Can you imagine what teamwork was like 500 years ago in the high Andean Mountains of Peru? Hidden within the magnificent ancient ruins were secrets about teamwork, some most likely still to be revealed. In October 1997 I traveled there to study the ancient Inca and their historic rise to greatness. My visit included 7 major citadels ranging in ages of origin from 400 BC to 1400 AD.
We noted their grand and intricate stone and clay architecture, highly developed farming and terracing system, along with the cultural integration of their work, social lives, and religion/spiritual. Within approximately 100 years and without a written language the Imperial Inca culture established dominion over 6 to 9 million peoples spread over 3000 miles of rugged, high Andean mountainous terrain.
Stones (boulders from 50 lbs to 360 tons) were cut precisely and fitted together so well water would not flow between them; earthquakes couldn't move them out of place. Boulders seemed "carved" and fitted together like an intricate multi-ton weaving. All the time I wondered, "How did they do that?" Farm terracing was in two types, seemingly vertical plots and horizontal terraces. What we call a "black diamond" ski run, they farmed or terraced to produce 3 to 4 times the amount per liter of water than the valley floor below. The Inca experimented with seeds at precise altitudes for optimal growth. Imagine farming by hand at over 10,000 ft. Citadels were delicately planned areas for protection from elements and enemies. They revered nature's beauty even to the point of copying mountainous horizons in stone so as to "touch" the horizon. Elaborate structures were erected to worship the sun, moon, and stars. Summer and winter solstices were known to exact times. They seemed to have an intimate relationship with the stars, constellations, and various figures in the distant celestials.
They were masters of canals and reservoirs. Spring water was captured in small rock channels sent to ritual baths for the priesthood to bless, then to the fields. Even today the water flows and does not leak to erode the substructure.
As we attempted to experience the aged and imperial cultures through meditation, conversation, and standing awe-struck in the presence of such inexplicable cultural grandeur, it became very clear to me these people had a profound sense of vision, purpose, and commitment. They knew whom they were . . . a people of great spiritual wealth, connected very closely to the earth and its energy. Was this a part of their purpose? Every detail demonstrated this connection, from cutting stones along sensitive "weaker" lines (every stone had a "purpose"), to implementation of astronomy for specific dates to plant, to planned cities depicting their reverence for the earth and the water it provided. Every aspect of their lives, work, politics, social and spiritual were very tightly woven together.
I was touched more than once by the "energy" of peace, serenity, and power in the ancient cities. They seemed to understand how to do things we only dream about. In one case, an 80 ton carved stone was left 450 years ago along the roadway just 300 yards short of its destination. It had been cut to put into its precise place and dragged(?) from the quarry 2000 ft. above the present elevation over 4 miles away, across the valley floor and a reasonably powerful river. I scratched my head in breathless wonder at how they might have done this.
It seemed every move they made was one with a "knowing", planned sequence, and part of an intricate, intimate dance with others with whom they worked and lived. Male and female energies were understood and integrated into the metropolitan. Upon my return I still wonder what it took. Vision, purpose, yes, and more. They personified a commitment to themselves, their people, and their belief system far exceeding many known cultures. Their commitment was seen in cutting white and red granite, apparently with string, sand, & water, and building magnificent structures still standing after great abuse from tourists and weather. In some cases the sites are still occupied today, providing homes for a peaceful, reverent, and happy people. Today's descendant residents have a soft, loving, caring spirit in eyes so powerful one wonders about the paradox of poverty and personal power.
I continue to wonder in mystery what messages the Inca hold for us today. Each and every organization may have something to learn from the Inca. Perhaps it may be found in just the few words, vision, purpose, commitment, values, spirit. The Inca exemplified their values with their feet, hands, and hearts. Their whole belief and life system was integrated with what they were as a people and what they did for a living. This is passionate purpose. Is this a lesson for us today?
