Into the heart of the mystic

The last time first time I said "yes" to a big trip was in 2012 and I had just started work as a chiropractor in a new city where I didn't have any friends. Perhaps that's why I accepted the invitation of one of my clients to climb Kilimanjaro! 

We raised a sum for charity and set off to Africa for three weeks in August 2012 just a handful of weeks after my mum had suddenly passed from stomach cancer. Looking back, I was young, in shock and emotionally shut down. I took some of mum's ashes with me and sprinkled them at the glacier at the summit. I recall wondering  if I would ever go back to visit that part of her again. 

Since then, I've had many more deep and meaningful shifts in my life. Mostly through retreats and self-empowerment experiences like firewalking, breathwork and learning to say yes to things that scare me. All of these experiences built  me up mentally, emotionally and spiritually. One even prompted an uprooting of my entire family to start a new life back in Scotland! None of them have felt quite like this one to Peru- a pilgrimage back to the heart of myself.

So I enter this trip with a mixture of apprehension and curiosity. The usual sense of discomfort that comes with the unknown. I am approaching this with no expectations, open to what comes and whatever reason this trip called to me. Personally, I am hoping to deepen my own sense of spirituality through the connection to ancient lands and rituals. Knowing there are several personal healing ceremonies planned for the trip fills me with anticipation and trepidation! 

I love that mankind has acknowledged a connection to something larger than ourselves, since forever. Archaeologists have found evidence of ceremonies and rituals which have no connection to logic or survival. It's this old wisdom that I want to amplify within myself during this trip. 

For me, ceremony and ritual are extremely important to keep us caring for eachother and the land around us. So much of this has been lost in the Western culture or swept into the basket of religion so non-religious folk miss out. Creating sacred space and ceremony has become an integral part of my life and work here in Edinburgh. To be visiting so many important sites across Peru can only be rewarding and enlightening for me.

I booked this trip 2 years ago, I got the itinerary 2 weeks ago. Reading it gave me the shivers, in a good way. I haven't felt compelled to read more about the area, it's history or look up pictures. I simply want to experience it in real-time with no expectations. This helps me maintain and open heart and mind to receive whatever comes while I'm there.

To experience life as it unfolds before me, and if you care to join me in spirit, I would be delighted to share my journey with you. 


Photo below: me at the top of Kilimanjaro in 2012




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