Spiritual Travel in Chiapas, Mexico:
Entering the Maya Mysteries
January 18-29, 2024 – Registration full.
Immersion Experience in Maya Cosmology, Medicine, Arts and Sacred Ways of the Living Maya.
Co-sponsored by Kenosis and Kenosis Spirit Keepers. A portion of tuition is tax deductible.
Registration discount until September 22, 2023.
This program is community-based. Tuitions help support Maya spiritual guides, healers and their families with whom we engage during our travels.
See detailed itinerary for this program.
Read travelers’ stories from previous journeys.
Few peoples lived their spiritual mythologies in so graphic a manner, and left behind such abundant clues of the great leap to life beyond this one, and the places in-between, in their magnificent temples and symbols now being decoded.
How can we find meaning in the Ancient Maya world that we may translate into our own lives? What Maya rituals and stories survive — connecting the filaments from long ago? In a present-day Western culture bereft of such richness, how might we take a cue from this age-old culture and develop metaphoric pathways to enliven our own being? These are the questions that will frame our experiences and journey into timelessness.
We are honored to offer a special program focusing on the sacred traditions of Maya peoples. Through the timing of our travels we are fortunate to immerse ourselves in Maya Mysteries showcasing the spiritual strength of the Living Maya connected with their ancient origins. We offer you an intimate opportunity, unlikely to be found on your own, engaging with spiritual leaders and healers who serve their people — with the intent that we are all transformed and carry the beauty home.
We begin our program in the lovely colonial town of San Cristóbal de Las Casas, surrounded by high mountains, with its stately architecture, narrow streets and markets replete with beautiful Maya weavings and handicrafts. Here we are introduced to the elements of Maya culture and traditions. We also meet Don Sergio Castro, known as the saint of San Cristóbal, and learn of his humanitarian healing work. Through a collaboration with Galería MUY, specializing in Maya and Zoque contemporary art, we meet the artists who share their work and influences from cultural roots, relationship with Ch’ll Balamil (Mother Earth) and threats to their traditions have on their art.
In a small hamlet above the village of San Juan Chamula we are invited into the home of Don Xun Calixto. Here he holds an audience telling of his curing methods. After a special ceremony of prayers and offerings we share a meal in the family compound. We witness the religious festivals of San Sebastián in Chamula and Zinacantán, and spend time in a Maya church where curanderos conduct healing sessions — and many have deeply spiritual experiences.
We follow our time in San Cristóbal with a rare experience, a journey down the Usumacinta River, landing on the Guatemalan shore to follow a trail through dense rainforest to Piedras Negras, a place well known to Lacandón ancestors. The capital of the Maya World between 400 BCE to 800 CE, it remains alive. The ancient Maya called it Yo’kib, identifying its entrance to the spirit world.
In the Lacandón Maya rainforest village of Nahá, we meet Don Antonio Martinez, the last elder faithfully practicing his Indigenous rituals. He has graciously consented to share his traditions, and the sacred balché ceremony, so that they may be witnessed and live on. While in Nahá we are privileged to spend time at Lake Nahá, imbued with an unmistakably spiritual presence, a place of ceremony. There in the rainforest is the perfect site for Tat Apab’yan Tew, Maya Daykeeper and spiritual guide, to offer sacred ways from his native Guatemala and an evening fire ceremony connecting with the ancestors.
Our travels culminate against the dramatic backdrop of Palenque where we learn from Carol Karasik about Ancient Maya Cosmology and the extent that the Living Maya are still shaped by their ancestors. At the edge of Catazaja, we enter the famed lagoon known for its biodiversity that naturally enlivens the soul. An apt ending to our journey… knowing that commitment to such an undertaking is life-changing, unfolding on multiple levels, informing our future and those we touch. Throughout our time, Carla Woody shapes a journey that continues to unfold long after you’ve returned home.
Sponsorships and Donations
These sponsorships funded through your tuition and private donations are tax-deductible.
Spirit Keepers Journeys: Since 2007 Indigenous Spirit Keepers of the Americas have been traveling with us during our spiritual travel programs in Peru, Bolivia, Guatemala, Mexico and the US. Kenosis Spirit Keepers, as the nonprofit extension of Kenosis, provides Indigenous “bridge builders” in the Americas, who have shared interests, parallel traditions or overlapping geographic roots, ways to connect with each other on an intimate, small group level. Through these interchanges it is our intent that Indigenous traditions are strengthened and sustained.
Sponsored Indigenous guest for the 2024 program in Chiapas, Mexico:
Eli PaintedCrow is of the Yaqui and Maya Nations, currently living in the Central Valley of California. She is the author of Why You Matter, an Iraq War veteran and mother of two sons and seven grandchildren. Founder of Turtle Women Rising, she is an advocate for peace, returning soldiers, and women’s sovereignty facililitated through Indigenous medicine and teachings. Eli has committed to strategies that bring healing to the planet and its inhabitants with the knowledge our ancestors left us. Her concern for the future generations has inspired her to be their voice at this crucial time of our changing planet.
Don Sergio Castro’s textile museum: We have long helped support this small museum in San Cristóbal de las Casas and Don Sergio’s humanitarian healing work with poor Maya communities.
GROUP SIZE LIMITED. RESERVE YOUR SPACE!
Contact us at 928-778-1058 or info@kenosisspiritkeepers.org to arrange a Spiritual Travel journey for your group.
Grandmother Flordemayo gives her impressions of traveling with the 2013 Maya spiritual travel program.
Program Guides
Carla Woody— spiritual mentor, writer, artist — is the founder of Kenosis LLC, an organization based in Prescott, Arizona, supporting human potential through workshops and spiritual travel opportunities. She leads retreats internationally sharing an integration of NLP, energy medicine and world sacred traditions. Carla is the developer of “The Re-Membering Process”, a model for spiritual growth, and works with individuals and groups in areas of transition, relationships, spirituality and whole health. She first journeyed to Palenque in 1995 and has been drawn back again and again by the resident mysteries of the region. In 2007, Carla founded Kenosis Spirit Keepers, a 501(c)3 organization, working to preserve Indigenous wisdom traditions.
Apab’yan Tew, a Day Keeper, spiritual guide, dancer and musician, of the sacred K’iche’ Maya tradition from the village of Nawalja’ in Sololá of the Guatemalan highlands. His ceremonial work most often takes place in caves, engaging the resident energies of the natural site and timing of the Cholq’ij calendar in conjunction with needs of communities or individuals. During these times he becomes a living mirror and spiritual conduit. Sought after as a speaker and consultant, we are fortunate to have Tat Apab’yan traveling with us as translator, not only for language but also of Maya traditions in a way we may experience them more deeply. He is the author of The Birth of a Universe: The Maya Science of Pregnancy and soon-to-be released The Flower Counter.
The Lacandón Maya live deep in the rainforest now known as the Lacandón Biosphere. Some anthropologists claim they are the direct descendants of the Ancient Maya who built Palenque, while others conjecture they came from the Yucatan to escape the conquistadors. Wherever their origins, the Lacandones have been rooted in the jungle for hundreds of years in relative isolation. Their appearance and native practices, which closely parallel the Classic Maya mythologies, set them apart from the Maya in other areas of Mexico. Their numbers are growing fewer, merely a few hundred, and since their t’o’ohil, or Great One, Chan K’in Viejo passed in the mid-1990s their spiritual traditions are nearly lost. During our time in the rainforest village of Nahá, we are privileged to spend time with Don Antonio Martinez, the last elder faithful to his traditions, and engage in the balché ceremony, a prayer offering.
The Tzotzil and Tzeltal Maya of the Chiapas highlands hold a rich tradition of religious festivals, curing rituals, herbal remedies and women’s sacred medicine ways. Their healers are called through dreams and their everyday lives are infused with the esoteric metaphors that are documented in Classic Maya art. We will be fortunate to sample it all.
Chiapas photos ©2010-2024 Carla Woody. All rights reserved.
Tuition
Registration discount until September 22: $3400 (check, money order or Zelle) or $3505 by credit card. After September 22: $3500(check, money order or Zelle) or $3605 by credit card. Includes an automatic donation (tax-deductible for U.S. taxpayers) of $300 supporting travel sponsorship of an Indigenous Wisdom Keeper and the humanitarian healing work of Don Sergio Castro.
Please note: Kenosis LLC is a philanthropic organization that limits normal profits in order to fundraise for Kenosis Spirit Keepers, its nonprofit extension. The tax-deductible donation is passed to you so that you become an integral part of this important work. No additional funds have been added to your tuition costs. See Other Information below.
Tuition includes all group work with Carla Woody, instruction in Maya cosmology with Carol Karasik, audience and curing ritual with Don Xun Calixto, balché ceremony with Lancandón elder Don Antonio Martinez, fire ceremony and teachings with Tat Apab’yan Tew, noted religious festivals, visits with artists and Don Sergio Castro, simple lodging in double rooms or other shared arrangements depending on location, all meals in Nahá, all breakfasts/1 lunch/3 dinners elsewhere according to itinerary, any entrance fees, boat and guide to Piedras Negras, and transport in Mexico during formal group time.
Ask about single supplement availability and cost in San Cristóbal, Finca Vallescondido and Palenque.
Tuition does NOT include airfare to/from Mexico, or transportation between the airport and the starting/ending points (San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Palenque). Neither does it include travel insurance (minimum emergency medical/evacuation required), beverages, snacks, meals not mentioned above, tips, or personal expenses incurred at lodging or elsewhere.
Also includes a pre- or post-trip Lifepath Design session — complimentary — with Carla Woody regarding intent or re-entry.
COVID-19 testing: Due to the changing state regarding COVID-19 variants, we require all travelers to administer a rapid self-test 24 hours prior to the program start date and provide proof of a negative result. This requirement is in effect whether travelers are fully vaccinated and boosted or not. We’re committed to doing what we can to keep everyone safe.
For complete details, contact us. Detailed logistics document sent upon registration.
Deposit
Non-refundable deposit of $500 (check, money order or Zelle) made out to Kenosis LLC to hold your place. If by credit card: $515. Remainder due in full by October 16, 2023. Mail to: Kenosis, PO Box 10441, Prescott, AZ 86304. To pay by credit card go here.
Cancellation Policy
Up to 90 days prior to the trip start: full refund (less non-refundable deposit). Between 89-70 days prior: 50% (less non-refundable deposit). Less than 70 days: no refund.
Please note: Cancellation policy strictly enforced. We suggest travelers obtain travel insurance that covers trip cancellation for any reason.
Cancellations impact the viability of the group, and negatively affect the Indigenous leaders and healers who depend on the support our work brings for their families and communities. This program also involves costly upfront expenses incurred by Kenosis in order to secure arrangements, which are passed on to travelers should cancellation occur as shown above.
Other Information
We believe in the sacred sense of reciprocity. Your tuition includes a financial contribution to support the welfare of the Maya people with whom we engage, as well as other Native traditions.
For this year’s Maya program, your donation goes to support: • Sponsorship supporting a traditional Native Wisdom Keeper to make connections with Maya relations. • Don Sergio Castro’s textile museum and his humanitarian healing work with poor Maya communities.
Automatic donations from tuitions for Spiritual Travel Programs are forwarded to Kenosis Spirit Keepers, the nonprofit arm of Kenosis LLC, in order to give back to traditional Indigenous spiritual leaders, healers and communities who hold the fragile threads of their sacred ways. We fully believe: If these traditions continue to die, we all lose.
To learn more about Kenosis Spirit Keepers’ mission and projects, go here. Your donations are recognized as a charitable contribution by the State of Arizona, and by the US Internal Revenue Service under Section 501(c)(3).