CUYAMUNGUE MASKED TRANCE DANCE
April 14th – 20th, 2025
Join in on a long-standing tradition at the Institute! From our visionary spirit journeys in the Ritual Postures, we create masks and costumes, while weaving together a mythic dance in celebration of the Web of Life
The Masked Trance Dance is a intensive workshop that is a centerpiece of the Cuyamungue Advanced Wisdom School “CAWS.” In this workshop we use Ritual Trance Postures to journey to the alternate reality. An animal spirit will appear, as the inspiration for our mask and costume.
We collectively weave together a ritual dance whose meaning becomes known as we each contribute our part. The ritual dance that emerges from integrating the group’s collective trance experiences tells a mythic story and culminates in a metamorphosis dance.
We allow the dance existing within us to rise up and express itself. Drop away the thought process, connect to the present moment and open ourselves to the universal mind experience that manifests itself through ritual dance. This sets the stage for a deep and empowering journey that creates healing and transformation.
Historically, the use of masks in ritualistic dances can be traced back to ancient civilizations across the globe. For eamplr, in Africa, masks have been central to spiritual ceremonies, where they represent deities, ancestors, and spirits. These masks, often intricately designed and imbued with symbolic meaning, were worn by dancers to embody these entities, allowing them to communicate with the spiritual realm and bring forth messages of guidance and healing to the community. (See Article on the History of Masked Trance Dances)
This practice not only revives the ancient art of trance dancing but also serves as a bridge between the past and the present, reminding us of the universal and enduring nature of these spiritual practices. Through the Masked Trance Dance, the Cuyamungue Institute invites participants to embark on a path of personal and spiritual growth, connecting with the deep roots of human culture and the mysteries that lie beyond the ordinary.
**Space is limited**
Course Structure & Details
To prepare for our journey together, this workshop includes three ZOOM sessions prior to coming together in-person.
We need time, without any pressure to recognize the animal spirit that best speaks to us individually. It is a special relationship and responsibility. It may happen immediately or it can also be subtle, like somebody whispering in your ear. They’re a calling for you to relate to the natural world in an expanded and transcendent way. It does not require force. All it takes is paying close attention to your expereinces. We trust the process by putting aside both your beliefs and your disbeliefs.
TWO Hours (9 am Pacific / 12 Noon Eastern)
Dates:
Friday, April 4th
Friday, April 11th
Scheduing Conflict? It will be recorded but we strongly encourage live participation if at all possible.
WHO: Up to 16 participants max
WHEN: April 14 – 20
WHERE: Megalithic Domes – Landmark Extreme Home! Sedona Arizona
WHY: Using a series and sequence of Ritual Postures, this workshop is a unique opportunity to celebrate the beauty of life, connect with the wisdom of ancient traditions, and kindle the flame within your heart. Join us for an unforgettable experience of self-discovery and empowerment in the embrace of nature’s eternal cycles.
This retreat is a deep dive into the mysteries, with a small and intimate gathering. If you are a regular attendee of our Zoom sessions, you’ve met many of your fellow explorers of the Alternate Reality already! Let’s come together, here in Sedona, as changemakers to reclaim right relation — with self, community, and the universe at large. And as storytellers writing the next chapter of our individual and collective story. As liasons, listening to our ancestors, to bring forward their wisdom to help light our path. Let’s come together to celebrate with Ritual Body Postures leading us into Ecstatic Trance to amp up our life force, and restore our balance — make our path forward a little more sure-footed! (Scroll Down for a Gallery of 36 photos!)
LOCATION: 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)
In this Intensive we will:
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Greet the spirits of this land and sky
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Tune to the magnetic field generated by this iron-infused, red rock landscape
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Experience the energy flow inside the resonance acoustic chambers of these domes
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Activate our connection with Spirit through Ritual Postures, twice daily
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Come together in rituals for fire and water, earth and sky, sun and moon
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Share our goals and dreams in roundtable discussions
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Dance and sing with the Ancestors
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Greet the morning sun with walking meditations in the Rock Circle Labyrinth
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Stargaze under Sedona’s dark skies, around the campfire
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Take time to rest, reflect, restore
- 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.
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Individual and group activities
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Widening the bandwidth of perception
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Art and journaling
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Embodied movement
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Meditative moments
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Sharing our stories and life adventures
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Sacred ceremonies with fire and water blessings
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Earth and heart-centered practices
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Roundtable discussions to learn from one another, share our stories
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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. Total Cost for this retreat is $845.00 USD Includes 7 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.
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Workshop Objectives:
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: $845.00 - Food and lodging included
($895.00) after January 15, 2025
Course Instructor: Paul Robear
President / Executive Director of the Cuyamungue Institute.
As director of the Cuyamungue Institute, Paul Robear led the organization with unwavering dedication and a profound commitment to its mission. Under his visionary 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 Cuyamungue Institute became a global hub for the exploration of altered states of consciousness and their practical applications.
Robear’s passion for preserving indigenous wisdom and fostering cross-cultural understanding led to fruitful collaborations with indigenous communities worldwide. 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.
Beyond his role as director, Paul Robear was known for his warmth, humility, and deep respect for others. He nurtured a supportive and inclusive environment within the institute, fostering collaboration and empowering individuals to pursue their unique paths of exploration and growth.
Course Instructor: Laura Lee
Board Member of Cuyamungue Institute.