Casa Catherwood

2012 marks the beginning of a new Katun in the Maya Long Count Calendar. 

In the same way that just over a decade ago the world looked with anticipation at the beginning of the Third Millennium according to the Western calendar which began on January 1, 2000, we now anticipate the promise of a new Katun.

To commemorate the beginning of a new Katun, we have assembled three extraordinary adventures that consist of a holistic approach to renewal and awakening. 

Before a new Katun begins … the current one must end.  New beginnings offer the promise of closing old chapters in our lives, adopting more holistic lifestyles, and seeing the world with a new perspective.  To guide you to a more enlightened, nurturing and balanced life, we are delighted to offer three extraordinary journeys of enlightenment and self-discovery under the auspices of Don Emilio Guadalupe Chan, a Maya spiritual leader, who are known as H’men.

Don Emilio, who is a member of the Organization of Indigenous Maya Herbalists of the Yucatan Peninsula, or OMIMPY, is recognized by the Government of Mexico as being one of the spiritual leaders of the Maya people whose teachings and practices conform to traditional Maya beliefs, customs and practices.

Under his auspices and guidance, three distinct Paths to Enlightenment have been prepared for 2012. 

What are the traditional Maya teachings of spirituality and our place in the universe?  In this journey, Don Emilio will guide us through five days of learning and spirituality.  The principles of harmony and balance are understood, within the Maya world vision and relationship to nature.  The eternal questions are examined: Who am I?  What is my purpose in the universe?  What is my relationship to others?  The anticipation and promise of a new Katun channels our thoughts and energies towards the need to examine and understand these philosophical questions.  The teachings of the ancient Maya who, in their temples built atop pyramids rising high above the jungle canopies, have been passed down through the centuries in written and oral traditions are examined and shared.  The path to enlightenment seeks to engender harmony and balance, a healthful and life-affirming perspective about who you are and your place in the universe.

Land package: 5 days, 4 nights is $1,400 per person. For details, click on the image.

How can you live in harmony with the world around you?  How can you begin to adopt the habits that lead to a sustainable and life-affirming lifestyle?  How can you incorporate the sacred things around you and make them a part of your own life?  These are the questions explored and answered in this five-day journey.  Shedding the processed artificiality of industrialized foods, this journey seeks to cleanse the body through drinking teas and flavored-waters made from herbs and leaves harvested from the rainforests of the Yucatan.  Don Emilio will teach the fundamental curative powers associated with different leaves, herbs, teas and roots that have been used for centuries by the Maya for ailments, including cholesterol, diabetes, stress and high blood pressure.  Often times we neglect the simple solutions around us, from the fragrant tea that can be made from the leaf of the bitter orange plant, to the simple benefits derived from incorporating chaya into our diets.  This journey, which includes sessions with yogi and breathing exercises, focuses on individualized assessment by Don Emilio.  If you are inclined to bring your medical records, he can tailor specific holistic approaches that would complement your regimen.  And at the end of this journey, you will be well on your way to adopting the healthful and mindful habits for the new Katun.

Land package: 5 days, 4 nights is $1,650 per person. For details, click on the image.

This journey is centered on a more extensive exploration of the mind-body connection from the perspective of the ancient Maya.  Rituals from time immemorial – incense, saunas, massages, aromatherapy, colonic irrigation, and spiritual Maya blessing rituals – are incorporated into the activities.  Each is performed by certified aromatherapists, massage therapists, herbalists and yogis, the offerings are designed to guide you into a new state of mind.  The process of imparting the wisdom of the ancient Maya necessitates not only adopting a broader perspective about life, the world and your place in it, but also about how to nurture your body, which is the mortal vessel that carries your immortal soul.  The proper activities for caring for the one body you have, from proper nutrition and rest, to meditation and ritualized sensory experiences are taught by don Emilio.  This will allow you to harness your inner strength, beauty and vitality as you renew your outlook for the coming Katun.

Land package: 6 days, 5 nights is $1,950 per person. For details, click on the image.

Emilio Guadalupe Chan speaks Yucatec Maya and Spanish.  Translators are provided for participants who speak English or French.