🌍 Soft Practices from Around the World — Part 6 of 8
No gurus. No apps. Just quiet rituals you can keep. See all posts in the series.
In the high Andes, it’s customary to offer a portion of one’s meal to Pachamama—Mother Earth—as a gesture of gratitude and reciprocity. Before eating, a small piece of food is gently placed on the ground, acknowledging the earth’s generosity.
This simple act isn’t about superstition; it’s about connection. It’s a moment to recognize the relationship between humans and the natural world, a practice rooted in the Andean principle of ayni, or mutual exchange.
Try it:
Before your next meal, take a quiet moment.
Place a small piece of your food outside or in a plant pot.
As you do, consider the journey of that food—from soil to plate.
Whisper a simple thank you to the earth.
Let this act ground you in gratitude.
Let it be yours.
✨ Curious to learn more?
- Payment to the Earth: Andean Spiritual Traditions – Encuentros Peru Adventure
- Pachamama Ceremonies and Offerings – Salkantay Trekking
- Pachamama Raymi: Feast of Mother Earth – Peruvian Sunrise Travel Blog
