Many ancient civilizations had their requirements for great leadership. The Mayan culture, in particular, had a unique perspective on what lead the people to the ideal values of its people. Where spiritual and physical wellness is prioritized, perhaps the community leaders needed a special education that included much more than reading, writing and arithmetic. Those that were considered ah men, which the word shaman is more familiar, became the educational path of the sages of the time. They were heavily relied upon for worldly and cosmic matters.
Included in their education was what was considered supportive of the physical and spiritual realms and “to which were added history, chronology as applied to the agricultural cycle, astrology and therapeutics.When the trainining of the physician was completed, his final acceptance in the profession was celebrated by participation in a ceremony during the month Uo. Priests, and doctors prepared by fasting for a festivity called Pocam, gathering with their wives in the house of one of them, and after casting out the devil, they opened their medicine packs, in which they carried small idols and certain little stones with which they cast lots.” - Francisco Guerra, Cambridge University Press
Carried over from ancient practices, part of the healing ceremonies today continue to include the burning of copal for prayer, the use of specific plant medicines, consulting the energies of the day, the casting of stones and the confession of sins before the body and spirit can heal. While the Mayan “Chimam,” “Ah Men,” or Shaman still exist today, their role has now become a fringe zone, almost secretive world of healing, no longer the leadership of the day. Sometimes this role is seen as exotic, even commodified, as one thinks they can take a hallucinogen and be healed overnight or take weekend certification courses and contain the magic of herbs and rituals. Healing is an individual lifelong practice. However, I do believe in my lifetime there are individuals with this inheritance making their way to the forefront to share their knowledge and bring the world of all sentient beings into balance. A blessing.
Medicine Bundles.
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