Letter from the President – February 2013
by Paul Robear
Greetings from Maui!
Laura and I have been very fortunate to spend time in Maui, Hawaii for the last few weeks. What a beautiful island! The photo to the left is the January full moon about an hour before sunrise.
We met an hawaiian elder on the beach who shared some of the rich history which is rooted in the traditions of ancient Polynesia. He is dedicated to maintaining the old ways and honoring the knowledge of his ancestors. As a culture they developed a sophisticated knowledge of human psychology and maintained wisdom traditions used by the Kahunas, the caretakers of knowledge. The Kahunas are known for strong spiritual power – Mana. Their culture used not the written word, using instead the trained memories of the kahunas as living libraries. The prayers and chants of the Hawaiians acknowledge the divine spirits within all people and things around them.
What an amazing, and interesting culture indeed! The spirit of Aloha. It has been a very healing time for Laura and I to be here, pull back and get a fresh perspective as we begin a new year. We have the additional blessing of celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary this week! I feel great optimism and excitement for the 35th year of the Cuyamungue Institute. Together, here’s to building an outstanding 2013!
Finally, I’d like to hear about your experiences. We continue to collect stories from both beginners and advanced practitioners. From time to time we share them here in this newsletter and on our website . Email us with your experiences at experiences@cuyamungueinstitute.com. More questions? Get in touch with me or with Laura Lee, Director of Outreach and Development. We’d love to learn more about you and how you got here and how the Cuyamungue Method has affected your life.
In this issue:
- James Lawer adds a new twist on brain function and the effects from the Cuyamungue Method
- Board Member Alan Ismond connects using this work as a way to particpate in the green movement
- We recently met Ken Kalb, well-known author. He shares an article on the current shift – a “Flashpoint”
- Shamanism and the Cuyamungue Method – what is the relationship?
- “One Billion Rising” on Feb. 14th – END of violence against women by Tannis Hugill
- An updated, detailed schedule of upcoming Cuyamungue Workshop and Events
SCROLL DOWN for Articles and Links
Describing Brain Functions for Our Work by James Lawer
What happens to brain function during the practice of the Cuyamungue Method? James Lawer takes a closer look and uses an updated model to better understand it’s effect.
In the past, we have talked about different types of mental functioning in terms of a left-brain and right-brain dichotomy. This model, offered by neurologist Michael Gazzaniga in the 1980s, has been a simple, descriptive way of creating a sense of anatomical distinction for different modes of thought: linear and computational versus intuitive and imaginative. In addition, this has become a common descriptor in the culture, with “right brain/left brain” becoming a shorthand for this important distinction in describing consciousness. More recent research into brain function, however, suggests an alternative model that can serve us as a more descriptive (and anatomically accurate) basis for understanding ways that brain and mind relate to one another… Continue to full article
The Environmental Issue That I Am by Alan Ismond, Cuyamungue Board Member
Global warming. Energy crisis. Poisoned water. Water shortages. Toxic food. Food shortages. What to do? Who to believe? Where do we get the truth? How do we tackle these issues without creating new issues? Humankind has been busy doing all kinds of things in the last 100 years that have had a big impact on the environment. Are science and engineering the source of the problem or the solution? What do we need to do to fix the problems and the environment? Maybe we have the answer…. The solution is with us…
Thanks to globalization and communication technology, we live in a world of easy access to millions of videos, pictures, blogs, tweets, and Facebook pages full of conflicting information. You could easily spend your whole life mining the Internet looking for the answers. But is the answer to be found in knowing? Continue to full article
Flashpoint: Signs of a New Beginning by Ken Kalb
Laura and I met up with Ken Kalb, author and well-known inspiration speaker who may be best kn0wn for inspiring the LightShift 2000 Global Meditation Initiative, which helped bring millions together in a global prayer wave for the new millennium.
In this article, he articulates that significant changes are underway – a shift – and this is an auspicious time as we move forward in 2013.
… Of course the key to each of our individual responses to any intensified force field is our own evolution or vibration. And this portal seems to be empowering humans in diverse directions. At the highest level, perhaps this time represents a spiritual opportunity for a great evocation of the powers of the heart, an illumination of human genius, and a test of our incredible will to survive. Yet a broad spectrum of darker frequencies — like visionless greed, the cancer of the soul — are also boosted as endless war and the indiscriminate scramble for money and power are still the law of the Earth jungle. We are in a charged time of dichotomy where the miraculous and the miserable are evolving simultaneously side by side… Continue to full article
Shamanism and the Cuyamungue Method by Paul Robear
We are frequently asked “what is the relationship between the ritual postures of the Cuyamungue Method and Shamanism?” This is such an important question so let’s first clarify some definitions and better understand shamanism itself.
The terms “Shaman” and “Shamanism” seems to be increasingly adopted by many well meaning people so it might be helpful to add some clarification. Continue to full article
One Billion Rising, February 14th – by Tannis Hugill
My dear friends: I take your time to announce this earth-shaking movement : ONE BILLION RISING! I want you all to know about this so you can participate in your area, even if you dance or pray alone, adding your energy to this CRUCIAL movement for transformation!! V-Day is a day for dancing, marching singing and celebrating the END of violence against women and girls. It must stop and it will stop!! The violence against our friends, our lovers, our mothers, our grandmothers, our aunts, our cousings,our sisters, our daughters, us….it could happen to you, if it has not already….You can learn more and join by going to onebillionrising.org. There are MANY POSTURES that can be done to participate in a powerful way…on that day….if you are able….
From the website “On V-Day’s 15th Anniversary, 14 February 2013, we are inviting ONE BILLION women and those who love them to WALK OUT, DANCE, RISE UP, and DEMAND an end to this violence. ONE BILLION RISING will move the earth, activating women and men across every country. V-Day wants the world to see our collective strength, our numbers, our solidarity across borders.”
Matching Donations in Progress – Report from Laura Lee, CI Director of Outreach and Development
Thank you to all who have participated! We have only a few months left to meet our goal and we still need your help with our Matching Donation Campaign! Contact me with your comments, questions, and suggestions for future campaigns and projects at lauralee@cuyamungueinstitute.com.
This is a wonderful opportunity to turn every dollar you donate to the Institute into $2! Here is Barbara Clow’s letter detailing their generous offer Continue here for Barbara Clow’s entire letter
Invest in yourself! Here is the 2013 workshop schedule at the Cuyamungue Institute. Get the jump-start on making your plans to join us this season! Please note a schedule change: The Initiatory Training and Solstice Celebration have been combined.
April 29 – May 10: German Workshop – Ki Salmen is a trainer and teacher for the Felicitas-Goodman Institut in Germany and will host a full week workshop, bringing a group from Germany. Contact Ki
May 3 – 6: Soul Retrieval Workshop – Ki Salmen. In situations of shock, great pain or abuse a person’s life can become so unbearable that soul parts become lost. This work of retrieving soul parts with Body-Postures is a profound self healing process. The exciting news is: you can do it all yourself. More Workshop Information … Contact Ki
June 20 – 23: Solstice Celebration: Initiatory Training Workshop – Paul Robear and Laura Lee. A powerful, compacted introduction to this work. You will be introduced to a succession of trance experiences and initiation. Enjoy the power of the group experience. More Information
July 6: Cuyamungue Explorers Club – This is an afternoon gathering for those who are familiar with the practice of the Cuyamungue Method and want to participate in new posture research and verification. Hosted by Paul Robear and Laura Lee. Contact Paul Robear
July 11 -14 The Goddess is Calling – Laura Lee assisted by Cynthia Devlin – A workshop devoted to postures derived from ancient art depicting the Goddess in various guises. Contact Laura Lee
July 19 -22 Finding Ecstasy: Applying Your Unique Creative Genius – While Experiencing A Journey Through Self Discovery and Expression using Sacred Postures. Jackie Haworth, Stephanie Stephens, Rae LeCompte. Using the arts to express your experiences will help each of us on our journey through self. You might want to make a mask, write a poem, dance or sing. Follow the path on which your trances lead and be prepared for an adventure. Each of our stories will be woven into the fabric an imaginary tapestry representing how we are each one part of a world community. More Information
July 24 -28: Cuyamungue Board of Directors Meeting
July 31 – August 4: The Power of Animal Spirit Guides – Nick Brink – Identifying a spirit guide, generally an animal spirit guide, to supplement the process towards healing, personal growth and going beyond in accessing the Universal Mind. Contact Nick Brink
August 22 – 25: Authentic Movement & Ecstatic Postures – Bat-Sheva Koren – Authentic Movement creates a space where one can be present in PURE consciousness in the process of transitioning from stillness to movement and back. Holding a Ritual Body Posture facilitated by a rhythm opens an entry into the realm of the Spirit. Both guide our journey to a place where the role of the witness and the mover in the experience may be revealed. If one chooses to listen, the Spirit may guide the experiencing of the alternate reality as complementary to the daily one. Contact Bat-Sheva
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 – Belinda Gore and Paul Robear. How to teach the safe and simple six-step process, known as the Cuyamungue Method. Contact Belinda
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 19 – 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.
Want to more information? Email us and we will answer your questions and connect you directly with the workshop instructor(s).
Retrieving the Powers of The Ecstatic Experience,
July 11 -14, 2013 – Millheim, PA More Information
Sacred Dance and the Universal Dancer– Four Day Dance Intensive for Women
March 30th-April 2nd, 2013, Cairo-EGYPT More Information
Felicitas Goodman, founder of Cuyamungue Institute
2014 Centennial Solstice Celebration – June 19th – 22nd
2014 marks the 100th anniversary of Felicitas’ arrival on this planet. We want to mark the year with special, international events 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. Our hope is to 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 need your ideas and participation. We may need to add temporary accommodations and gathering spaces, and for those who desire more comfortable. private accommodations, the beautiful new Hilton at Buffalo Thunder is a short distance away and very reasonable priced. We can negotiate a group of rooms depending on the demand.
If you are inspired to suggest activities and participate on the committee that plans and executes this event, do let me know. It won’t happen without people stepping forward and making it happen! Email me directly at paulrobear@cuyamungueinstitute.com
We need your support! The Cuyamungue Institute, like many non-profit organizations, has limited resources. 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 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 – February 2013
President / Executive Director
Cuyamungue – The Felicitas D. Goodman Institute