Wednesday, October 10, 2007

andean cosmos

key terms:

Samis = Energetic World
Pacha = Time and Space
Pacha-mama = Universal Feminine Energy in Time and Space = Urin
Pacha-kamak = Universal Masculine Energy in Time and Space = Hanan
Pacha-mama and Pacha-kamak = Hatun or Universe
Pachakutik = 500 years
Pachamamakamak = Mother Earth is the relationship of time and space (above and below)
Ayni =reciprocity
Randi – Ranti - Raymi : return , give back


seven spirits (samai):
Allpa Tierra Earth
Waira Viento Wind
Nina Fuego Fire
Yacu Agua Water
Yurag Planta Plants
Rumi Piedra Stones
Anga Pajaro Bird


seven markers (saywas):
Kausay Saywa (Life)
Chekaq Saywa (Truth)
Yuyaq Saywa (Wisdom)
Chullaq Saywa (Oneness)
Nunaq Saywa (Spirit)
Kallariy Saywa (Embodiment)
Munay Saywa (Love)


within every andean community, a shaman was responsible for maintaining the spiritual balance of the people. from healing illnesses to exorcising harmful spirits, these shamans were a storehouse of knowledge within their communities. at the base of this knowledge was the idea of the seven “saywas”—or markers which one is guided through life. these saywas were literally stone obelisks used as markers on important mountain tops for the rise and decline of celestial bodies. there is a myth that says that wiracocha raised seven saywas on the horizon of the mountain called munay (which means love). munay was the cosmic mountain that was though to bring heaven and earth together. the journey of a shaman was to conquer the summit of munay by embodying the teachings of the seven saywas. through understanding these seven saywas, one comes closer to the understanding that life is merely temporal. instead of asking “what is life?”, one was supposed to ask “how is life?”—making it participatory and attached to the existence of humankind.

for information on the specific saywas, you can refer to:
http://www.sacred-journey.com/Andes%20Cosmovision.htm

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

impressive; the description for "Kallariy Saywa" (as well as the details for the other saywas) might give some big design cues!

"Kallariy Saywa is the availability to one’s journey, and the mapping of one’s reality. It implies the embodiment of the process rather than the end result, which allows a change of relationship with time. Kallariy is to experience life in a timeless fashion. It is the understanding that everything is in constant motion, nothing is in perfect stillness. We live in a universe that is dynamic and full of motion. The teachings of opportunity, vision and timelessness are essential, requiring preparation and readiness for when intersections occur. Everything in the universe has a cyclic beginning and an end in the time/space intersection, or PACHA, in the Andes. The ability to recognize and map these shifts or Pachas makes the journey of life more endearing and fulfilling."