It has been another magical year here in Pisac, Peru! Highlights include: the publication of "Cusco: The Gateway to Inner Wisdom", in both English and Spanish; meeting the Dalai Lama; the inauguration of Paz y Luz Healing Center; our First Annual Interspiritual Gathering; and my new website. Check it out! www.pazyluzperu.com

The year began with my annual holiday to visit with my parents in Florida, a great joy as always. I traveled west to visit Wendy in her new home near Vancouver and Jean, a friend since we were 12, in San Francisco. I also got to spend time with friends in Lima. Returning to Pisac in March, I wrote about 50 pages of new material for the book at the request of the publishers.

April and May the tourist season began and I was busy with both guests and guided tours. On May 8^th the Dalai Lama came to Peru for the first time and visited Cusco for a day. Regis (my Andean spirituality teacher) and I, through grace and intention, were able to have a brief private moment with His Holiness where Regis presented him with a specially made Inka cross. When Regis handed it to him, the Dalai Lama smiled and said, "No, put it on me." And he bent down for Regis to put it around his neck. It was a beautiful moment. A few minutes later, Regis took this photo of me with HH.

In June, my chiropractor friend Howard arrived in Pisac and announced we were starting the Paz y Luz Healing Center. I was resistant at first because I was focused on organizing the Interspiritual Gathering planned for early August. Having spent most of 2005 building the new guest rooms and conference room, I was still in my practical mode.

But thanks to Howard's gentle persistence, the Healing Center was born. As soon as we put up a flyer with various types of healing sessions we were offering, the people started to come. I was graciously reminded that I came to Peru seven years ago to be a healer (not a builder or an events organizer). I knew that the building and organizing was important but now that everything was in place, it was time to reconnect with my original mission.

At this point (after 9 months of organizing) the plans for the Interspiritual Gathering took a different turn. Instead of having leaders from different religious traditions to come and lead us at the big hotel in Pisac, we were now launching the new Paz y Luz Conference room with a gathering of diverse people who resonated with the idea of Envisioning, Experiencing and Manifesting a new world, the way we want it to be. People came from nearby and around the world, 24 people from six countries. Check my website to read several articles written by participants and myself and to see photos. It was a truly awesome and life-changing experience. We are planning another one in October 2007 so mark your calendars!

Before and after the Gathering I was busy with the launch of "Cusco", a new version of the book (Gateway) I wrote with my friend Wendy several years ago. Joyce, one of my new neighbors here in Pisac, read the earlier version and felt compelled to translate it into Spanish. We were planning to print it to sell ourselves, like the English one. But one day last year her daughter was visiting here with some friends from Lima who worked for Planeta Publishing Group. After reading it, they agreed to publish the book but thought it needed more material. It was Joyce's idea to put questions and answers at the end of each chapter and to give people practical exercises to do. Writing the new material, aside from making the book more engaging, gave me a chance to review my own process and to make sure I am practicing what I preach.

The Spanish edition was launched to the press in Lima in July as part of the annual Book Fair. I met with one of the big bookstore owners who has stores in all the airports. He told me that he sells more books in English (to tourists) than in Spanish. After some quick negotiating, Planeta decided to publish the book in English as well. We had the presentation of the English in Cusco in September. Since then I have received 60+ emails (in both languages) from people from 29 countries thanking me for the book and how it has helped them. It has been a wonderful opportunity to connect with people all over Latin America, North America, Europe, (including Serbia, Czech Rep., Finland, Norway, Denmark, Cypress), South Africa and Australia.

There have been several print stories in Lima-based periodicals as well as a cable TV program that featured Paz y Luz and the book (and me!). In fact, the producer, presenter and the logistics guy all asked for healing sessions with me and have sent others. The book has brought many new people here for healing as well. Regis and I just finished doing a second Inka workshop this month (the other one was in August following the Gathering) with nine people from six countries, all of whom came because of the book. I am surprised and in awe of the power of the written word, or maybe the published written word.

My parents came down to visit for Thanksgiving. Between ex-pat friends and several Paz y Luz guests, we had 15 people from eight countries for turkey dinner. We went around the tables with each person saying what they were thankful for. It was so touching. My parents gave thanks for each other and the 58+ years they have had together. Many gave thanks for Paz y Luz, including me, which was built with the love and support of my parents. It was a wonderful blessing having them here giving us all an opportunity to be grateful for the life we have been given. Especially me.

Next year's plans include my January trip to Florida, followed by a few days in NYC, London and then on to India for a month of travel with my friend Liesel from Cape Town. It will be my first time in India and I'm looking forward to experiencing their rich ancient culture. I'll have a few more days in NYC in mid March before arriving back in Pisac. In April, I will begin offering a monthly Sacred Soul Journey. In August we will have an Inka Spirituality workshop and in October will be the second annual Interspiritual Gathering. Details for all this can be viewed on my new website.www.pazyluzperu.com