How Visiting Machu Picchu Lead to my Spiritual Awakening

Almost to the Top of Huchuy Picchu, Peru

One year ago today, I had my spiritual awakening on the grounds of Machu Picchu in Peru.

Let me explain.

Our tour guide for Peru had the kindest soul. She had experienced so much hardship throughout her life that she truly lives as if every day was a gift.

At this point in our trip, we were around halfway through and I felt my mindset starting to shift because of how contagious her life perspective truly was.

We had just visited Machu Picchu the day before and had the opportunity to return around sunrise. Our tour guide told us that we needed to find two rocks that spoke to us. One would represent the good things in our lives, and one would represent the bad.

Our previous excursion to Machu Picchu was very lively and energetic. We went with our group, we had enthusiastic tour guides, and we even took pictures with alpacas.

Our tour guide encouraged us to go on our second round quiet and alone. We all were dropped off at the gate, were told to follow a certain path, and we all went on our own pace.

It gave me time to think. It gave me time to look around at this beautiful scenery I was in and really soak it all in.

But at the same time, this route was fairly challenging. It was a very steep climb going up but once we arrived at the top, it was the most breathtaking 360-degree view I had ever seen. The mountains were so tall, the valleys were so deep, the trees were so green, and the sky was so blue.

Machu Picchu, Peru

Every ounce of effort that was put into the climb instantly paid off.

I sat there and started thinking.

I was thinking about a lot. I was thinking about my wonderful husband and my beautiful baby boy. I was thinking about my departure from my childhood dream job. I was thinking about happiness and what I wanted my life to look like upon my return to America.

I was thinking that every single one of my life choices up until this point led me to the most beautiful place on earth - so I figured I had to have been doing something right.

It made my mistakes feel small, my arguments with my husband seem irrelevant, and the time spent scrolling on my phone pretty useless.

Now - I bet you're wondering what happened to these rocks.

Let's start with the "good rock."

Our tour guide wanted us to find somewhere that spoke to us. She wanted us rub the "good rock," pray for the good in our lives, and leave it somewhere precious.

I enjoyed placing the "good rock" but the real spiritual moment hadn't happened yet.

After we enjoyed our panoramic view, it was time to hike back down to the bottom. But this time, I don't mean to the "bottom" where we were dropped off. I mean the "bottom" that was a few miles past that, all the way at the bottom of the mountain.

We knew our ending point was a river. Now the funny part - I could see the river from the panoramic view. And while I could see how insanely far away it was, I didn't realize just how far it really was until I began my descent.

Now I'm sure you're thinking that hiking DOWN can't be that hard compared to hiking UP.

Museo Manual Chavez Balloon - Hidroelectricia Peru

And while I would have agreed with you before this trip, my perspective had definitely changed.

Every step I took was a test on my knees, thighs, hips, and back and by the way it was going - I thought I would NEVER make it to the river.

I often had to take breaks, stretch out my legs, rehydrate, and grab a snack.

But I did eventually make it to the bridge.

Here's where the "bad rock" came into play.

Our tour guide told us to stand on the bridge and hold our "bad rock" in our hands.

She said to rub our hands on it and really get a good feel for it. She said to take a deep inhale, and to blow on our rock three separate times.

She said during every inhale to think about all of the negative things in our lives, our traumas, or anything else that we want to release. And she said every exhale, you should physically feel your problems leaving your body.

She said that after we feel like our negative energy is gone, she wants us to throw our rock in the river and leave our problems in Peru.

She wanted us to return home feeling refreshed, recharged, and ready to conquer the world.

I couldn't believe it - but I felt the negative energies leave.

I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders.

My legs felt like they were hardly stable enough to hold my body weight but somehow, I felt better.

Even a year later, I think about this experience often.

Bridge Crossing Rio Urubamba, Peru

I've even gone to a local river to practice the same ritual.

For an entire year, I've thought about life differently and I've lived with a healthier mindset.

The problems don't feel as big, the fights don't feel as hard, and the traumas don't feel as burdening.

It's moments like these that makes traveling one of my top priorities in life.

If I hadn't set aside all the time, money, and energy into my trip to Peru, I'd be living a very different life today.

Traveling isn't just about seeing new places and trying new foods but connecting with versions of yourself you didn't know existed.

I highly encourage you to step out of your comfort zone to try and believe new things. You never know what magical experiences it might lead you to.