We are deeply honored to be held on Indigenous Mayan land and in relationship with the people who steward it. At Pulse, integrity means giving back with humility and gratitude, especially when we are welcomed into traditions and spaces that carry generations of wisdom.

 

We recognize the privilege of being received on this sacred land and learning from Indigenous teachers, carrying the values and spirit of these teachings back into our lives with respect and care. We come as guests to listen, to participate with respect, and to be held by the land and its people.

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During our stay, we will be guided through three Indigenous-led ceremonies, each offered with intention and lived tradition:

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Cacao Ceremony facilitated by Cecilia Mendoza Chiyal, founder of Ruk'u'x Ulew Cacao

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The ceremonial cacao we will share is nurtured and prepared by a collective of Mayan women who carry ancestral wisdom and a deep connection to Spirit. Cacao is a sacred plant medicine, a heart-opening gift from the ancestors, and a pathway for connection with ourselves, each other, and the divine.

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This ceremony will be facilitated by Cecilia Mendoza Chiyal, founder of Ruk'u'x Ulew Cacao, and will take place outside of Kawoq Forest, in relationship with her lineage and devotional work. The cacao is stewarded by women who are keepers of centuries of Mayan tradition, holding space with devotion, presence, and love.

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Sourced through Maman Cacao in Canada, Cecilia’s cacao is the one we have shared in all of our circles and retreats for the past three years. With hearts full of gratitude, we are looking forward to meeting Cecilia and her village in person!​

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Temazcal, a traditional Mayan sweat lodge ritual representing a return to the womb of the Earth

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Temazcal is a traditional Indigenous Mesoamerican sweat lodge ceremony with roots in pre-Hispanic cultures. The word temazcal comes from the ancient Nahuatl temāzcalli, meaning “house of heat.” Unlike a modern sauna, temazcales are traditionally low, dome-like structures, intentionally designed to symbolize the Earth’s womb.

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In Mayan culture, the Earth is seen as a living, feminine presence, a source of life, nourishment, and renewal. Entering the temazcal represents a symbolic return to this primal space of creation. Within the darkness, heat, and steam, participants undergo a process of purification, release, and rebirth.

 

For centuries, temazcal ceremonies have been used not only for healing but also to support major life transitions, including birth, recovery, and spiritual initiation. The ritual reflects a cyclical understanding of life, returning to the source, being transformed, and emerging with greater clarity and connection to self and the Earth.

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Día de los Muertos, a sacred time in Mayan culture to honor ancestors and loved ones who have passed

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Rather than a remembrance of death, October 31 and November 1st are about celebration and maintaining a living relationship with those who came before us. Together, we will be guided through an intimate ceremony and create an ofrenda : an altar offering flowers, candles, food, and prayers as an act of gratitude, love, and respect to our ancestors.

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Cultural Respect & Responsibility

The ceremonies and practices shared during Pulse are Indigenous-led and rooted in Mayan ancestral wisdom. They are offered as lived traditions and shared with us in trust, not as performances or experiences to consume. Participants are invited to engage with respect, follow the guidance of ceremony holders, and remain mindful of cultural boundaries. Photography, recording, or sharing details of ceremonies will be approached with consent and care.

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