I recently received a "screener," or advance review copy, for 2012: The Beginning, an exceptional new documentary video that will soon be available for wider public distribution. It is a visually stunning film, one that was clearly conceived and executed with great heart and integrity.
Many of the currently available 2012-themed videos focus on the overly hyped doom-and-gloom features of the phenomenon. This one takes a decidedly refreshing and upbeat approach, but does so without getting into the more woo-woo aspects that some people decry.
According to its talented director, Shannon Kring Buset, the film:
...examines what the sacred Maya texts really say about the much-storied date of December 21, 2012. It was shot in six countries and takes viewers into the field — to the very origins of the Maya Long Count calendar — and into the lives and sacred ceremonies of leading archaeologists, scholars, shamans, and the living Maya.
Indeed, one of the most engaging aspects of the film is the appearance of the "living Maya." Shot in the sleepy towns and villages of Central America, on street corners and market squares, the many brief and good natured man-(and woman)-in-the-street interviews focus on how the local Maya themselves view 2012.
All are familiar with the rampant speculation, and apparently most seem to think that not much out of the ordinary will happen come December 21. One rather sophisticated man even compared it to the "non-event" of Y2K, which we covered in an earlier post.
None appeared to believe that it would be "the end of the world," but as one person added, "...who knows?"
.................and then, there was this other fellow:
But all kidding aside, the shamans and elders appearing in the film were very eloquent, and quite impressive not only in the depth of their cultural/historical knowledge, but also in the heartfelt sentiments they expressed.
Lina Barrios, a Guatemalan anthropologist and ajq’ij (someone traditionally trained in tracking the Mayan calendar), notes, in speaking about December 21, that the only thing we must do at year's end is to enter into a "state of consciousness of not harming Mother Earth."
Ac Tah, a Mayan spiritual leader, addresses the importance of achieving "unity of consciousness," with the intention of achieving a more harmonious world...and...living spiritually" so that we can "transform the world."
The ideas of transformation and transition permeate Mayan thinking, with Barrios noting that the end of a baktun for the Maya is comparable to the end of a millennium in Western culture.
Tata Jose Soc Chivalan is a ceremonialist residing in Guatemala who says that it is his "sacred contract to share ancient teachings with the four colors of mankind." As he puts it, in Mayan thought an absolute end does not exist. What exists is "a rebirth, a transformation."
Tata Pedro Cruz Garcia, another Maya spiritual guide, rhythmically intones:
We are about to start the cycle of peace.
We are about to start the cycle of love.
We are about to start the cycle of understanding.
We are about to start the cycle of forgiveness.
I was perhaps most impressed by Aum Rak, a Guatemalan-born curendera or medicine woman, whose warmth and wisdom were palpable.
In an especially moving scene she is shown viewing the Dresden Codex, one of only three or four books spared from the wholesale burning of Mayan texts during the Spanish Inquisition.
It was clearly a deeply moving, emotional experience for her, seeing the sacred text located, as she says, so "very far away from its original people."
All of the Mayans that were featured, many filmed conducting their traditional rituals, were very impressive, but I am happy to say that the Western experts came across pretty well, too. Their thoughts will be covered in Part Two.
..........To Be Continued
