“I realized then that the light here was different. Or maybe it was just at that moment, after everything I had absorbed in my heart, I had begun to see everything with new eyes.”
Seeing with new eyes, embracing the possibility of a new world, is a choice we all have. Will we take it? This is the profound question posed by Cherizar Walker in her debut book, The Conception of Utopia.
Her journey takes readers deep into the heart of Ecuador, where she seeks healing and wisdom from the Kichwa shamans. But what she discovers goes beyond her expectations. The shamans teach her not only about healing, but also about a way of life so deeply connected to the natural and spiritual realms that it blurs the line between the two.
One of the central aspects of indigenous Kichwa culture is the role of ritual in daily life. Rituals are not just ceremonial, they are practices that link the physical and spiritual worlds, connecting us to higher beings, ancestral spirits, and the eternal energy that flows through all things. Here, Cherizar shares the five most potent daily rituals of the Kichwa shamans.
- Connecting Intimately with Nature
“I was always taught to have a relationship with the trees, the flowers, and the animals. That all of these things were alive.” – Don Alberto
For the Kichwa shamans, nature is not separate from human life; it is intertwined with it. Every meditation and ritual begin with the natural world. Don Alberto, one of the healers, took this concept a step further, teaching Cherizar that even the simplest act, like picking a flower, should be done with reverence.
Before harvesting a plant, one must ask permission and express gratitude. Flowers, rocks, trees, they are all alive, deserving of the same respect we give to each other. This ritual of treating nature with love and care is not only a form of respect but also a daily reminder of the interconnectedness of life.
- Giving Thanks for What You Don’t Like
Gratitude is widely practiced today, often to manifest desires and attract abundance. But the Kichwa shamans offer a deeper approach: gratitude for the difficulties. Don Alberto emphasized giving thanks for hardships and struggles, recognizing them as true teachers.
“Do we learn the most from the easy moments, or the challenges?” Cherizar reflects on this teaching, realizing that life’s greatest lessons often emerge from discomfort and adversity. By embracing gratitude for both the light and the dark, we expand our ability to grow.
- Connecting with the Heart
For the shamans, connecting with the heart is essential. And each had their unique way of doing so.
Don Alberto practiced heart-centered communication, always speaking with honesty and authenticity—whether with people or with nature. Don Shairy focused on listening to one’s heart and intuition, trusting feelings over intellect. For Doña Susana, it was a more intimate practice: as a woman, she taught the importance of communicating lovingly with one’s yoni (womb), expressing love and respect daily.
Cherizar came to understand that the key to any ritual is to trust your intuition. Follow the heart’s guidance in every interaction, and healing will naturally follow.
- The Healing Power of Movement
Before dawn one day in Ecuador, Cherizar experienced an ancient Andean movement practice with Don Acho. He taught her that moving the body is more than physical exercise, it is a way of healing the nervous system. The body, spirit, and mind are interconnected, and we cannot grow spiritually without taking care of our physical health.
Movement helps to release stuck energy, balance the body’s systems, and promote spiritual alignment. Love your body, and through that love, healing becomes possible.
- The Power of Prayer
Cherizar’s journey in Ecuador began with a powerful prayer led by Don Acho. His prayer called upon the Holy Spirit, an expression of the delicate dance between darkness and light. It was an emotional and humbling experience for Cherizar, and it opened her heart to the profound power of prayer.
Years later, she began to integrate prayer into her own life, realizing that it is the most fundamental of rituals. Prayer connects us to the eternal, reminding us that we are part of something far greater—an ever-expanding, magical universe.
Calling out to the divine, in whatever form resonates with us, strengthens that connection. It is a practice that centers us, humbles us, and empowers us all at once.
“One has to believe in Utopia. If you don’t believe in Utopia, then you will never take a step.” – Don Shairy
Conclusion:
The Kichwa shamans’ rituals remind us that spiritual and physical health are inseparable, and through gratitude, heart-connection, movement, and prayer, we can live more harmoniously. Their teachings invite us to see the world with new eyes, where healing is not just a process, but a way of life.
