Peru Excursion October 2022
A Hero’s Journey Through Peru
“Departure Stage”
A group of five men from various regions of the United States came together to embark on an adventure and step into the unknown. The participants arrived armed with the intentionality of having an experience that guaranteed novelty, fun, and challenges for personal growth.
The participants embarked on this journey unaware of the outer and inner challenges they would face and how the subsequent wisdom gained from their endeavors would be the metaphorical “gold” of their Hero’s Journey. That “gold” is what aids each individual in their personal growth and upon returning home, that “gold” is then shared with those around them
Cusco - “Initiation phase”
The beginning of our excursion brought us to Cusco. According to the Incas, it is the “center of the world”. The Incas believed that Cusco was the intersection of the four cardinal directions.
Cusco is currently considered the gateway into the revered Andes mountain range as well as one of the world-renowned seven wonders of the world - Machu Picchu.
For us, it was the gateway to both the Andes and Machu Picchu - as well as the initiation of the adventure/exploration of our outer and inner worlds.
Acclimatization was crucial for our excursion. The reasons for this are as follows: 1) Cusco sits at over 11000 feet and can cause altitude sickness 2) We were trekking into high altitudes - over 15000 feet. 3) To obtain personal growth, understanding the culture and history of the land and its people is paramount. This historical-cultural acclimatization would aid us on our journey.
Henry - Our Mentor and Guide
Henry was our Peruvian host, guide, and cultural liaison. While touring Cusco and the surrounding Incan structures and temples, he taught us the ways of the Inca (commonly known as the Quechua people). He is of Quechua descent and still practices some of their ancient traditions. One of which being the use of his quipu - the ancient tradition used to record and disseminate information that existed pre-written language.
Henry also taught us about the spiritual traditions that informed the general philosophy and cosmology of the Incas. The existence of these philosophies are found in the symbolic art and architecture of their cities and temples.
The revered symbols of the Condor, Puma, and Snake, reflect this living cosmology. The Condor represents spirit. The Puma represents the power of the flesh and living. The Snake is a symbol of the underworld and the umbilical cord to the earth. Within these symbols is the belief that these symbols represent the cycle of humans - a type of reincarnation that traverses from the underworld to the physical plane of existence and then to the spirit world beyond death.
The Inca’s spiritual worldview parallels with depth psychology theory - which is an approach to therapy that is open to the exploration of the subtle, unconscious, and transpersonal aspects of human experience. Inca cosmology of reincarnation closely parallels the Hero’s Journey mythical structure. From the outer world into the inner world the hero rebirths and eventually returns to the known land. (picture of the hero's journey).
Salkantay Trek - First Set of Obstacles
Our journey would take us into the sacred Vilcabamba mountain range, where we would trek the Salkantay trail through mountain villages, wild backcountry, alpine lakes, grand mountain passes, and into the cloud forests of the jungle. We finished at one of the revered Seven Wonders of the World - Machu Picchu.
The Salkantay mountain is named after the Quechua word “Sallqa” which means: savage (or invincible). Our experience with this formidable mountain would later show these features to us.
On our trek to the Salkantay Pass, which sits at 15090 feet, we detoured to check out Lake Humantay. It was the first real climb of our trek and would be the catalyst for deep reflections that I call the “meditations of the trail”. Later, we would process as a group while sitting at the lake.
The challenge of the trail and immersion in nature has the power to reveal our own inner challenges that pose threats to our well-being and/or are the things that prevent us from moving towards a state of wholeness. Being able to access this through trekking and as a group, is incredibly healing.
Our approach to the infamous Salkantay mountain allowed us to witness the true savageness of its mountainous face. The high-altitude climb to the pass proved to be a challenge but through determination and a slow and steady pace, we crushed the ascent!
Unfortunately, we would not be rewarded with scenic views of the mountain or the valley beyond due to a storm rapidly approaching which pressured us to quickly put on our rain gear as a mix of snow, sleet and hail enveloped us.
The descent through the clouds and nasty weather could have easily become a deterrent from being able to experience the trek in a positive light but due to preparedness and adequate clothing we found ourselves marveling at the beauty that the storm created. It provided the new landscape a mysterious feel as we continued down, where we suddenly found ourselves moving from one unique ecosystem to another. We soon recognized that we were now traveling through a cloudy rainforest and into the next mountain village where we would be staying for the night.
Machu Picchu: Peaks and Valleys
Our last day of the trek brought us deeper into the jungle and along the Urubamba river - which is another sacred element of “Pachamama” (mother earth). Beyond the canopy of the jungle’s trees, we stared at enormous mountain peaks covered in lush green foliage. One could easily understand how the Incas were drawn to this area, as it gave off a reverence of sacredness.
10 Kilometers later, we arrived at the town of Aguas Calientes and the entrance of Machu Picchu. Passing through the gates and after climbing a set of stairs, we could finally see the brilliance of the ancient buildings that were set perfectly on top of the mountain. The infamous Huayna Picchu peak was right behind it. Instantly we were overcome with the sacredness of this site. It’s reported that there is a subtle magnetism to this place, a type of vibrant energy - and our group all communicated that they too felt that energy.
Henry did a phenomenal job at teaching us about the history of the site as well as sharing with us the proposed theories of what it was for the Incas to build with the same cosmological and spiritual architecture found in Cusco and other structures of the Inca empire.
Henry also reminded us that Machu Picchu and other Inca buildings are not “ruins” but in a state of disintegration. Very much like ourselves. He believes these ancient structures are still living and imbued with a spirit of life.
The experience of Machu Picchu was the pinnacle of both the trek and the excursion. The preparation and acclimatization of culture, history, and altitude proved to yield awareness, respect, wisdom, and reverence for the area. It also provided a chance for each of us to integrate the knowledge of Incan worldviews that remind us of how deeply connected they were to nature and the cosmos, a type of knowledge that seems lost to us living in modernity.
Via Ferrata & Zip Lining in the Sacred Valley - “The ordeal and discovery of the gold”
After a day of recuperating and processing as a group the events of the excursion, our itinerary brought us to the Sacred Valley where we'd mountain climb via Ferrata route.
One of the participants was especially challenged in this adventure activity due to being hearing impaired. More specifically without the use of a hearing aid device, our participant was 100% hearing impaired. He courageously expressed his fears and we were able to create a solid safety plan with our rock climbing guides which then allowed our participant to feel confident enough to take on the challenge. It was incredible to witness him embrace his fears and perceived limitations and watch him move through his fear into joy and lastly... accomplishment! It was an incredibly inspiring moment for the entire group.
Afterwards, in our process group of the day, our participant shared his takeaways from his challenge. The participant was able to relate to that activity in an inspired, confident, and courageous manner which he states he had lost over the years.
With conviction he relayed to the group that he would be able to take what he gained from this rock climbing experience and apply it in areas at home where he has felt held back by fears and false beliefs of how his hearing impairment limited his life. His courage and confidence is the “gold” that the hero is searching for. This gold is discovered by confronting and overcoming our deepest fears and positively impacting the lives of those around him upon his return home.
Departure - “Returning Home”
Our group of five grew closer together throughout our Peru Excursion. In the end, we came together for one last processing group activity to ceremonially conclude our excursion.
In our last processing group, we were given the chance to share how this trip impacted our lives. We shared the things we would take home with us, as well as the things that needed to stay behind. Stories of confidence and overcoming were shared amongst us all. Others discussed insecurities about things that needed to be left in Peru. Some discussed how the experiences and discussions with other members provided new insights on how to be a better father while others beautifully talked about how they could become better husbands and partners, to be more intentional about creating meaningful interactions in the hopes of fostering a deeper and sustaining connection.
Video of Peru Excursion “The Hero’s Journey”
