The Balkans Awakening – Paths of the Ancestors

A Spiritual Journey into the Heart of the Balkans

We recently took part in an adventure through the lands of the former Yugoslavia – a transformative journey that connected us with the land, our ancestors, and ourselves.

Zagreb – The First Steps of the Spiritual Adventure

Our journey through the Balkans began in Zagreb, where we welcomed our dear friend Fernando, a young curandero and spiritual guide who had traveled all the way from the distant Andes of Peru.

Before heading towards Bosnia, Visoko, and the Valley of the Pyramids, we spent two days in Zagreb. Fernando wished to visit churches – both Catholic and Orthodox. Sitting in their silent spaces, we meditated, tuning into the vibrations of the temples and remembering all those who once came there seeking faith, strength, and comfort. It was a moment of connection with the prayers and devoted lives of those before us.

Bosnia – The Gentleness of Nature and People

From Zagreb, we set out for Bosnia, passing through Republika Srpska to Travnik and Vitez. There we were warmly welcomed by dear friends with whom we had traveled through Peru earlier this year.

We visited the birthplace of Ivo Andrić, enjoyed the delicacies of Bosnian cuisine, and marveled at Mount Vlašić and the softness of the landscape. What touched us most deeply was the gentleness of the people, reflecting the tenderness of the land itself.

Visoko – The Allin Kawsay Retreat

Arriving in Visoko, on the slopes in front of the Pyramid of the Sun, our hosts welcomed us like royalty. It was here that our eight-day journey began – “Allin Kawsay,” which in the language of the Inca means “Living Well.”

We were a group of about twenty participants from Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Macedonia, guided by Fernando from Peru. Bosnia received us like a mother.

Have you ever experienced that feeling of being welcomed by the land itself?

Through lectures and ceremonies, we explored what it means to “live well” – to descend from the mind into the heart, to serve life from that place within where everything is one, to navigate by feeling rather than through endless filtering of thoughts.

The Condor, the largest bird of South America, symbolizes the spiritual and celestial world in Andean culture. Its medicine teaches devotion, service to life, and living from the heart.

It was a great honor to receive such ancient wisdom as Allin Kawsay here in the Balkans, the land where we were born. These philosophies remind us that wisdom does not only come from outside but awakens what has always been within us.

Forgotten and Remembered Traditions

Centuries of exposure to empires and religious dogmas alienated the Balkans from its origins. Although stories, customs, and fragments were preserved, the essence was often lost – why something is practiced or spoken, and what its true purpose is.

The philosophies and wisdom of the Andes helped us remember our own roots and listen more finely to nature and our ancestors – who are here, waiting for us to awaken, supporting us and cheering us on to return to them.

Durmitor – Rest in the Silence of the Mountain

After the retreat in Visoko, we traveled to Sarajevo – for coffee, baklava, ćevapi, pies, and other delicious treats, once again connecting with the spirit of our ancestors.

We then continued our journey towards Montenegro. The road led us across hills and untouched nature to the majestic mountain Durmitor. There could not have been a better place to rest – for in Montenegro, rest is woven into the culture itself.

Conclusion – Awakening the Consciousness of the Balkans

Mountains, rivers, lakes, the sea, trees, animals, stones, and our ancestors – everything is alive, everything has its own consciousness and story.

The title “Awakening the Balkans” refers precisely to this living presence: the mighty mountains, sacred rivers, and the thousands of stećci – those stone witnesses of life and time. The spirits never slept; they are here, waiting for us to awaken.

Humanity has drifted away from itself, collectively and individually, yet we live in a time of rapid and profound change. The soil is fertile for the growth of consciousness. In a world full of chaos and wars, the greatest contribution we can make is to find our life’s mission and strive to become a better version of ourselves each day.

As one great Indian saint reminded us: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.

If you feel called by adventure and wish to experience it yourself, join us on our next journey. 🌍