I had always dreamed of writing full time, but the reality of it totally sucked. Instead of being able to delve in with complete focus, I developed a pattern of procrastination and self-loathing. There was something missing. A voice was whispering, just beyond my hearing. Then I had a cathartic realization that there really are doors of perception.

Heliocentrism is the model of our universe, with the sun at the center and all the planets revolving around it. Almost all of the cells in our body mimic that model. If our skies present the image of two suns for even a brief period of time, it will shake the very foundations of our world view. 

By reducing the need to pay for every little service we use, Time Banking frees up money for things that operate exclusively within the cash economy. It also fosters cohesive communities by building trust in social interaction and interdependence.

For Westerners visiting Peru, the first ceremony in which Earth and Mountain spirits manifest can be filled with questions. That's no surprise, for the Q'ero are asking us to take the idea of interconnectedness one step further: If you want to know that a mountain is alive, just ask it.