Historically the Inca were an ancient civilization that thrived in South America for hundreds of years until they were conquered by the Spanish Conquistadors in the 1500s. During their time, their expansive empire followed three simple and basic laws: 1) Don’t lie, 2) Don’t be lazy, and 3) Don’t steal. A little side note is that back in those days, the Inca did not have any written records and any accounts of how they were are based upon the observations of the Europeans who conquered them and from the oral traditions handed down through the generations. What the Spanish learned was that the Inca were very into myths, ceremonies, and rituals and did not completely understand them since they came from a more concrete and literal perspective in Europe. For the Inca, the three laws had a much more profound meaning that even today in the West, or modernized civilization, gets “lost in translation”. The deeper meaning of the three Inca laws can be expressed through the Quechua (language of the Inca) words: 1) Munay , 2) Llankay, and 3) Yachay.

Munay

If there’s an English word to describe munay, the closest would be “love”, yet munay is more of a consciousness of acceptance and appreciation for all creation and all that is. It is more in line with a universal and unconditional love. Munay understands that we are all different in that we will have different opinions and may be on different paths in our lifetime and that it is okay since paradoxically we are all similar in that we are spiritual beings having a physical experience. The area in our physical body where the energy of munay rests is around the Heart chakra (4th energy center around the physical heart). Like the Heart chakra, munay bridges our Lower selves with our Higher Selves and it is the center that holds us together. The practice of munay focuses on the positive and lets go of the heavy, dark energies such as anger and resentment which tend to “weigh a person down”. The lesson of munay is “We are One”.

Llankay

Llankay can be roughly translated as “work” or “service” towards all living creations and the universe (cosmos, “source”, Creator, etc). It is a state of consciousness where each individual’s soul purpose, or path in life, is in service to their fellow Man as well as the cosmos. Everything that we “do” is in ultimate service to the Divine. Llankay is an understanding that we are all one part of a bigger picture and that each part is inherently dependent on the other. Every thought, word, and deed affects everyone and everything in this experience of life so much so that it would be wise to live consequently and with integrity and without fear. Llankay allows us to express our creativity through our work and can also be thought to symbolize the power of the physical body, or our animal selves. Its energy resides in the physical body below the ribcage to the groin and coincides with the first three chakras. With llankay, we know that we are not alone. The lesson of llankay is “We are all Connected”.

Yachay

When munay and llankay are in proper balance and relationship, it allows one to manifest the third Inca law of yachay. Yachay translates as “wisdom” and is more of an inner knowing and higher consciousness of our “authentic”, or true, selves. It understands that we are not our egos and are much more. Yachay allows us to release our identity with the several roles we play in life which have the tendency to bind us down and prevent us from “remembering” who we truly are. Yachay enables us to reach a state of inner peace and joy regardless of the strife and turmoil occurring externally. It is a state of stillness and presence. Meditation is a key practice that can lead to a state of yachay. The energy of yachay resides around our fifth, sixth, and seventh chakras, centering around the forehead between the eyebrows (the “Third Eye” area). Yachay is all about living in the present. The lesson of yachay is “All is Well".

Living by these three laws of love, service, and wisdom and the deeper understandings behind each principle can create a world of peace, balance, joy, beauty, grace, and harmony. Whenever you feel your world is falling apart or that the world is out to get to you, try the following: 1) Close your eyes, 2) Take a deep breath in and out, 3) Say to yourself or out loud, “Munay (pronounced “moo-ni ” where "ni" rhymes with "eye"), Llankay (“jon-ki “ where "ki" rhymes with "eye"), Yachay (“ya-chi “ where "chi" rhymes with "eye"), 4) Say them again but this time place both your hands at the center of your chest while saying “Munay”; then place your hands below your navel and say “Llankay”; and then finally place your hands on your forehead between your eyebrows and say “Yachay”. Do this as many times as needed until you feel some degree of calmness.