Teachers & Traditions
For many years we have been fortunate to have been in the presence of
powerful and inspiring teachers.
These are the traditions and teachers that have been the most influential
as we have spent much of our lives immersed in their teachings.
We look forward to sharing relevant aspects of what we have learned with you
and introducing you to our
teachers from the beautiful Medicine Traditions of Peru.
Maestro Edinson Panduro Rumayna
Edinson Panduro Rumayna of Puerto Maldonado, Peru is an authentic native Amazonian Plant Doctor.
He has been our dear friend and Maestro since 2006.
Throughout these years we have worked closely together we have spent time with him and his family and he has become like a brother to us.
He is one of the most revered and respected Plant Doctors in Peru and is known as a Master Jaguar Plant Doctor.
He is a deeply spiritual man and an impeccable Plant Doctor with more than 45 years of experience and has dedicated his life to healing and helping others.
Edinson comes from a lineage of Plant Doctors. He grew up closely observing his Grandfather working with plant medicine and then began his own training at the age of 13.
His training was traditional and powerful living alone in the jungle for 3 years. At 16 he emerged as a fully trained Plant Doctor.
In the Quechua language, Aya means spirit or soul and Huasca means vine or rope. Ayahuasca is often called ‘The Vine of the Soul.’
Edinson works deeply with each person on a soul level to cleanse and heal and does this work lovingly and powerfully and with the utmost level of humility and grace.
Gerard has assisted Edinson for over ten years.
Tanya has worked during this time as assistant to Edinson during the Ayahuasca sessions.
Peruvian Maestros & Medicines
Traditional Amazonian Plant Medicine
Deep in the heart of the Amazonian rainforest grows a sacred vine known for its magical powers. This vine is known by many names. One of the most common of these is Ayahuasca. In the Quechua language, Aya means spirit or soul and Huasca means vine or rope. Ayahuasca is often called ‘The Vine of the Soul.’
Ayahuasca is considered by the Amazon's tribes to be one of the Master "teacher plants". Medicine People of the Amazon jungle have used this medicine for centuries as an essential part of their traditional healing and as a way of expanding consciousness. The Ayahuasca plant can heal the deepest illnesses of our being, return us to harmony on all levels and reveal the true world to us.
Working with an authentic traditional Plant Doctor, also referred to as a Medicine Person or Maestro, is essential for personal safety and protection and allows for a deep and powerful experience.
The Ayahuasca experience is very personal and generally different for everyone.
It is a very powerful experience of releasing, cleansing and healing. As this is achieved, a path is cleared for greater depth and insight into our personal worlds of opportunity and potential. This experience allows us to explore our own true nature and see the amazing possibilities that await us should we be courageous and determined enough to transform our lives.
We begin with thorough preparation and guidance and with our many years of experience in guiding people through these journeys you will feel safe, supported, informed and excited. You will be completely ready for this deep spiritual experience
Gerard and Tanya have experienced countless Ayahuasca sessions enabling them to easily help assist others through these powerful sessions with our traditional Plant Doctor and later, to process their experiences to gain even deeper insights and awareness.
They facilitate discussion and integration sessions which are are invaluable during the powerful days of deep work together.
Gerard has apprenticed for over ten years with our Plant Doctor and has worked with Ayahuasca for close to twenty years. He will be working alongside the Plant Doctor in the medicine journey facilitating deep cleansing and helping to guide the journeys.
Tanya has worked as assistant to our Plant Doctor for over ten years and will be there to translate for him and to assist you with anything you may need.
She will be fully present during your experience, (Not drinking the medicine), to allow you to let go, trust and journey deeply.
Q'ero Community,
Andes, Peru
The Q'ero are a Quechua speaking community of people living high in the Peruvian Andes in the community known as Q'eros.
They are said to be directly descended from the Inka and live their lives the traditional Andean way, close to the earth, in traditional dress and in close communion with Pachamama (Mother Earth).
The Medicine People of the community are known as Paqos and their traditions and medicine ways are performed to keep us in right relations with Pachamama, the Apus (Mountain Spirits), the Stars and the whole Universe.
To experience these traditions in a powerful way with the Q'ero is to redefine and deepen our own relationship with Mother Earth and all the elements of our world through gratitude, humility and deep connection.
Earth Spirit Yoga has had a strong and beautiful relationship with many Q'ero Paqos over the years. We have learned from them, spent time with their families and even become Godparents to some of their children.
We look forward to introducing you to these beautiful Medicine People and the powerful, earth honouring traditions of the Q'ero.
Traditional Andean Medicine Ways
The Q’ero traditions include the Despacho and the Karpay rites.
The Despacho ceremony connects us with all the elements of our world embodying our dreams, prayers, intentions and gratitude.
The Karpay rites are energetic transmissions connecting us to the lineage of the Q’ero and a doorway to sacred power and purpose. These are transformative transmissions of energy that inspirit us all to be potent Earth keepers.
DESPACHO CEREMONIES
Despacho ceremonies are traditional Andean offering ceremonies.
They contain prayers, prayers for Pachamama, Mother Earth. Burning or burying the despacho in the earth releases these prayers.
In metaphorical terms a despacho is an entire universe. It contains the four directions, the sky, the earth, the Apus, everything in our cosmos. It holds our dreams, our prayers and our intentions.
The making of a despacho is an ancient ceremony from the Andes. Prayers are blown into all of the symbolic objects and a beautiful universe is slowly constructed from leaves, food and all kinds of other materials.
In this universe there is respect and care for Mother Earth, sweetness, abundance, health, wealth, the mountains, the stars, the forests, the clouds, the oceans, the entire world, the entire galaxy and all of us.
The completed despacho is tied and offered to the fire, releasing the prayers and intentions.
KARPAYS
A karpay is an initiation ritual or rite, an energetic transmission of the teacher’s own power and spiritual lineage. It is a doorway, an opening to sacred power.
These rites are a direct transmission of all the knowledge and wisdom of each shaman including that of the lineage of medicine people that came before him.
The transmission is done in sacred space using the shaman’s mesa (bundle of healing stones and power objects), intention and breath.
PERSONAL HEALING SESSIONS
The personal healing sessions are performed in sacred space using the shaman’s mesa (bundle of healing stones and power objects)
These ceremonies cleanse, energise, heal and transform our being on all levels, deepening our connection with Mother Earth and with ourselves
Indian Gurus & Yoga
The Three Worlds of Inka Mythology
Energetically, we have found that the three destinations of the Amazon Jungle, the Sacred Valley and Ausangate Mountain along with Lake Titicaca represent the three worlds of the Inka tradition allowing connection with the magic of the under world, Ukhupacha, and upper world, Hanaq'pacha, and potentially manifesting our dreams and intentions as we travel into this world in which we live, Kaypacha. We can realise our true purpose and direction here and now.
In the Amazon we awaken and reconnect with the earth and the deepest part of our being as we travel down a winding river deep into the jungle. Here we enter what the Inka call Ukhupacha (under world). The place of intuition, dreams and the subconscious with the powerful healing teacher plant and medicine, Ayahuasca, the sacred ‘vine of the soul’. These journeys can be very strong as the medicine cleanses and purifies us and guides us with awareness and visions.
As those aspects that do not serve us are released, we witness the visionary powers of the higher self and the Great Mystery that we need to see to embrace our own purpose in this great evolutionary time of 2012 and beyond.
These Ayahuasca sessions are held under the safety and guidance of our local Amazonian Maestro (Plant Doctor). He comes from an impeccable lineage of plant doctors in Peru and with his more than 40 years of experience is a well known and highly regarded Jaguar Shaman. We feel it is essential to be lead by the very best indigenous traditional shaman that Peru has to offer when traveling so far for this medicine. Our days in the jungle are also filled with yoga, meditation and deep yoga relaxation, relaxing mud baths, river swims, jungle walks and heavenly hammock naps.
After our time in Ukhupacha we travel on to the Sacred Valley in the magnificent Andes Mountains. This journey is into the Hanaq'pacha (upper world), defined by it's abundance of super-refined energy (Sami). It is here we soar with Kuntur, the Great Condor. We experience traditional Andean medicine ways with keepers of ancient wisdom and some of the most respected mystics of the Andes, the Q'ero Medicine People. They are the link to the ancient lineage of the Inka.
The strong purification of the Amazon jungle highly tunes us to receive the refined energy of the Q'eros Despacho offerings and Karpay transmissions in the extraordinary Inka temples. We are connected with the great Apus, mountain gods, the Q’ero lineage, master healers and much more.
The Despachos are traditional offerings to Pachamama, our Mother Earth and to the Apus, the mountain deities. They are a time for gratitude and to fine tune our intentions, and pray for continued guidance and strength.
The Q’ero then pass on their ancient rites via the Karpays to fully prepare us for this time as Earth Keepers and warriors for Pachamama and creation itself. A Karpay is an initiation ritual or an energetic transmission of the teacher’s own power and spiritual lineage. It is a doorway, an opening to the sacred power. In a more profound and elevated state we learn to dream the world into being with beauty and reverence. To become the World in the Dream.
Having received the karpay energy transmissions from the Q'ero in the Sacred Valley, we continue with them to either the awe inspiring Ausangate Mountain or magnificent Lake Titicaca. It is here that we journey in Kaypacha (middle world), the realm of Otorongo, the puma. This is the physical realm, the place where we remember who we are and we experience and don't judge.
During this time we focus on the visions, insights, blessings and gifts we have received in the under and upper worlds. We focus on how to integrate the wisdom received into our lives back home and how to perform our purpose/visions received from the other worlds as the Inka fulfilled their vision to share their magnificent wisdom, spirituality and ways of living when they formed their civilisation and temples.
Shanti Mandir
Mahamandaleshwar Swami Nityanand Saraswati
Founder of Shanti Mandir Ashrams
Born in Mumbai, India, in 1962, Gurudev Swami Nityananda was raised from birth in an environment of yoga and meditation. His parents were devotees of Bhagavan Nityananda and Baba Muktananda. He was trained from childhood by Baba, and in 1981, Baba declared that Swami Nityananda would succeed him to carry on the lineage.
Gurudev learned the various yogic practices, including meditation and Sanskrit chanting, and studied the philosophies of Vedanta and Kashmir Shaivism. In 1987, Swami Nityananda founded Shanti Mandir as a vehicle for continuing his Guru’s work and subsequently established three ashrams. In 1995, at the age of 32, at a traditional ceremony in India, the saints installed him as a Mahamandaleshwar in recognition of his spiritual attainments.
His ashrams also support a number of community projects and charitable activities around the world. He travels between the ashrams each year, sharing the spiritual practices and teachings in which he has been initiated. His humility, devotion, patience, and acceptance are palpable, his ability to speak English and his knowledge of the Western culture, allows audiences to grasp the traditional Vedic teachings with ease. While carrying the traditional teachings, he makes spirituality a practical part of modern daily reality, guided by the prayer “May all beings be content.”
“We must dive deeper within ourselves, we must become established in the knowledge of the Truth.” – Mahamandaleshwar Swami Nityananda
Shanti Mandir – Temple of Peace:
Shanti Mandir was established in 1987 by Mahamandaleshwar Swami Nityananda. The organization continues the spiritual work of his Guru, the renowned sage Baba Muktananda, whom he succeeded in 1982.
Mahamandaleshwar Swami Nityanand Saraswati
Founder of Shanti Mandir Ashrams
Born in Mumbai, India, in 1962, Gurudev Swami Nityananda was raised from birth in an environment of yoga and meditation. His parents were devotees of Bhagavan Nityananda and Baba Muktananda. He was trained from childhood by Baba, and in 1981, Baba declared that Swami Nityananda would succeed him to carry on the lineage.
Gurudev learned the various yogic practices, including meditation and Sanskrit chanting, and studied the philosophies of Vedanta and Kashmir Shaivism. In 1987, Swami Nityananda founded Shanti Mandir as a vehicle for continuing his Guru’s work and subsequently established three ashrams. In 1995, at the age of 32, at a traditional ceremony in India, the saints installed him as a Mahamandaleshwar in recognition of his spiritual attainments.
His ashrams also support a number of community projects and charitable activities around the world. He travels between the ashrams each year, sharing the spiritual practices and teachings in which he has been initiated. His humility, devotion, patience, and acceptance are palpable, his ability to speak English and his knowledge of the Western culture, allows audiences to grasp the traditional Vedic teachings with ease. While carrying the traditional teachings, he makes spirituality a practical part of modern daily reality, guided by the prayer “May all beings be content.”
“We must dive deeper within ourselves, we must become established in the knowledge of the Truth.” – Mahamandaleshwar Swami Nityananda
Shanti Mandir – Temple of Peace: http://www.shantimandir.com
Shanti Mandir was established in 1987 by Mahamandaleshwar Swami Nityananda. The organization continues the spiritual work of his Guru, the renowned sage Baba Muktananda, whom he succeeded in 1982.
Integral Yoga
Sri Swami Satchidananda
Integral Yoga Founder.
His Holiness Sri Swami Satchidananda was one of the first Yoga masters to bring the classical Yoga tradition to the West after he was invited to America in 1966 by Pop artist icon Peter Max.
He was the guru who opened the Woodstock festival by calling music ''the celestial sound that controls the whole universe,''
He is the founder of Integral Yoga and one of the most revered Yoga masters of our time. He dedicated his life to peace and an innovative interfaith approach that promoted harmony among all faith traditions. By making Yoga accessible to millions, he helped launch and shape the modern Yoga movement.
Integral Yoga is a combination of physical and spiritual practices, of psychological and philosophical approaches to life. Swami Satchidananda encouraged selfless service to others, to discover and maintain the peace and happiness that are, he said, the birthright of all.
He taught that the practices of Integral Yoga promote “an easeful body, a peaceful mind, and a useful life” and that selfless service and interfaith understanding are essential for a peaceful world.
His message emphasized harmony among people of all races and faiths. His motto was: “Truth is One, Paths are Many.”
Today, there are over 30 Integral Yoga Institutes and centres on six continents, with headquarters in Yogaville, Virginia, USA.
Swami Satchidananda received many honors for his public service, including the Juliet Hollister Interfaith Award presented at the United Nations and, in 2002, the U Thant Peace Award. On the occasion of his birth centennial in 2014, he was posthumously honored with the James Parks Morton Interfaith Award by the Interfaith Center of New York.
Swami Satchidananda dedicated his life to the cause of peace—both individual and universal—and to unity and harmony among all people.
He was inspired to create a permanent place where all people could come to realize their essential oneness. Built in Yogaville, in Central Virginia, the Light Of Truth Universal Shrine (known as LOTUS) is unique in the world because it has altars for all the world faiths. Dedicated to the Light of all faiths and to world peace, the LOTUS is an enduring symbol of unity in diversity. It was completed in 1986 and is open to the public.
Swami Satchidananda took Mahasamadhi on August 19, 2002 in South India. http://integralyoga.org
Yoga
The yoga and meditation on these retreats is offered by Earth Spirit Yoga and come from our training and time spent with these traditional Yoga Masters.
Our yoga classes are Integral Yoga style and our meditation sessions are based on the teachings from both Integral Yoga and Shanti Mandir.
The classes are ideal for people with all levels of flexibility and fitness as individuals are encouraged to work at their own pace and comfort level.
The goal of Integral Yoga is to develop an easeful body, a peaceful mind, and a useful life.
It is about balancing body, mind, and spirit and opening the heart to connect with something greater than ourselves.
We finish each class with breathing practices, deep relaxation and meditation to return to our own deep space of peace and harmony within.
Our yoga practice allows us to be open to the experiences we are presented with. It allows us to be centred and attuned so that we can let go of the mind and move beyond it into the depth, beauty and connectedness of the traditional medicine practices we are blessed to be taking part in.
The daily yoga classes are challenging yet easeful enough for the energy to continue to flow and for each one to take us into our own essence of peace.
In the Amazon Jungle we practice meditation and asana in the shaman’s ceremonial salon, a beautiful round hut with polished wood floors.
Surrounded by lush green forest and the beautiful sounds of Amazon monkeys and birds, our practice is a deep and truly blissful experience.
In the Andes Mountains, our spirits soar as we experience our yoga practice in a warm and inviting space surrounded by the majestic snow capped mountains, home to the Apus (the mountain deities).
We experience harmony and deep stillness in this prana (life-force) rich environment.
North America First Nations
The Lakota Tradition
In our experience, The Lakota are a people with all of their ceremonial ways intact. Their ways are profound and powerful and steeped in wisdom and understanding that connects deeply to their ancestors and the natural lores and protocols. This tradition understands the need for real humility, respect, integrity, honour, compassion, prayer, courage and strength.
The events at the Standing Rock Reservation in protest of DAPL and for the protection of the water during 2016 revealed many of these qualities. With the Oceti Sakowin united once again there will be much to listen to and to learn from this very proud and determined nation of people who have never lost their connection to their ancestral ways and wisdom.
What we have learned from our time with The Lakota is hard to describe in words but it allows us to know that intention is powerful but without positive action is it worthless. That ceremony is vitally important but requires the upmost attention to spiritual lore and protocol handed down by the ancestors and the creator. To be of service is our ultimate purpose but it must be for the people and not self interest. To be humble is paramount.
Seven Lakota Virtues:
Woc’ekiya: Praying: Finding spirituality by communicating with your higher power.
Wa o’ hoda: Respect: For self, higher power, family, community and all life.
Wa on’sida: Caring and Compassion: Love caring, and concern for one another in a good way.
Wowijke: Honesty and Truth: With yourself, higher power and others, with sincerity.
Wawokiye: Generosity and Caring: Helping without expecting anything in return. Giving from the heart.
Wah’wada: Humility: We have a spirit. We are not better or less than others.
Woksape: Wisdom: Practice with knowledge becomes wisdom