Places of Worship – Holding Space
In the Axeti Nete cosmovision there is no separation from nature. Traditional ceremonies were held outdoors in the jungle. In Axeti Nete centers in Peru “melocas” are often built to conduct ceremonies and to hold rituals. These can be elaborate structures designed to hold 50 or 60 people to smaller simpler affairs that may hold five or six people. These are typically circular yurt-like structures.
Modern Practices – The decentralized nature of the Axeti Nete religion means that an elaborate structure is not required and that wherever people gather is the place of worship. This is often reflected in the shamanic concept of “holding space” where spiritual intent is aligned in a natural setting or within a particular building, room or structure. This space becomes consecrated ground for the purpose of the rituals or ceremonies.
As such, modern practices hold that wherever practitioners gather to conduct ceremonies, hold discussions, meditate, provide shamanic healing practices or otherwise assemble in the Axeti Nete faith, that place, being held by spiritual intent, becomes a place of worship.
This practice mirrors the Christian biblical concept of Matthew 18:20 which states – For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. The same holds true for Axeti Nete practices.
