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What is a Temazcal ceremony?
If you have ever been to Tulum, Mexico, chances are you noticed the Temazcal signs scattered throughout the town. I know I did and it initially sounded like a name for a local drink. I quickly found out from a local Shaman I became friends with, that it is a powerful ancient Mayan ritual, aimed at making you face your deepest fears and promising a rebirth, as you come out of the ceremony.
At that point, I definitely needed a reset to my life so it sounded perfect. However, the same Shaman also told me that I should not force it, as in I should not go to one of the many hotels and pay for it, that it is supposed to come to me naturally, as an invitation. I respected that and a few days later I received a text message. A friend of a friend, who was also a Shaman, was holding a ceremony in a jungle about 50 km outside of the town, and I was invited.
My journey into the jungle
I was told that we were meeting at his house in Tulum and driving together to where the ceremony would be held. I arrived there before anyone else, excited and a little nervous. He welcomed me with a warm hug and advised me to think about a few intentions I want to set for myself before the ritual. When the rest of the people arrived, we got in the car and headed for the forest.
On our way to the forest.
The crisp air, sound of the chirping birds and smell of nature felt instantly amazing. There were ten of us, all locals apart from me, and from what I observed, everyone had already experienced a Temazcal ritual before. Two women were helping the Shaman set up the sweat-lodge, a dome-like structure, constructed with large sticks and covered in thick blankets to keep it dark and hot.
Our hut set up.
Setting Up for the Ceremony
Once everything was set up, we all lined up for a pre-sweat blessing. We were smudged with copal sage and asked to keep our intentions in the forefront of our minds. Meanwhile, there was a huge fire burning outside and the volcanic stones were being heated up. We then entered the hut one by one, taking our seats in the pitch-black space.
Our Shaman welcomed us, and started chanting while the hot lava stones, which I can only assume were about a million degrees each, were thrown into a deep pit in the center of the hut. It was getting hotter and hotter by the second. Starting with our Shaman, we went around the circle and each took turns to say “for all my relationships”, (todas mis relaciones in Spanish), as our spiritual healing and intentions not only affect ourselves but everyone in our lives.
What the Ceremony Entails
He explained that there would be several stages to the ceremony. We would pass through four symbolic doors of life represented by the four elements. The circular shape of the hut represented the “womb of mother earth”, the maternal womb, the source of life and return to the origins. The concept of rebirth was linked directly to that connection with the “Madre Tierra”, who will absorb all negative energies from the body and the mind, in our thoughts and sweat, purifying us from the past. These emotions would then be replaced by our new positive intentions and wishes, and harnessed by the Earth.
Hot stones placed in a pit.
By now, we were all sweating. After another round of adding more stones into the pit, it was time to share our intentions out loud. It was an extremely intimate and eye-opening moment for me. Each person took as much time as they needed to pour their hearts out, release anything that is holding them back to live life to the fullest, all that troubles them as well as their wishes. Each word was truly coming from their hearts and it was visible in the tears, screams and laughs.
Sharing My Intentions
Once it was my turn, I claimed that I want Temazcal to ground me while connecting me with a higher consciousness, help me be more loving, kind, gentle with myself and others, help me accept and embrace the journey fully, bring me clarity, uncloud my thoughts, show me my path and purpose clearly, release any mental and emotional blocks. And as a result of it all make me more peaceful and connected to it all. Too much to demand from a ceremony? We will see.
After the last person voiced their intentions, there was a moment of release. I was in a semi trance-state, from the strong smell of herbs and the intense heat combined with the chanting. Some of the participants began lying down, we were all stripped down to our bikinis or underwear. Cries, laughs and screams continued all throughout the ceremony. Whoever felt an emotion come up were free to express it, without any fear of being judged. We had a moment where we all screamed on top of our lungs to release anger, sadness, shame, fear. I experienced a full spectrum of emotions within a two-hour ritual. It was truly liberating.
The Closing Ritual
With the last round of stones thrown in, we were given a piece of orange and drinking water poured into our hands and over our head that symbolized the closing of the ritual. We again took turns to thank the Shaman for initiating the ceremony, and to express our love for all beings on Earth. The Shaman let us know that we can take our time inside the hut to relax as long as we wish.
Seeing these people whom I had only just met, at their most vulnerable and intimate states, hearing about their fears and traumas, opened my eyes to the fact that we all are constantly struggling our own inner battles. I realized, time and again that in the outside world, we all are acting, one way or another, making our best to maintain constant inner peace and happiness. It once again showed me the importance of not judging anyone without knowing their full story, and even then, you would have to walk life in someone else’s shoes to fully grasp how they feel. Overall, I exited the hut feeling more relaxed, and connected.
He also participated the ritual.
As the final step, Temazcalero poured water over our heads and over our bodies, to wash off the sweat signifying a cleanse of all we left out of our minds and bodies.
Reflecting on the Temazcal Experience
I like to try everything at least once and for me participating in a Temazcal ceremony was definitely a memorable experience. Was it magic like I expected it to be? Probably not. Did all my intentions come to life immediately after the completion of the ritual? Also no. It did urge me however, to live a more aligned and intentional life and work on myself more than I ever had. I would say I kept those intentions active in my conscious for many months following the ritual and made consistent effort to bring them to reality. Looking back now after almost a year, I can clearly see a positive difference from where I used to be mentally.
Reflecting on what had just happened, at the beach.
So, I thank the Temazcal for initiating me to ask daring questions, set up intentions and to let go and receive. If this sounds like an experience you would also like to have, keep an open mind and I am sure it will flow into your life just exactly as it should!
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