The Condor Eagle Society

Category: Condor Eagle Journal

Latest articles, reflections, and teachings from the Condor Eagle Society.

  • Finding Sacred Space in the Simplest Moments

    Finding Sacred Space in the Simplest Moments

    Written by Iggy Garcia

    Sometimes, we go looking for something sacred without realizing it’s been right in front of us the whole time.

    Take a moment and look at this photograph. A little dandelion standing among the grass, catching the sunlight. Nothing fancy. Nothing elaborate. Just a small part of nature doing what nature does.

    How many times have we walked past something like this without giving it a second thought? We’re so busy getting from one place to another that we sometimes forget to notice the world around us. And yet, there’s something beautiful about stopping long enough to appreciate what’s right in front of us. That’s where sacred space can begin.

    Sacred Space Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated

    When people hear the words sacred space, they sometimes imagine an elaborate altar, a ceremonial setting, or a special place somewhere far away. And yes, those places can be meaningful. But sacred space can also be a quiet moment in your backyard, sitting beneath a tree, watching the sunrise, or listening to the wind move through the leaves. It’s not always about where you are. Sometimes, it’s about how present you are.

    Learning to See What Has Always Been There

    Think about that little dandelion. Some people see a weed. Others see a flower. Someone else might remember being a child, picking one up, making a wish, and blowing its seeds into the wind. Same plant. Different experiences.

    Nature has a way of reminding us that there is often more than one way to look at something. In shamanic practice, observation is important. We learn to listen, pay attention, and develop relationships with the natural world. Not every encounter needs to become a spiritual message. Sometimes, appreciating the beauty of something is enough.

    Creating Sacred Space With Intention

    In my book, The Shaman’s Path for Beginners, I explore the importance of creating sacred space as part of preparing for shamanic work. A sacred space can be somewhere we meditate, pray, reflect, or prepare for ceremony. It might include meaningful objects, photographs, stones, feathers, water, or representations of the natural elements.

    These objects can help us focus our attention and remember our intentions. But I also believe it’s important to remember that the relationship we develop with our surroundings matters just as much as the objects we place there. You don’t need to collect a room full of spiritual items to begin developing that relationship.

    Start by being present. Find somewhere you feel comfortable. Give yourself a few quiet moments. Notice what surrounds you. What do you hear? What do you see? What are you feeling? You don’t have to force an experience or search for a particular answer. Just allow yourself to be there.

    Bringing Sacred Awareness Into Everyday Life

    One of the beautiful things about developing a spiritual practice is discovering that it doesn’t have to remain separate from everyday life. We can carry that awareness into our gardens, our homes, our relationships, and our communities. We can practice gratitude while watching the sunrise, find moments of reflection while walking through the woods, and remember our connection to the Earth while sitting quietly in our own backyard.

    And when we do create a dedicated sacred space for meditation or ceremony, we bring that same awareness and respect into it. Over time, our sacred space can grow and change as we grow and change.

    The Sacred Is Closer Than We Think

    Maybe that’s what I appreciate most about this little dandelion. It doesn’t need to be anything other than what it is. It reminds me that we don’t always have to travel somewhere special or participate in an elaborate ceremony to experience a meaningful moment. Sometimes, we simply need to notice.

    The next time you’re outside, give yourself a few minutes. Put the phone away. Look around. Listen. You might be surprised by what you’ve been walking past all along.

    And remember, sometimes the sacred space you’re looking for begins with the space you’re already standing in.

    Continue Your Journey

    If you’re curious about developing a deeper relationship with nature, creating sacred space, and exploring shamanic practices, I invite you to read my book, The Shaman’s Path for Beginners. In Chapter 1, I explore the foundations of shamanism, including how to prepare a sacred space, work with meaningful objects, and develop a practice rooted in intention and awareness.

    You don’t have to know everything before beginning. Sometimes, the journey starts with simply paying attention.

    Find The Shaman’s Path for Beginners on Amazon. You can also look for it through Books by Iggy.

    Iggy Garcia
    Condor Eagle Society for Shamanic Studies

  • First Do No Harm: The Responsibility of Walking a Spiritual Path

    First Do No Harm: The Responsibility of Walking a Spiritual Path

    Iggy Garcia sitting beside a waterfall in quiet reflection
    Iggy Garcia taking a quiet moment to connect with Mother Earth.

    Written by Iggy Garcia

    There is something I’ve learned over the years walking this spiritual path. Just because someone knows how to lead a ceremony, beat a drum, or speak about the spirit world doesn’t automatically make them a good teacher or leader.

    Knowledge is one thing. Wisdom is another. And how we treat people along the way says a whole lot about who we are.

    One of the principles I carry with me is simple: First Do No Harm.

    Those four words carry a tremendous amount of responsibility.

    Spiritual Leadership Is About Service, Not Power

    I’ve been involved in ceremonies, drum circles, spiritual gatherings, and community work for many years. Along the way, I’ve learned that being a leader doesn’t mean having all the answers.

    Sometimes it means knowing when to listen. Sometimes it means stepping aside and allowing someone else to find their own way. And sometimes it means admitting that you don’t know something.

    In my book, The Shaman’s Path for Beginners, I discuss the importance of ethical leadership, humility, compassion, and authenticity.

    When someone comes to you seeking spiritual guidance, they’re placing a certain amount of trust in your hands. That trust should never be taken lightly. A spiritual leader should help people discover their own strength, not convince them they cannot move forward without a teacher.

    Consent, Respect, and Personal Boundaries

    One of the things I believe strongly is that everyone has the right to choose their own spiritual path. Not everyone believes the same things. Not everyone comes from the same traditions. And not everyone is comfortable participating in the same ceremonies. That’s okay.

    Before someone participates in a ceremony or receives spiritual work, they deserve to understand what they’re being invited into. They deserve the opportunity to ask questions. And they deserve the freedom to say no.

    Consent isn’t just a formality. It’s an expression of respect.

    The same applies to personal stories, emotional experiences, and anything shared within a sacred gathering. When someone opens their heart, we have a responsibility to treat that trust with care.

    Honoring the Traditions That Came Before Us

    Shamanic practices have deep roots in Indigenous cultures around the world. These traditions carry histories, teachings, and responsibilities that deserve our respect.

    We shouldn’t treat someone else’s sacred traditions like decorations we can simply pick up and claim as our own. Learning requires humility. Teaching requires responsibility. And honoring a tradition means understanding that we are not automatically entitled to everything it contains.

    At the Condor Eagle Society, we strive to create opportunities for people to learn, gather, and reconnect while respecting the cultural roots of the teachings we share.

    We Are All Still Learning

    I don’t care how many ceremonies someone has led or how many years they’ve been walking a spiritual path. There is always something more to learn. I consider myself a student of life.

    I’ve learned from elders, teachers, family, friends, and people who have walked into a drum circle for the very first time. Every person brings something to the circle. And sometimes the greatest lesson comes from the person we least expect.

    That’s why I believe spiritual communities should encourage questions rather than discourage them. We don’t need everyone to think alike. We need to learn how to respect one another while walking our individual paths.

    Walking the Talk

    It’s easy to speak about love, compassion, healing, and spiritual connection. The challenge is living those teachings when life becomes uncomfortable.

    How do we respond when someone disagrees with us? How do we handle conflict? Do we listen, or do we immediately defend ourselves? Do we encourage others to grow, or do we try to control their journey?

    These are questions worth asking ourselves. For me, walking a spiritual path isn’t about becoming perfect. It’s about becoming more aware of our actions and accepting responsibility when we fall short. We are human, after all.

    The Circle Belongs to Everyone

    At the Condor Eagle Society, our work centers around community, ceremony, education, and connection. Whether someone joins us for a drum circle, a gathering in nature, or an opportunity to learn about Indigenous spiritual traditions, my hope is that they feel welcomed and respected.

    You don’t have to believe everything I believe. You don’t have to walk the same path I walk. But we can still sit together, share a moment, and learn something from one another. That’s part of the beauty of community.

    And perhaps that’s where healing begins: with the willingness to recognize the humanity in one another.

    First Do No Harm. Not just something we say. Something we practice.

    IT’S GOOD TO BE HERE???

    Iggy Garcia
    Founder and Chief, Condor Eagle Society

    Continue Your Journey

    This article draws from Chapters 4 and 7 of my book, The Shaman’s Path for Beginners, exploring ethical spiritual practice, cultural respect, consent, community, and responsible leadership.

    Explore The Shaman’s Path for Beginners and my other books at Books by Iggy.

    Related reading: Walking the Shaman’s Path: Finding the Sacred in Everyday Life.

    Learn more about our community at CondorEagle.org.

    Explore The Shaman’s Path for Beginners

    Continue your journey with Iggy Garcia’s book. Choose where to purchase:

    Buy directly from Books by Iggy — Support the Author or Buy on Amazon.

  • Walking the Shaman’s Path: Finding the Sacred in Everyday Life

    Walking the Shaman’s Path: Finding the Sacred in Everyday Life

    Written by Iggy Garcia

    People sometimes ask me what it means to walk a shamanic path. Do you have to participate in ceremonies? Do you need a drum, a rattle, or a collection of sacred objects? Do you have to travel somewhere far away to discover something spiritual?

    Not necessarily. For me, the shamanic path begins with something much simpler. It begins with paying attention.

    Shamanism Is More Than Ceremony

    Ceremonies have their place. They can help us honor important moments, connect with our ancestors, and create space for reflection. But what happens when the ceremony ends? What happens when we return to our families, responsibilities, and everyday challenges?

    That’s where much of the real work begins. In my book, The Shaman’s Path for Beginners, I explore how spiritual practices can become part of everyday living. You don’t have to spend every waking moment performing a ritual. Sometimes the most meaningful practice is how you treat another person or whether you pause to listen before speaking.

    Nature Is Always Teaching

    One thing I encourage people to do is spend time outdoors without feeling the need to accomplish anything. Sit beneath a tree. Watch the birds. Listen to the wind. You don’t have to interpret every sound or turn every encounter into a spiritual message. Sometimes observation is enough.

    When we become quiet enough to notice what’s happening around us, we begin developing a different relationship with the natural world. We remember that we’re part of something much larger than ourselves.

    Respect, Humility, and Relationship

    Walking a shamanic path doesn’t make someone more important than anybody else. If anything, it should remind us to practice humility. We all have something to learn.

    We can honor the wisdom of our ancestors while respecting that different cultures have their own traditions, histories, and ways of understanding the world. We can learn from one another without pretending that every tradition is ours to claim.

    Bringing the Practice Home

    Here’s something you can try. Tomorrow morning, before you get caught up in everything you have to do, give yourself five quiet minutes. Sit outside if you can. Notice what’s around you. Think about something you’re grateful for.

    As you go through your day, pay attention to how you interact with people. Are you listening? Are you reacting? Are you allowing someone else space to be heard? None of this requires special equipment. It simply requires a willingness to be present.

    The Path Is Something We Walk

    I don’t believe the shamanic path is about collecting titles or proving how spiritual we are. It’s about relationship: with nature, with one another, with Spirit, and with ourselves.

    We won’t always get everything right. We’re human. But every day gives us another opportunity to learn, grow, and walk with a little more awareness.

    If you’d like to explore these teachings further, my book The Shaman’s Path for Beginners offers guidance for beginning your own journey.

    IT’S GOOD TO BE HERE!

    Iggy Garcia
    Condor Eagle Society

    Explore more: Visit Books by Iggy Garcia to find The Shaman’s Path for Beginners and discover more of my books.

    Explore The Shaman’s Path for Beginners

    Continue your journey with Iggy Garcia’s book. Choose where to purchase:

    Buy directly from Books by Iggy — Support the Author or Buy on Amazon.

  • The Medicine Wheel: Learning to Look at Life from More Than One Direction

    There are times in life when we become so focused on what’s directly in front of us that we forget there’s more than one way to look at a situation.

    We get caught up in our responsibilities, our relationships, our worries, and everything else that demands our attention.

    Sometimes we need a different perspective.

    One of the tools I introduce in The Shaman’s Path for Beginners is the Medicine Wheel.

    It’s a way of examining the different parts of our lives and recognizing where we may need more attention, understanding, or balance.

    More Than Four Directions

    Many Indigenous traditions use the circle and the four directions in their teachings and ceremonies. The meanings and practices are not identical across cultures, and I believe it’s important to respect those differences.

    In the Condor Eagle Medicine Wheel teachings I share, each direction offers a different place from which to consider our experiences.

    The East invites us to look toward the future and see farther.

    The South invites us to look within ourselves.

    The West encourages us to seek counsel and remember those who came before us.

    The North invites us to seek Spirit and consider the wisdom beyond our immediate concerns.

    And at the center, we remember our relationship with Earth Mother, Sky Father, and ourselves.

    These are not simply places on a compass. They can become questions we carry into everyday life.

    What Happens When We Change Our Perspective?

    Imagine you’re dealing with a difficult decision.

    You might begin by looking within. What are you feeling? What concerns or expectations are influencing your decision?

    Then you might look toward the future. What could happen if you choose one direction rather than another?

    You could consider the wisdom of your ancestors, elders, or trusted advisers.

    And you might spend time in quiet reflection, allowing yourself to listen rather than rushing toward an answer.

    The situation hasn’t necessarily changed.

    But your relationship with it may begin to change because you’ve taken the time to consider more than one perspective.

    Creating Your Own Place for Reflection

    You don’t need an elaborate setting to begin exploring the Medicine Wheel as a reflective practice.

    Find a quiet place where you can spend a few minutes without interruption.

    Consider the four directions and the questions they bring to mind. You might use stones or other natural objects as markers, or simply sit and reflect.

    In my book, I discuss ways of creating a Medicine Wheel using natural materials and approaching the practice with intention and respect.

    The important part isn’t how impressive it looks.

    It’s whether you’re taking the time to pay attention.

    Learning Is a Continuing Journey

    I have spent many years learning from different people, traditions, and experiences. One thing I’ve come to appreciate is that learning doesn’t stop because we’ve reached a certain age or acquired a title.

    There is always something more to understand.

    The Medicine Wheel offers one way to continue that exploration.

    And sometimes the question isn’t whether we’re moving fast enough.

    It’s whether we’ve taken the time to notice where we are.

    IT’S GOOD TO BE HERE!

    Iggy Garcia

    Explore The Shaman’s Path for Beginners

    Continue your journey with Iggy Garcia’s book. Choose where to purchase:

    Buy directly from Books by Iggy — Support the Author or Buy on Amazon.

  • Where the Condor and Eagle Meet

    Where the Condor and Eagle Meet

    By Iggy Garcia

    Years ago, while hiking Huayna Picchu in Peru, I watched a condor pass over me. I was high above the land, and for a moment I felt connected to something greater than myself.

    I tell that story in The Shaman’s Path for Beginners. My journey has since carried me from Peru to Ohio, where I’ve continued learning, teaching, and building community through the Condor Eagle Society.

    The Society’s name speaks to the meeting of North and South. In the teaching I share, the Condor represents the heart, intuition, and our connection to the Earth. The Eagle represents vision, thought, and the ability to see far. We need both.

    That meeting reaches beyond geography. People come from different cultures and carry different beliefs and experiences. We can learn from one another without pretending our paths are identical or asking anyone to leave their beliefs at the door.

    For me, that begins with respect. In my book, I write about listening to the people who carry Indigenous traditions, learning where a practice comes from, and approaching it with humility. I’ve had teachers along my path. I honor what they’ve shared with me, and I keep learning.

    That is the spirit I want people to find at the Condor Eagle Society. Come as you are. Bring your questions. Bring your story. There is room to listen, reflect, and connect with others while finding your own way.

    The Condor and Eagle remind me that heart and vision can travel together. That’s a path we can keep walking, one relationship at a time.

    This reflection draws from the introduction and “Respecting Indigenous Traditions” in my book, The Shaman’s Path for Beginners. Explore my book.

    IT’S GOOD TO BE HERE!!

    Explore The Shaman’s Path for Beginners

    Continue your journey with Iggy Garcia’s book. Choose where to purchase:

    Buy directly from Books by Iggy — Support the Author or Buy on Amazon.