Turtle-Heart School of Shamanic Spirituality

Oceanic Motherland and Andean Ancestral Mysticism

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According to an Andean tradition, the 21st century will be a time of great Tribal interweaving.  In this spirit, the teachings and practices of the Turtle-Heart School of Shamanic Spirituality synthesize some of the tribal legends, teachings, and practices of old Hawaii, USA (Turtle Island) with those of the Andean Incas of South America (Heart Island).  The Inner Streams of these Living Traditions can be contacted through sincere desire, study, meditation, practice, prayer, participating in community with others of like-mind and heart, and especially by embracing, embodying, and expressing their core spiritual essence in daily life.

Oceanic Motherland

In the deep blue waters of the Pacific Ocean, 2,300 miles from the nearest land mass, lies the chain of volcanic Islands known as Hawaii.  Certain legends suggest these emerald isles may be the mountain tops of the submerged continent of Ta Rua—the Empire of the Sun.

The factual or mythical cataclysm that plunged Ta Rua into a watery grave and devoured her population is preserved in ancient Hawaiian chant; “Born were noises bursting in the air, explosions from volcanoes that blew the earth to pieces.  Ta Rua disintegrated and sank lower and lower into the eddying sea while the four winds howled from all directions.  The earth quaked and quivered, shook and shivered, as volcanic explosions rent Ta Rua asunder.   The swirling shifting ocean climbed the mountains, sucked in and swallowed up life as it climbed higher and higher above the homes of the inhabitants.”

It is said that references to the fabled  Ta Rua can be found in Mayan writings thought to be between 1,500 and 5,000 years old.  Housed in the British museum, a translation reads; "the country of the hills of earth--the Land of was sacrificed.  Twice up-heaved, it disappeared during the night, having been constantly shaken by the forces of the underneath.  At last the surface gave way and the 10 Countries or Tribes were torn asunder and scattered.   They sank with their 64,000,000 inhabitants 8,060 years before the writing of this book."

Before disappearing into the sea, the legendary continent of Ta Rua is believed to have covered an area that would include present day Hawaii, New Zealand, Tahiti, Samoa, and Easter Island.    Various expressions of the pre-Christian religion known as Tahunaism (not Huna)—thought to be a remnant of the spiritual tradition of Ta Rua—can be found scattered throughout these and other Pacific islands.

Some legends suggest that over time the old wisdom teachings of Tahunaism made their way from Easter Island to the Inca or Children of the Sun on Heart Island (South America) and eventually North-ward to the tribal shamans of Turtle Island (North America).  For example, it has been reported that on the Xochicalo Pyramid in Mexico are inscriptions which when translated read; "Erected as a monument to the Motherland of Man, the Land to the West, to commemorate her memory and her destruction with all mankind thereon.  The pillars that supported her were attacked by great forces, they gave way and then all her people sank into the watery abyss.”

The spiritual elders of ancient Ta Rua may have long since disappeared beneath the waves of water, time, and memory, but at least some of the Way of Wisdom—Tahunaism has been preserved by Oceanic descendents known by some as Experts of the Old Way.  These wisdom teachings encourage right relationship with Great Spirit, Humanity, and Nature.  They remind us that the spirit of Aloha is the key to well being—to be genuine and loving in all interactions with people and nature.  They transmit the sacred medicine practices of purification, forgiveness, and balance.  They teach us how to rise at sunrise and call upon the Sun to enlighten and to sit in the quiet of the sunset to review the day, and to forgive ourselves and others.  They invite us to reach out in imagination to honor and bless the ancestors who have gone before us, our family who now stand beside us, and to think of those who will one day follow us.

The Experts of the Old Way ask us to look into our hearts and remember our origin.  Offering a hint, they point to a luminescent road of heredity stretching back through time, a royal road paved not with stones, but with Ancestral Spirits.  They remind us that in our current lives, each stands as a connecting link on the eternal ladder of Life.  When our lives on earth are completed, each of us will take our place in the endless chain of eternal becoming.

Andean Ancestral Mysticism--Inca of the Soul

There are many spiritual paths that when practiced from the heart, will lead to the awakening of the Divine Seed within.  Andean Mysticism--which descends from the Incas through the Quero Indians of South America--is one such path.   It is an indigenous, earth-honoring tradition grounded in Inca ideology.  In the Turtle-Heart School, the term "Inca" refers to a level of consciousness not a specific blood line.  It is no longer necessary to be "Inca of the Blood."  Today it is enough to be "Inca of the Soul."

Children of the Sun

Andean mysticism embraces an earth-based spirituality and encourages a balanced lifestyle founded upon visionary knowledge (Yachay), compassionate love (Munay), and right livelihood (Llankay).  The Andean Way is a pragmatic sacred tradition that provides tools for living in harmony with Great Spirit, Nature, and Humanity.

The Inca Trail

The Andean mystic follows the inner trail that leads from head to heart and helps others who wish to do the same.  The Andean mystic walks the Road of the Paqo Kuna (People on a path of service to the Earth) with a quiet mind, an open heart, with conscious community, and deep love of nature.

The Road of Andean mysticism is a shamanic, initiatic, and magical path for those who are beginining to remember they are Intichurikuna (Children of the Sun).  The teaching of the Andean Way is that we are all sons and daughters of the Sun.  A child of the Sun is bright and luminous--sunlike.

Purpose of the Turtle-Heart School

The Turtle-Heart School serves as both a source and force for a living, evolving shamanic spirituality that embraces some of the best of traditional shamanic beliefs/practices while refreshing and extending them.   Our focus is contemporary shamanic spirituality and mysticism, not tribal-based classical shamanism.  Our mission is to encourage, support, and assist you to deepen your spiritual walking in the shamanic way; bring forth the mystic and shamanic practitioner within you; help you foster awe and gratitude for the mysteries; celebrate the folk-art of worship, and learn to serve more consciously as an agent of Sacred Blessings.  Completion of training qualifies you to participate in an actual (in-person only) or honorary (at-a-distance) Rite of Passage.

The director of the school is Rev. Timothy.  Timothy walks the Way of the Pathweaver and Carrier of Blessing Ways.  He is a member of the Society of Shamanic Practitioners, has over 25 years of study and practice in cross-cultural spirituality, and is especially drawn to the Hawaiian, Andean, and Celtic traditions.  Timothy is a consecrated Bishop, ordained Interfaith Minister, initiated 4th level Andean Priest (Don Benito Qoriwaman ---> Juan Nunez del Prado ---> Valerie Niestrath ---> Timothy), and Druid and Gaelic lineage holder (Ben McBrady ---> Clive Culbertson ---> Timothy). 

As a shamanic practitioner Timothy shares the teachings and practices of contemporary shamanic spirituality that he has been taught and that he has practiced.  Nothing more, nothing less. 

With an MS in education, an MSW degree in social work, and an honorary doctorate in sacred theology, Timothy serves professionally as a state licensed Mental Health Counselor; as a Medical Social Worker; and as a college instructor.

To request additional information or to apply for training please email

  ©2005 Turtle-Heart School for Shamanic Spirituality