Peruvian Shamanism

This book is a compendium of wisdom teachings from the Pachakuti Mesa tradition founded by don Oscar Miro-Quesada from Lima, Peru. The book is designed to offer the reader a comprehensive resource and guide to understanding the essential components of this tradition, its guiding principles, and concepts of energetic healing. The central focus of this book revolves around the use of an altar system known as a Pachakuti Mesa, which functions as the repository of wisdom for this shamanic lineage (an oral tradition that dates back thousands of years). Every piece on the altar holds its own story (and medicine), and when these stories are brought together as a system, the altar itself describes the unique cosmovision and mythology of the tradition, as well as the reciprocal relationship humanity shares with the natural world.

This traditional wisdom also revolves around ancient and effective forms of energetic healing, which are passed down through the use of this sacred altar. This book seeks to unveil the methodology of this particular form of tribal shamanic practice in a way that is accessible to the western aspirant by offering parallels and cultural comparisons as well as references from leading scholars in the field of anthropology. Ultimately this book is designed to provide a “behind the scenes” account of the ritual practices and teachings of this tradition, while also offering the reader practical and pragmatic tools for applying this traditional wisdom to one’s modern day life. This book also breaks down the essential components of ceremony to empower the reader with the ability to begin practicing these ritual arts at home or in their personal private practice.

Through the exploration of these ancient forms of healing, ceremony, and rites of passage, the Pachakuti Mesa is revealed as a control panel of sorts, which can be used to access and navigate the inner, outer, and transcendent worlds. Through ceremony, this altar comes to life, providing the shaman with an experience of direct connection and communication with the spiritual dimensions of the living world. It is from this direct connection that he/she is able to hold their community in ritual, provide healing, and offer guidance and mentorship to those who require it. This book is designed to reveal the inner and outer workings of this ancient altar system, and describes not only what many of its individual pieces represent, but how each of them are used as a system for personal growth, and to heal and serve one’s community and the living world.