The Altai mountains are known for their astounding and rare biodiversity as well as thier cultural heritage. The Golden Mountains of Altai have been nominated as a natural UNESCO World Heritage site that is currently under threat from a gas pipeline. In addition, snow leopard conservation programmes are not only popular with biologists but also make it to many living rooms world wide because of attractive National Geographic Channel broadcasts.
Altai shaman Maria Amanchina assists cultural expert Maya Erlenbaeva with mapping sacred sites that exist outside protected areas in an attempt to enhance their protection. Photo courtesy of Chistopher McLeod & Sacred Land Film Project.
Perched on the boundaries of Kazakhstan, China, Mongolia and Russia these border lands have long been of limits to foreigners. Anyone venturing into them will need not only be assured of fair package of visas, guides and translators but also the appropriate means of transport. Traveling on horseback Arita Baaijens and Wayne Paulson will track around the Altai from June till October 2013.
Although Arita was educated as a natural scientists in the Netherlands her reasons to learn more about Altai are of a different nature.
“After 20 years of traveling the Sudanese deserts by Camel, I suddenly lost my drive for it. In an attempt to regain my ability to be driven by passion I set out to find another quest and was drawn to Altai, the place where according to some, Shambala or paradise on earth is to be found” sais Arita.
Shambala is regarded a myth by many but a reality by others who believe that only enlightened beings will truly find it. The remote and isolated Altai mountains have long ben cloaked in mysteries of the spirit and soul. Known as the birthplace of shamanism, the Altai embodies not merely a physical landscape but a also a mythical and foremost spiritual landscape that is said to hold the well-being of life on earth in its balance.
Marked by places of power or sacred natural sites, the spiritual landscape of Altai can be interpreted and navigated by those who come through the tradition. The Sacred Natural Sites Initiative will support several local custodians and spiritual practitioners to join Arita and Wayne on their travels and help them see and learn from the sacred places that will mark their trail.
We often hear that we travel to far and distance places to finally discover a truth or a piece of mind that can only be found within ourselves. Over the next half year or so we will hear from Arita herself about what she learned from the natural and sacred dimensions of this enchanted landscape. The following poem is traveling with her offering guidance:
Even before you leave for the sacred
location, communicate with Spirit. This is
part of the process. Long before you get to
the actual location, ask yourself why you
are going, what it is you want to talk to
Spirit about.
“Make the connection, do your
requests. You are asking for permission to
access the sacred site. The moment you do
that, communication has been established.
“Then watch. Look out for everything
around you, watch, listen, look and be
aware of your environment. Everything
now has a meaning, a significance related
to your visit and the reason why you are
going. Savour it.
“That is a key element for going into
these sites: You are opening up to the
flow. This is not to be rushed. It is up to
you to let your body, your mind, and your
heart be peaceful so you may welcome the
information that is coming through.
By: © Eva Willmann de Donlea (ew@sustain-intell.net) and Uqualla James, 2013.
For more information read a full article on how to visit a sacred site.
