CAWS Cuya Advanced Wisdom School Intensive
At the MEGALITHIC DOMES, in magical SEDONA ARIZONA

April 27th to May 3rd

This retreat is a deep dive into the mysteries, offered within a small and intimate gathering. If you are a regular attendee of our Zoom sessions, you have already met many of your fellow explorers of Alternate Reality. Now we come together, here in Sedona, as changemakers—reclaiming right relation with self, community, and the universe at large.

We gather as storytellers, writing the next chapter of our individual and collective journey. As liaisons, we listen to our ancestors and bring forward their wisdom to help light the path ahead. Together we celebrate through Ritual Body Postures, allowing Ecstatic Trance to amplify our life force, restore balance, and help us step forward with greater confidence and sure footing.

The focus of the workshop will be C.A.W.S. — Cuya Advanced Wisdom School.

The CAWS program is designed for those who already have a foundational understanding of the work of the CUYA – Cuyamungue Institute and feel ready to take their journey to the next level. It offers an opportunity to engage more deeply with the Institute’s teachings, including exploration of the sacred feminine, the mysteries of the divine masculine, and the alchemy of transformation.

Rooted in ancestral knowledge and one of the oldest spiritual practices—Ritual Body Postures—CAWS provides a sacred container for advanced exploration of trance states, ritual, and spiritual inquiry. Through experiential learning, guided practices, and community engagement, participants enter a rich tapestry of esoteric wisdom, uncovering timeless truths that continue to resonate with the human spirit.

We are also exploring additional advanced practices that integrate the latest discoveries—honoring the lineage of the Institute’s work while extending it into fresh and emerging territory. These elements are intended to deepen the experiential arc of CAWS while remaining true to the core transmission of the practice.

This in-residence experience is designed for those wishing to deepen their relationship with Ritual Body Postures, altered states of consciousness, and ancestral ways of knowing through sustained, immersive practice. CAWS offers a focused container for advanced exploration, integration, and community presence.

At its heart, CAWS is a journey into ancient wisdom—one that supports greater self-awareness, spiritual awakening, and a deepened relationship with the mysteries of life, as we continue walking this path together.

What to Expect

Extended posture practice and ceremonial / ritual infusion
Advanced embodied practices specifically reserved for the in-residence environment
Guided integration and reflection – including initiatory practices reflected in the Ancient Mystery School traditions
Bridging the relationship of trance states and mindfulness
Rituals for purification – balancing the light and dark
Introducing mindful /self-reflection rituals to strengthen self-awareness and emotional freedom.
Personal time to navigate our inner landscape with a fresh perspective.
Community healing. We will connect with each other, build meaningful relationships, and embrace diversity of ideas to enhance our understanding of different perspectives. Come with an open heart – leave judgement at the door.

(Scroll Down for a Gallery of 36 photos!)

Our sacred space is Sedona, Arizona, 350 million years in the making. Nature took her time to sculpt these red rocks, through earth thrusts, sea changes, wind and rain. We are blessed beneath our feet with an ancient aquifer, supplied by snowmelt from the sacred mountains of Flagstaff. Desert plants are hardy survivors, adaptable, resilient, with a long history of water conservation. All lessons with can use today, known and practiced by the Sinagua, ancestors to the Hopi, who left their mark here. Writing in petroglyphs on the cliffs, they too journaled their spirit journeys. (See photos below)

Energy vortexes here buzz with magnetism, stirring the blood with vital force. In the shadow of Bell and Cathedral Rock, sits our Domes. The embrace of these half-spheres lets it incubate, the egg-shaped architecture being natural collectors of the sacred essence of the land. Our 30-foot diameter “Domehenge” natural rock column circle invites you in to walk the labyrinth, and later roll out a yoga mat. Sedona’s designated dark skies give view to the Milky Way with its boundless, beckoning ‘twinkling campfires of worlds beyond worlds”.

Our curriculum is in large part set by Spirit.

The CAWS workshop curriculum is structured as a progressive journey into advanced perception, embodied awareness, and applied wisdom. Participants are guided through a carefully sequenced series of experiential practices that build upon foundational work, emphasizing direct knowing over conceptual learning. Core elements include advanced Ritual Body Postures, methods for stabilizing altered states of consciousness, and practices that cultivate presence, discernment, and inner coherence. Each session is designed to deepen capacity while honoring the original lineage of the work.

Alongside experiential practice, the curriculum integrates reflective dialogue, contextual teaching, and opportunities to translate insight into daily life and professional application. Time is intentionally set aside for integration, allowing participants to track subtle shifts in perception, embodiment, and understanding. The workshop also introduces emerging practices informed by ongoing research at the Institute—extending the work into fresh territory while remaining rooted in its ancestral foundations.

In this Intensive we will:

Greet the spirits of this land and sky
Tune to the magnetic field generated by this iron-infused, red rock landscape
Experience the energy flow inside the resonance acoustic chambers of these domes
Activate our connection with Spirit through Ritual Postures, twice daily
Come together in rituals for fire and water, earth and sky, sun and moon
Share our goals and dreams in roundtable discussions
Greet the morning sun with walking meditations in the Rock Circle Labyrinth
Stargaze under Sedona’s dark skies, around the campfire
Take time to rest, reflect, restore

Our twice-daily Ritual Body Posture sessions will take us on an immersive journey, exploring our soul themes and destiny, through spirit’s input, energies and messages, tracing our destiny and emerging new roles. Ecstatic Trance brings us face to face with the hem of something larger than ourselves, that knows us, in surprising ways, better than we know ourselves. As we ask how we each may be of service, we’ll find old and new gifts bestowed to us, to light our path forward. Deep listening to what our soul may reveal is enhanced in our journaling, creative expression, and group conversation. We’ll also find time for personal exploration, and for resting with the earth here, too.

Gain knowledge from collective wisdom and profound shared insights
Engage in collaborative introspection, and contemplative sessions.
Experience a sense of belonging not only to Earth but to the entire Universe, bridging your individuality with the fundamental forces molding the cosmos.
Depart with a refreshed outlook, enabling you to perceive your life through the expansive lens of the universe.
Join a shared journey, uniting participants in a collective experience.

Rustic wild spaciousness abounds on our juniper-covered 4 acres and nearby trails, where coyote and javelina, deer and jackrabbits, roadrunners and ravens are our nearest neighbors. We’ll gather nightly under the stars in our ring of domes, around the fire pit and under the enveloping embrace of the Milky Way. Desert nights are surprisingly cool; bring shawls and a warm jacket.

Sedona’s Village of Oak Creek neighborhood is a mile down the road. This small desert town has a surprining array of cafes, galleries, gift shops, bike rental, an upscale grocery store, and if you’ve forgotten something, well-stocked charity thrift stores.

We will re-wild our senses and we unwind, dancing to the beat of Mother Earth’s heart in flow state, through:

Individual and group activities
Widening the bandwidth of perception
Art and journaling
Embodied movement
Meditative moments
Sharing our stories and life adventures
Sacred ceremonies with fire and water blessings
Earth and heart-centered practices
Roundtable discussions to learn from one another, share our stories
Listening for what Nature, also our co-facilitator, brings in for our journey together

This arid desert’s flora and fauna demands respect. is welcoming and gentle, holding the imprint of those who came before, who too rejoiced in its power and beauty. Bring water bottles. Hiking shoes with good treads. Wide brimmed hats and sunscreen. Tweezers are handy should you brush up against cactus or catclaw brush. Watch your step – scorpions and snakes abound.

OUR INTENSIVE: We begin with refreshments and a group dinner, followed by introductions and sharing a bit about the ‘call to adventure’ that brought us together, in a roundtable sharing around the fire pit in the courtyard, under the starlight night sky. Next morning, an early wake-up call for our first of our many journeys to the Alternate Reality!

Rituals open the portal within, our passage way for transformative, direct experiences to engage with spirit, who transport us on our spirit journeys. Prior practice and familiarity with Ritual Body Posture and Ecstatic Trance is assumed for this advanced course. If at this time you are new to this work, you have plenty of time to attend our introductory Saturday sessions online before you arrive. These sessions are free and open to all, and include a brief orientation for an optimal experience. This will greatly enhance and optimize the depth and ease of your dive into this immersive week.

Accommodations that we provide are shared with your fellow participants. Eye masks and ear plugs are helpful items to have on hand. If you prefer more private quarters, ask for a list of nearby Airbnbs. The Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock is just up the road. If you’ll be arriving in an RV or travel trailer, we have plenty of space for you to park on our 3.5 acres.

Meals are mostly vegetarian. You are welcome to bring additional items for a special diet. To accommodate most everyone, menus are designed to assemble, from that evening’s toppings, the buddha-bowl, burrito, pasta, or baked potato the way you like it. We’ll all take turns in the kitchen prepping meals and cleaning up for dinner and brunch. Or, during the midday break, you may wish to grab a picnic to get a head start exploring the town or a nearby vortex trail.

Travel light, space for luggage is limited. Bring a journal and pens, comfortable loose or stretch clothing appropriate for sacred work, sturdy shoes for hiking, shoes easy to slip on and off, sunglasses, sun hat, sun screen. And a warm jacket for star gazing. You may also wish to bring, or find while here, a small, meaningful object to place on the altar, and take home with you.

Total Cost for this retreat is $795.00 USD Includes 5 nights accommodation at the Sedona Domes in Sedona Arizona, dinners and brunch, coffee and tea. Our well taps into the water of an ancient aquifer fed by Flagstaff’s snowmelt, so no need to bring bottled water. Do bring your favorite beverages and some snacks and treats to share, and anything extra you need for a special diet. Please pay upon booking, or arrange a payment plan in advance.

Workshop Objectives:

Embracing the Wisdom schools of our Ancestors

Encourage participants to connect with the energy of community and use it as a catalyst for personal reflection and transformation.

Exploring Personal Development & Revelation

Using the power of selected Ritual Body Postures a means of self-discovery and growth.
A chance to build and continue exploring personal strengths, including values, passions, and life experiences.
We will have exercises and discussions to encourage participants to embrace their unique gifts and understand how they influence their perception of the world.

Cultivating Self-Awareness and Inner Knowledge

Introducing mindful /self-reflection rituals to foster self-awareness and emotional freedom.
Personal time to navigate our inner landscape with a fresh perspective.
We will connect with each other, build meaningful relationships, and embrace diversity of ideas to enhance their understanding of different perspectives.

Sharing the Power of Ritual

We will be deeply engaged in daily ritual. Rituals hold a significant power and have been practiced by humans across cultures and time periods. Rituals provide the context for transformative experiences that mark personal or collective transitions.

The Community Effect: Amplifying the Emerging Experience

Gathering individuals together with a shared vision is incredibly powerful. When people come together with a shared vision, there is a collective energy and Spirit inspiration that emerges. Group trance posture sessions harnesses a unique and powerful collective energy, enhancing the individual and collective experience of the posture journey. The collective energy can deepen the trance posture experience for each participant. Also we have witnessed the birthing of synchronization and resonance among participants. Participants report that it generates a collective field of healing and transformation.

Cost: $795.00 - Food and lodging included

($825.00 after April 6th)

Course Instructor: Paul Robear

President / Executive Director of the CUYA – Cuyamungue Institute.

As director of the CUYA – Cuyamungue Institute, Paul Robear led the organization with unwavering dedication and a profound commitment to its mission. Under his leadership, the institute continues to flourishes and becoming a beacon of exploration, research, and education in the field of consciousness studies.

Paul has spearheaded groundbreaking research projects that delved into the ancient practices of ecstatic trance and shamanic journeying, shedding light on the profound wisdom and healing potential contained within these traditions. Recognizing the importance of disseminating knowledge and empowering individuals, Robear expanded the institute’s educational programs. He developed innovative workshops and training sessions, inviting renowned scholars and practitioners from various disciplines to share their expertise. Through these initiatives, the CUYA Institute became a global hub for the exploration of altered states of consciousness and their practical applications.

With wife Laura lee, they established partnerships with traditional healers and spiritual leaders, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and promoting cultural appreciation. Through these efforts, the institute became a bridge between ancient wisdom and modern scientific inquiry.

Course Instructor: Laura Lee

Vice. President – Board Member of CUYA – Cuyamungue Institute.

ABOUT LAURA LEE

Laura Lee and her husband Paul are the Co-Directors of the CUYA Institute (CI), a 501-c-3 non-profit educational research organization, a worldwide headquarters in Santa Fe, New Mexico. They are leading authorities on the practice of Ecstatic Trance Postures and the work of the late anthropologist Felicitas D Goodman. They teach and speak widely at online and in-person events, write the CI website, newsletter, articles, social media, manuals, add to the research and to CI’s extensive, 50-year collection of archives, and more.

They worked with Dr. Goodman the last ten years of her life and since 2000 have taught this work around the world. For the last ten years they’ve been at the helm of CI. They’ve certainly put in their 10,000 hours a few times over!