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- What are sacred places
- Understanding the energy of a sacred site
- How can working with the energy of a sacred site support our development
- How to energetically work with a sacred sites
- Side effects and Safety measures
- The Sacred Sites of Peru
1. What are sacred places?
There are 3 main categories of sacred places:
1. Man made sacred places
For example the Pyramids in Egypts. The origin of their power is in the structures that were (in some mysterious way), made by humans. They were charged with the energy of the rituals that were held at that place as well as other factors, like their alignment with the stars etc. The main point is that they were artificially created.
2. Natural sacred places
A natural sacred place is a place in nature that is energetically highly charged, like a beach for example, or the majestic peaks of the Himalayas. Humans have not created this place nor are they responsible for the high energy that it animates. Their role is simply to adore natures magnificience.
3. A combination of a natural and man made sacred place.
The combination of man made and natural sacred places is very common as many powerful places that were created by humans, were specifically build in places that already had a high energetic charge, like many churches or temples are build in special locations, on a hill for example. A good example is also Machu Picchu, one of the most impressive sites of the Incas, which is also located in one of the most breathtaking sceneries ever experienced.
2. Understanding the energy of a sacred site
First of all, it is not necessary to understand what is actually happening when you are at a sacred site. It is far more important to feel and to make a switch from thinking to feeling. The more you are working with sacred sites, which means the more often you visit them in an intentional way, the more you will notice the subtle difference in the energy of the place. For example, places can be:
- grounding
- connecting you with pure spirit
- heart opening
- purifying
- powerful
- subtle
- full of light
- full of love
- complex
- and many more
Your understanding will come by paying attention and feeling. Try not to analyze right away, but always feel first. With time you will learn how to feel the differences and get a deeper understanding. The best order is 1. Feeling 2. Understanding 3. Analyzing , which means that the understanding comes before the thought which are giving you an interpretation.
3. How can working with the energy of a sacred site support my development?
There can be many beneficial effects of working with a sacred site, depending on our needs, intentions and the way we approach them, they can bless and support us with:
- Healing old wounds
- Receiving a new vision for our future
- opening of the third eye
- opening of our crown chakra and a deeper connection with the sacred essence of life
- remembering ancient wisdom, like the awakening of inherent healing powers
- a deeper understanding of subtle energy and a relearning of the skills how to use it
- a deeper sense of connection with the rhythm of nature
- a stronger bond and connection with our ancestors
- insights about life and the universe
4. How to energetically work with a sacred site?
There are a few basic ingredients when working with a scared site:
1. Intention. Visit the site with intention. You are not a tourist, just taking pictures, but a pilgrim visiting the side with a certain intention and an attitude of
2. Respect, Humbleness and Gratitude When we approach the site, we are respecting the place, the energies which are present as well as the ancestors who have build it. We approach it with humbleness and gratitude for everything that is given to us.
3. Prayer. Being at a sacred site can be like a continuous prayer of adoration and gratitude. For example when we visit the temple of Pachatata, dedicated to the divine masculine principle, on the island Amantani, during the silent meditation retreat, I often internally chant the Mantra “Om Namah Shivaya”, which is a mantra invoking the universal principle of pure consciousness. The place inspires me to chant the mantra and the mantra helps me to stay focussed on the energy of the place.
Prayer should always primarily be a state of recognition of the sacredness of life and an expression of gratitude. However, you can also ask for a specific outcome, for example when are visiting the temple of pacha mama on the island Amantani, dedicated to the divine feminine principle, I sometimes pray to be filled with love and to learn how to be an embodiment of love.
4. Openness. Be open to the outcome. We are coming with intention and are open for every experience and insight that is given to us. Let go of expectations and just receive.
These are the basic attitudes, but you can also include specific activities, like:
- doing a little ceremony of letting go or inviting something into your life,
- doing yoga
- meditate at the sacred site
- write a letter
- make an offering of fruit, flowers or other natural objects
- bow down
- touch the earth or the ground
- light an incense
- do anything that you feel guided to do.
You see, there are countless possibilities and it is about finding the one that you are feel called to do. Find your own way.
5. Side effects and safety measures.
Whenever we are working with subtle energies, we are opening to a dimension of life, that is beyond our normal understanding of reality. These dimensions are very complex. When we are working with a sacred site with a pure attitude of devotion to the sacredness of life, prayer, respect and openness, then this is a very good approach. However, especially in the case of human made sacred sites, that have experiences a lot of rituals and ceremonies, we sometimes encounter a mix of energies. This is the case for example in old churches or temples from the time of the conquistadores in South America, where many people have died as well. In places like this it is important to pay attention to the energy and to your intuition and if you have the feeling you should not be at that place, than simply leave.
Another aspect is to avoid using mind altering substances like LSD etc. on these sites as those psychoactive substances are opening us to the subtle dimensions, which can be very confusing if you are in a place that is open to many complex energetic realities. You might be exposed to energies that you are don’t want to consciously invite into your system. Therefore, it is better to avoid using substances at sacred sites.
In general you can say that prayer and purity of intention are the best safe measures and that when your main intention is love, respect and devotion to the sacredness of life, then you are in good hands.
6. The Sacred Sites of Peru
This article could fill an entire library of books as Peru is such an abundant place in terms of sacred places. It is full of ancient Incan and pre-Incan sites as well as thousands of powerful and impressive places of natural beauty.
To make it simple, we will focus on the sacred sites, that we are visiting during our 10- and 12 day spiritual tours to Peru.
1. Cusco
Cusco is the ancient capital of the Incas, which was the political but also energetical center of the Andes. The whole city was build in the shape of a Puma, with many of the important ancient buildings, like main temples etc. symbolizing body parts of the Puma. The name of the city has its origin in the ancient Inca word “quosco”, which means navel, symbolizing Cusco to be the navel of the world as well as the Inca empire. Like all of the Inca culture, the city also has a strong connection with the sun, or “inti” in quechua, which played a major role in their life and mythology. Cusco is one of the most comfortable and energizing cities in south america. In less then 15 min you can walk from the main plaza to the ancient sites, overlooking the city. For many people, Cusco has a healing and awakening effect with hundreds of places to discover.
– Sacsayhuaman
This ancient Inca ceremonial site was one of the most relevant places, overlooking the Inca capital of Cusco. Being at this site gives one an idea and impression of the vastness of the Inca empire and the way they governed their people in a way that was deeply connected to the rhythms of nature. Even today, every year on June 24th, the major festival of “Inti Raymi” is held at the center of the ruins of what once used to be a thriving ceremonial city. The festival that attracts tens of thousands of visitors is a major event for the people in the andes as it is a reenactment of ancient the ancient Inca rituals, involving hundreds of actors.
– Coricancha
The Coricanha temple has been the most important temple of the Inca empire. It literally has been its center as it is energetically connected with many sacred sites, so called guavas throughout the Inca empire. It has been richly decorated with gold, until it was plundered by the spanish conquistadores. It has also been an astrological observatory.
– Plaza de Armas
The main plaza of the old cit of Cusco is called plaza de armas, which the Incas called Haukaypata or the great square. It has been the center of the ancient Inca capital, with many important ceremonial building surrounding it. Those, like most of the ceremonial Inca sites have been demolished and replaced by catholic churches by the spanish conquistadores. Meditating in the cathedrals surrounding the plaza can be an interesting experience, that reveals the spiritual depths but also traumatic history of this place and its people.
2. Sacred Valley
– Pisac ruins
The ancient ruins above the town of Pisac are one of the most impressive and vast sites in the area around Cusco. Build in a strategic but also impressive location it is overlooking the sacred valley, surrounded by the Apus, the sacred mountains of Peru. Although it is visited by hundreds of tourists each day, the most powerful part of the site, the ancient temples are hardly visited and it is possible to be alone in the old ceremonial part of this powerful place. At the center of the temple area, is the Inthuatana stone which was used as a ceremonial place to connect with the sun as well as an astrological obervatory.
– Moray
The spiral terraces of Moray are said to be ancient experimental sites where the Inca tested seeds from all over the empire in the different microclimates that exist on the terraces. This might be true… However at the same time there is always a sense of mystery on those sites.
– Mares
The salt mines of Mares are said to produce the highest quality salt in the world and they are definitely an impressive place. Generally salt is often described as having purifying abilities and this is also the case here. It is a good place to visit to let go and purify your energy field from anything that you would like to leave behind. Let the purifying energy of the salt refresh you.
– Ollantaytambo
Ollantaytambo means literally “resting place of the Inca”, it is an ancient Inca settlement, located in the sacred valley. It has been one of the last strongholds of the Incas, resisting the advancing spanish conquistadores for a long time, until finally retreating to the jungles. It is home to many ancient Inca ruins that are build in alignment with the sun as its its rays are hitting specific places during the sunrise at the solstices.
3. Machu Picchu
The ancient city of Machu Picchu is probably the most visited and most known part of Peru and it truly is a world wonder. This powerful site combines the wonders of nature with the wonders of human’s creation. This ancient site was never conquered by the Spanish, but only discovered in the beginning of the 20th century by the explorer Hiram Binham, searching for the Inca city of Villcabamba. Visiting Machu Picchu is a dream for many people and has indeed a powerful effect. Most people visiting and meditating in Machu Picchu report an opening of the heart, a general uplift in their energy the clarity of their vision for their life.
4. Lake Titicaca
Lake Titicaca is a global energy field that is often described as the Sacral Chakra of the Planet. While I personally do not perceive it in this way, I definitely feel its power and mystery ,which is also why we chose it as the location for our monthly full moon silent meditation retreats.
– Amantani
The island Amantani, on the peruvian side of lake titicaca is an energetic jewel and its high and pure energy makes it a perfect place for meditation and spiritual practice. The friendly indigenous population is a beautiful example of living in harmony with nature. There are no roads and traffic on the island and even electricity only arrived in April 2019. The name Amantani comes from the spanish word “Amantes” meaning “Lovers”, this is related to the 2 ancient temples, dedicated to the masculine and feminine principle.
– Pachatata temple
The Pachatata temple is one of the 2 ancient temples of the island, said to be thousands of years old, it is dedicated to the divine masculine principle and the energy is very tangible there. A square temple, right on top of one of the 2 mountains, it is an embodiment of the masculine qualities of pure presence, consciousness, focus and vision. During the monthly silent meditation retreat we meditate here to understand and invoke the divine masculine principle within ourselves and within the universe.
– Pachamama temple
The neighbouring Pachamama temple has a very different energy. The round temple only covers a small part of the vast and diverse mountain and it often feels like the entire mountain is the temple, symbolizing profound beauty, love and nourishment. These divine feminine qualities are very tangible when we visit the temple during the monthly retreat. It is a beautiful place to connect with our roots and the love of Pachamama, Mother Earth.
– Chucuito
The small town Chucuito, 20 min outside of Puno is home to an ancient temple of phalluses which is often called as temple of fertility. What is today a small village has once been the center of a vast empire and the pleasant microclimate of this place, makes it a perfect place to rest and contemplate. We usually conclude our 12 day spiritual tours in the comfortable and luxurious hotel Taypikala which makes it a perfect ending for the tour. If you would love to explore the sacred sites of Peru
together with a friendly group of inspiring people, than we warmly invite you to check out our 7 and 12 day spiritual tours to Peru.