The Andean Cosmovision: A Path for Exploring Profound Aspects of Ourselves, Nature, and the Cosmos

This is a precious book on a number of levels. First, it is written by a Western man, a dedicated seeker on the Andean path through the teachings of Don Américo Yábar, who has consistently held intent to integrate his learnings back into life at home…and share what he’s discovered over more than twenty years. He touches on some of his struggles to do so coming from a Western intellectual perspective. This honesty is important. It shows possibility toward core understanding beyond the mind and a way of incorporating it into daily living, an evolutionary process. I can state these things with confidence having known Oakley Gordon over a very long time, witnessing his process as much as being a fellow traveler on the path. I know his heart. We were introduced to the Andean way through the same spiritual teacher, literally at the same time and place. The book is a primer on Andean worldview. If you want more beyond the introduction, Oakley provides endnotes and anthropological resources. In this book though he writes to you as a friend would, not as an academic. It’s easy to take in and comprehend. But ultimately it’s a guidebook, a how-to. It’s a compilation of meditations gleaned directly from Don Américo and exposure to other paq’os⎯a general Quechua term for healer, shaman or mystic⎯or created by the author from what he’s learned while in Peru. I don’t think another such book exists. This is important. From my own spiritual travel programs, people periodically express the fear of not being able to recreate the same state of being upon their return home. I share and show them how to do so. But The Andean Cosmovision provides it in print with many different examples to explore with step-by-step instruction. Oakley states that, although much of the book is taken from the teachings of one specific teacher, he believes any paq’o would validate them. I’ll take it one step further. The tenets covered in this book are found at the core of all Indigenous traditions I’ve worked within: Maya, Hopi and Andean, as well as others where I’ve had exposure. Highly recommend.

Anyone interested in understanding Peruvian philosophy and wisdom, a precursor to curanderismo, should read this book. don Americo Yabar came to lead a workshop on Salka at my school and he was very kind and full of life. This is a great book with lots of information with short and easy to read chapters explaining how the people of the Andes see reality, much different than some of the major religions today and Western society.

The first of 68 highlighted Kindle passages explains the gist of the title. "The Andean Cosmovision" is not intellectual in nature. It is not a set of ideas or beliefs. It simply cannot be defined, described, or encompassed with word or thought. It can, however, be experienced and it can be explored. Eventually you come to understand the Cosmovision, but this understanding is not intellectual, it is an understanding that develops at a deeper level of your Being." Luckily, for I feared outbursts of enraptured NewAge platitudes, amidst the expected tone, Dr Gordon employs his academic scrutiny as well as his own mystical or ineffable encounters. That shows my bias rather than his or that of the audience for this short introduction. But I was happy to see "confirmed" my own previous hunch, that the Dao mirrors the indigenous understanding of the eternal energies of the Universe and its creations. Helpfully, he adds that this assisted his own wish to make applicable and even practical (if in at least a way to focus attention on these forces from the cues within "nature" and within ourselves) the revelation of the Dao, and that one not need to be in the Andes to benefit. Like the Buddha, he gently encourages meditations, in physical expression, that simply enable a practitioner to try out approaches. If one doesn't align with one's orientation, another might...

Oakley has spent years opening to the understanding of the wild culture that still lives in the high Peruvian mountains. These beautiful people have retained an innocence and a power that is truly sacred. The very real movement insights that are given here are precious and integral to our connection to nature and our heart. This may be the key to the preservation of the important elements of humankind.

Wonderful, open source information on Q'ero mysticism. I love this author's simple, easy to follow approach and his open-hearted gift of this information to other serious students of Earth based wisdom. He's not trying to sell you a spiritual retreat or a 2400.00 training program. He's just sharing his passion for this way of life. Bravo!

I have heard Don Americo speak live in interviews, and love what he says. This book gives an in depth view and meditations that follow Don Americo's teachings. I treasure what Oakley Gordon has lived through, integrated, and written about here.

Good! Gave me an idea about andean spirituality before my trip to Peru. I just wanted to have my opinion about it. I follow eastern philosophy and practice some advanced pranayama techniques, found a lot of similarities to my surprise

I love this book. It is so well written and is a great guide to the simple everyday practices of loving nature and loving each other.

Un testo chiaro, semplice ed efficace, che trasmette la forza della spiritualità mistica andina ed il valore che essa riveste per l'uomo e la cultura 'occidentale'. Un percorso coinvolgente, per ritrovare il contatto con la natura e l'intero cosmo, nella forma dell'energia 'salk'a' - l'energia originaria, amorevole e libera che è nella dimensione non-addomesticata di ciascuno di noi. L'autore accompagna a comprendere il contesto culturale in cui nascono le pratiche per lo scambio energetico con la Madre Terra - Pachamama- e il cosmo intero, secondo semplici movimenti e meditazioni tratte dagli insegnamenti del suo mentore Don Americo Yabar, mistico e poeta, esperto della tradizione andina e dell'attivazione dell' energia salk'a, per l'equilibrio e la fioritura dell'essere, in armonia con gli altri e nella coscienza dello scambio costante con le forze naturali che alimentano la vita.

I really loved this book. It explains really well Andean spirituality, their connection to nature + beyond as well as how Westerners can try to adopt their thinking in our day to day. Highly recommend!

One of best and simplest guides to some of the Quero spiritual techniques to connect deeply with the living energies of nature. Simply and heartfeltly written, easy to follow and useful. I will refer to this work over again. Very grateful to the writer.

Wunderschöne Zusammenfassung der wichtigsten Übungen der Salka Arbeit mit Don Americo. Alle Übungen sind ausführlich erklärt und sehr gut anzuwenden

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