Tuesday 8 February 2011

Star Walkers
The Nazca Lines are one of the most amazing man-made marvels of the world. They are a series of huge pre-Columbian figures drawn into the dusty desert floor of Peru. One of the mysteries of these lines is that they can only be seen from the air. I have flown over the lines a couple of times; the last time was with Marie who, despite the dizziness, sickness, and worry because of the care-free, Top Gun style of the pilot [one hand on map the other pointing to the lines!] managed to really enjoy the experience with me.

Many have attempted to explain the raison d'ĂȘtre of these mysterious lines with all sorts of theories and sometimes eccentric explanations. But, there is something that is certain: these figures [geometrical lines, humming bird, spider, dog, monkey, alien, etc.] were all made by people of faith and imagination, seeking to engage the gods in desperate times of environmental disorder. It is also certain that the lines were guided by the stars as they were in alignment with the heavens. Local archaeologists have come with a most likely theory about the lines. They have suggested that the Nazca Lines where used for religious rituals, in the same way ancient Christians used the labyrinth, Nazca people used the lines to walk as they prayed and chanted to the gods, led by their priest. Because the Lines were in alignment with the stars of the sky these people were not just walking a dusty labyrinth in the desert; in their mind they were, in fact, walking in the celestial heavens in the stars... they were cosmic pilgrims!


That thought touches me deeply, in a very emotional way. It reminds me of our own relationship with the cosmic order... The words Jesus spoke to Peter come to mind, too:

"And that's not all. You will have complete and free access to God's kingdom, keys to open any and every door: no more barriers between heaven and earth, earth and heaven. A yes on earth is yes in heaven. A no on earth is no in heaven."

Matthew 16:19 (The Message)


If only we could have the same awareness the Nazca people had, our journey in this life would be travelled in deep cosmic awareness where there are “no more barriers between heaven and earth, earth and heaven”, and we would all be walking those very same stars in heaven too.

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