Thursday, 23 April 2020 / Published in Culture, Ethnobotany, Plant Medicine

Cleansing Your Aura with Copal

Taught by visionary artist and healer don Pablo Amaringo Shuña. Recounted by Jonathon Miller Weisberger in the book Rainforest Medicine ~ Preserving Indigenous Science and Biological Diversity in the Upper Amazon

Following is a cure taught by maestro Pablo Amaringo, endearingly referred to as don Pablo, with the use of the aromatic resin of Copal, which he referred to as, “an empire of spirits.” This cure is especially effective for people undergoing spiritual crisis or suffering from nervous disorders, for children who are restless and suffer from insomnia, for spirit possessions, types of autism and for illnesses that are not responding to treatments. It can work well for people who are good-hearted and sincere yet seem to be struck with misfortune.

“Copal is something sacred,” don Pablo went on to say, “It invokes rest and peace among spiritual beings. It cleanses darkened auras. Like an opaque metal that needs to be polished. Like gold when a person is wrong in their body, consciousness or aura, the gold they are wearing becomes opaque. Copal is used for cleansing a persons aura. It is the incense of the rainforest. Used since ancient times, since before the world became divided. The world has become divided by barbaric human laws. Today too many humans act like barbarians, even worse now, as they cover themselves up in etiquette.” Don Pablo paused, then continued to say, “Copal takes away negative and darkened stains on a personas aura, it pulls this away from the patient, bringing it up to the atmosphere and it returns it to the trees, who transmute the stickiness and allow for the renewal.”

Polychrome ceramic statue from Mexico of a priest of the cult of Quetzalcoatl,
the god of life, light, fertility and wisdom. He carries copal in his hands.

Don Pablo’s Sacred Copal Cleanse

This sacred cleanse was taught to Pablo Amaringo through a direct spiritual transmission. It was taught to him by celestial immortals from the Eternal Temple of Copal in a remote distant celestial island. Don Pablo was kind to share this spiritual secret and cure with me in 1998 at a visit to his home in Pucallpa Peru.

“For the cure to take effect, and work into the years,” don Pablo said, “One must live according to an universal and upright way of life.” This truly is what works the wonders, into the years,” he would say.

Straighten Your Way

I had a copy of Master Ni’s Heavenly Way with me on that trip, don Pablo saw the little purple book and curiously inquired. He had seen in his visions the Tai Chi / Ying Yang symbol on its cover and summoned me to read. After reading some, he wanted to hear more, and after we read the whole book once; then a few more times.

He found it remarkable, that the treaties is referred to as “Straighten Your Way,” given that the “sign” of the cure, is when the copal smoke rises “straight as a column.” Don Pablo fully agreed that the treaty coincides seamlessly with the effectiveness of this cure, being that an integral element of this cure, is to “straighten your way!” To become “straight with heaven,” that is Universal Law. To become aligned with the Heavenly Universal Law, is the way to heal oneself, ones community and the planet and to live a happy and healthy life.

East ~ West Mirror Reflection

Amazonian spiritual traditions are oral traditions where much is unspoken, it is lived. Simply speaking they take a long time to learn. The Taoist cannon goes back thousands of years, and have bene translated to many languages. This spiritual way of life is considered the world over as the fail safe method of living. It is beautiful to see how traditions from opposite sides of the globe seamlessly meet to enhance each other, both traditions encouraging the balancing of right and left sides of the brain, all this to inspire renewal and the truth of world peace.

Don Pablo found all aspects of treaties to be a mirror reflection of everything he’s ever known about the basics of a moral life. “There are subtle aspects that given ways people are raised they don’t know they are doing wrong. This quickly catches up, peoples illness are spiritual illness, and all illness are spiritual in root.” Pablo said. He was fascinated by the part where the treaties goes into detail of all the different kinds of wrong doings people do, and remarked on the generational long diary of Chang O, that it is evident the authors had profound wisdom, spanning over the generations.

Critical to the effectiveness of this cure, is the vital importance of upholding an integral way of life, for which we ask you to please read, both facilitator and patient, in the days before the cure, Lao Tzu’s “Treaty on Response and Retribution” see below for links to the sacred text. The text is also known as “Straighten Your Way.” This treatise summarizes the essentials for recuperating one’s health, and keeping it.

This helps the facilitator align spiritually and the patient to reflect on many aspects of life that are necessary for health and sanity to return. In particular, read the portion on the root cause of illness. You will find a profound insight into the true nature of illness, and how they all stem from a spiritual contamination of the soul. Below right is an a visionary art masterpiece created by maestro Pablo Amaringo.

“This copal cleanse is a cure, yes, but it is also an initiation. An initiation, or re-initiation or renewal, or awakening to an integral, normal and balanced way of life,” said Pablo. Just…..as eloquently expounded, in this ancient, and we could even say, timeless treaty. It is for this reason, he asked me to include this treaty in my write up of this sacred copal cleanse, that it be seen as a part of the cure itself.

Cleansing Your Aura with Copal

The cleanse is used as an initiation to health, a commitment to living an upright and integral life. For riding the body and aura of the sticky negativities, spirit attachments, unwanted indispositions, funky juju; illness of the auric level. Don Pablo, after he renounced the path of ayahuasca healing, continued healing with this method helping make well again hundreds of people with this sacred cure.

Once the cure is accomplished neither the patient nor the doctor should divulge that this was done, this means tell no one! Often times, given the situation, the cure needs to be repeated after a few days so go slow with the copal use it in moderation so that it doesn’t run out, make sure you don’t use all the powder in one use, save some in case it doesn’t work the first time. By the third smudge or 4th or 5th, it will work! A natural, normal, non-impulsive virtuous, ordinary and happy life can be recuperated, the joy of a good and healthy life is recuperated and happiness returns!

>>>> Part One <<<<

The Cure: Grind some copal resin and place it in full sun until dry, letting it soak up the energy of the sun and like this get charged! Do not let it stay out over night as it will accumulate the moisture of the night and dew, it needs to be completely dry. Any if the dozens of types of “copal” resin will work for this cure.

Also imperative for the success of this cure, is that it must be the patient who makes the request for the cure. The patient needs to be willing to do this, the patient needs to understand and accept there is a problem and want to be healed for this to work. A concerned friend or relative can also offer the cure, and given the patient accepts also coincides with the effectiveness protocol. This psychological admittance and heartfelt desire to be healed, to move from heaviness to lightness, from chaos to clarity, to uneasiness to stability and self-assurance, is important for the effectiveness of the cure. If a child is to be cleansed, the parent can make the decision for the healing and request the cure or accomplish it themselves. Also, to be considered that sometimes it works better when a friend or not of the house hold relative accomplishes the cure.

Begin after night fall, once everything has settled, and the setting is calm. Make a prayer that the patient be healed, the cure be effective, and be witnessed by the divine supernatural immortal beings. Master Ni’s Golden Light Invocation, or any other type of solemn prayer dedicated to the celestial immortals that govern this utmost sacred spiritual cleanse, aligns one’s concentration in the appropriate channel. This cure transcends all religions and it is perfectly fine to make a prayer according to your very own faith.

If the mother is with a baby, do the cure once the baby is asleep. First do her alone. Then after the above has been accomplished, have her hold the baby and repeat the cure with her holding the baby, smudge the mother and the baby together.

Build a small fire and let it settle to coals, place red hot embers, a burning incense charcoal or BBQ coals once burned to red embers, placed on a ceramic plate, bowl or incense burner, where the incense, dried and ground into powder can be burned.

Alignment: The patient must face east, in front of the patient is where the fire coals or the embers on a plate is located, so that the patient is looking over the fire, looking towards the east. The person who will administer the cure stands in the east so that the patient is looking over the fire to the doctor, who is standing in the direction of where the sun rises, the doctor stands in the east, representing the sun.

Another important aspect of this cure is that the healer or facilitator must be “well-kept,” meaning a person who is sincere and who lives an integral life of poise and self-discipline—who is “clean” or “wholesome,” so to say, necessary attributes in order to invoke an appropriate response. A child or youth can also accomplish the healing and administer the copal, as children are not yet, for the most part, corrupted by the contaminations of the world. Prayers should be made for recovery of the person who is ill, imbalanced, or going through the crisis. Master Ni’s Invocation for Burning Incense from the Integral Way of Tao tradition can be recited, this prayer can be found below.

Procedures: Cleanse oneself by washing one’s hands with guayusa tea; take a shower make some prayers, meditate some. The copal powder is placed in a clean bowl, with an unbroken perfectly round rim and this is held in the left hand. Take some of the copal resin powder with the right hand, hold it to the sky and make a prayer, a prayer to the celestial doctors that they witness this cure and that they make it effective on behalf of this most sacred copal resin. Acknowledge the celestial immortal temple in heaven dedicated solely to this most sacred resin that is not just a resin – it is a universe of divine healing spirits, devoted to a healthy and natural way of life.

Choose a place where no one will see what is happening, only the patient and the doctor can be present. Choose a place outdoors sheltered from the wind, like behind a garden fence or wall, in a patio near one’s house.

Place a small amount of the powdered resin onto the red embers or coals. The patient needs to be standing just in front of the coals where the copal is to be burned. Once the copal is placed on the embers the doctor needs to step back a little so only the patient in near the embers. The smoke will rise up and go onto the patient. A few things can occur that need to be considered for this to work, and the “sign” needs to be watched for. The “sign” is that the smoke needs to rise directly up along the patient’s body and make a straight column of smoke. Once this occurs, the patient turns around, so their back is facing the embers, they will now be facing west. More copal powder is placed on the embers until again the smoke goes up, and eventually straight along the patient’s body and rises as a column of smoke. Place enough copal resin so that abundant smoke is emitted yet start with a little and add more slowly. If too much is added it can burst into flames and this ruins the cure. The resin needs to burn as smoke and not catch on fire. For this ensure the embers are red coals, no flames present, or the copal will burn and make a hideous black smoke. We want a clean white smoke, for this to be effective. The incense powder is placed on the embers before the patient, and the fragrant smoke rises up toward his or her body. It should rise straight up one’s body, into the air above like a column. If the person is not that ill, and if he or she is virtuous and kind, this can happen readily. The above is what happens when the cure goes smoothly. If the illness is more complex, the smoke will go off to one side, off to the other side; it will not go straight up the patients’ body as we are anticipating. If this is the case, the following will help.

>>>> Part Two <<<<

If the smoke does not go straight up the patient’s body, after a few attempts, it just swirls off to one side then to the other side, try the following, so that “smoke” will “see” the patient, so to say, the smoke will “identify” that a cure is occurring, and that it is being summoned to “rise to the occasion.”

However, often times this in not the case. The patient is so ill that the smoke rejects him or her; the smoke drifts upward and off to one side or in a direction that does not go onto the person’s body. If this occurs after several attempts, the following can be done. The patient and the healer face each other, holding hands, arms out-stretched over the fire, that is in between them. Then, facing each other, they walk around the fire three times in one clockwise. This is then repeated turning around the fire three times, now in the opposite direction. After this, more incense powder is placed on the coals, if needed add more red embers, so as the new copal powder will burn emitting rich white smoke. More prayers can be made and offered as well. Then the smoke will eventually rise up toward the patient, enveloping his or her body, rising straight up into the air above in the shape of a column. When this is clear, without rushing, the patient turns around facing west, more copal resin is placed on the embers and again we need to see the white smoke go straight up along the patient’s back side of their body as a straight column of smoke rising up. This can happen even if there is a gentle breeze. If the smoke rises up straight like a column and is not deflected by the breeze, this is a sure sign that the healing will be effective. Then the process is repeated on the patient’s backside.

>>>> Part Three <<<<

“That night the patient is likely to have a lucid dream; this should not be told to anyone until at least a few days have passed, and then only share with someone of confidence, who can possible help with its interpretation. Also, the fact that one has undergone this cure should not be rapidly divulged either; it is best to keep this a secret for a while, at least until one is healthy again. Then one can then share this cure with others who may be in need.”

>>>> Part Four <<<<

Vital for the effectiveness of this cure is the following: the patient must remain out of sight of all people until two in the afternoon. If they leave their room before 2PM, the patient will lose the energy and not be healed, the blessing will jump to the first person that sees them. For this reason, food is brought into their room the night before or it can be placed at the patient’s door, with a knock, let the patient know the food is there. Once the helper has left, the patient retrieves the food, like this, so as not to be seen.

>>>> Part Five <<<<

Here’s the final way to seal the cure so it can take hold. After lunch, no earlier than 2 PM or later that 4 PM, the patient must leave the house or the place where he or she has been, and go to a public place, greet people and shake their hands. They must let themselves be seen, then the cure takes root! He or she must hug a family member or friend and greet them in a cheerful manner, and everyone is enhanced by the life-affirming energy.”

Mayan tripod ceramic bowl with copal and jade beads, dated to 1300-1450 AD found in the sacred cenote at Chichen Itza, Mexico. Photo by author taken at the MET in NYC

>>>> O <<<<

Invocation for the Burning of Incense

From: The Workbook for Spiritual Development of All People, by Taoist Master Ni, Hua-Ching

I cultivate myself and follow a heavenly way, with a lucid mind and subtle energy. With this incense I present my spirit and mind before the highest realms of universal integration.

Incense is burned now so that I may unite my whole being with that of all divine immortals. Eyes of the divine spirits, gaze upon my heart and reflect my devotion to the truth. Subtle light of the divine immortals shine upon this earthly alter and make my energy divine and effective.

I humbly request that the most exalted divine energy of the multi-universe respond to me. I offer this sincere petition on behalf of the fragrant vibration of this incense.

>>>> O <<<<

Here are three links to the Tai Shan Kan Ying Pien: Lao Tzu’s Treaty on Universal Response and Retribution, also know as “Straighten Your Way”

Tai Shan Kan Ying Pien Version 1 click here

Tai Shan Kan Ying Pien Version 2 click here

Tai Shan Kan Ying Pien Version 3 click here

The Supreme One, Lao Tzu, said: “Blessings and curses do not come spontaneously through gates: It is each person who invites these upon themself.”

Click Here to download Master Ni’s Version of the Heavenly Way

Copal a Resin Held as Sacred

The sacred attributes of Copal and aromatic resin bearing trees goes far far back. Just to mention two of the many examples.

In the Quiche Maya holy book, the Popol Vuh, there is mention of the smudge from copal being used to blind the gods of death, allowing for maiden Xquix to escape to the world of the living and give birth to the hero twins, the legendary protagonist. So sacred is this resin that it’s use as a ceremonial offering has survived until this day.

The Siekopai legend of Ñanë Jupo (Our Creators Waterfall Garden) speaks of a Kënjé tree, the Copal tree present at the house of our creator. Offerings of sweet banana gruel were made to the tree in order to harvest its sap for making torches. If offerings were not made prior to harvest, the tree would spurt blood. See Rainforest Medicine page 75.

Varieties of Copal

There are many different varieties of copal, all of which is obtained from relatives of the Burseraceae botanical family, primarily from plants in the genera: Bursera, Dacryodes and Protium. This remarkable plant family, commonly known as the “Frankinscense” or “Soapwood” family, is the source of a wide array of medicinal qualities and resinous incense products. Famous among these, are the old world incense’s resins of Myrrh, obtained from the Commiphora myrrha and Frankinsence also known as Olibanum, sourced from Boswellia sacra, both in the Burseraceae family.

A glimpse into the Genera of Copal bearing trees

Bursera: The genus Bursera has over 100 species, the most important copal producing species is Bursera bipinnata, known as Mexican Copal, Copal Santo or Copalli. Other important species in the genus are Bursera graveolens – the infamous Palo Santo incense wood and oil. Other less known incense bearing trees in this genera are: Almárciga ~ Bursera citronella, Copal ~ Bursera copallifera and Copal Santo Bursera coyucensis. Copalillo ~ Bursera glabrifolia and Linaloe ~ Bursera linanoe. Two other fascinating plants in this genera are Bursera simaruba – the Jiñocuado or Gumbo-limbo, tree that produces a fine gum resin burned as incense and is highly medicinal. As as well as the north American Bursera microphylla, Torote or Elephant tree, used medicinally.

Dacryodes: The Peruvian Copal or Black Copal, also known by many indigenous names is obtained primarily from the resin of Dacryodes peruviana since ancient times has been revered tree. This is the copal don Pablo relates to for this cleanse, though any of the types of copal mentioned here will work. The genus Dacryodes contains 63 known species, many of which produce a white aromatic resin, known as copal, that is held as sacred by pre-Colombian indigenous peoples; until the present day. Many of these species are locally endemic such as the Tabonuco or Candlewood tree, endemic to Puerto Rico, Dacryodes excelsa.

Protium: There are 140 species in the genus Protium, many of which produce the aromatic resin known as copal, especially that of White Copal, from Mexico, known as Copal Santo, is the resin from Protium copal a resin held as highly sacred among all central American indigenous peoples communities, used in ceremonial offerings, ritual cleansing and as medicine, as well as at Catholic masses and religious processions.

Be sure to source your resin with conscience

Please also consider that due to market demand of these resins, many of these incense trees are improperly harvested and there are not enough studies to truly know how the markets behind these saps affect populations of these trees. Please research well the source of your resin and ensure you obtain these from people genuinely concerned for the fate of the forest and indigenous peoples and who can assure they are being sustainably harvested. Also, beyond the actual type of incense is the procedure, and the devotion to sincerely rectifying one way of life, correcting wrong doings, studying the sacred texts to understand how we have been failing and making the commitment to straight ones way!

This cleanse can also be effectively carried out by any type of sticky resin, as the most important attribute for this cleanse is that the smudge be made of a sticky resin, for it is the sticky resin that sticks to the stickiness on the aura, lifting this away with the rising smoke!

Such as Pine pitch, Fir and Spruce tree saps, for example, that are much more common lets say than copal, and may be growing in your very own neighboring woods. These can be harvested from the trees in most areas where Pine, Fir and Spruce trees grow and makes for an ideal resin to accomplishing don Pablo aura cleanse. When one harvests the resins oneself one can leave an offering of gratitude and offer prayers to these trees for their life giving essence. These are the resins that are the most effective, as every part of the cycle must be upheld with reciprocity and whole hearted intentions.