Welcome! I’m Gustavo Monje. You can call me by my spiritual name—Kusi—which means “happy” or “blissful” in Quechua. I am a college professor, PhD candidate, Andean Wisdom Carrier (Yachacha Pampa Paqo), writer, and musician. My passion lies in reconnecting people with Indigenous wisdom as a holistic approach to wellness. My work is a bridge—between the Quechua traditions of my ancestors, the Tantric philosophy I was initiated into two decades ago, and the modern world’s deep longing for meaning, connection, and healing.

In 2016, I started a YouTube channel called Tantra Thoughts to help my audience learn the Tantric teachings of my Guru, Shrii Shrii Anandamurti. Over the years, the channel grew to over 20,000 subscribers, fostering a global community of seekers drawn to these profound teachings. Though I had to step away from making videos for various reasons, I hope to expand the channel in the near future—integrating not only the Tantric wisdom that shaped me but also the Quechua teachings of my ancestors. Just as my YouTube channel sought to make Tantric wisdom accessible, my current research expands on this mission by exploring how Indigenous and Tantric philosophies together offer a profound model for healing and transformation.

The Heart of My Research

My doctoral research explores how Indigenous teachings and related practices can help us cultivate wellness—ethically, spiritually, and relationally. I am particularly interested in how Quechua cosmology and Tantric philosophy complement one another, creating a dynamic system of healing, personal transformation, and kinship with all beings.

I hope to compile my research into a book that curates five key Indigenous teachings—wisdom that has deeply shaped my own journey and that I believe can offer others a grounded, ethical path toward healing, resilience, and self-discovery. But my research is not just theoretical—it is experiential. As part of my work, I will be leading an immersive experience in 2025:

Pilgrimage to Machu Picchu

A five-day journey of spiritual renewal, where participants will walk the ancient Andean paths, engage in ceremony, and reconnect with themselves. This experience will be woven into my research, documenting the transformation that unfolds when people engage directly with these teachings.

Why This Work Matters

Many people today feel disconnected—alienated from their communities, their purpose, and even themselves. Industrialization and capitalism have created systems that sever our relationships with the Earth and with each other. My work is about repairing these connections. By bringing Indigenous and Tantric teachings into the conversation around wellness, I hope to offer people practical and spiritual tools to find balance in a world that often feels overwhelming.

Much of the modern Western wellness movement, while well-intentioned, often falls into the trap of toxic positivity—encouraging people to bypass their struggles rather than truly process and transform them. In other cases, wellness is reduced to external markers like beauty, youth, and wealth-building, reinforcing individualism rather than fostering true healing and connection. This creates an urgent need for people to explore a more holistic and relational form of wellness—one that is not just about personal gain but about reciprocity, ethical awareness, and kinship with the land and all beings.

Indigenous traditions, including Quechua cosmology, teach that wellness is not just about feeling good or looking good; it is about living in right relationship—with ourselves, with our communities, and with the Earth. When we practice reciprocity, honor our interconnectedness, and embrace the full spectrum of our human experience—including grief, responsibility, and service—we do more than heal ourselves. We contribute to a larger movement of restoring harmony to our world. By integrating these teachings into daily life, we not only cultivate personal healing but also foster communities rooted in mutual care, respect, and sustainability.

Join Me on This Journey

This is just the beginning. Whether through writing, teaching, or guiding experiences, my goal is to share these teachings in a way that is both accessible and deeply respectful of the lineages they come from. If you’re interested in exploring these ideas with me, I invite you to follow my journey on social media, on my YouTube channel (Tantra Thoughts), or on pilgrimage with me in 2025.

Let’s walk this path together—learning, healing, and rediscovering the wisdom that has always been within us.