Receiving the Rites of Munay-Ki in Peru

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Here in Peru I’ve had a chance to tap into a few Peruvian ceremonies, such as that of the despacho. More recently I completed a Munay-Ki workshop – a transformation; an initiation and receiving of rites that has the potential to change my life, and the lives of many others.

This post was originally published in 2014. It has since been updated for accuracy of links and content.

What is Munay-Ki?

Coming from high in the Andes and originating with the Shamans of the Q’ero nation (descendents of the Inka), Munay-Ki is a derivative of the Quechua term meaning “I love you”. It is a series of nine rites that are transmitted from person to person, tapping into a lineage of wisdom keepers, seen and unseen.

They are given as the next step in the evolution of humanity, intended to shift and elevate human consciousness and to help us adjust to and integrate the universal changes that have been upon us since 2012 – not coincidentally the end of the Mayan calendar, as well as the beginning of a period of great unrest and transformation for many of us. (Remember when I wrote about 2013 being the worst year ever for me)? Yeah, that’s not a coincidence.)

According to Munay-Ki.org

The Rites of the Munay-Ki transform and upgrade your luminous energy field. They are energetic transmissions that heal the wounds of the past – your karmic and genetic inheritance. They re-inform your DNA, enabling you to grow a new body-one that ages, heals, and dies differently. The Munay-Ki is your invitation to dream an entire new world into being.


Receiving the Munay-Ki Rites

The nine Munay-Ki rites are transmitted in a variety of ways (differing by rite, and in some cases differing by the practitioner); many of the rites involve a forehead to forehead energetic transmission that is very powerful.

Each of the nine rites has a different focus; one integrates different Andean archetypes (such as the serpent, puma, hummingbird, and condor) into each of the chakras. Another rite activates the bands of power (similar to the aura) to make us stronger and enhance our protection. Another connects us to a lineage of healers and enhances our own ability to heal (ourselves and others), and others yet connect us to luminous beings and recode our DNA.

A view in the Andes - munay ki


Faith, Energy, and Skepticism

This may sound a little too “woo-woo” for many people, and I myself battled a healthy dose of skepticism during the workshop. Although I meditate, I don’t tend to receive messages from star beings (are there even star beings? I don’t know), nor did I have the sort of revelations that some other workshop participants had. Although I have the ability to sense energy and I believe in an element of spirituality that goes far beyond what we can see (and often comprehend), I am also firmly of this planet.

Having said that, I’ve also dabbled in energy work before; I’m able to practice Reiki healing, and I’ve even had the amazing occasion to visit another dimension (with the aid of some powerful psychedelics taken in a setting with spiritual as opposed to recreational intentions). But it’s still work for me to keep the faith that this isn’t all just a load of crap.

However even in my little world, I must acknowledge that my writing is often a form of channelling. Sometimes I’ll read something I wrote years ago, and I don’t even recognize it as my own. When I’m in “the mode”, words pour out of me at an alarming rate; words that I’m not always sure I can take credit for writing so prolifically, eloquently, or prophetically. (Not to toot my own horn, but sometimes, I write really good stuff).

Most spiritual things are based on faith. And in my life, when I’ve exercised faith (even responsible faith), amazing things have happened. I’ve written quite a few times about serendipity and opportunity, and even the magic that brought me to Peru was just that: magic.

munay ki


Integrating the Munay-Ki Rites

So it’s with this balance of faith and skepticism that I now have the nine Munay-Ki rites working on and in me. I also have the ability to pass the rites on to others, and even to teach people how to initiate others themselves.

What I’ll do with these rites, only time will tell, as I allow them to “do their thing” and integrate with my consciousness and daily life.

But I can tell you this much: when I came to Peru, I was pretty much a shattered woman, beaten down by a variety of horrible circumstances, and on anti-depressants. I’ve been off the meds for a while now (for a few reasons – see the addendum at the end of this article), and I’m considerably more confident and happy in myself, not looking to outside forces to complete or satisfy me. It has taken (and continues to take) work, a commitment to growing beyond fear and victimhood, and it’s still a process.

But all this is part of life’s adventure. We’ve got one shot on this planet; it’s worth honouring our bodies, our spirituality, clearing out the psychic sludge of our past, and moving beyond….to wherever our lives might take us. The biggest limiting force in our lives is ourselves.

I choose options, not limits.

2018 Update: Since writing this article, I apprenticed with a Shaman in Peru for almost two years, and later worked as an assistant in Ecuador. For more information about these adventures, check out Learning to be an Ayahuasca and San Pedro Shaman

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24 thoughts on “Receiving the Rites of Munay-Ki in Peru”

    • Good read but still much to learn. As a Shaman carrying the Rites we must stay in Eternal Love and Eternal Truth. The being we are Immortal beings. We don’t have one shot at life as it has no begining and no ending. I ask you as a Shaman and teacher to please do more homework before you wish to sharing widsom that isn’t of the True teaching as it is importain to keep this Sacred knowledge in all it’s purity so teaching can continue to stay the same.

      Reply
      • Hi Jack,
        Thank you for your input.
        Since writing this article, I too, became what you might refer to as a “shaman” (much as I dislike the term), and on re-reading this article, I see nothing that is out of place or in contradiction with the teachings.

        Reply
        • Hi Nora, I felt the call of the Munay -Ki rites and by the end of this month I will receive the rites. Your blog post here has been a wonderful read.
          It feels many years have passed since your original post and I was wondering if you feel the rites change your life in a way? I’m not particularly looking to change my life, I’m surrendering to the call and I have no expectations. My life has been transforming for the past 2 years….I’m excited and a bit nervous. Any advice or insights would be appreciate it. thank you

          Reply
          • Hi Vanessa,
            How exciting that you felt the calling and will receive the rites!
            All these years later, I can’t specifically say they directly led to any big changes (nor can I specifically feel like they had any direct lasting effects). Rather, receiving the rites came at a time when I was going through great changes. So perhaps they helped to better arm me for the changes with grace and equanimity….and perhaps even continue to do so.

  1. Sometimes this stuff is basically impossible to believe but when you actually do it you feel quite differently – this certainly sounds intriguing! But more than anything I’m glad to hear you are doing better, glad you are doing well enough to ditch the meds (didn’t realise you were on them but after your last year or so I am totally not surprised) and hope it is all onwards and upwards from here! xxx

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    • Loved this entry about Peru and the learning the ways of the Shaman. Would love to do this healing work on another trip! Can you email me any details please? Thank you and blessings to you.

      Reply
      • Hi Catherine,
        For information on the Munay-Ki workshops that Diane does, you’ll see dates for upcoming workshops at the bottom of this page: – including two workshops in Spain and one in Norway this summer. You can always send her an email (her address is on that page too) if you want to know more.

        Reply
    • Thank you so much, Amanda! I’m feeling better by the day, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the rites of the munay-ki had something to do with it. Vibrating on a different level, you might say!
      Was just talking about Perth the other day…you must’ve known! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Thinking a new world into existence … on a personal level, this is 100% true, as you can’t change your life if you don’t even know what it looks like! 🙂

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  3. This one is a gem, Nora. I totally get your jive here. The (healthy) skepticism combined with dabbling into various forms of spirituality and feeling whatever power they hold for you in that moment and as you recapture the feelings later on. Experiences like these can be so grounding in the darker periods of our lives, and fill us with the energy to soar once again. Reading about your process is just beautiful. Thanks for being open enough to share it!

    Reply
    • Thank you, Wynne! Indeed, weeks on after the Munay-Ki, in addition to a number of healing ceremonies that I’ve done, I’m feeling much more grounded and, for lack of a better word, transformed. I will be interested to see how I integrate these changes when I return to Canada for a visit this summer. Stay tuned!

      Reply
      • Hi! I’m curious to hear what you think about this experience now that you’ve been able to integrate for a while.

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        • Hi James,
          Great question. I wish I had a good answer! But I was working with multiple modalities of healing and spiritual exploration around the time that I received the rites, so all these years later it’s difficult to distinguish what moved the needle for me.

          Reply
  4. Hi, I love your Munay Ki blog. I am wondering if you know how to pronounce Munay Ki phonetically as I am trying to find out if it would be Muni Ki or more Moo Nay Key? Thanks in anticipation Cath

    Reply
  5. Thank you for sharing your experience with us! I am in the midst of receiving the Munay-Ki rites and wanted to hear about other’s journey. How you spoke about skepticism and faith really spoke to me. Blessings!

    Reply
    • Hi Toya,
      Unfortunately I don’t. I’d say your best chances of finding somebody would be in in Cuenca (in the Andes, where the rites originated), or Vilcabamba (where many spiritually-minded folk go).

      Reply
  6. Hello, my name is Alexa and I am very interested in Munay Ki and the rites. Do you have any advice on how I can work with these? I have had many I guess I would say mystical experiences in my life, seeing and hearing and sensing things. I have also seen lights in the dancing in the sky and an orb sent to me. It was healing, and a catalyst for me to begin healing myself. I believe I have been called to help heal other people. 2013 was also the worst year of my life, the most miserable, heart wrenching. I can’t explain how awful it felt. If you have any advice for me I would really appreciate it! Thank you.

    Reply
    • Hi Alexa,
      Unfortunately I’m not sure how to guide you. You need to know somebody who has the rites and has the ability to transmit them to you. Peru would be a good place to start, but at the moment, nobody is traveling much.

      But healing is healing and energy is energy. Perhaps if you feel called to do healing work, the right opportunity for you will present itself. There are many different ways to work with energy, and I’m confident in the adage “when the student is ready, the teacher appears”.

      Reply

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