Vedantin's Blog

here I go again into the jungle of the world and humanity. The journey I am embarking on is full of surprises and beauty for sure. Guatemala mystical yoga farm, yoga teaching around the globe, sharing my a bit insights with university students, sharing  love with connected souls, walking into the woods just being …

I traveled down with the most comfortable bus ride in my life for 17 hours. I immediately went on a trekking into base camp of Aconcagua mountain, the highest mountain in western hemisphere, 6972 meters hight. We got up to over 4000 meters above the base camp. It was a surprising experience when we reached to the base camp to see so many expedition tents and big cabin tents in the middle of mountains. Our guide told us there are about 12 expeditions companies established their base camp there to serve their clients, some of them like us only to spend a few days around the base camp and anothers have intention to summit the peak. It was my dream a few years back when I was planning to arrange everything so I could climb the mountain. For some reasons the plan never be materialized. But I remembered the name of city and the mountain Aconcagua when I reached to Mendoza. It was a must for me at least to witness the beauty and elegance of the mountain even though I had little desire to summit the peak due to different stage of my life and lack of time for this trip. I did not plan to come down to Argentina or Chile and never thought about the mountain and the Patogonia mountains. Here I am, finished the three days climbing the Aconcaqua and heading down to the thick part of Patogonia.
I struggled and survived on the hike of the second day. It was 8-9 hours hike, 5 hours uphill and thee hours return and around 3000 elevations gain and drop. When we reached to the “Mirador”, Vista point, I was so exhausted that I decided for myself not to continue any more and needed to take a nap. So I did and everyone else did the same. We spent some extra time explored the retrieving glacial which was guided by our guide, Daria. It was a magical and powerful mountain covered with glacial and snow from the view of north face where we approached to the peak. I tried to meditate and felt the power and energy of the mountain, but my meditation gave in the way to my sleeping state. I felt deep into trance and sleep, or conbinations of the two. It was a strange experience where I do not recall the incidents like that before… I did feel the deep reverence when I washed myself in the creek and meditated in the sun at the base camp after 8-9 hours hike. I just just felt a smile in my heart and sensed that everything in the world and in my own little world are just perfect … the beauty, the serenity, the power, the softness, are a part of all that mountain has to offer … I am deeply in debt of what the mountain offers to me and to the universe and I am connecting to the mountain here and the mountains around the world. They all offer the same energy and beauty to me but maybe presented in different forms and styles…
with love and light to you all,

It is quite a shock to me when I arrived in Chile and Argentina to see the modern amenities and western lifestyle. It is so different from what were my experiences in Peru and Bolivia. I still can not get quite used to this lifesyle yet even though I started accepting what they have to offer. There is no longer two dollars a night lodging or tow dollars per dinner anymore but also there is no longer traveling on the bus to suffering from the seat and the bumpy road anymore. Bus here in Chile and Argentina is so comfortable to ride with that one feels like riding in the airplane or for the least in a train.  The seat or the bet seat is so comfy that I have decided to travel more with bus after  the experience with16 hours bus ride from Salta to Mendoza in Argentina. This is why I am on the bus again traveling down to Bariloche, the gateway to the Patogonia and the lake district. 
When I arrived in San Petra, Chile I felt like home because everything seems in Chile has the similar standards and system of US. We stayed in the city for a couple of days and decided to head west to soak some more sun on the beach of Pacific ocean. So we took a buss of 5 hours and reached to Autofagasta, Ameican lifestyle town next to the ocean, and then onward to a beach community, north of the city. We spent two nights in this very sleepy and typical Chilean beach town doing pretty much nothing. The sun is so strong and the water was so cold that we only actually spent a few hours on the beach but we all suffered from burning of our body from the sun. From the retrospect I would stay in San Petra to explore the surrounding areas rather spent the time in the beach town.
After 8 hours ride from San Petro we arrived in Salta, a Argentina city filled with European buildings and culture even the people all look like Europeans. There are no more indigenious people like Peru and Bolivia. So Salta for me is nothing but a typical modern city with all necessary amenities to serve people. I did not care for that much but had lots of works completed and went to take a day trip to Cachi, a senic trip to the desert, mountains, and Cordon national partk…

Here I am in Salta, north-west part of Argentina after spent a few days in San Pedra (driest desert in the world), Autofogasta, and Mejillones (beach towns along the Pacific coast) of Chile. I am planning to be here in Argentina for awhile and travel to some indigenous villages here boarding to Bolivia, then later into the central part of Argentina where is the wine country and lots of hiking and serene scenes in Patagonia mountains range before Christmas. I will either travel by land up north towards Nicaraqua, central America, or fly up there. It all depends on where my spirit guides me. I shall have constantly email connection in Argentina because wireless cafes are everywhere here. It is very modern cities and country here, in Chile and Argentina, totally different from Bolivia and Peru…

Situated in a hostel international right in downtown area of Salta, I have a quick access to modern amenities such as wireless Internet, good shopping, and restaurants. It is why I am here for the last few hours and as matter of fact almost everyday here in a café right next to the center plaza of the city. There are so many people and shops around here in very moment of day. It seems it never quiet down. People here do have dinner until 10pm or later. It is the culture of night life or different life than I am used to. Personally I prefer the life of countryside and mountains, going to bed and getting up based on the cycle of a day. I have not been able to see sky while I sleep for the last three night since I got into Salta. I am ready to move to the other part of world even though I enjoy the convenience of the modern life after traveling awhile in the remote areas …

Now we are traveling westward on the way to Argentina town, Salta, northern part of Argentina. Possibly spend a few days around that area before heading to lake district and start exploring Patagonia, and looking forward to that part…

I am here now in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile, just south of Bolivia. The city locates around 2000 meters elevation and is one of driest desert in the world. When our bus picked us at the border of Bolivia after the tour of Uyuni desert, we headed down to the city and experienced the similar road design and highway signs. I felt like home, back in US. Of course everything here likes US or European country, super clean, lots of good restaurants, good hotels, and modern amenities. But I did not stay that long after a day of contemplating and left for two beach towns on the pacific coast of Chile, Autofagasta and Mejillones. We spent two nights there and experienced nothing special but shock experience when we got drooped off at a big mall in Autofagasta when a taxi driver were supposed to take us to a beach and to have some Chinese food and when we arrived at a not quite clean and sleepy small beach community, Mejillones. Even though I managed to swim three times in three days  there  but the water is cold and the sun is super strong so we did not spend that much of time on beach. The time we spent on the beach we all burned ourselves as a result of suffering for the next few days. The sleepy and typical small community provided me a severe diarrhea so I did not enjoy what the beach town could provide to me and us. The bus ride to and from Mejillones was 6 hours plus transition and concelation of  bus we ended up traveled entire two days for a day of beach, not quite good decision on my part.

Here we are in the hot humid Amazon after a day flight delay due to the bad weather. It was so refresh to experience hot humid weather after a few months in the high dry Andes mountains in Peru and Bolivia. I really like the weather here when we only need to wear shorts and shirt and sandels all day long. The Rurrenanbangue was a quite quaint city in the middle of Amazon in Bolivia, the gateway to the Amazon and the Mandidi National Park. It has lots of tourist companies and a few great resturants. I enjoyed the food and fresh fruits of the tropical. I felt that I could stay here for awhile to enjoy the hot humid weather and good food.

Bamba trip was a popular tour that every tourist here takes part in. I took part in three days journey into the jungle where lots of wild animals live along a river. The three or four hours bumpy jeep ride before got to the river was not really my cup of tea in addition to the hot humid weather and jammed 11 people in the jeep. If all possible I would love to skip this part of trip. But the 2-hour boat ride was a joyful one while observing all creatures living along the river, alligators – lots of them, beautiful and exotic birds and animals. I even got a few chances to swim along with pink dolphin in the river and of course there are lots of alligators in the river as well. I guess it is pretty safe as our guide told us that the alligators try to stay away from the pink dolphin because the head sting of the pink dolphin can easily kill alligators. It was so joyful and excited to experience the close approximate encounters with all the Tropical Amazon wild animals. Not only did we witness the animals in the intimate distance our guide always volunteered to bring some live animals to us, such as baby alligator, giant cobra, big turtle, and other creatures. I did not care for the behavior of our guide whom I felt harassed a bit with the wild living being in the Amazon but I respect what he has to do with his job. For him it was a battle between him and the wild giant animal. He is a brave man and has lots of skills in dealing with the wilds. But I prefer the gentle way to witness the wild without disturbing and harassing.
The second day was not a pleasant day because the heat and humidity and the battle act of our guide tried to conquer the big giant snake. We walked around the area where have been burned down for cattle and agriculture in which corporate America and other countries employed and contracted. It is one of reason contributing to our global warming by destroying the Amazon rainforest where most of global oxygen produces here. I would not like to see this part of jungle because my understanding of this practice in this part of Amazon.

The accommodation was adequate with mosquito net and 10 beds in each room. The food we requested for vegetarian was fantastic. I loved every single meal and I ate too much and gained a few pounds on the trip. Cold water shower was enough to get rid of a bit tiredness at the end of day.

After a couple of nights rest in the city we headed to the 3-day jungle trip. It was miserable when we arrived at the jungle with the temperature reached as high as 38c degrees with high, high humidity. I wish I could return back to the cold weather like Lake Titicaca. There were so many insects that all bit wherever our skins were exposed. We were simply in the middle of jungle in the Amazon and experience everything I have read. The night walk into the jungle was a brand new experience sensing everything around you, “the flying lights”- lady’s bud like, sounds of birds and insect and jumping monkeys, the never-ending silence of the jungle forest. The second day walk through the forest and visited a Yama village in the jungle was a lovely experience where we witnesses all giant plants and trees and tropical fruits. I tried everything almost edible we encountered, papaya, pineapple, avocado, and some exotic fruits I never have seen before like tristapa, coco fruit, coconut seed, coca leaf, etc.

Most struggle for me was the relationship with Tenia in the jungle. For some reasons my good old self showed up and felt insecure and was ready to leave the love relationship. I felt disconnected to her, to our group, to our guide, and to everything I encountered. I was ready to leave the jungle and to head back to the town. It sounded and felt very familiar with what happened in the past many times. I knew there is something deep inside keeping come up. At this point I still do not know where is the root and the root cause even though after talked to Tenia and felt more secure of our relationship at the literal level. I even felt much connected to everything after I had 36 hours fasting only with water started in the jungle and a great yoga session in the following morning. I know that I still have to do something about my old self and prevent something similar to happen again, possibly through shamanic journeying or even to try Ayuvaska tomorrow with the local shaman in Rurrenabaque in the Amazon jungle of Bolivia… I will report what will happen to me with Ayuvaska, the ancient plant medicine here in the Amazon to experience my deaths happened in the past lives and to cleanse my past and all the shadows …

What happened in the island of the sun? It has been six weeks since I came to the island. Lots have happened and yet nothing really happened. Time flies in the tranquil island but it seems that I have just arrived yesterday. The memories and experience remain in me and for a long time to digest and to understand the lesson and why I am here for this long period of time during my travel in the Sud-America.

I sense my belonging here in the island especially after I have accepted to be a god father of Javier whose family owns a pasado (hostel) at the island where I happened to be connected at the first visit back in June. It is a simple but beautiful place where the beach, the lake, the ice-capped Ardiello Real mountain range, all merges into a simple view. Everyday morning when I woke up, there is nothing but beauty. I still constantly voice my awe for the simply and majestic beauty around me and it penetrates in every cell of mine. I have no more desire to go anywhere but a sense of contentment.

I have been embreaced by and embracing the family of Lucio, Delidia, Sundra, Maria, Anna, Roberto, and of course Jarvier. They have been treating me like a family member and I sincerely felt the sense of welcoming from everyone in the family. We all went to the church in Copanabana and had an official bautismo (Baptist) with my God son, Javier and of course the celebration after the event with the family and the rest of extended family in the island. I have joined them into three different festivals in the island for the total community. One was the offering to the Pachamama (mother earth) for the raining season begins, another one was of praying and offering to the Pachamama for prosperity and healthy growth of the local crops, and the final one took place yesterday was an offering to the dead who once lived in their hearts and souls. These events were full of joy and sharing among the family and the total community. I felt the sense of the family and the sense of living in the community. I wish that I could spend some more time to help and to support the community in the different capacities, like teaching in schools or even teach yoga classes for the community. I shall venture out for some joint projects with the community when the next time I come to visit.

A project in the island has been calling me on my behalf. At first I was interested in a piece of private beach front property for University of Healing Arts and Consciousness between the two communities, Challa and Challabamba. It is so beautiful that I fall into love with the land. The private beach is about 150 meter (400 feet) along the beach in length, facing a beautiful snow capped mountain range with the sun rise over the mountains in the morning. It is a perfect place for a spiritual retreat and center.

All of sudden, my conpatre (Javier’s father) said that he owns the piece of land. Everything just simply falls into a place. I felt everything is right for the intention I have for the land and for the future development of the land. Now we are in the process to acquire the cost of construction and a possibility to obtain additional piece of land adjacent to the beach. My vision is to develop a spiritual center/University of Healing Arts where there are a retreat location to be able to accommodate up to 30 people at a time. As a retreat center and a site for the university my vision to see our group comes here at least once a year for a couple of months to do our training and teaching and sharing. It could be a rental place for any spiritual groups, but the only spiritual group or individuals. The center has regular spiritual practice such as morning and evening meditation, yoga class, healing arts classes, local spiritual teaching and restoring, and evening fire ceremony…

It has been a blessing to practice yoga and spirituality in the island. Woke up in the morning and walked down to the beach front having my morning dose of practice have provided the connection to my inner being and the island energy regardless of rain or shine. The beauty of the island and the lake provide nothing but pure joy, love, and energy. I am in debt of what this beautiful place has to offer and the spiritual people of the island have to offer me. I had a few ceremonies with different shamans and spiritual beings here in the island. The most powerful and loving ceremony was with the island elder shaman, Angelino, at the island of Coa where the ancient ones have been offering to the island for thousands of years. The experience was
Then when I had an intention to connect someone special a couple of weeks ago while I was in the island, an angel from far far away, Greece, Tenia showed up in my simple life here in the island. We instantly connected and continued the connection I do not know where it will take us to. After extra two weeks in the island with her and a group of friends we connected to we are on the way traveling together to somewhere unknown, La Paz, jungles, salt flat, chile, Argentnia, and nothing to predict.

I has been a two months or so without connecting the world outside of me since I left Cosco seems a long time ago. Interestingly I do not feel the disconnection to anyone and anyplace. I simply feel at home with comfort and joy. Bolivia, Lake Titicaca, Island of Sun, the community of Challabamba (north of the island) is my home and my family.

With Joy and Love to you all,
Vedantin/Ping

Just completed another initiation ceremony at ultimate gate along the water below the Chicana temple of the north part of the Sun island with Roger and another student from France. We started right before the sunset and continued on for another two hours until 8:30pm. By the time we finished it was pichy dark. We walked back to the village with our flashlights. It was a peaceful and joyful walk on the way back witnessing the beauty of the sky and the stars.

The ceremony started, I would considere, from walking up to the temple for about 40 minutes. We were pretty much quiet on the way up there. By the time we got to the sacred spot, right next to the water of Lake Titicaca, we started to offer the coca leafs for Pachamama and Intittiti, we then started acting out and free move, no mind control what’s ever, simply let the spirit guide, sometimes shaking vigorously, sometimes move gently and smoothly like snake or Taichi movement, sometimes move like tiger, jaguar, eagle, condor, hummingbird …. I danced wild, most of time with the eyes closed, only to followed the light within, and felt the sense of liberation, while even I yelled out loud “Libre! Libre! Libre!” in Spanish.

My maetro (master) gave us clues in Spanish from time to time, even though I only understood some of the words but I could sensed the intent of his energy. Sometime he acted like puma, eagle, and other animated animals while my eyes were closed just to experience the energy of the archetypes of animals… we continued the movement for two periods and last for a long time for sure, but I do not know how long, only sensation I had was excited, hot, clarity, and released…
We then sat between a gate (a rock formation of a door), the ultimate gate of the cosmos. Our master initiated us with eagle feather on our head and thanks all the four direction, four elements of universe (fire, aqua, tierra, and arie) and finally we had a fire ceremony while we offered coca leafs and incenses to thanks all that give us the light, Pachamama, Titiinti, cosmos, heart of water, fire, earth, and air, our friends, family, spiritual bother, sisters, teachers …
We walked back from the sacred site in the dark and witness the beauty and vastness of countless of starts and milk way…

It was a strange day. After got up very early and witnessed the sun rises. I joined Marisel and Claudia (from Argentina) for a morning practice at Alfonso’s hostel overlooking the playa where I normally have my morning practice. I led the session for a couple of hours. It was a session of unsettled energy. By the time we finished the practice, I noticed Marisel (from California) was in a very deep and sad emotion, which last for the rest of the day I witnessed while I was with her along with a group of people I met in Charazani in the most of morning. The vibration between us was cordial and friendly but definitely lack of connection like we had the day before… I did not see her until late of night when she visited me with another friend from Chile in my hotel. We chatted a bit and they stayed at my room that night before they got up early in the morning and started walking down the south island and continue on to the Moon island. I thought I had a special connection to Marisel at the beginning but at the end I felt the connection dwindled so I no longer have a desire to connect her again.

I was supposed to see Roger, my master, at 8am in the morning and walk to his house. But for whatever the reason he did not show up and I did not even attempt to walk over to his house. I felt exhausted by the time I got back to my room from hang out at the Alfonzo’s place for the morning and early afternoon. I also felt the strange energy of Rosse Mary when I mentioned to her I was to visit Alfonzo the night before, when I told her I was initiated by Roger, when I mentioned to have a bigger lot for our possible point project, when my friend Marisel came to my room waiting for me … for whatever reasons her energy was reserved, negative, at least apprehensive …