In the
teachings of the paqo’s (Peruvian shamans), ‘ayni’ is very important. You have
to live in ayni. Ayni means ‘sacred reciprocity’, it means living in right
relationship to Pachamama (Mother Earth) and yourself. Being in ayni is being
connected with your center, and melting with your soul. It means balance
between giving and taking. It has to do with love, respect, gratitude and exchange of energy. So if you take something from Pachamama you give her
something in return. The paqo’s don’t waste food, and give
thanks to Pachamama for all she offers, because maintaining the balance is in
their nature.
In most
parts of the world we don’t live in ayni, at all. We take and throw out our
waste. We lost the connection with the living earth beneath our feet. This morning
I went on one of my garbage trips, picking up plastic bottles, cans and cigarette
boxes, honoring Mother Earth. It made me feel really good, so I guess
that was her way of thanking me. I wonder if this is how ayni feels: grateful, soft, and
openhearted?
According
to the paqo’s ayni is living in alignment with reality. I wish everybody would
get real, and get ayni. I wish ayni were a Dutch, German, Spanish, Chinese,
Russian and an English word. I wish ayni for the planet and ayni for our souls.
More paqo teachings you’ll find in ‘The Path of
the Energetic Mystic; A Key to Open Your Heart’, by Inge Teunissen and
Dennis Alejo Mango.