June 2015

Letter From The President
by Paul Robear

I wanted to share with you some very exciting news.  Part of our mission and responsibility here is that we actively work to conserve and protect the sacred land of CI.  A significant development has been in the works for the last few years. We were offered the opportunity to extend our land stewardship through the acquisition of neighboring acreage that is contiguous to the original 280 acres of the Institute land purchased by Felicitas in 1964.

We now have the great privilege to announce that we have added two parcels of beautiful land totaling over 192 acres. So this means we have expanded the land of the Cuyamungue Institute to over 470 acres! The above banner is a recent photo taken of this additional land.

Of course, this undertaking and acquisition was inspired by the original vision of Felicitas. So we have a embraced our role to assist in the conservation of the surrounding area by adding this land.  This purchase will prevent development, or significant changes to the land that surrounds us and leaves it in it’s natural magnificent beauty.

Here is the amazing part of the story and the reason we are able to even consider a land purchase. This property was purchased in 1964 about the same time as Felicitas bought her land.  Being land locked the owners felt there is little they can do with it. When asked about price, they generously only want to recover the purchase price – from 50 years ago!  We immediately contacted a few major donors from the past and they were thrilled to help us secure the land. However we are not done. If you would like to contribute to the purchase of this land, we have a set-up a Land Conservation Fund and any donations of any size matters. Regardless of the amount, we understand giving requires some level of sacrifice on your part. Every donation makes a difference and collectively, all of our donations impact our community in a significant way.

Also included in this issue: The Saami, Scandinavia’s indigenous people, live in northern Norway, Sweden and Finland and north-western parts of Russia. Before Christianity became widespread among the Saami, drums were used by shamans as an instrument of divination, and to reach a state of ecstasy through which they could interact with the spirit world. By entering into a trance they take on the spirit of animals. In our featured article this month, Harold Alden provides a fascinating look at the rich shamanic tradition of two indigenous peoples—the Finns and the Saami.

Initiatory Training :  We still do have space available for our Initiatory Training workshop July 8th to 12th. Due to increasing costs this will be the last time we can offer this workshop at this price. —–> for more information

Have questions or comments or research of your own to share? Reach me directly at paulrobear@cuyamungueinstitute.com. We welcome all correspondence.

Blessings,

Paul Robear
President / Executive Director
Cuyamungue: The Felicitas D. Goodman Institute

I am happy to share the following news and articles.

In this issue:

SCROLL DOWN for Articles and Links

-> WEB VERSION OF NEWSLETTER

Finns and the Saami— Rich shamanic traditions by Leppa (Harold Alden)

From prehistoric times in Finland there were two indigenous peoples—the Finns and the Saami—and both developed rich shamanic traditions.

At the same time, the documentation regarding Finnish shamanism is fragmentary and the subject of various debates. This is much less the case for the Saami, who in contrast to the Finns maintained their original shamanism well into the historical period when it was more easily and completely documented.

Where conclusive evidence is lacking on particular points, the following account of the shamanism of the Finns will rely on the informed opinions of influential scholars.

One area of considerable agreement among scholars is that the Finns and Saami have continuously settled Finland since at least 9,000 B.C. (Julku, 2002; Makkay, 2003; Niskanen, 2002; Nuñez, 2002; Saukkonen, 2000; and Wiik, 2006).. ——> Complete Article

2015  Workshops, Events and Training at Cuyamungue:

Each workshop contains a specifically designed series of ritual postures to provide the context for a journey of self-discovery. We go deep within utilizing the Cuyamungue Method – which includes a established ritual journey method. Introductory workshops are are prerequisites for advanced classes.

July 8th to 12th – Initiatory Training – Phase I – introductory course.

July 19th Cuyamungue Explorers Club

July 22nd – July 26th, 2015 – Initiatory Training– Phase II – advanced course.

August 11 – August 16, 2015: Instructor Training

August 18 – August 23, 2015: Masked Trance Dance

 

How to Submit an Article: As part of expanding our Cuyamungue Institute community, you are invited and encouraged to participate. Share how you use the Cuyamungue Method in your chosen field. We are also open to other topics, with the emphasis on the posture work, and research and or experience. More information

Thanks for reading! Please forward this to your friends and acquaintances who will enjoy learning more about us, and please let me hear from you! I am most happy answer any and all questions about the Institute or the Cuyamungue Method. We welcome all correspondence.

Email me directly at paulrobear@cuyamungueinstitute.com .

Blessings,
Paul Robear
President / Executive Director
Cuyamungue – The Felicitas D. Goodman Institute

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