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Sacred Ground - Exploring Maya Spirituality |
In the Shadow of an Ancient City An informal, participatory exploration of the evolution of spiritual and religious beliefs and practices among the Yucatecan Maya. You will stay comfortably at Genesis Retreat, in a traditional Maya village 300 meters from the ancient city of Ek Balam (Black Jaguar), once a seat of power in classic and post classic times. Sacred Places of the Ancients This program includes participation in a purification ceremony by a Maya "Men" or Shaman, as well as discussions led by an English speaking Maya specialist. You will be invited to explore various cenotes and caves which served as natural temples for the ancient Maya and entrances to a world governed by a plethora of gods and goddesses. Modern Spirituality Spanish conquerors introduced new icons to the Maya's spiritual vocabulary and burned old Gods from memory. But have the all the old icons disappeared or are some hiding behind new names within accepted Catholic belief? Can we find traces of ancient thought in the prayers and ceremonies of Mayan farmers who maintain a connection with natural law? You will have the opportunity to look at how new religions (eg Mormon, Seventh Day Adventist and Baptist) are affecting Maya values and beliefs today. The week ends with prayer and ceremony and, hopefully, the opportunity to examine what you have learned in the context of your own life. This experiential "study" is not guided by experts or academics but is intended to bring you to the threshold of your own knowledge by identifying universal patterns that affect the world and your own life. |
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