I can’t really begin to explain how much this experience impacted me. It’s such an indescribable feeling. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to experience this with two of my best friends. I think it’s imperative to go through this with an open mind and find meaning to everything that is happening.

Frequently asked questions about a temazcal:

What is a temazcal?

A temazcal, translated to house of heat, is like a sweat lodge. It’s a dome shaped structure that varies in size. A temazcal is a symbolic passage between the heavens and the underworld. It’s a very cleansing and healing process. A traditional Mayan ceremony was previously used to cleanse the mind, body, and spirit. 

What do they during the ceremony?

Each ceremony can be different. In the beginning of ours, we sat at an altar that was divided into four directions: north, east, south, and west. It was also divided into four elements: earth, water, air, and fire. Our shaman, Eduardo, told us to sit wherever we felt like sitting.

Hot rocks are heated on the fire outside. Inside the temazcal is completely dark and you cannot see anything. While you’re sitting in there, someone will periodically bring the rocks in and place it in the middle of the structure. I think we were in there for over an hour, but I lost track of time. At first, I was dreading of how hot it was going to be, but it actually wasn’t that bad.

During the ceremony, we were asked to talk about a memory when we were younger. After that, we talked about other memories that happened in our lives and chanted a beautiful song to drums and tambourines. We forgave people who have wronged us and then set intentions for us moving forward. When you leave the temazcal, you’re supposed to exit backwards to symbolize being re-born.

After you exit the temazcal, you jump into a cenote. It was so refreshing and symbolic to a fresh new start.

Is this right for me?

If you go through it with an open mind, it’s a great experience for everyone! It’s cleansing, healing, and powerful. Who wouldn’t want that?! Just don’t have any expectations and trust the entire process. I was hesitant on believing everything, but I’ll explain later what changed my mind.

My temazcal experience:

Everyone’s temazcal experience will be different from the other. Each person takes in different parts of the ceremony and each person reflects differently on what happened. Here’s my experience of what happened and the life lessons I learned.

The night before my temazcal experience:

Side note: A year ago, I was listening to the radio station and a medium was talking to a caller. The medium was saying if someone commits suicide, they might not cross over to heaven and are stuck on earth. My grandmother took her own life due to depression so after hearing that comment from the medium, it made me concerned about my grandmother crossing over.

Fast forward to the night before the temazcal- my friend who is very clairvoyant told us she was picking up low vibrations in her aura which prompted her to cleanse. She needed to clear her aura to keep it vibrating at a higher energetic resonance.

I started asking my friend about being clairvoyant and told her what I heard on the radio station. She mentioned what I heard was true and also true for anyone who has had a sudden death experience. My grandfather also passed away in a not-so-pleasant way either. I started getting emotional thinking if my grandparents are in heaven and in a good place. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be vulnerable and open up to my friend about my grandparents. Talking about it made me emotional and I didn’t want to cry at dinner. Throughout our conversation, I kept thinking about how bad I would feel if they didn’t cross over because I never asked for help. I decided to ask her if she was willing to communicate to the universe to have my grandparents cross over.

My friend graciously agreed and said after the ceremony would be a good time since she will be more clear-minded. I was very thankful that this conversation occurred because I haven’t stopped thinking about it since I heard it on the radio.

Meeting Eduardo:

Eduardo met us at the ferry terminal in Cozumel. Eduardo was FULL of energy. He was SO nice and SO happy – he was definitely a breath of fresh air.

Driving through the jungle, Eduardo started thanking the earth and the Gods. I started questioning how much I was going to be able to believe in it. It just seemed a little corny and I was starting to doubt what I was getting myself into.

Starting the ceremony:

Eduardo set up a beautiful altar with various things, including one of my favorite discoveries: copal. Copal cleanses negative energies and connects us with our consciousness and spiritual realm. Within the first 5 minutes of the ceremony, Eduardo looked solely at me and said, “your grandparents want you to know that they are okay. They are okay.” What??? WHAT IS HAPPENING!!! I couldn’t help it, but I started crying. Two things happened here: my question regarding my grandparents crossing over were answered and that they were okay, and that comment happening in the beginning of the ceremony was to have me open up and believe in the entire process. I felt like the universe wanted this to happen in the beginning so I could believe and trust the entire thing.

During the ceremony:

Throughout the ceremony, Eduardo kept saying that we need to do things because we want to, not because we have to. There are a lot of things I want to work on internally, but I feel like I am forcing myself to do it because I have to, not because I truly want to. This made me take a step back and reflect on the true meaning of why I want to work on myself.

He also mentioned when you say “no” that means 3 “yes” opportunities will come your way. I took that as when you’re open to accept opportunities that come up, good things are more likely to happen to you. When you say yes, you’re opening yourself up to more opportunities.

In the temazcal:

We were given a piece of string and had to repeat to ourselves, “thank you (insert name). I forgive you (insert name). I love you (insert name). Goodbye (insert name).” Every time we did that, we tied a knot for each person that has hurt us or impacted us. To me, that was very powerful because there are a lot of people that have hurt me and still affect my life today. This process taught me to forgive and thank everyone in my past because they have all taught me something valuable.

During the ceremony, Eduardo kept mentioning when something doesn’t go right, it’s setting you up for something better. Just trust the process. I am a strong believer in everything happens for a reason, but sometimes it’s so hard to remember that when something you want so bad doesn’t happen or when something so horrible happens to you. Hearing Eduardo repeatedly say that confirmed that I need to stop worrying and just trust everything. He related that statement to certain occurrences in his life where he was so down because XYZ happened, but instead it led him to something even better. As I reflect, everything bad that has happened to me has led to something better.

Wrapping it all up:

Towards the end, Eduardo said something meaningful to each of us. He looked at me and said, “everything will be okay with your job, it will work out”. Earlier in the day, I told him I quit my job to travel. However, I never mentioned to him that I was extremely lost and having a lot of anxiety regarding my career. When I was back at home, I noticed I would pass by a city work vehicle or drive a route I used to drive home or pass a certain street sign, and I would get extremely anxious and emotional. I didn’t realize what was happening and why it was happening. Then it hit me –  I was getting anxious about the unknown and what I was going to do with my career. Eduardo reminded me that everything will be okay and the universe will bring me to that answer when I’m ready.

The aftermath:

After this incredible experience happened, we went on with our day and I didn’t really have time to think about what exactly happened. It actually wasn’t until I got home when I was able to finally reflect on everything and what it all meant to me. Like I’ve said, this was such an indescribable feeling and experience that I really can’t put into words. It was such a spiritual experience and I am grateful my best friend introduced me to this.

This process also made me more appreciative of the earth, plants, and the water, and I need to thank them for everything that they provide.

I truly hope you get to experience something similar when the time is right for you.

I’m ready to go to a temazcal! Who should I contact?

Eduardo can be contacted on Facebook. He also has a lot of pictures of different ceremonies he’s done. If you don’t have Facebook, you can email him at yolocoporti1@hotmail.com. Make sure to wear a bathing suit since you will be jumping into a cenote afterwards.