Entering the Maya Mysteries was born for me back in the mid-1980s, although I didn't know it then. I had a dream, in some ways quite similar to the one Frostie recounts below, but a different site. At the time I didn't even know the Maya existed. Over the years there were sychronicities and waking visions that I couldn't make sense of — until in January 1995 I went to Palenque for the first time. Magic happened — continuing to draw me back time and again. I'm now able to offer that entrypoint to others. See some of our travelers' stories below.

Carla Woody
Founder, Kenosis LLC

I am still in awe of what I have gained from the trip. I have stopped trying to analyze how or why, and am just enjoying the progress. I had been in such a stuck place and couldn't move on... Well, I definitely went through a threshold, but as I said, I don't know how I got here... it is much better on this side... You all helped make this a magical and mystical journey.

Pam Smith
Prescott, Arizona USA

The Maya Journey had so many effects on me that it would be impossible to talk about them all... I learned that I can be a lot more independent than I think I can... the confidence is there. I just needed to work on it a little... This was the most accomplished I've felt in years. I hope to keep that with me, and continue applying it to my life and realize that I can do anything I want to. I'm so thankful that I had the opportunity to go on this trip; I would go again in a heartbeat. Next stop: Peru!

Heather Harrison
Prescott, Arizona USA

How many times has someone experienced something so awesome that it will stay with them for the rest of their life, and feel the need to share it with others over and over? This happened to me recently, on a trip to Chiapas, Mexico with Carla Woody's Kenosis group.

(When the group first gathered) I told them that I had been having a recurring dream for months. I saw a huge pyramid, which I mistook for Machu Picchu. I kept asking relatives and friends to climb it with me, but nobody would. Once I knew what I was going to do on this trip, the dream made more sense. On the final dream I saw a huge face in front of a temple or pyramid. It covered almost the entire front of this ruin. I had absolutely no idea where this face was located, but I somehow sensed I would find it.

(When) we took a trip to Piedras Negras, Guatemala... I was up front with the guides, talking as if there was no tomorrow, and feeling the beauty and energy of the jungle... As we walked I started seeing the beginning of a large group of ruins, most of which were still being excavated. I didn't know what was going to happen next, but Alonso did. (Later I heard that) he told Carla to watch my face when we came upon one of the sites. I saw it and remember saying "wow", but I said that each time I saw a ruin.

But when I got right in front of it, there was the face in my dream!!!! It was exactly as I had seen it, even though I had never seen a picture or heard of this site. I started crying, and the rain started coming down hard, but I didn't care. I guess the sky was crying with joy, too.

The experience was mind boggling... spiritual and so beautiful... For my part, this only touched the tip of the many moving moments on this trip. It was important to me only because I followed my dream. Now I know what that really means. There were too many good things that happened to mention them all, one must go and experience it yourself. Follow your dreams and keep an open mind, you will be touched in a way that you didn't think possible...

Amelia "Frostie" Torres
Napa, California USA

The (Maya) trip was very profound for me... and I have been affected on so many levels... and cannot begin to say when I will have integrated all that happened to me. I can say, that I would not have missed going for anything! In fact, it's been one of the biggest highlight in my life...

Julianna Hamilton
Prescott, Arizona, USA

A deep personal bow from me to you for an outstanding outcome... The sense of adventure, changing some direction, unexpected outcome all shows me what life is about... I appreciate you making this possible for us. Your sensitivity to what opens us up is acknowledged!

The intimacy of thirteen people mostly unknown to one another and unfamiliar with what we were to see and experience became a pull to go deeper into the jungle and just take what we get. Spontaneity and accepting just what happens in life for the moment propelled me to soak up the moist air and breathe in a place so exquisite. Our guide, direct, attentive, and participating, allowed for education and an opening of respect for life as it is, on the terms of those we are with, be it humans or animals. I was honored to be present.

Sandy Pickens
Prescott Valley, Arizona USA

This journey was rich in multi-culturalism. Allowing you to leave Western ways far behind and experience a slower, softer living and moving in the world. It was an unforgettable experience! Energy brought to this journey by a group of people that consciously set an intent made it an exhilarating spiritual tour.

Cindy Heath
Prescott Valley, Arizona USA

Let me sum up my Mayan experience in a nutshell. Go!! Take in the beauty, romance, and the simplicity of their ways. Hold that in your heart, so when you come back to the real world, you can put part of your experience into each day of your life.

Penny Roberts
Prescott, Arizona USA

Mayan Mexico... soft, sensual, mysterious, magical and metaphors for life one after the other. This is how we would describe our recent spiritual foray into the jungles of Mexico. Once again Paul and I were able to merge one of our Sacred Stone Symbol Journeys with one of Carla's spiritual tours. We were going there anyway so why not put the two journeys together.

Much has changed in the region since Paul was first there 16 years ago but the mystery still remains. Starting with the easy way we just relaxed into the softness of the jungle as well as the climate, a metaphor for the abundance of life.

Yes! We all did amazingly physical things liking climbing stairways that seemed to go up forever, forded rushing streams and tramped through the ever encroaching jungle. Some swam in whirling pools under crashing waterfalls and we all rode down and up the rushing, swirling Usamacinta River — me with a big smile on my face because I felt so alive and so blessed to be there.

Yes! We went into areas that may have seemed dangerous to someone on the outside looking in, but with the intent that we all carried, there was no danger. Every bite, bruise and scratch was a testament to commitment, the fun being had and the satisfaction of another challenge faced and overcome. There were also the beers and Banana Coladas at the end of the day. Some days saw us all on the move from dawn to way past dusk, tired but full to overflowing with the experience from that day including the food from the restaurants or that which Cathy lovingly created for us.

... and then there was Alonso, a metaphor for passion and focus about work, his quiet softness... his knowledge of the Maya and their ancient cities held us spellbound as he told story after story of how and why and when, so we felt we were truly there. That big smile that spread across his face as we looked horrified as he told of his personal adventures and about all the things that could and had gone wrong, especially if it had to do with insects and snakes and throwing of one's self into powerful rivers.

Don Antonio, a metaphor for the preservation of ancient knowledge to help us all as we now stand on the precipice of massive world wide change. If we don't use it, we lose... forever.

... then there was Frostie... by the time she had fallen over for the ... I don't know time, we all lost count we just had to burst into hysterical laughter... she kept us reminded of the need to stay in balance, to make light of our challenges and to hold onto the messages in dreams as we watched one of hers come true.

Penny was a metaphor for moving ahead, still new in her grieving, she shone brightly, said I am not doing that(!)... faced and acknowledged her fears — and did it anyway.

To quote Sandy who was quiet perseverance personified, as was Marianne, "I feel as though we are on the set of an Indiana Jones movie." Surreal... but oh so real.

Cindy Heath.. take out the last "h" and she becomes a metaphor for how to blend your sensuality with the jungle and become one of its beautiful flowers.

Lalo (formerly known as Ed) who grew so quickly and changed so much was a metaphor for facing life with boundless enthusiasm and learning to slow down and take it all in instead of racing on through.

Julianna — a metaphor for having the courage to accept that which we cannot change.

Carla — a metaphor for moving ahead even if your body isn't so sure.

Nancy, another metaphor for grasping life with joy and letting in change even if it scares the heck out of you.

Cindy Lee whose "binoculars" recorded forever the releasing of the stone ceremony... a metaphor for... you can record it on your video and in your camera but that which your heart and mind sees will outshine it all.

The Mayan Journey was one that we will want to recreate in our lives over and over again.

Phoebe and Paul Hoogendyk
Lismore Heights, New South Wales, Australia