SpiritMaa

i was surprised at the tantric elements of the peruvian q'ero shamanic retreat i attended recently.  first clue was the crystal skull present in the opening ritual.  another clue came during the despacho ceremony.  first we breathed our intention into plant leaves, then spoke them out loud to the master shamans, then watched as they placed the leaves and flowers in circular form in order to integrate all the groups' prayers and intentions.  red flowers on one side, and white flowers on the other [similar to colors associated with the masculine and feminine in tantric practicies]. all at once i realized what i was looking at: a tantric flower/leaf mandala!  another clue were my energetic reactions to the limpias (energetic clearing), and my intense emotional reaction to the initiations we received.  when the shaman blew into my head, and then into my hands, my body started vibrating, and my heart was overflowing - there i was with tears streaming down my face.  and just in case i had any doubts, a few weeks later i had a dream in which the female and male master shamans appeared together, demonstrating tantric sacred sexual practices... i have always had a strong resonance with the research that indicates tantric practices in india originally came from the matriarchal shamanic tribes, and now i have direct experience of the links between these two traditions!