About the Sanctuary

The Sanctuary Project was established in 2002 by Dr. Alberto Villoldo and the Four Winds Society to help document the wisdom teachings of the last Inka Shamans, and create a vibrant and sustainable future that preserves the wisdom teachings of the Americas.
Our mission is to preserve the ancient stories and ceremonies before the path vanishes... and to insure the opportunity for us and those who come after us to share in the work of these extraordinary teachers.

Dr. Alberto Villoldo and Don Manuel
     

Q'ero Rites and Rituals

The Q'ero Rites and Rituals In the summer of 2004, Carl Greer, a teacher and graduate of the Healing The Light Body School, received karpays (shamanic initiatory rites of passage) from the Q'ero, direct descendants of the Inka and master shamans of the high Andes.

To help further the goal of preserving and sharing the medicine teachings of the Inka, Carl and the Q'ero shamans consented to have their work together, which is traditionally done in private, documented by photographer and Healing The Light Body School graduate Christine Paul.


(photo on left and masthead photos
©2004 Christine Paul. All Rights Reserved)


The Sanctuary


Don Manuel
 

Don Manuel was the last of the living masters… at the age of 90 his children left his village and he was no longer able to care for himself. Thanks to the generous contributions of friends of The Four Winds, he was cared for in a dignified home where he was able to continue teaching and healing until his death in 2004.
     
Only two Q'ero villages are left intact and their days are numbered. There are few prospects for those who leave the villages, other than moving to the cities where a hard life of menial labor awaits them.
 
The next ten years are critical. There is an urgent need to provide a temporary home for those descending from the mountains as they enter into the 21st century - a sanctuary.

The Sanctuary Project now privides such a refuge, located in Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley of Peru.

(photo ©2003 by Don D. All Rights Reserved)
     

Dying Consciously Project

The Sanctuary is sponsoring a new project on Dying Consciously, incorporating the principles of the shamanic insight into death and dying. The project is dedicated to teaching people how to die consciously through making our practices on the Journey Beyond Death available on the web site. It will be an online hospice.

The plan for the project is to provide a gift to assist others in dying consciously. The material would include a general overview of ancient knowledge concerning death and dying, testimonials by Healing The Light Body graduates who have used the dying process with their loved ones, frequently asked questions, and specific steps in the dying process. The material will include handouts and videos in addition to interviews with religious leaders.