Tell us a little about yourself: Who is Diego?
My real name is José Pérez, and I was born in 1985 in the village of Santa Catarina Palopó, in the department of Sololá. Life there was the same as it is for all poor people: there were farmers, fishermen, hardworking people. I grew up with my parents and always worked in one way or another, sometimes farming, sometimes fishing… always working hard. One day, I thought, I’d like to do something different, so I went to see a person who owned a small store that sold típica and asked for a job, and he gave it to me. Then he brought me here to La Antigua because he liked the way I worked. So, I began to sell típica here as a wandering vendor in the park.
There, I met some people who told me that this wasn’t my destiny. They told me that I wasn’t going to end up doing hard labor my whole life and killing myself for it. It was like a spiritual message, but I had my doubts so I asked someone who knew about Mayan spirituality. He read my destiny and said that yes, it was true. So, from that point on, I began to focus on ceremonial work.
How did you get started?
The same person who read my destiny told me that someday he’d take me to a ceremonial center, and he did – to Iximché in Tecpán, in the department of Chimaltenango. There I felt the energy, the vibrations of nature, and liked it. I started to study and I asked this man to be my mentor. He began to teach and direct me, but there came a day when he said to me, “Now we’re going to go our separate ways because I’m very old. This work, this gift, is going to stay with you because you’ve focused yourself on it. You’ve focused your mind, your life, your spirit. Now you’ll be working alone.” And a short time later, my mentor died.
After that, what did you do?
I started working in the field of spirituality and I began to be in touch with people who’d ask me things [about spirituality], but I was only working part time on this; I continued to work as a vendor, and it was while I was doing this that I met my wife who was also a vendor. Then I met her brother, who also works in spirituality. We became friends, and when he went to work, he told me to come with him to help some people. I told him that I didn’t know enough, that I only knew a little about the spiritual field, but I felt that he knew better and I wanted him to teach me. That’s how it all began.
After that, I changed my name to Diego, because that was the name of my mentor and also my dad’s name; I changed my name to honor them. I continued working with my brother-in-law in the field of spirituality and one day, a group of people came to the house to celebrate Maximón’s day – Maximón is Kachiquel, the Spanish name is San Simon [or Saint Simon in English] – October 28th is his day. After giving my business cards to people, those who liked my work began to visit, and others as well.
How do you do your work?
We work through dreams. It’s not something you can decide to learn; you can’t, because it’s not a material thing – it’s spiritual. When a person comes with doubts, we can dream for the person; we can see his energy, his intentions, his vibes.
For example, when people come to us, we look at the shadows that they bring, and then we tell them to come back the next day so we can tell them what’s going on. Then during the night, we concentrate or sleep or… another way to put it is that we die for a little while in order to see what comes to us. Although, sometimes there are cases where it’s not necessary to wait, and at that moment, we can tell them what’s going on: what their problem is and how to solve it. We can look at the person and know their issues.
Are there other ways to help people?
Yes, there are other ways: we focus ourselves, we read cups and red beans and tzite, we smoke ceremonial cigars – these are some of the ways. When reading the cup or glass, for example, we concentrate and look at the images in the water through our mind. The spirits, who are all around us, are what guide us. We ask the spirits about the burden that the person is carrying and about what he or she wants to know, in order to guide that person.
So far we’ve only talked about premonitions and vibes, but we can’t forget the fire ceremonies. When we work with spirits, it’s like asking a friend for a favor; if I ask you for a favor, I need to do something for you – buy you coffee, water, or something. The same is true with the spirits. The fire is like a portal, a door where we give offerings to the spirits for the things we want. We, as spiritual guides, have to share with the spirits; we have to give something back to Mother Nature so that nothing happens to us, so that nothing unbalances us. The spirits come first.
Speaking of ceremonies, I understand that you perform ceremonies here in La Antigua. Where?
A year ago we started doing ceremonies at La Peña del Sol Latino. We do them whenever we can, but especially on important days.
How can people participate?
You don’t have to bring anything, just show up. What is necessary is to check the date or day. We usually do them in the afternoons.
Why did you start performing ceremonies there?
We started so that people who don’t know about our culture could learn a little bit about it, and about what we do, and what we live through. And, yes, they like it. Many people have participated and we hope more will come.
Now tell us, what do you like most about La Antigua Guatemala?
I like everything about La Antigua. I like to wander the streets, walk in the park, visit the ruins and go sight-seeing.
What would you change about this city?
I think what’s needed is some fixing up and also a little bit more security, but over time, it’s been getting fixed up little by little.
What would you say to a newcomer to La Antigua?
I’d say that this is a city of peace and tranquility, and that there are things to see, like ruins and museums. I would tell them that this place is a treasure, congratulate them on being here, and tell them not to underestimate it, so they can appreciate the city more.
What are your planes for the future?
Well, I would like to open a small business here in La Antigua so that people could visit me more easily, since this town is a very popular destination. I do handicrafts, too – wood carving and also painting. I haven’t had the opportunity to open my own business here yet, but it’s what I need.
Contact:
For more information about Mayan spirituality or its applications, call 5939-8659 or visit the Path to the Palace Center (Camino hacia el Palacio), at No. 78, Zone 1, Santa Catarina Barahona, Sacatepéquez.
Photos by Víctor González
Cover Photo: Viaje al Fin del Mundo
