Letter from the President – August 2013
by Paul Robear
Greetings! We are in the middle of our workshop season here at the Cuyamungue Institute and we feel the energy building with each event. The experiences of our participants are so inspirational that I’d like to share some of them with you. In this newsletter we have articles, blogs and quotes from our workshop attendees this season. Students from four events: Soul Retrieval, Initiatory Training, Ritual Posture Group of Santa Fe and Spirit through Art share their perspective and experiences.
We are growing. In addition, the big accomplishment this season is that we have added a new building, inspired by the traditional design of a Navajo hogan. This structure will serve as a lecture hall and gathering place for dance, celebration, rituals, and more. It will be a wonderful compliment to our kiva. At 25 feet in diameter, it is about 70% larger then the kiva. It is the upcoming Centennial Celebration in June 2014 that inspired this additional gathering space. We are near completion and will feature the details and photos in the next issue of this newsletter.
New Subscriber? Welcome to our new subscribers! The Cuyamungue Institute is founded on a very simple but profound observation by . Dr. Felicitas Goodman. In the early 1970’s she explained: “This method is based on my discovery that certain works of non-western art – such as figurines and rock paintings – are not just simply expressions of creativity, but in fact are ritual instructions.” When we follow these “ritual instructions” and hold the postures we achieve a bodily induced shifting of consciousness; a trance experience. The outcome of this is the systematic process we call “The Cuyamungue Method.” For our 35-year history we’ve been nurturing this deeper understanding how we achieve a bodily induced shifting of consciousness through Ritual Posture. We have found that ordinary people can have quite extraordinary experiences. Join us – You can have this direct access to the Alternate Reality, and these deep experiences as well!
As always, I’d like to hear from you. We continue to collect stories and articles from both beginners and advanced practitioners. Let me know if I may share them here in this newsletter and on our website. Email me at experiences@cuyamungueinstitute.com. More questions? Get in touch with me. We’d love to learn more about you and how you got here and how the Cuyamungue Method has enhanced your life.
Blessings,
Paul Robear
President / Executive Director
Please take a moment to review the news, articles and experiences shared below:
In this issue:
- Article: Ritual Postures and Soul Retrieval Experience by Brigitte Veiz
- Article: Post Workshop Synchronicity by Curtis Daily
- Article: Travels in this and Other Worlds by Sara Martin
- Article: Santa Fe Gathering – Linking Earth and Heaven by Laura Lee
- Article: The Mask of la Roche-Cotard” … made about 33,000 years ago in France
- Article: Felicitas D, Goodman Autobiography – part 3
- Article: Spontaneous Healing and Resolution by Laura Lee
- Article: Spiritual High in the High Desert – Soul & Spirit by Duane Marcus
- Workshops and Events: Note updates, additions, and changes to our schedule.
- Centennial Conference: June 2014 – early registration is now beginning.
SCROLL DOWN for Articles and Links
Quote of the Month:
“The intuitive mind is a sacred gift, and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a world that honors the servant, but has forgotten the gift.” Albert Einstein (Thanks to Nick Brink for forwarding this to us)
Ritual Body Postures and Soul Retrieval Workshop at Cuyamungue Institute by Brigitte Veiz “
At the Cuyamungue Institute we will get up early to greet the rising sun together“, explained our workshop facilitator Ki, about our stay at Cuyamungue Institute. Getting up to greet the sun, seemed rather early to me. Back home in Germany I hardly made it out of bed early enough to be at my office at 9 am. In summer getting up early seemed easier. After a very long and cold winter in Germany, which lasted well into April (and which actually continued through June), however, it seemed impossible to me… Continue to full article
Post Workshop Synchroncity by Curtis Daily
Following our “Initiatory Training” workshop, we stopped for gas in the town just north of Cuyamungue, I pulled up to a pump right next to a state trooper; a huge foreboding guy in an all black uniform and wearing black sunglasses, who was filling his tank. I looked up at his face and he broke out in a gigantic smile and said “hi, how are you?” I replied that everything was pretty wonderful, and asked him if he minded if I inquired of him for some directions about a good route out of New Mexico… Continue to full Article
Travels in this and Other Worlds by Sara Martin
In June I took a humungous two-week road trip with my daughter and mother. We drove from North Carolina to Santa Fe, then to Denver, then to Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota.
The original reason for my trip was to take a workshop at a place called Cuyamungue Institute near Santa Fe, New Mexico. Cuyamungue was founded by anthropologist Felicitas Goodman in 1978 to research altered states of consciousness and the spiritual practices of ancient humans. I participated in the introductory workshop in June- during the Summer Solstice- which taught us how to access Alternate Reality through ritual body postures. What are ritual body postures? … Continue to Full Article
Linking Earth and Heaven by Laura Lee
It’s a common question we get at CI — what does all this spirit journeying mean? We consider every report a piece of the grand puzzle of this, from which answers emerge. Here is some input from the field, my report of a gathering that Paul and I hosted on August 10, 2013. Our thanks to Santa Fe resident Amy Finlayson, who after attending our Initiatory Training in June, kindly brought a group of her friends out for this introductory afternoon session. As part of our outreach to the Santa Fe community we have established a monthly gathering for those who want to go deeper into the ritual posture experience. If you live within driving distance of CI and would like to be part of these gatherings, please contact us and add to the subject line “Ritual Posture Group of Santa Fe.” …. Continue to the full Article
The Mask of la Roche-Cotard” 33,000 years old mask. by Paul Robear As part of our preparation for our upcoming Masked trance Dance Ritual, I’ve continued to look the relationship throughout human history on the making of masks. I was fascinated when I found “The Mask of la Roche-Cotard” … made about 33,000 years ago in France, thought to be by Neanderthals of the Mousterian Culture. It is a rock that has been shaped from a piece of flint about 4 inches tall and wide, and through a natural hole under the nose, a piece of bone addd and then wedged in place with two rock splinters. Triangular in shape, the object shows clear evidence, the researchers say, of having been worked – flakes have been chipped off the block to increase its resemblance to a face. Click on the image for a larger view. Our history is filled with stories and traditions of rituals and ceremonies that included the making of masks. and the wearing of masks. There is something primordial as to why we that we pursue transformation through inhabiting other bodies and to exploring an alternate reality. Dr. Goodman found a combination of specific rituals to create our Masked Trance Dance that we have been practicing here at there Cuyamugue Institute throughout our 35 year history. Join us for a powerfulnd transformative experience. We hold Masked Trance Dances each year at CI. More information:
- Workshop information: https://www.cuyamungueinstitute.com/articles-and-news/masked-trance-dance/
- Article on the worldwide history of Masked Trance Dance: https://www.cuyamungueinstitute.com/articles-and-news/ancient-mask-dance-rituals-a-worldwide-phenomenon/
Felicitas D. Goodman Autobiography – Segment three …
Some of my earliest childhood memories involve my washing my father’s forehead, or rather a dark spot about two inches square on the right side of the forehead. I was told that when he was a little boy, he enjoyed playing under the heavy flatbacks that carried the beer barrels to my grandmother’s tavern, “die Krone.” I do not remember the details but apparently he fell and scraped his forehead, and as his injury healed, the skin closed over the tar…. Continue to Full Article
Felicitas D. Goodman Autobiography – Segment one
Felicitas D. Goodman Autobiography – Segment two
Spontaneous Healing and Resolution by Laura Lee
Since my father’s passing, I knew I would go to the to see him. I just did not know when. I’m glad I was gentle with myself, never trying, and certainly a little apprehensive. These things happen when you are ready, and not before. This happened all on its own, to my utter surprise and resolution… Continue to Full Article
Spiritual High in the High Desert by Duane Marcus
For five days I lived on a high desert ridge between 2 forks of the Rio Tesuque in the broad valley guarded by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the east and the Jemez Mountains to the west. New Mexico lived up to its name as the land of enchantment during the week I spent at the Cuyamungue: The Felicitas D. Goodman Institute participating in ecstatic rituals and communing with the spirits of the desert in liminal space between what most of us know as reality and what is called by some the alternate reality or the realm of the spirits. Continue to full article
Solstice Celebration – June 16th – 22nd, 2014 Felicitas Goodman, founder of Cuyamungue Institute
2014 marks the 100th anniversary of Felicitas’ arrival on this planet. We want to mark the year with a special, international event at Cuyamungue to honor her life and work, welcoming all cultures, languages and including all those around the world who are carrying on her legacy. We will come together, both in person and via the Internet, to share stories of Felicitas and what her work means to us. This event is open to all, and we would your encourage your participation. Space is limited… continue to more Information 
Invest in yourself! Here is the 2013 workshop schedule at the Cuyamungue Institute.
August 28 – September 1: Masked Trance Dance – Paul Robear, Laura Lee. Adventure into the depth of inspiration and intuitive guidance as we make masks, costumes, and our experiences will create a mythic story and end in a creation a sacred dance . Contact Paul Robear
September 4- 8: Instructor Training and Certification – Paul Robear and Laura Lee. How to teach the safe and simple six-step process, known as the Cuyamungue Method. What makes a good Instructor of the Cuyamungue Method? You have been practicing for some time and have already experienced the healing and expansive effects of using the Method, and would like to share with others. You want to reach out to your community and share what you have found so deeply moving, healing, and transformative. In these times, more than ever, people are looking for qualified instruction using this verified, safe practice, to enrich, expand and experience universal mind. Contact Paul Robear
September 12 – 15: Gathering of the Grandmothers – Susan Bannister. A retreat for the “Grandmothers” (60 and up) of Cuyamungue. Following in the footsteps of Dr. Goodman, this is an opportunity for us as grandmothers to gather to share in the wisdom tradition of women elders. Contact Susan Bannister
September 17 – 22: Ancient Egyptian Body Postures – Meredith McCord and Jill Schumacher. Delve deep into Egyptian ecstatic body postures, healing postures and Ancient Egyptian Teachings. Their website is http://www.egyptianhealing.com/
October 3 – 6: First Annual Men’s Conclave – Paul Robear. The time has come for the men of the institute to gather and share the power of the Cuyamungue Method as a group. This will the first time in the history of the Institute that an all male event will be conducted at the Institute. Email me directly at paulrobear@cuyamungueinstitute.com for more information.
2014 Workshop Season: Make your plans now, come experience the special power of the land and enjoy the benefits of going deep into the posture experiences People walk away stimulated, engaged, and inspired. There may be adjustments to dates, times and details, and additional events and workshops will be added. Much more detail to follow in the near future.
Want to more information? Email us and we will answer your questions and connect you directly with the workshop instructor(s).
Our Mission Statement: More than ever there is a vital need to live more fully by embracing the sacred. In response to this need our mission is transforming consciousness through the ancient wisdom of ritual postures. As a nonprofit educational organization, the Cuyamungue Institute promotes public awareness and teaches the powerful use and effectiveness of these postures throughout the world. We are dedicated to preserving our land in Santa Fe, New Mexico as a sacred center and worldwide archival and research headquarters.
We need your support! The Cuyamungue Institute is an independent 401(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. The Cuyamungue Institute, like many non-profit organizations, has limited resources. Each one of us can make a difference in our own way – some have the resources to provide financial support, while others have talents which they can share as a committed volunteers. We must always continue to ask the question – “How can I make a difference?” Once we answer the question we need to act. We are proud of the scope of work we have already accomplished, but this is just the beginning — there is much more to do! Here’s how you can participate:
- Be a Volunteer – Ask about existing, on-going projects you can help with. Or suggest projects that you can work on, fund, or both!
- Attend workshops at the Institute – Bless yourself and the Institute. CI Workshop fees directly support maintenance of the land and buildings.
- Personal Donations – 100% of your donations and gifts go directly to the Institute, and are tax deductible.
- Corporate Donations – Your company can have a tremendous impact. Ask us how we can bring our work to your visionaries and leaders!
Also consider making a donation by clicking here. Ongoing research and new applications of this work is only possible with donations made by people like you. Laura Lee, our Director of Outreach and Development, is available to answer your questions and to provide more information. Contact her at lauralee@cuyamungueinstitute.com 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 andy 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