As part of the Shamanic tradition we use the Cachimbo, or Chanupa, Native American term for sacred pipe, in order to put our prayers into physical form. It is a connection between the physical and spiritual world. Smoke becomes our words; it goes out, touches everything, and becomes a part of all there is. The fire in the pipe is the same fire in the sun, which is the source of life. The reason why tobacco is used to connect the worlds is that the plant's roots go deep into the earth, and its smoke rises high into the heavens. The pipe ceremony invokes a relationship with the energies of the universe, and ultimately the Creator, and the bond made between earthly and spiritual realms is not to be broken. The smoke is not inhaled, but puffed into, then out of the mouth in each of the four directions, acknowledging Father Sky, Mother Earth, and the Great Spirit.
Cachimbo
I received my first Cachimbo (which is smaller than a Chanupa) last year when I received my Shamanic Reiki Masters initiation and have been using it since for prayers and meditation. I have seen that it has made my prayers more powerful and realized a lot faster. Earlier in May I decided that I wanted a bigger pipe for various reasons and then a friend asked me to buy a pipe for him while at my Shamanic Course in Sao Paulo. The lady did not have any pipes available so when I returned I asked a woman I know here in Salvador. She too did not have any but she told me of a workshop that was happening in which you build your pipe, and consecrate it. I was blessed to be able to attend the course which happened yesterday.
Chanupa
In the course we had did a shamanic journey built a sacred fire and had a pipe ceremony with smoking, singing, dancing and sharing wisdom. When you smoke the sacred pipe only truth comes out of your mouth. It helps you to connect to your higher self, your truth and knowledge comes from this source. We had profound conversations and I felt my true power. In constructing my Chanupa I could feel my power, my strength, my higher self. It was a meditation where I delved deeper into myself. I connected deeply with strangers who were also taking the workshop. This morning in my 1.5 hour long meditation with my new Chanupa I felt a sense of peace, faith and trust and new my prayers were heard. That is the power of the Chanupa. I sat in silence and began to understand many things in my life and felt so much gratitude my eyes began to tear up. I am forever grateful to the wisdom of Chanupa and Shamanism.
