On February 1, 2022, Taita Alberto (formally known as Don Alberto Taxo) departed this life—to continue walking his path. He often said, “We are not our bodies. We are that which gives life to the body. That which we truly are does not die. Our essence continues walking.” He also emphasized that no one leaves their body by accident or before the right timing—that the soul knows its timing and when it has completed what it was here to do, then the soul departs the body in preparation for another life. He encouraged those who love him to celebrate his leaving, saying, “We are going to a very beautiful place. When we leave our bodies, we enter a very great Beauty. So, it is a time for celebration.”
–Written by Martha Travers, one of Taita Alberto’s students
“When the winds blow very strongly against us, when difficulties are very strong against us, we can fly higher. That’s what I learned from the condor. The condor waits until there’s a strong wind against him, because he’s the largest bird in the world, and when there’s a strong wind against him, he throws himself in the void and flies higher.”

Don Alberto Taxo
Don Alberto Taxo was a master Iachak* of the Atis (Kichwa) people from the Cotopaxi region of Ecuador. He was given the highest honor of Master Iachak by the Shamanic Council of South America. He generously shared ancient Andean wisdom and practices with people who sought happiness, balance and fulfillment. In his book, Friendship with the Elements: Opening the Channels of Communication, Don Alberto invited us to connect with the elements of nature—Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and the 5th balancing element known as the Ushai. Through simple habits and practices in daily life, he reminded us to feel the sacredness of each moment and every place. More...
*A "Iachak" is someone who embodies and shares the wisdom of his tradition for the benefit of others, acting as spiritual guide, healer and leader of the community.
Video Interview of Taita Iachak Alberto on the Web
The Global Oneness Project interviewed Don Alberto at his home in Membrillo, Ecuador in February. Watch the beautiful 5-minute video or the full interview. (Also on KarmaTube and YouTube!)