Andean Spirituality

LLIUPACHA YUYAYCHAY: ANDEAN SPIRITUALITY

For the first time and amid some reservations, Andean Spirituality was presented in Salta, Argentina, during the III World Congress of the Quechua Language on October 8, 9 and 10, 2004. Above all else, Andean Spirituality is UNITY and connectedness among all things. No one is excluded; everyone—and everything—has a specific function and is in a state of continuous evolution.

Every human being has a relationship with everything surrounding him or her: living beings, animals, plants, elements of nature, even inanimate objects, as well as non-physical things such as achievements, concepts, knowledge, thoughts and emotions, among others.

How we form and maintain relationships to all these things determines our path as we evolve toward the universal ALL THAT IS.

In this context, Andean knowledge itself does not and will not change, what changes is the people. We may be marginalized or not, thanks to a lack of basic information and few appropriate role models, but all of us, inherited at birth a unique set of circumstances with which we’ve had to live, acquiring habits and social customs as we grow up; , but Andean Spirituality remains the same; it has been preserved absolutely intact.

PACHAKAMAQ

In Andean philosophy, Pachakamaq is the Creator and Originator of everything that exists—including time, nature, the Cosmos, and all things, whether physical or non-physical. Pachakamaq is pure, Potent Energy, unmanifested Divinity . Conscious Andean people do not speak Pachakamaq’s name aloud without good reason and the purest of intentions; we just recognize it in our minds and carry it with us in our hearts. Only in the peace of silence is it possible for it to manifest in a way that we can begin to understand it.

ORIGIN OR MANIFESTATION

When Supreme Divinity, the Absolute or Pachakamaq is manifested at any moment(Kamakuy) it occurs like a ray of light, a flash, a fleeting sound like a thunderbolt and it is perceived as a Vibration, represented by INTI (the Sun), meaning that INTI represents the manifestation of the Divine, but it is not divine in and of itself. This cognitive manifestation can be comprehended by people, and it has many names, among them Tëqsiwiraqocha, Pachayachëq, Hanqpacha Yaya, Taytacha, etc.; but it is not one and the same as Pachakamaq itself.

It should be understood that Divinity is manifestedon all planes, states or dimensions, but it has its true presence in its natural form, where no human being can change it, no matter how powerful he/she may be. The Sun or positive energy will always exist throughout relative eternity, which is why it represents Divinity more than any other element in the cosmos, to us. In Nature, Divinity is represented by the Mountain or Snowy peaks (Apu); and in a family, it is the father or the elder, the person who represents the head. Our symbolism has what we call INTIWATANA, better known as the Solar Clock (like the one at Machupijchö).

Nothing is separate, everything is united and we all evolve. To try to go against this would be foolhardy. This knowledge resides in each of us; it is in you, too,. There is no need for philosophical debates or abstract discussions based on mental constructs or utilitarian thinking; there is no need to confuse ourselves with words full of contradictions

BALANCE

In the manifestation process Father Sun, (Tayta Inti) because it is Light, is very fleeting. It is balanced by Mother Moon (Mama Killa), who complements Father Sun and represents its opposite. That is why the sun shines during the day and the moon shines at night , but both provide more light than any other star, from our perspective. The Andean Spirituality is filled with balanced symbolism; in addition to the Sun and the Moon, there is the Mountain and the Lake in nature; there is the Father and the Mother in a family, while the human body has the Head and the Abdomen. The presence of both is important for universal life, but oscillations from one to the other are never-ending. The oscillations are represented symbolically by the INKA PUNKÖ (Inka Portal or Gateway).

STABILITY

For something to be visible and objective, it have a degree of stabilityle. This stability comes about from a third element, called CH’ASHKA, that derives from Inti and Killa in the cosmos; in the natural world it is represented by the snowy peak, the lake and the plain (the place where humans live and where we find most of our food). In the family, this corresponds to the Father, the Mother and the Child. On the body, it is represented by the Union of the three cavities: cranium, thorax and abdomen. Symbolically, it is represented by the Qori Inti (Sun-colored Gold).

Manifestation is visible on all levels, both visible and invisible, objective and subjective. It is the Trinity that is manifested from Hanaqpacha (Higher world)- Kaypacha (Physical world) – Ujupacha (Inner World), to the structure of the body: Uma (head) – Sonqo (thorax) – Wisa (abdomen), going down to the atom: Proton – Neutron – Electron. Nevertheless, in the human being this Trinity is made material and has a stable form, though it doesn’t yet have relationships with its surroundings. These relationships are established through the Runasimi language, through the pronunciation of words, verbs, etc. (rimay). Therefore, the Trinity explained above is complemented by the spoken language (runasimi), that acquired and now has its own identity through communication. This generated the arrival of another component.

ACTIVITY AND DYNAMISM

Although UMA (Head) – SONQO (Thorax) – WISA (Abdomen) – SIMI (mouth) create stability and relationships with one’s surroundings through expression and oral communication using words; this materializes itself creating the quaternary with the presence of the superior extremeties (maki) and the two inferior extremities (chaki), which facilitate the human’s movement and activity and allow us to work and do good things. Without them it would be very difficult to do tasks and move from one plate to another.

EVOLUTION

The purpose of our existence (Kausay) in this visible, objective world is EVOLUTION (Wiñay). Without evolution, our life would have no meaning, according to Andean Cosmology. Evolution is part of everything we do, it occurs on all levels of our existence. While our four extremities allow us to do physical work, practicing of the four INKA PRINCIPLES allows us to ascend from relatively low, or animal conditions toward reintegration with the Universal Vibration of Pachakamaq. These four INKA PRINCIPLES, that were transmitted orally are: AMA QELLA (be laborious or work hard), AMA SUWA (be honest), AMA LLULLA (be truthful), and AMA HAP’A (be faithful and loyal). These expressions were used in the second-level Andean greeting .

The Quaternary is represented in the cosmos by the Southern Cross. In the natural world, it is represented by the four Suyos (or quarters) of Tawantinsuyö; in the family, it is the fulfillment of respectful behavior among members; and on a person’s physical body, it is represented by the 4 extremities. Symbolically, it is represented by the Chakana (Andean Cross).

THE RECEPTORS AND THE FLAG (UNANCHA)

The Unity or union of the Tertiary and the Quaternary generates the Septenary (or Group of Seven). They are found in human being as receptors or entry points for information that people use when interacting with their surroundings. We are referring to the sensory receptors that are located on the head: two eyes, two nostrils, two ears and one mouth. This septenary (like the Unity, the Duality, the Tertiary and the Quaternary) is reflected in the cosmos with the Qoto (constellation or group of stars). In the natural world, it is the Warkaya or K’uichi (rainbow). Symbolically, it is represented by the UNANCHA or flag of the seven linear colors.

Andean Cosmology explains all of this in the most objective way possible, but it does not end there. It must also be applied from the spiritual and higher-self or evolutional point of view, since Unity cannot be divided. In Andean philosophy everything is inter-related, therefore human life is aligned with the cosmos, the natural world and the family. Some people are able to stay aligned and thus, evolve until they become reintegrated with the Universal Vibration in future lives, but the vast majority has not yet become conscious. The Sacred Symbols are not mere figures, they are indispensable guides in our own evolution. The Inkas valued these symbols not for their material worth, but for what they represent, for their value in orienting and guiding evolution (wiñay) of all people or runakuna.

Understanding the symbols and keywords and living them in one’s own life, was known as the Qhapaq Ñan, Qori Ñan o Cheqaq Ñan (Path of Wisdom or Path of Truth); in other instances, it was known as Inka Ñan o Hatun Ñan (Path of the governor or the Great Path). Explaining it correctly was known as Qhapaq Simi, Inka Simi, Apu Simi [Language of Wisdom, Language of the Governor, Language of the Mountain Spirit], etc.

To live the Andean Cosmology is to live a life of harmony and balance, a Humane life. Any wrongdoing or hurtful act committed against anyone slows evolution. Evolution is embedded in each and every one of our cells and in our conscience, as well as in our acts; therefore, we are responsible and we judge our own acts when we pass from one plane to another.

PARTIAL ASPECTS OF THE COSMOLOGY

Other philosophies have been derived from the original, main Andean Cosmology or Philosophy of Life . That happens when one is engaged with the wide range of aspects of our Culture, such as its sites, symbols, customs, arts (songs, dances, clothing, etc.), food, medicine, etc. Many have had access only to aspects of Andean Cosmology, but the real or complete has been preserved intact. Once one has the “golden key”, s/he can open the door of Andean Philosophy or Andean Cosmology, according to the inclinations, character, aspirations or objectives of the “researcher.” Once one gains access, s/he must continue to develop toward ascendance throughout his/her lifetime, displaying the principles though his/her conduct and morals.