They called it the Mayan Experience. As the Woman took Our room numbers and names. They hurriedly described the included services and spoke of their own expertise. No one went into any depth about the experience itself. More time was spend discussing payment and times rooms and names. It all seemed so abstract to me as I walked about smelling the salt air and absorbing the atmosphere.
Waiting outside in a raised garden area within a latticework of palms and ferns and the airs of sea and gentle flora wafted between the whiffs of citrus infused ice water. The conversation drifted from the weather to the plants to the little lizards climbing the palm trees in the secluded enclosure. Hard to believe that 20 yards away was a busy beach, a bar and children splashing in pools. They were far away and drifting further away with each breath. I closed my eyes now and again to let the smell of it all settle in my mind with the soft pan flute music. Wafting in and out. Drifting in and out. Some unknown tropical plants scent on a slow wafting breeze. Trying to locate it sense it identify it like vanilla but fainter, like lychee but softer. Perhaps its better I never know. Often its that way to have a thing unknown unnamed. So it may remain a mystery and never lose its grace within the mind.
I had undergone a Jungle "Mayan Experience" before and this ceremony was very similar. Standing back to back with a Mayan Drum and flute dictating the cadence. The unmistakable scent of burning ambergris was set about us and drifted past us being usher through us to separate from the outside world. This Blessing is used by Mayans who are about to delve into Sacred Waters. It also cleanses the senses and relaxes the participant. The Drum beats and the pan flute calls the points on the compass as She walks in a circle around us. Having eyes closed subconsciously extends trust, lowers defenses and is the beginning of letting go.
We guessed momentarily at the nature of the slight citrus scent coming from the essential oil diffusers in the steaming room we had been led to. The steam filled my lungs and the clouds above the pool took the hard edges of my view.
The jets within the hot cauldron of waters were powerful and relaxing. Bubbling and frothing around us. The mist filled, almost cenote like room had thick moist air filled with citrus and eucalyptus.
We lay about it as Romans in some ancient bath. I thought of how Turks Egyptians Aztecs Mayans Babylonians First Nations bygone ancients and the rituals of saunas hot baths and smoke houses. All cultures have some kind of ritual bathing ceremony.
We lay about in the frothing pool being tossed about slightly by the rush of warm bubbles, Relaxing soothing and calming until It was time to either lumber out and shake off the lull or give into it and fall asleep in the pool.
One by One we clamored out of the pulsing relaxation of the waters feeling heavy, foggy in the head. relaxed... forgotten. Sinking into the self and inner relaxation being allowed to do so without selfishness or guilt. Letting go to time, sound, thought. I struggled to the small stall and entered the cool tiny room to find a wooden bucker perched high above. I turned to look through the glass door as I tugged on the rope and let the ice water pour down upon me around me, through my emptiness. My skin tightened. My senses heightened I tingled and felt refreshed. Ready eagerly awaiting the Mayan Massage Experience.
The tranquil darkened room was warm and dry with dark woods and warm burnt orange and beige towels and blankets. With an layered mixture of essential oils lofting through in their own layers. Eucalyptus. lemongrass. jasmine hints of tee tree oil whisps of vanilla wafts of cacao.
We lay on Our backs as bade by the calm voices behind Us. Our Unseen Unknown Guides. Teetering in that beta zone around 250 000 hertz of vibration. Where one is just upon the dreamlike edge while still standing on the periapices of a fuller more total awareness than we are used to. Giving over more fully in Our trust and safety to the unseen guides Who now pulled slightly heavy blankets up over Us and softly walked to and fro around the thick legged tables we lay on, fussing with unseen things and muted sounds until warm towelettes that had been wrapped around lemon grass and eucalyptus are placed welcomely over Our eyes. We lay listening to the soothing music and movement of the woman. Placing hands before Our mouths they told us in soft whispers to breath in deeply, Then wafted the distinct scent of smoldering Ambergris into Our Lungs with waves of their hands. The Mayan use ambergris smoke to purify before entering a sacred space like a cave or cenote. I breathed deeply and let go of myself. It was the fourth time I had participated in a Mayan cleansing ritual and aways find it calming reassuring and smelling the sacred Ambergris allows surrender on a deeper level. Its very much a coming home for me. Being where I need to be. Knowing at this time in this place is exactly where I am meant to be.
The odd sensation of hands and realities lifted a folded towel that is beneath Me Lifting my ankles up slightly off the table as the attendant slowly purposefully twisted the warm towel tighter and tighter and it became quickly known to me like a primal thing. She lifted my feet into the air and began turning the ends of the blanket tightening it with each crossing. Something inside me told me this is what actually calms babies down the wrapping the bundling . I let go even further as my spine melted away. And nothing now existed except the smell of ambergris and the overwhelming sense of security and warmth. A strange dream as continuality and continuity as She soundlessly repeated the blanket tightening on my knees, pelvis, chest, head. Each one tighter and longer than the last. At this point I dont think I would bother to get up if the building was on fire. I was content to lay and tune my inner radio dial to absolute zero.
The smell of Ambergris being held before my face. I inhale deeply of the 10 000 year old elixirs smoke. The soft music stops and I feel hands lift up my arm and place a warm towel underneath. A soft voice says " Your service is finished."
My mind tells me to get up. Im not going to listen to myself. I lay searching for traces of ambergris and find lemon grass scents wafting through from the diffuser. The slight smell of Orange wakens me slightly and i pull on robe and find myself in a room drinking tea.
I at as one with the great cosmic energies flowing through time and existence...until the ladies call me to hurry up they want tequila.
All said and done I suppose leaving the tranquility of oneness to have tequila with the Ladies isnt that bad a reality to return to.
