Down in the misty jungles behind the famous lost city of the Inca, Machupicchu, lies a small yet powerful temple where an ancient teacher resides. I had made the strenuous hike down to this little known temple a few times over the years. I was aware of a presence of a spirit in the temple, but until this trip I had not received any messages from it.

A small group and I had already hiked up to the Inca Sun Gate the previous day. It was Spring Equinox here in the Andes and we had a calling to be at this doorway. Balanced between one mountain range and the next we took time to honor the coming of spring as the sun was high above us. The sun gate looks down atop Wayna Picchu, the famous mountain behind the mystical city of Machupicchu. It felt good to be above it all with a view like a condor. We sat and listened. Subtly we knew we were at a cross roads. We had arrived at a door between what has been, and what will be. We had little words for the experience it was a deep knowing that something was about to shift.

The next morning our group gathered for breakfast and all agreed that the hidden temple of the moon was calling us. I watched my ego struggle with this plan. My legs were tired from yesterdays grueling Inca stairway to the sun. I was looking for every excuse not to make the journey. Unlike the rest of the group I knew the trek to the moon temple was as hard of a hike as climbing the vertical mountain it was hidden behind. I didn�t think I could make the hike and was surprised that many of the others were also having the same issues.

Somehow we all found ourselves on the trail. After a few hundred yards on the trail we found ourselves gasping in the thin Andean air. This wasn�t such a good idea, I thought to myself, yet somehow we were able to make each step needed to get there. After uncountable stairs that wound up and down the mountain side like a serpent, we arrived at the fairy like, miniature sized moon temple. We had descended deep into the jungle. We could no longer feel the ancient city above us. All we could see was layers of Andean mountains divided by the Urubamba river below. We were alone or at least we thought.

Some of the group collapsed in a grassy area and chomped down on some snacks in hope to recharge their energy. They chatted away about various things. It was like we had forgotten why we came all this way for. The Moon temple was calling us to have a vision and here we all are chatting and stuffing our faces.

I broke out my travel sized copal burner and began to smudge the interior of the cave, temple structures and stone alters. The stone work here has been protected from weather. It is amazing to see the precision of the work even today a sheet of paper could not slip between the un-mortared stones. It was if they were created in some mystical way other then the means we would use today.

After every corner had a healthy does of Copal smoke and the spirits knew we had come with respect many of us were drawn to the back of the cave. In the dark corner we could make out a nitch in the rocks to see that other pilgrims had left an assortment of offering. I wondered if I would connect with the old lady, a cosmic Grandmother here today. I had felt her presence before but she was always silent.

I closed my eyes and tuned in. I was beginning to feel that familiar sensation wash over me� the one that you know you are connecting to those other spirit filled worlds. I almost jumped back when I saw a crooked old finger pointing at me. With a craggy old voice reminiscent of the wicked witch of the west from Wizard of OZ, the old woman spoke to me for the first time.

"You talk to much" she said with irritation in her voice. "You always talk to much and then you miss the point! It is easy to hear the outer world of man, but when we can hear the inner worlds, that is when you are blessed."

By this time I could see her. She seamed almost deformed and dwarf like. I guess this is why the temple structures around the cave were midget sized. She looked like she had suffered a lot. Her body was wrenched by time and experience. Her hands were twisted and her legs were crooked and all her joints were swollen with what looked like arthritis. Long stringy gray hair tumbled down around her knees. I was surprised that she could even sit cross legged in front of us. She was a tough old gal that you wouldn�t want to aggravate. She didn�t seem to be in a very good mood today either, yet I had no desire to run to get out of her way.

With a little hesitation and fear of getting reprimanded I asked her what was "the point" that she spoke of. Trepidation that seem to rise up from a past life washed over me and I gulped as I waited for the answer.

She began to explain "the point" by pointing her finger again at me. She began, "In pain we learn. Pain helps us ask why. We struggle to find a way out of pain. You grow from this struggle. You never struggle to get out of happiness do you?. You came here in this life to learn and you will learn anyway you can. You will learn even if your ego struggles with the method. This is why you still find yourselves in pain, drama and crisis. Since you do not learn with joy, you create and choose pain in your life as a catalyst for growth and self awareness."

"Your path to truth through pain is much like your journey down here to this little temple. You had pain in your minds before you even took your first step. You wanted to find a reason to not come here. You had pain in your legs and chests that made you want to turn around. Yet in each step you found the courage to make the next step. Your lives are just like this pilgrimage. You think you can�t go further. You think you have had enough but you still take the next step."

"You chose abusive families and abusive situations over an over. These abuses have caused pain that cuts so deep that you didn�t think you would survive the pain, the guilt and loneliness, but you did. Your pain caused you to dive deep inside yourself. You had to ask why - why you. You discovered yourself on this journey inside yourself. You had to understand these abuses to make sense of the world and you learned true compassion and empathy. Your painful education has made you who you are today. You can help others across the bridge of "I can�t" to "I can", because you have crossed this huge chasm yourself. You have come to understand that your pains, lonelyness and betrayals have been your greatest teachers and greatest gifts." We all sighed with remembrances of past pain and how it has molded us into who were are at this moment.

"I teach with pain." She continued, "That is why I don�t have many students visit me here. They don�t want to come see me. The journey is too long. They don�t like the pain.

Then Grandmother got a remenisnt look on her face and I could tell she was thinking of the past�" In the old days my students would come with offerings for me in hopes I would be in a good mood when I saw them. They would bring special fruit and foods and I would say, "I don�t want that! Bring me something else!". They would have to turn around and climb back out of here to get what I asked for. They would come back again and again. Their legs would hurt and they would get so tired. They would gossip about me with anger as they walked out of here. But the ones who understood my method knew that the pain was an initiation. If they endured the pain they would rise to the next level. And this was attractive to them". I can see that all of you in front of me today have learn from pain.

The grandmother paused and looked like she was thinking about something she had not thought of before. She began to change right in front of us. She was becoming younger and less deformed. There was light coming from her heart. She look lighter and less burdened. She looked at us and I could see that something was shifting. She could see that we were not afraid of her and that her harsh ways gave us the giggles. The crankier she got, the more we smirked. Her tough ways didn�t shake us up or scare us anymore. She knew that we had evolved past pain as a learning catalyst.

"Hummm" She went on." I think today I learn from you. I know my painful ways of teaching have come from my own experience of being in pain. It worked for me, and it was the only way I could get your attention until now. I can see that a new day is upon us. I don�t think learning from pain is the way anymore. I can see you listen better and you learn quicker. I don�t need to use pain any longer to gain your attention. I think my time to teach in this way is coming to a close. It is my time to pass on what I know to you, so you can take it to the next level. The teachings will be the same but the journey to the truth will be different" She said. "I don�t think you will be teachers of pain, but teachers of joy."

She reached out and handed each one of us a baton as if we were in a relay race to enlightenment. The baton was filled with knowledge and wisdom. As she did this she became even younger and more beautiful, almost transparent. We could not tell if we were speaking with a spirit anymore, as she seem to drift between spirit and an archetype. "This baton is given to you and all others who are tired of learning from pain. It is up to you know to pass on the truth of life and spirit " She faded away and the cave became silent and empty.

That was our cue that it was time to go and begin the long journey back up the rocky trail to Machupicchu. We felt so heavy. We knew we were taking something huge back with us. As we climbed up and out of the Grandmother�s Moon Temple we said good bye to pain. We said good bye to abuse, betrayal, deceit, violence, rape, emotion abuse, hate, war and all forms of suffering. Our dear brother Willaru made us all crowns of delicate bamboo and each of us found a wooden baton to carry out with us. At dinner that night while donning our crowns and batons, we laughed until our sides ached. We could feel Grandmother smile.

As I end this story I can still hear her, the grandmother. She says to all out there who read this article. "Are you tired of the pain? Are you tired of the struggle? Then allow joy and bliss to teach you and the pain will disappear." Sounds like good advice to me. ~ Aluna Joy Yaxkin

Aluna Joy Yaxk'in . . . A Star Messenger - Earth Oracle - Soul Reader - Sacred Site Junkie was literally born awake and in the company of her guides, the Star Elders. Today she has evolved into an author, spiritual life coach, sacred site guide, alternative historian, ordained minister and modern mystic. In the Inca world, Aluna is considered a Qawaq (cow-wak), a clairvoyant or seer of living energy. Aluna acts as a spiritual archaeologist using her clairvoyant / clairsentient gifts to excavate current messages from the masters of ancient, enlightened cultures to uncover what affect this has on humanity and the collective consciousness. She is well known for her down to earth, accepting attitude that makes each one feel like they have come home. She inspires and encourages others to recognize and accept their own authentic divinity and connection to the Creator. "Our groups are family, and each one is a teacher and also a student. We work together as a team to unravel the sacred mysteries of life." Aluna coined the term "sacred site junkie" because she is one herself. After her first trip to Tulum, Mexico, her life changed dramatically, and she was sent on an entirely different path in life. Since this time, her work has been influenced by uncountable shamanic experiences in sacred sites of Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Peru, Bolivia, Egypt, Greece, England, Australia and New Zealand. Aluna has been leading groups in the Maya world since 1986, the Inca world since 1996, and the Egyptian world since 2008, and the mystical world of Avalon (England and Scotland) since 2007. Aluna offers Star Elder Sessions, formulates Sacred Site Essences and a free newsletter. She is the author of "Mayan Astrology" and her articles have been published worldwide. Website: www.AlunaJoy.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/alunajoyyaxkin YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/feelthelove2012

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Hi Aluna,
that`s where I am - on the path of joy - pain doesn`t grap me anymore, it just comes and goes, Joy is waiting each moment in small things, I am happy to know, that we are joining the PATH. Love, Rakshita - Mexico

Dear Ms. Aluna,
I was forwarded your message from the Moon Temple by Mary Thunder. I have to tell you that it was a most WONDERFUL story, and it truly touched my heart. I am going through a bit of a rough time right now in my life and your story gave me hope for what lies ahead. I know so very well about pain and of the pain associated with abuse. I grew up with abuse and as an adult, I grew to "expect" it in my relationships. I just turned 40 last month and I have to tell you that I am finally breaking free of that abuse cycle. I got out of an abusive relationship and am finally getting to know who I am and what I want. Your story has helped me to realize that I don't like the pain and I don't have to put up with it any longer. I am moving forward, taking baby steps, but I'm not looking back anymore either. I know that my journey ahead will be quite different from the path where I have come from, but I can see the light ahead of me now. I hope you don't mind my letter, I just wanted you to know how much your story touched me and helped me to look towards tomorrow. Thank-you and may Creator bless you! Lesa

Dear Lesa,
I am so happy that the message from the Grandmother touched you! Guess you got one of those crowns and batons too! Blessings and Peace
Aluna Joy

Dear One...Aluna Joy...
Today I think of you with joy as I write these words to you. I shall never forget our meeting & our sharing together. I read this article with much emotions...I have been so sad & even lonely since my diviorce this year. Now I see these words that came to you from spirit. Thanks for sharing them...I'm sure it has helped many. Blessings dear spirit girl. Thunder

Beloved Divine Messenger ~
I started to weep with pain and joy and recognition at the first sentence of your account of the Moon Temple - MachuPicchu - Peru. I feel, somehow, I was with you in the inner plains, as you were experiencing this Journey and Message and oh God HOW it describes ME to a T! .... and SO Healing and confirming for me. Several weeks ago I began to offer Joyshops because JOY is what we are here to experience and express! LOVE YA girl ~ Gracious - Australia

Hi Aluna,
I received your letter this morning. I was so blown away by what you were saying that I had to write. I first read the two lines of the quote by Milton Erickson and I thought oh my god Aluna is going to write about what has just happened to me - well exciting... and you did!! Obviously I have had a different experience but from delving so deep that is what I have touched on in such a connected way. At last after years and lifetimes of suffering, it can be different because I can feel it. With thanks and love, Linda

Aluna Joy,
Thank you so much for your missive on the grandmother. I had chills running throughout my body while reading and absorbing every word into my cells confirming what I have been guided to do this year. It had come to be, quite abruptly this passed summer, to speak out loud to situations that come up in life, �This is the last time I will interact with this (pain, suffering, lack, self abuse, etc) and know in my bones it is done. We have been healing this year on a very profound level, claiming our happiness, joy and above all, peace. This is what is so right now and I�m so happy to have been here in the menusha of life while you were up on the mountain. Our connection of doing and being in the moment were spontaneously healing to us and many others. I am so grateful for your work and YOU. Multiple blessings, Sheryl

I love it! You had me on the edge of my seat, you are a wonderful mystery writer as well as a wonder-filled mystery revealer. Steve - USA

Hi Aluna,
I must share I enJoyed a moment of confirmation of strengthening personal intuition or knowing, trusting it, when as reading your article about the Grandmother and her experience with pain, I said to myself, "No, pain is not my way anymore." But I kept reading because I could not imagine the prompt to read and coming away empty handed. And sure enough, you confirmed even the Grandmother has chosen Joy to teach. And hence my own confirmation of my own inner listening and process today. Cool! Blessings of the season, Laura

Hi Laura,
It was a real concern that people would quit reading before they got to the POINT! Thanks for letting me know you got to that good stuff before you erased that darn letter from your server! It was an amazing day for us... Blessings ~ Aluna Joy

Thank you for your letter. I especially enjoyed grandmothers message. It was most certainly spoken to me and I had tears in my eyes. Thank you grandmother and thank you Aluna Joy. With Love and gratitude, Zena

WOW, Aluna Joy!
I've just read thru the article, and it encaptured me; as I KNOW that trail up Wayna Picchu ;-) I did not go to the Temple of the Moon... I went to the top. I had a guide waiting up there for me. ha, the nerve...get this, on the way down, he tells me he must be getting old cuz it took him 20 minutes (!!!) and it use to take him 15. Smark aleck. It took me an hour....of PAIN! The guide and I chatted a bit about spirituality....I shared with him some about Reiki and gave him an attunement at, of all places....that "little ruin of a house along the side, near the top. Imagine my surprise when the next day I found out it was the house of the priests! Whoa! .... That was last September- after the 9/11 thing. Take care, Love and Blessings, White Star

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