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Spirit Keepers Series
Fall 2009

In these times there are a number of indigenous peoples who are emissaries of their ancient and living traditions, acting as a bridge, straddling both worlds, uniting cultures. In the Quechua language of the Andes, a person who undertakes this sacred role is called a chakaruna. They help us remember what we already know.

The Chakaruna’s Offering is an introductory talk on the sacred ways of the Spirit Keeper’s people. These Saturday evening presentations are held 7-8:30 PM at the Smoki Museum, 147 N. Arizona Street, Prescott, Arizona.

The Spirit Keeper's Circle is a follow-on Sunday afternoon gathering led by the Spirit Keeper with more in-depth opportunities to experience the rituals, cosmology and practices that inform the spiritual consciousness of their native people. Circles are held 1-6 PM at the Center for Spiritual Living, 3755 Willow Creek Road, Prescott, Arizona.

September 5 and 6
Alonso Mendez
Respected archeo-astronomer of Tzeltal Maya heritage

The Chakaruna's Offering:
Maya Hieroglyphs and Philosophy
Alonso will discuss new understanding regarding Maya hieroglyphs and philosophy — the emerging awareness of the ancient Maya people as great influencers in the evolution that is now upon us.

The Spirit Keeper's Circle:
Maya Concepts of Sacred Geometry
Come explore how sacred geometry relates to site, geography and the alignment of the Greater Order. In the Maya world, the house is a living entity that generates benevolence and health. We will learn how to organize our space, make offerings and practice methods of observation in our own geography for right relationship with the Cosmos.

Alonso Mendez is a respected archeo-astronomer of Tzeltal Maya heritage. His investigations at Palenque and other important Maya sites resulted in discoveries of new solar and lunar alignments in the major temples and increased understanding of the hieroglyphic texts. His expertise has brought involvement in a number of documentaries and programs about the living and ancient Maya, most recently in 2012: Science or Superstition and as co-scriptwriter for Maya Skies for the Chabot Planetarium in San Francisco, as well as programs for the Discovery and History channels. Academically, he has published findings and presented in numerous symposiums, conferences, and educational programs with a focus on Indigenous science and knowledge. Alonso is a featured teacher and guide in our Entering the Maya Mysteries program.

Born in San Cristóbal de las Casas on February 6 1964, Alonso spent much of his youth surrounded by the vibrant highland Maya culture of the Tzeltal and Tzotzil, as well as the emergent movement in anthropology and ethnography that occurred during the 1960s and 1970s. His father, Alonso Mendez Ton, a Tzeltal Maya of Tenejapa, Chiapas, participated prominently in these studies as a cultural informant, translator, and liaison, while his mother, Francisca T. Mendez, played a key role in the Maya communities as a historian, facilitator, friend and participant in the social and ritual life of the Highland Maya. In this atmosphere of dynamic contact between cultures Alonso grew and witnessed critical changes that altered the physical and cultural landscape of Chiapas. It was in these early years of the 1970s that great discoveries were being made in the decipherment of hieroglyphics, new sites just beginning to be uncovered, and the historical record of the Classic Maya revealed.

Alonso began his "higher" education at South Kent School and then attended Middlebury College, graduating in 1987 with a degree in Fine Arts. His skill as an artist would prove critically useful, when in 1987, he joined the archaeological projects in Palenque, first as project artist with the Palenque Mapping Project and subsequently with the Proyecto Grupo de las Cruces and the Proyecto Arqueologico Palenque. During this time, he produced drawings that documented the new discoveries as well as developed 3D reconstructive drawings of the site. Alonso is an engaging storyteller and teacher of the Maya way of life. He lives in Palenque, Mexico.

October 10 and 11
Anank Nunink Nunkai
Shuar Uwishin (traditional healer) of the Equadorian Amazon

The Chakaruna's Offering:
Mythology: The Legend of Nunkui
Anank will discuss how the Goddess Nunkui (Mother Earth) came to the Shuar thousands of years ago and taught them how to survive in the jungle and coexist with nature in a sustainable way. These lessons are as relevant now as they have always been.

The Spirit Keeper's Circle:
Peace, Love, Understanding and Respect — Tools for a Happy Life
Living in the Amazon Rainforest your life may be in danger at any given moment and yet the Shuar are always happy and completely relaxed. How do they do it? Anank will share the wisdom of his ancestors and how he continues to learn from them every day. You will learn how to apply this knowledge towards increased happiness and reduced stress. We will conclude this event with a guided meditation. One-of-a-kind handmade Shuar jewelry will also be available for purchase.

Anank Nunick Nunkai was born in 1947 to the Shuar of the Sacred Waterfalls, deep in the Ecuadorian Amazon. He is an Uwishin (traditional healer) guided by the Great Spirit Arutam and the wisdom of his ancestors. Anank's mission in life is to help people, preserve the Shuar culture, and the beautiful rainforest they call home. Many years ago he traveled to the United States with a group of musicians called "Grupo Chaarip" who performed at a variety of international events. Their hope was to generate interest in Shuar culture, philosophy and mythology while raising awareness about over-consumption and the consequential contamination of the rainforest.

Currently living in the Pacific Northwest, Anank can often be found speaking to students of all ages and participating in conferences in the United States and abroad. He speaks on a wide range of topics from the diversity of!animals in the jungle to Indigenous Permaculture or the healing properties of plants. You may also find him singing, performing traditional Shuar!dances or teaching people to meditate.When discussing Shuar cosmovision and the wonders of the rainforest, Anank hopes to inspire interest in protecting such a magical place. He continues to be an active member of the Shuar community and works closely with his sons toward the goal of creating a Shuar-owned ethno-biological preserve in the Kutukú and Shaimi Forest Reserve. His son, Raúl, is the President of the "Asociación Amigos! de la Amazonía" in Madrid and he works in conjunction with his brother, Eduardo, in Ecuador.

Anank desires a world of equality and without greed; where plants purify the air and crystalline springs satiate the thirst of the universe. Sharing the natural world in a place of unlimited happiness where dreams become reality. Flying above obstacles and discovering a limitless horizon.

November 14 and 15
Walking Thunder
Diné Medicine Woman from New Mexico

The Chakaruna's Offering:
What Does It Mean To Be a Medicine Person in Today's World?
Walking Thunder addresses this question in her amazing stories and life lessons. A unique and intimate opportunity for practitioners in the local healing community to listen to the insights and stories of an incredible healer who has spent decades working to serve her Diné people as a traditional Medicine Woman. Walking will share what is means to be a healer and how to use one's gifts. Bring your questions.

The Spirit Keeper's Circle:
Teaching/Training for Healers
Walking Thunder has an enormous amount to offer that will leave all in attendance with much to consider and grow with. Native plants, sacred sand paintings, their purpose and meaning will be demonstrated. This circle is not only about learning techniques but rather a chance to spend time with a living library of wisdom.

Walking Thunder is a traditional Diné Medicine Woman featured in the book Shamans of the World and the Profiles of Healing Series published by Ringing Rocks Foundation. As a practitioner of the peyote ceremony, she shares her indigenous understanding of the world of spirits evoked by this botanical sacrament. The following is an excerpt on being a Medicine Woman.

"When I'm in deep contact with my patient, my heart and body movement slow down, and my head feels like there's a hole in it. If it's a little hole, it's easier to focus. Once it gets bigger, I have to concentrate more to keep my focus. When a spirit appears, it can look like a regular person. Unlike a person, however, it can pass through walls and even through a human being. Sometimes they will hold your hand in a ceremony. They can also sprinkle water on people. Those are the Water Messengers. They won't hurt you, but they make you tingle and feel cold or warm when they pass through you. Sometimes I suck out illnesses. When you take it out, it's ugly. Sometimes you have to turn away when you take it out. The first thing you do is throw it in the fire and burn it. You don't keep it. It looks like a worm from prehistoric times. It's either yellow or white in color...

... I'm like a bear seeking direction. The bear looks at the stars to find his way. I always look at the stars and try to get my answers. I just look at the stars with a positive mind and think about what I want to do.

My grandpa taught me about the circle of life. It's a different understanding from the talk about heaven and hell and the end of the world. One night I dreamed about the future. The world will not end. Rather, the world is going to change. Part of the United States is going to be missing. There won't be a Maine or a California. One of my elders says there will only be four cities at that time. The world won't change with fire and it won't change with thunder. Some people will survive and some will not survive. The people who made preparations will survive. That's how I vision the future. One should get ready by paying attention to only one day at a time. Do you know how to build a fire? Do you know how to stay warm? Do you know how to camp? You need to know these things in order to survive. It's a wise idea to live in the wild right now."

Photos ©2006-2009 used with permission. All rights reserved.

Proceeds support Kenosis Spirit Keepers programs.

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Last updated 5 July 2009   |  © 2009 Kenosis Spirit Keepers