The Journey of the Munay Ki Initiations

The Munay Ki initiations are a series of rites rooted in the ancient traditions of the Andes, particularly among the Quechua and Aymara peoples of Peru. These sacred ceremonies or "Earth Keeper Rites" are more than mere rituals; they are profound spiritual journeys that transform participants, connecting them with their inner selves, the cosmos, and the energies of the earth.

Understanding Munay Ki

The term "Munay Ki" translates roughly to "I love you" or "be as you are" in Quechua, which encapsulates the essence of these rites. The initiations aim to empower individuals to embrace their true selves and share love and compassion with others. The Munay Ki teachings emphasize living in harmony with nature and recognizing the interconnectedness of all life.

The Nine Rites

The Munay Ki consists of nine distinct rites, each carrying its own significance and purpose:

1. Hampe Karpay - The Rite of the Healer: This initiation connects participants to the healing energy of the earth and the wisdom of ancient healers. It empowers individuals through their hands to become healers in their own right, channeling energy for personal and communal healing.

   
   

2. Chumpi Karpay - Bands of Power: Five energy bands are woven into your energetic makeup to provide the body and soul with aditional strength and protetion.

   
   

3. Ayni Karpay - The Rite of the Harmonizer: The key Incan archetypal figures are sown into each one of your chakras to bring balance and harmony into your body. It is said with this initiation you may have the ability to bring balance and harmony into the world.

   
   

4. Kawak Karpay - The Rite of the Seer: Through this rite, participants are gifted with the ability to see beyond the physical realm, enhancing intuition and perception. It encourages individuals to trust their inner guidance and develop their spiritual sight.

   
   

5. Pampamesayok Karpay - Day Keeper's Rite: Pampa means "lowlands" This is the rite of connection to Mother Nature, the palnts te animals and the earth. It represents the female archetype and connects you to your divine feminine.

   
   

6. Altomesayok Karpay - The Rite of the Wisdomkeeper: The rite of connection to the high planes, the mountains or Apus, that are said to be the keepers of ancient wisdom stored in their snowy peaks. This initiation represents the masculine archetype and connects you to your divine masculine.

   
   

7. Kuraq Kullek Karpay - The Rite of the Earthkeeper: This rite is a sacred rite of connection to all past present and future Earth Keepers, the guardians of the planet, and life at large. It makes you a part of the lineage of Earth Keepers to bring peave, harmony and balance into the world. instills a deep connection to the earth and its ecosystems.

   
   

8. Mosoq Karpay - The Starkeepers Rite: Part of the future keeper rites, you become a child of the sun. This rite connects you to your luminous energy awakening your light body, and making your physical body more resistant to disease.

   
   

9. Taitanchis Rantis - The Creator Rite: This rite awakens the creator within us. You are a creator of this universe and as such this rite reminds you to take full responsibility for your actions. It is considered the final step towards enlightenment, stepping into our luminous nature.

My Story: The Transformative Power of the Rites

I arrived in Pisac, Peru my home town after some time in the jungles of Iquitos. I was set on coming in and leaving as quickly as possible, I had to be home for my friend's memorial. I was supposed to leave the morning of the third day of the initiations. I missed the first day thinking I couldn't attend just a few days. My ex-partner organized the tour with the Q'ero Elder Don Francisco, and as I was lamenting missing it while he was at my house with a few of our mutual friends, he invited me to come for at least one day and see what it was about. I ended up coming to the second day, and it was a very powerful experience for me. I felt so much energy in my body from the rituals and empowerment performed by Don Francisco. He looked at me as we completed our closing ceremony and simply said, "Oh, you are leaving tomorrow?" I said, "Yes, sadly I leave at 5AM." He looked at me and said, "Oh, are you sure? OK." Smiled and walked away.

That night I got home shortly before sunset and went to pack, the lights in my house started behaving strangely. Random lights in my house would turn on and then half off with no reason, they would flicker, fade in and out. It looked like a mix between a horror movie and a rave. I was trying to pack my house and clean it so that I could air bnb it. I tried using a headlamp and only managed to scatter my things around the house by 10:30PM with nothing complete.

I took a big exhale breath and decided I was going to rebook my flight. There was no way to rebook it before the Munay Ki initiations ended without paying $1200. I had felt I was supposed to be here to receive these intiations but I was resisting. Life had other plans. I rebooked my flights and the lights turned back on. Don Francisco greeted me the next day with a smile and a lack of suprise that was amusing. The next initiations were the same beautiful settings, ruins, ceremonies and meditation in connection to the earth, and Don Francisco blessing us with his mesa. Sometimes he hit me so hard with the mesa he knocked the wind out of me. Perhaps he was just knocking some sense into me. Before the final initiations, I had a morning of contemplation while I was speaking to my mom. I had just closed my company and had been talking to a friend about taking a corporate job in Los Angeles. It didn't feel right to me. I had just gotten back from the jungle sitting on dieta with a Tabaquero, who I knew was also supposed to be one of my teachers. Don Francisco felt like one too. I said to my mom, "Mom, I think I have to just commit to this healing path and see where it goes. I have a story that I won't be able to make money in Peru and that money is the stability I need but I don't want to live that way anymore. I have to not be afaid of making money, and know that I will be taken care of. I need to break this pattern of scarcity and just do this, but it scares me." She offered her support and agreed that she thought this was my path.

I sat with this all day and it was in my mind during the initiations though I spoke it to no one. Because I had missed the first day of initiations, Don Francisco offered to give me the rites I missed. Having a double up of initiations felt like an energy surge through my body and as he gave me the last initations I sat down in deep meditation. After a few minutes of silence, he waived me over and said to me, "You don't have to work like that out there anymore. You are a healer, you will heal young people, old people. You need to practice. You don't worry about money. There is abundance." His words broke something inside of me and I cried tears of deep emotion sitting on the edge of the terraces of the ruins. He came up behind me and did some kind of energy work, pulling the energy up my spine. I felt my tears quiet, and my racing mind slow. I felt I was surrounded by spirits, and past versions of myself, surrounding me with white light and celebrating me for taking this path again.

Don Francisco gave me many gifts and since these initiations, I feel different in body speech and mind. There is an extra layer of protection around me, an extra level of connection to nature, more visibility of the sickness in people and a fear of this path that has dropped away for me. I am in eternal gratitude for how this has changed my experience.

Conclusion

For all those on the healing path, and even those who are searching just for their own healing, the Munay Ki initiations offer a profound journey into nature, a deep opening of our own healing energies, a connection to our divinity and into the traditions of the Andean Cosmo Vision. It is an honor and a pleasure to have sat for them, and as the Q'ero elders say, it is a gift to receive them all in this lifetime. I feel a deep new energetic connection was formed with myself and the world around me. Please see the info deck for the next Munay Ki Initiations happening in April. I am only supporting in sharing this retreat, and not profiting in any way. I may attend again if my schedule allows. Please read the deck and fill out the form if you feel the call to these beautiful rites. I heard it so loudly it was impossible to ignore and I hope many more hear the call.