Pretty High Bar

Nevertheless, it is my curse. Oh wait – what do I say about being cognizant of our use of words? It is my blessing. Ha ha. OK. That’s over the top. It is my challenge. Yes, that works.

Ever since I was asked to speak, I’ve been alternately pondering and fretting over what I would say. My inclination is to go for the intellectual approach. You know, outline various aspects of Andean cosmology. Get into the facts. Sound like an anthropologist.

Be detached and clinical.

So I pull out all my books and I pore over the notes I took in a myriad of courses and trainings and sitting with paqos (what shamans are called in Peru). And I get myself all caught up in conveying everything I’ve been taught just so. The reason I get so caught up is because of how much I care. Acting as an ambassador of any tradition is a sacred responsibility. But I honestly feel that the responsibility is even greater when I am speaking about a tradition that I was not born into, but rather, welcomed into.

Be Real

My response to inundating myself in all of my notes and rereading passages from books is two fold:

First, I become anxious and overwhelmed with getting everything just right.

But secondly – and perhaps most importantly, I remember the lush deliciousness of this path. Yes, I realize there are many things I’ve forgotten – or at least aspects I don’t consciously think about in my day-to-day life. Immersing myself in what I’ve been taught makes me yearn to absorb it even more.

And the ultimate realization is that I must simply show up and be real.

The Q’ero in particular are astonishingly generous in sharing their teachings. And that is probably the single best aspect of this lineage that I can share: their generosity of spirit. Their astonishingly open and generous hearts.

And so, while I will be armed with lots of intellectually oriented facts tomorrow, my perspective will be embodying what I’ve been shown by the Q’ero themselves: generously sharing what I have personally experienced walking the path of heart that is the Andean Way. That’s my sacred responsibility.