SILLUSTANI

GETTING THERE: Sillustani is at the end of a paved road leading off of the main road that goes between Juliaca and Puno. The junction is roughly half way between the two and then another 15 minutes to the end of the road and the site. There is no public transport along this road. So you must either take public transport to the junction and then hope some tourist vehicle will give you a lift in, or you must bite the bullet and hire your own transport from Puno or Juliaca. It is best to visit Sillustani in the morning as by mid afternoon there is usually some wind, and at nearly 14,000 feet elevation, any wind is a cold wind. Another reason for a morning visit is that for the best photos you want the sun coming from the East (morning sun).

WHAT'S THERE: Magic. Chulpas of different historical periods in a very dramatic setting. On the road in are fine examples of the pre Incan agricultural technique of Waru Waru. Ask your driver to point this out, and refer to the chapter on Waru Waru.

CHULPA SITES Although both round and square Chulpas can be found scattered throughout the Andes, the greatest concentration seems to be in the Lake Titicaca region. Sillustani is one of the most rewarding to visit, for several reasons. It is easy to get to, it is visually very dramatic, the major Chulpas are fairly intact, and there are examples of several styles, commonly thought to represent different historical periods. At Sillustani you will see Chulpas ranging from the rather primitive to the very impressive ones which seem to be the culmination of this phenomena. I say phenomena, as for the energy sensitive, there are incredible experiences to be enjoyed inside these major Chulpas. Sillustani has Chulpas representing, we are told, the historical periods of the Pukara, Tiahuanaca, Colla, and perhaps Inca. Please recall that I am not an archeologist but an intuitive Shaman, and quibbling over these labels and designations are not what interests me, The major Chulpas can provide profound energetic experiences, and that is their value for me.

Greg Braden in his book, "Awakening To Zero Point", has postulated that in these chambers the dual effects occur of both the increase of the earth's base resonant frequency, and the weakening of the earth's' magnetic field. I have heard that one or both can have the effect of the slowing down of time. He further claims that although these two phenomena are separately present at many locations on our planet, he is only aware of two sites where both are present. One is inside the Great Pyramid of Cheops in Egypt, the other is inside the Chulpas of Sillustani. He had never been to Cutimbo when I spoke with him, but I strongly suspect the dual phenomena is present there as well.

I'm not aware of how one could know that these are indeed what one is feeling, but it is a certainty that one feels something. Amongst my tour participants, I've had reactions from several people who exited immediately and subsequently refused to enter any Chulpas at any sites, to people who couldn't get enough of the energies. One memorable client contacted a small inner voice inside one Chulpa and this voice stayed with him for at least three days that I was aware of. He could ask this voice any question on any subject whatsoever, and the answer so resonated within him as absolute truth that he felt he could trust it completely. If that is not an example of getting in touch with ones own inner or higher guidance, I don't know what is.

SILLUSTANI The best entry is to walk the path leading gradually up on the right. Head toward the small ruined Chulpas on the right. On your path is a standing stone, about 4-5' tall. Viewed from the top, its' corners seem to delineate both solstices and the equinoxes, which for any agrarian people were the most important calendar points. Check out the simple rock Chulpas on the point, then visit the ones towards the back of the site, saving the largest ones for last.

As you investigate the chalk covered Chulpa towards the back, look for a stone on the ground with a carved picture of a puma with condor head and serpent tail. This is an important representation of ancient cosmology. In my favorite explanation, it symbolizes our evolutionary path. The serpent represents our subconscious lower nature, the puma represents ordinary consciousness, and the condor represents our higher nature/ super consciousness. When you visit Ulu Marka, you will see a similar carving on the top edge of the power stone, which leans against the wall behind the major phallus.

Finally, check out and savor the major Chulpas. The single square Chulpa is in ruins, but there are at least two round ones that can be easily entered. In these, repose the magic that is Sillustani.

The towers were reputedly built as burial towers but I suspect they were actually intended for far more esoteric purposes. One purpose might have been for astral flying. I found it very easy to sit inside the tower and project my consciousness outside my body as far as the edge of the tower. It was very easy to feel the delineation where the stone ended and the air began. Just as a playpen is a safe space for an infant to practice walking his first steps, these towers provide a safe place, with clearly defined limits, in which to practice leaving the body.

 

                          A Round Chulpa

Sillustani was built by the same culture as Cutimbo and could have been used to communicate with ancestors, or long gone wise men, as the burials were either in the niches, stored in fetal position, or in the spaces between the inner and outer walls.

The inner chamber is clearly for the living, as a meditation chamber or initiation chamber. The entry was from the east and so small you had to crawl in on your knees-reverently. It was not disguised nor hidden. In fact the walls of the entry tunnel were polished. It was obviously meant to be repeatedly used by the living. The tower walls are smooth on the outside, with bas relief, figures cut into them. Flanking the entry are two pumas, one male and one female. Other figures were less discernible to my eye. More visually acute visitors might have great fun deciphering the other figures.

Exiting Chulpa

CONSTRUCTION: In the Round Chulpas, the space above the beehive chamber and between it and the massive smooth faced rocks comprising the outer tower are simply filled with rubble. Once inside, the inner chamber reveals itself to be a rough beehive capped at the top with a flat slab. These beehive chambers were rough yet functional, some even having benches to sit upon. Some of the niches are still filled with rock, perhaps indication of still intact burials, although if so, these burials would have to be fairly recent, as the Spanish, in their single minded quest for treasure, would have thoroughly looted any burials they came upon,

The square Chulpas have a differing character. The inside chamber is also square, and seems to be just the inner wall. However, often set into the inner walls are massive stones protruding into the interior space creating ledges. One could postulate that this square style was from a different period and the ledge was for placing the burial. Perhaps this is so. All truths are true to the thinker of that truth. What I get intuitively is that you are supposed to clamber up and sit on the ledge. The ledges serve to help sever the connection to the earth, to Pacha Mama, and leave you more open and able to feel the energies coming down from the sky, entering your crown chakra. These energies I identify as Pacha Tata. This line of reasoning may constitute heresy to some, but I encourage you to see/feel for yourself and create your own belief system. That is much more rewarding than believing anyone else, including me.

A Square Chulpa

A CAUTION: In my tours, I have noticed that Chulpa energy is not everyone's favorite cup of tea. The energy is too intense for some and they either refuse to enter, or leave within seconds. Also, the energies are different in the different Chulpas. Some may be more to your liking than others.

ORIGINAL PURPOSE? Open to speculation of course, but I have successfully used Chulpas for the following purposes, and I believe that I was guided to do so, indicating to me that they originally served similar functions. I believe that much depends on your attitude, and what experiences your higher guides feel are important for you to have next. So you might try any or all of the following. Whatever you achieve is your next step on your own personal path.

These Chulpas can definitely serve as an initiation (death and rebirth) chamber. They can also be utilized to contact the wisdom of the ancestors. Go inside, quiet your mind, and ask the ancient teachers for teachings or guidance. Chulpas are also a terrific place in which to practice leaving the body. Just as a child's play pen is a very safe place in which a child can explore his/her world and try out the new method of motion called walking, a Chulpa can serve as a very safe place in which to practice leaving the body. One can easily feel the demarcation line where the stone ends and the air begins.

I also had a sense that if one came to a Chulpa at a time when a particular star system was directly overhead, one might be able to contact that system. So, for the truly adventuresome, foolhardy, or blasphemous, imagine the Chulpa is pointing towards your favorite star system or planetary home, and ask Scotty to beam you on up.

POSSIBLE EXERCISE: Go inside the Chulpa and have the intention to shed your subconscious / lower nature and bring your subconscious into consciousness. You could also ask/intend to leave behind some aspect or habit that once served you well but is no longer appropriate, declaring that you are now ready to move on.

Shed your serpent lower self, become the puma, and then ask what the next steps are in your journey to your becoming your condor.