Customer Reviews

Keepers of the Ancient Knowledge: The Mystical World of the Q'Ero Indians of Peru

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I was disturbed but unsurprised to see the average customer review at 5 stars. My review is not meant to put down the author or the book in question, rather, to express my deep interest in a factual portrayal of friends of mine, their lifestyle and spiritual traditions. I have lived in Cusco, Peru for over two years and have become close friends with a dozen or so paqos-- shaman-mystics-- from Qeros. I speak Spanish and Quechua. I am the godfather of a six month old boy from Qeros. My house has become the place of lodging for five Qero shamans when they are visiting Cusco. I share these statements as a reality check.

The author --apparently-- speaks neither Spanish nor Quechua, and has as her primary source of information, translation, and spiritual guidance two shamans who are decidedly Non-Qeros, these being Ñunez del Prado and Yabar. Rather than state my bias towards these two purveyors of Andean shamanism-mysticism, I would simply use this space to state the obvious-- that the author presents an unresearched and uninformed portrait of the Qero through the eyes of her mestizo teachers. It should come as no surprise, then, that when interviewing her Qero informants, she often realizes that they have no idea what she is talking about. Her statement of the westernized so-called Andean traditions lacks true Andean character. See, for one shocking example, the supposed Quechua names for the chakras-- these are Inventions of Ñunez del Prado!!

There are parts that save face for both the author and her westernized teachers, like the biographical interviews she conducts. Even so, I was generally saddened to find yet another book written from the point of view of a relatively ignorant foreigner who has decided to share an idiosyncratic, romanticized and westernized image of the Andean spiritual universe. In my experience, when we strip the Qero tradition and other autoctonous traditions of comparative mysticism, or of our western cosmovision, we do ourselves a tremendous favor.

If you want to learn about the Qero or Andean mysticism, come to Peru. If you want to learn about one North American woman and her (mis)conceptions about these people, read this book.

This book gives the reader a rare opportunity to get up close and personal with the Q'ero, who are the direct descendants of the Inca people. The author takes the reader on a journey in which the Q'ero share their stories, prophecies and ancient wisdom. Joan Parisi Wilcox provides information which is easy to read and understand. Exercises are provided so that the reader can apply spiritual practices which will be healing to the reader and to the earth. I could not put the book down! This author has given us a great gift from her heart.

I have been searching for a book such as this ever since my pilgrimage to Peru and Bolivia. I could not put this book down. It gives one a greater understanding of the traditions of these widsom keepers, and explains honestly what I experienced there, but could not fully understand because of the language barrier. Written with great integrity, and without a "western twist". A must read for anyone travelling to Peru. Much gratitude to the author for this gift.

Keepers of the Ancient Knowledge opens the doors of perception allowing readers an opportunity to experience the mundane and mystical world of the Q'ero. The unique writing format the author designed provides the reader with a grounded understanding of how the Q'ero integrate their knowledge and practices into their daily lives. This insightful approach sets this book apart from others of its genre because the reader is shown the practical application of the practices. The format of the exercises is easy to understand and allows the reader to begin experiencing direct connections with this work.

I am Peruvian and have been for some time researching on Andean mysticism, but written sources in my country are not easily available. After all, the Inca culture had no written language. I was looking for reliable sources that could help me in the serious study of Andean mysteries - not just a picturesque description for outsiders of life and customs in the Andes. And then I found Joan Parisi Wilcox's "Keepers of the Ancient Knowledge". In all truth, this book has been Heaven-sent! It clearly and directly describes the basics of Andean mysticism, vividly portrays the personalities of the paqos she interviewed, and even gives you hints of how to start practicing the mysteries on your own! In being Peruvian, I can somewhat easily spot the true thing from the "merely folkloric" - and I can confirm that this is serious research. I fully recommend this book to anybody who wants to truly dive into the realm of Pachamama and encounter an extraordinary experience.

"Keepers..." has been a great teacher for me, and I will have it as a permanent study text.

I have been a student on the path of mystical knowledge for over 20 years. This is one of the most detailed and enlightening books I have read. The knowledge for true seekers is what this world needs and Joan has not only done a remarkable job at reseaching the subject, her clear and detailed explanations are right on.
This is one book that any true seeker will gain from. The exercises included, when performed, bring lasting and enlightening results.
Any seeker on the path of truth will tell you there is a lot of "shallow" materal on the market today. This book is anything but shallow. Joan's depth takes you places few have journeyed and I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend it. Make sure you "DO THE EXERSICES". Do not just read them, and I am certain you will be recomending this book to others too. Great job Joan.

Joan Wilcox has done an exceptional job not in capturing the essence of the Q'ero (it is something that cannot be held prisoner) but at taking down the curtain between their tradition and ours. In a time when many profess to be in possession of a sacred knowledge that flows from them, Wilcox has managed to truthfully allow it to flow through her, acting as a conduit and empowering that ancient wisdom to make its own twists and mysterious turns as it will, and as it has for eons. Keepers of the Ancient Knowledge accurately chronicles the inner story of the Q'ero in all that can be spoken, and at the same time allows for all that cannot be told outside of personal experience to begin to shine its light as well. These are words and experiences from the mouths of the Elders, healers and masters themselves, and I deeply admire the objectivity with which she and her cohorts have chronicled the Q'ero's energetic journey.

Reading the book was like uncovering an overgrown ruin, where on the outside the crumbling walls do not meet your lofty expectations, but on the inside the simple truth emerges as something one could have never quite imagined.

There is an immense amount to be said for the starkness and grace with which she has presented such valuable knowledge at such a dire time of need. Any who take the time to read Keepers of the Ancient Knowledge will only be moved positively on their path of understanding, energy work, and enlightenment, and will be aided with extraordinary tools gifted from the Elders, made manifest by catching a privileged glimpse into an ancient tradition, for which Wilcox has provided here an incredibly clear window.

I couldn't agree with the previous reviewer more. Although I've never been to Peru, I've been exploring Native healing practices for over 10 years, in several other countries. I've cooresponded by email with the author, and stopped when she accused me of taking a position I never took about healing practices, and refused to provide evidence that I had done so. This book romanticizes the Qero, and her role in telling their story. Conversations I've had with a Peruvian curandero who has studied with the Qero confirm that she has made errors in her book. Given her lack of both Spanish and Quechua, and all the above, she is clearly not interested in accuracy.

I have known since the 6th grade that Peru was home spirituality for me. I have had the opportunity to go there twice in the last five years. The first time I got on a plane from Lima to Cuzco the words "I am going home," poured forth - a huge smile on my face. I have been searching spirituality for a path to go back to Peru and experience what is real to my soul. I recently read Joan's book and had the opportunity to spend some time with her. The book is a gift allowing contact with the Q'ero and their traditions - a path to the soul of the most sacret traditions. Her contact with these special people allows her to give explainations in their words through their thought processes which brings full circle for me my quest for the deepest meaning of the Inca traditions. It is powerful, insightful, and to the core of what I needed to touch with and the practices to open up the doors. Not a story of instant insight but the steps on the path to make going home the next time a deeply meaningful spiritual experience. I can not recommend this book enough . Thanks Joan

--This book follows the author through her spiritual journey to the Andes Mountains in Peru. There are detailed accounts of her personal spiritual work as well as those from high ranking spiritual leaders of the area. She focuses her attention on a people called the Q'ero, an Inca tribe that traces its lineage back to the original Inca, Inckari. These people are living the way their ancestors had for thousands of years, and preserve a glimpse into the world of one of the oldest mystical religions on earth.
--Joan Wilcox is in Peru to speak to the elders of the Q'ero, to try and learn as well as preserve the knowledge of their world. The Q'ero's traditions are only recorded from teacher to student, purely audible and rarely written down. Joan attempts to capture these words and bring them back to America where we can learn their energy based religion. Many of the holy men she speaks to question her intentions, and the repercussions of them to their way of life. While still there are others embrace the chance to spread their word into the world at large.
--It must have been hard for the author to put the Q'ero's world of energy and spirits into a western perspective. The mystical world of the Q'ero revolves around the energy exuding from every living and non-living thing. Fortunately she uses her own experiences to help explain the feelings that theses shaman can share with one another. She recalls one event that truly changed her view on the world," I had Immersed myself in the ancient baths of Aguas Caliente under the moon and stars, sometime during the meditation I left my body and my spirit had been drawn by the luminous arms of the moon energy mama killa. Tranquility, sweetness, expansiveness, stillness, grandeur. I had no words to describe the exquisiteness of the experience, just goosebumbs."
--The only complaint I would have about this book is that it doesn't delve into the mystic headfirst. She seems to focus on the exact words that they use to describe different forces in nature while those don't help the reader understand anything about it. I feel like more personal experience of meditation and visions would be interesting for the reader. She tries really hard to put the data she acquired into a context that we as westerners are comfortable with, even though the ideas are so far from anything we would consider. Our religious systems here in America are so overbearing that we get no time to contemplate or expand upon the concrete ideals that have been set in stone.
--I believe that the Q'ero have a truly interesting and useful worldview that should be transmitted to the masses of the world. There are several things about the Q'ero that really did shock me. First is the fact that they have included Jesus Christ into their shamanistic visions and dreams ever since the Spanish conquistadors filled their lands with Christianity in 1532. Also, they consider the "lower world," a hell like place on the earth that really small people inhabit with the guinea pigs. They hunt and herd the guinea pigs like cattle and live down in their burrows. I was also happy to learn that the Hopi Indians in and around the Rockies are practicing this same sort of mysticism daily. Perhaps if we western colonialists were able to see past the things that we once considered to be primitive and obsolete, we could actually learn something about the inter relations between every energy being here on earth.
--This book is a great entrance into the mystical world of energy that surrounds us, while also being nowhere close to being complete. The Q'ero Shamans that she speaks with have been in training since they were in their late teens, and have been practicing for 30-40 years. The wealth of knowledge is immense and generally cannot be communicated through written word. The act of meditating and controlling your energy body or "kawsay," is going to be much more empowering than reading this book. But if you don't have access to a teacher that can take you through that process, reading this book will give you a good idea of the power we hold in our bodies and the years of training it takes to utilize it.
--Having not read any other books on the subject or in the genre I cannot say if this book is better or worse than any other. It is however a detailed account and run-through of the basic ideas and techniques used by the Andean shaman. The accounts that she includes from her own life journey are intriguing and powerful. She speaks about the conversion stories of the most prominent shaman in Peru today, and her own. This book is truly enlightening, and it helps to open the door to magic and mysticism here in America where everything is so cookie cut and sterile. Anything we can do to expand our world view and accept other cultures as valid is extremely important to our civilization.