For me the Road to Q’ero, the journey with Lorenzo, in re -connecting to Munay, is going over the rainbow and Munay is the lynch pin. The very first principle of the Q’ero way of life.
Literally translated. Munay means love.
This is not the word we bandy about all the time.. it is not a platitude. It is not romantic love, but a deep flowing connection to LIFE and the earth and to others that flows straight from the heart. Munay is not looking for something in return, it is a natural flow of warmth and caring. You can’t gather Munay. Munay comes naturally, like grace, when the heart is cleared of debris.
It seems that many of the Q’ero still live in Munay naturally. I’m not sure that Lorenzo would feel you can teach Munay. Munay is woven deeply into the fabric of his being. I think he feels that everyone has this and if they return to the deep connection and respect with the ever non- judgmental Pacha Mama, the Munay will naturally flow again.
Although, even for the Q’ero this is becoming more and more difficult as the industrialized world encroaches closer and closer to their world. In two short years, Lorenzo’s life in Cusco, has shown him the writing on the wall. He has experienced deep heartbreak and loss caused by western medicine used in a thoughtless way, he sees that his children need to learn to read and write in Spanish and at the same time that in one generation it is possible for his children to lose their language and therefore much of their culture and yet it is harder and harder to survive in Q’ero. He is looking for the balance. He sees we need the balance. ( This is called Ayni, reciprocity, and is another theme touched on in the film but I’ll have to go into Ayni in it’s very own post. )
At any rate, it seems that for almost all of us in the industrialized world, the concept of this love, Munay, must be practiced, cultivated, and relearned. Munay flows naturally from each person when the balance within is found. Munay comes from going within and clearing your heart of the dark little patches of debris that have collected and stuck through a lifetime of little and large heartbreaks. The Q’ero call this Hucha, heavy energy. And the work of one’s life time is to drop the heavy energy. When the heart is clear and sunny, Then Munay begins to flow.
It is this heart clearing that Lorenzo is talking about. It is Munay, that Lorenzo implores us to begin re-cultivating and it is munay that brings respect for our fellow man, and other creatures and Pacha mama. When munay begins to flow from each human then service and wisdom will follow naturally.
This is the theme of Road to Q’ero. The journey home is the journey back to our own hearts. And although for us, the teacher comes from the high Andes, Hatun Q’ero, Lorenzo’s message is that you sure don’t have to go on the arduous journey to Q’ero in order to begin. You can begin, right now, wherever you are. Stop. And pay attention to how you feel. Not what you think. But how you FEEL Start right there. Start with what’s truly in your heart right now. Without judgment. Just observe it. And if it doesn’t feel good then work with that so you can let that story go. Clear that debris . Take your shoes off. Connect with Pacha Mama… Lie on the ground. Meditate. Notice your breath. Get a deck of James Wanless’s excellent Sustain Yourself Cards and begin there.
Do or try Anything that helps you drop your heavy energy and move from your mind into your heart.
And if in fact you do want to come with us to meet Lorenzo . Well I’m sure that too can be arranged!! J
In the meantime, we at picaflor, thank all of you from the bottom of our newly re –forming hearts!! With deepest gratitude and respect for supporting us and joining us over the rainbow! We believe deeply in the road to Munay and so happy you are with us!! Sorry for this many words the movie can express this with so much more munay than words will ever be able to convey!
In Munay, Llank’ay, Yachay…
Love , service and wisdom.
xxx
