46 Comments
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Claire Polders's avatar

Sounds like a wonderful experience. I wish I could sweat better. I just get too hot and uncomfortable to really open up.

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Clarice Dankers's avatar

Me too!

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

It was hot and uncomfortable for sure. Like going back to the womb. Think that’s why it’s so powerful.

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Thanks for restack @Daniel Catena

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Thanks for restack @Paul Caloca!

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Marlo Leaman's avatar

Amazing! Thanks for sharing this journey and the history behind it!

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Thank You, Marlo! A pleasure.

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Angry Artist Revolution's avatar

Sounds amazing, on so many levels, Jeanine. I know there’s one of these ceremonies in my future here in Mexico … however I’m waiting for an invitation to the right one. 🙌🏽

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

It will come for sure!! You’ll never forget it. Smart to wait for the right one.

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Thanks for the restack @Tinashe D. Ndhlovu.

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Marco & Sabrina's avatar

What an extraordinary experience, Jeanine. Thanks for sharing!

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Thanks Marco&Sabrina — and also for the restack!

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Barbra Bishop's avatar

Such a wonderful experience, so meaningful and obviously a vivid memory. Really enjoyed your recounting of the entire experience and how it deeply touched and affected each of you.

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Oh thank you, Barbra. Sandra is really something. I’ll have to write a post about all she has done for the Maya women and community. Plus she’s a Maya goddess and soothsayer, and also knows how to tell a story con gusto ):

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Skylar Renslow's avatar

oh man i really really wanted to do one of these in San Cristobal but didn't quite make it and I'm still a little bummed

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

With your travel schedule Skylar, I know at some point in the future you'll get one in. They're really a trip.

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Thanks for restack Callardo.

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Thanks for restack @mpower Dance

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Emese-Réka Fromm's avatar

Wow Jeanine! What an experience! I read and heard about these ceremonies, but never actually participated in one. I don't know if I could take the moist heat for long (I have trouble in any sauna)... but I can imagine how close you must feel to those you share it with! Sounds like such a profound experience - great description!

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

It was super intense. The heat is fairly exhausting, and it’s hot anyway. But it really is a cleansing. I always liked saunas. When I lived in SanFran there was a hot tub and sauna that a friend and I would go to a lot. But this was truly a cleansing. It brought all us women there together in some unreal bond.

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Emese-Réka Fromm's avatar

I can only imagine! We probably all need experiences like that, at least on occasion. If I have an opportunity, I'd love to try it, as intense as it is - or because of it.

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Lucinda Blackwood's avatar

This ceremony is a real test of bravery I think. The physical discomfort, the purging of negativity and what will fill that space is a mystery, addressing the ancestors and opening up to the group after being rendered limp, sweaty, weak and strong...a lot going on there inside that temazcal.

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

You always read between the lines, and so accurately, Lucinda. Yes, yes and yes. It was one of my more intense experiences. At times you feel claustrophobic, but then you kind of move through it, if that makes sense. Thank god for the beautiful cold cenote steps away as we dragged ourselves out. It was a godsend.

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Maggie Battista's avatar

🔥 thank you for sharing.

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

My pleasure, Maggie! Thanks for reading.

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R. S. Hampton, Thriller Author's avatar

What an experience!

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

It was like a small women’s consciousness raising. Wonderful.

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R. S. Hampton, Thriller Author's avatar

I would love to be a part of something like this.

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

It’s quite something Reta.

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Damon Mitchell's avatar

Wow! I would love to participate in one of these. I once peered into a recently used Lakota sweat lodge in Minnesota, but I didn't have enough clout to receive an invitation to attend the ceremony. Seems I still don't run in the right circles.

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

They’re pretty common still. The outback ones like this one are probably fewer and farther between. The hotels often have one, at least LaCeiba in PM did (before it sold out). But those wouldn’t be what you’re looking for,

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