The indigenous people never used to live down in the Valley. They used to live only high up in the Apus (the mountains) where the energy was the strongest and could easily enter the body through the breath.  

Everything involving nature is giving a receiving energy, once you notice this energy you begin to harvest it.  (sound familiar to those who practice qi-gong or yoga?)

When a local is digging up the ground, they use the energy or receive the energy the Earth is giving off, they are also giving their energy back to the Earth with each movement.  When the locals walk in the Apus, they use a strong, confident nostril breath to both conserve and best utilize their internal energy, this is why they do not get winded in high elevation and can safely travel many miles.....

Time has an amazing way of getting past us too quickly, one of the most important practices is to remember to stop and appreciate what is happening in that moment, to appreciate the fleeting moment, the changing moment, the moment that is all but lost except for our memory and for the energy produced from it.  

And sometimes, in a moment, you can see how much has been building up to that peak point.  Years of relationships and training, practicing, learning, they suddenly seem to build to a peak, even though we know that peak is fictitious and that things in our world will continue to evolve and move on...to grow.

In the month and half since my last reflection so many "things" have happened so fast and so many of these "things" are the continuous result of so many other "things" it is hard to put into words.

Three days earlier we peeled the Wachuma in our outdoor temple area.  We then seperated the dark green outerlying parts into chunks.  The chunks were then boiled down with a small amount of water to make “quac” or “goo” which was placed in the vitamix to make just the most goo-rific texture.

We sat in our ceremonial circle w/ Jose, we took turns smudging with a large handful of feathers and Palo Santo.  A white onyx ceremonial cup flanked by two frogs sculptured into it’s side was produced.

You need to drop the ego mind, just to get the “Quac” down, your thoughts must leave you because this specific “quac” texture, the Wachuma, acts like one huge thick snake, you basically need to take the entire cup down in one sitting, breathing through the nose, selfishly gulping down as the “quac” slithers down to your belly, it tastes like medicine.