Magical mystical tour
By Arturo Morales Tirado
January 2, 2009 San Miguel de Allende

Lecture
Teotihuacan virtual tour
Tue, Jan 6, 1:30pm
Teatro Santa Ana

Biblioteca Pública
Insurgentes 25
50 pesos

Teotihuacán represents myth, architecture and culture—cosmic order and the birth of the gods, 2,000-year-old urban design and a pattern of cultural development lasting 700 years.

Wise Teotihuacán architects placed the cosmopolitan city as an extension and permanent link between it, the region, the planet and the universe. The city, which grew to perhaps 100,000 people, was one of the largest in the world at the time and was the most influential in Mesoamerica during the Classic period (200–900 CE).

Today it is one of the most investigated and spectacular archaeological sites of pre-Hispanic Mexico. It is the cultural and social bridge between the formative and post-classic eras in Mesoamerica, one of the world’s six original civilizations. It embodies Mexican iconography and such idiosyncrasies as the use of public spaces to transmit knowledge, ideas and ideology.

Dozens of photographs illustrate this virtual tour of a UNESCO World Heritage site. In addition to pyramids (the second highest in the world), murals, squares, palaces and residential areas, Teotihuacán offers a fine museum and a restaurant inside a spectacular natural cave. Recent discoveries at the site and their relationship to contemporary Mexican culture will be covered.

Challenges for Obama 
By Cliff du Rand

Political Symposium
Center for Global Justice
Wed, Jan 7, 10:30am
Sala Quetzal
Biblioteca Pública
Insurgentes 25
50 pesos

It is hard to imagine more pressing problems than those that will challenge the new US president. That’s why the Center for Global Justice is focusing on “Challenges for Obama” as the theme for its January Snowbird Symposium. The symposium will open January 7 with a panel discussion titled “End of an Era?” End of unregulated capitalism or end of capitalism itself? End of imperialistic imperialism? End of the hydrocarbon-based lifestyle? These are some of the historical questions a panel will access. Panelists include Cliff DuRand and Betsy Bowman from the Center for Global Justice and Georgeanne Johnson of Bioneers. 

In addition to panel discussions, the first week of the Snowbird Symposium will feature two new documentary films: The End of America on January 8 and Iran Is Not the Problem on January 9. The End of America is based on Naomi Wolf’s best-selling book in which she makes a persuasive case that America came close to totalitarianism under the Bush–Cheney regime. Iran Is Not the Problem responds to the failure of the American mass media to provide the public with relevant and accurate information about the standoff between the US and Iran. As always, films will be followed by discussion. 

There will also be weekly Wednesday morning talks on the challenges Obama will be facing. On January 14, the Center will host a forum “What Is to Be Undone?,” that is, what have the Bush neo-cons left us that now needs to be reversed in order for us to be able to move forward? On January 21 a panel will access “Possibilities for Change” in the economy, health care and environmental policy.On January 28, the Snowbird Symposium will focus on immigration issues, with a look at opposition along the border to the building of The Wall. 

The Snowbird Symposium will continue until the end of March with two films and at least one talk per week on a variety of social issues. As an old era ends, a new one is being born. What it will be like remains to be defined. Challenges offer opportunities for change—hopefully changes we can believe in. We the people will have a hand in shaping these changes. Now is the time for us to become more informed and active participants in making history. 

Call the Center for Global Justice at 150-0025 for more information. 

Holistic and spiritual marketing

Lecture
The Science of Spiritual Marketing
Tue, Jan 6, 3pm 
Sala Quetzal, Biblioteca Pública
Insurgentes 25
50 pesos

There has never been a time in our history when an innovative, inspired approach to marketing has been more important. Understanding that intention and energy are behind every word and image we use in our materials and in our outreach makes a huge impact on how we are perceived and whom we attract.

Traditional marketing methods no longer work. Our senses have been bombarded—we have been manipulated long enough! It is no wonder that business owners steer away from marketing––why they spend thousands of dollars on learning a trade, a business or a service and refuse to include marketing as part of their business equation. Marketing has been trapped within the confines of a dreadful reputation for years. Andrea Adler, the author of The Science of Spiritual Marketing has pioneered a new approach: Holistic/Spiritual Marketing. 

From exposing the Root Chakra of PR, to sourcing the Three Stages of Creativity, to discovering the muscle of network science, Andrea introduces marketing concepts never before expressed. At the same time, she removes the mystery of marketing and conveys her methodology and its hands-on applications to a new level of understanding and cohesiveness.

Adler is the founder of HolisticPR.com and an international speaker, consultant and workshop presenter. As the author of The Science of Spiritual Marketing and Creating an Abundant Practice, Andrea will demonstrate how to integrate spiritual practice and psychological self-inquiry into a fundamental transformation of our lives and our marketing approaches.

For more information regarding her work, visit: www.HolisticPR.com. 

Awakening to the spirit within

Lecture Series
Teachings from Spirit
Alejandro Negrete 
Eight-week series; first class:
The Light Draws Near
Fri, Jan 9, noon–1pm
Sala Quetzal 
Biblioteca Pública
Insurgentes 25
50 pesos

In eight public talks we will analyze and uncover the deep wisdom contained within the spiritual teachings of the Pneuma System. Pneuma is a Greek word that means “spirit” and alludes to the process of awakening to our true nature, the spirit within. The Pneuma System has been called the “path of synthesis” and it brings together, in a cohesive form, the wisdom of the esoteric traditions of the world. Thus, it offers us a genuine and profound path of self-transformation and illumination.

In the first class, we explore The Light Draws Near, a teaching inviting us to listen to and follow the guidance of our heart. In this context, the heart is the voice of consciousness that enables us to discern between the true and the false within us. The heart is that which illuminates our understanding of life and helps us transcend our suffering. It is that which helps us navigate the situations of our life wisely, so that every experience can be used to grow within ourselves, to discard that which does not serve our highest good and move forward into the fresh and new. Living in harmony with our heart’s directive leads us ever closer to the joy and beauty contained within us.

Alejandro Negrete is a certified facilitator and teacher of the Pneuma System. He has a private practice in which he offers spiritual counseling, Christic Reiki healing and Pneuma Breathwork sessions. He also teaches the second module of the Pneuma System called The Transpersonal Universe during January and February.

He can be reached at alepneuma@yahoo.com.  For more information on the Pneuma System, see www.inkarri.org.

Celestial trumpets sing in praise of New Year
By Lauren Lesko

Astrology Lecture
Lauren Lesko
Mon, Jan 5, 3pm
Sala Quetzal
Biblioteca Pública
Insurgentes 25 
50 pesos

Those of us seeking a deeply transforming change in our lives can awaken our higher consciousness if we are prepared to honor our participation in making it so. Gone are those days when we shrugged our shoulders in bewilderment, leaving the tough decisions to the experts. If nothing else, the economic crisis of 2008 has shown us the ruthless corruption of many experts in whom we trusted. We have Pluto in Capricorn to thank for that benediction, which is just the beginning of many others to follow. We are ready now to learn that we are the only experts navigating our lives. 

In astrology, Saturn is the planet wearing the face of authority, dictating life’s lessons of self-reliance, responsibility, discipline, determination and, above all, commitment. On January 2 Saturn in Virgo enters a four-month retrograde cycle, initiating a somber tone for the year and ensuring that 2009 will be a time of reckoning and atonement on both a global and a personal level. In fact, much of the lessons delivered this year will challenge our perception of authority helping us understand that the tides of change tossing us about are actually pushing us outside the conventional. 

Interested readers can visit www.LaurenLesko.com to read additional commentary on the relevance of astrology in daily life.

Codex Mendoza

Lecture
The Daily Life of the Aztecs
Wed, Jan 7, 3pm
Teatro Santa Ana
Biblioteca Pública
Insurgentes 25 
50 pesos

One of the most fascinating documents of the immediate post-conquest era in Mexico is the Aztec book known as the Codex Mendoza. The codex was commissioned by the first viceroy of New Spain (Mexico), Antonio de Mendoza. It was made by Aztec scribes in the Aztec style of the early 16th century.

Since the Aztecs had no written language, their books contained only images. Nevertheless they were able to communicate a great deal, as the Codex Mendoza reveals. The codex was made at about the same time that San Miguel de Allende was founded: 1541–42.

With a little knowledge it is possible to “read” this document and gain considerable insight into the culture of the reigning indigenous power in central Mexico in the early 16th century. The codex contains sections on the history and conquests of the Aztec kings, the tax or tribute lists of conquered cities and, perhaps most interesting of all, a section on Aztec daily life, including birth ceremonies, marriage rites, child-rearing practices, education, warfare training and moral customs.

The Codex Mendoza is the subject of an illustrated lecture (in English) by retired professor of Humanities Guillermo Méndez. The proceeds of this lecture will benefit the Pre-Hispanic Music Workshop for Mexican children. 

Conscious couples: A path to healthy relationships
By Beverly Nelson, Ph.D. and Sergio Rodríguez, M.A.

Lecture
Beverly Nelson and Sergio Rodríguez
Fri, Jan 9, 3pm
Sala Quetzal
Biblioteca Pública
Insurgentes 25
50 pesos

Usually, when we learn that a couple has just divorced we feel tempted to ask why, but a more fruitful question would be “Why did they get married?” 

There are many reasons why people get together. If these reasons are known and agreed upon by both partners, all is well. In fact, there are no “right” or “wrong” reasons for being together. Unfortunately, quite often people are not even aware what attracts them to each other. Other times, people know what they want, but are not willing to say it openly. Sometimes partners get together but hold a secret agenda, planning to manipulate things to get what they want out of the. Finally, there are a few cases in which partners are able to talk openly about what they want and don’t want, assess whether they are willing to commit to it and are willing to show themselves as they are and grow together in a mutually enriching and fulfilling relationship.

Why should we stay in a relationship?

Simple. Because being in a committed long-term relationship is one of the most challenging, most exciting, most demanding, most trilling and most satisfying experience in a person’s life. Relationships constantly call us to create, express, and experience new and higher aspects of ourselves. Nowhere can one do this more immediately, immaculately and more fully than in relationships. 

San Miguel’s most famous symbol

Slide Show and Lecture
A Portrait of the Parroquia
Robert de Gast
Tue, Jan 13, 5pm
Teatro Santa Ana
Biblioteca Pública
Insurgentes 25
60 pesos, 50 pesos library members

It is not a cathedral. It is not the oldest church in San Miguel. “Parroquia” just means “parish.” Its façade was only finished a little over a hundred years ago and has recently been renovated. But San Miguel de Allende’s parish church, La Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, has become world-famous, the symbol that instantly identifies San Miguel the way the Eiffel Tower, say, announces Paris, or the Golden Gate Bridge announces San Francisco.

Local author and photographer Robert de Gast will present hundreds of photographs of the church during a slide show and talk, discuss its history and show the many ways in which San Miguel’s icon has been used to promote the town (and sell merchandise!).

The slide show will explore many spaces within the church, several seldom seen by the casual visitor. Photographs will show what it is like to climb up into the towers or to climb down into the crypt. De Gast will also show examples of how representations of the Parroquia are used to sell anything from T-shirts and coffee mugs to books and posters.

Robert de Gast, a long-time resident, is a photojournalist and teacher and the author of nine books, including, most recently, Behind the Doors of San Miguel.

Learner-friendly Sacred Tai Chi
By William Henderson

Talk & Demonstration
A Different Approach to Tai Chi
Tues, Jan 6, 6pm
Sala Quetzal
Biblioteca Pública
Insurgentes 25
Donation

Since I began teaching Tai Chi 15 years ago I’ve learned that there are many Tai Chi’s. If you’re a meditator, Tai Chi is meditation. If you’re a dancer, it is dance. If you’re sick, Tai Chi is medicine. If you’re full of questions, Tai Chi is full of answers. If you’re full of answers, Tai Chi is full of questions.

Because my interest is in sacred relationship—relationship with everything—what I teach is Sacred Tai Chi. This article is intended to entice anyone frustrated by previous attempts to connect with Tai Chi. My approach is radically learner-friendly yet takes you directly to the inner experience that most of us come to Tai Chi to achieve.

Sacred Tai Chi looks like any other Tai Chi and adapts well to all styles. What makes it sacred is where we put our attention, where I guide you with my instructions. I am not interested in complex choreographies, so my students practice simple routines and focus on standing straight, relaxing and noticing. 

I’ve studied widely and have lived in China, and it is my impression that the Chinese Communists did a real number on Tai Chi when they took over a half century ago and began eliminating everything traditional or spiritual. Tai Chi was first banned then re-introduced as a stripped-down public exercise system. Fortunately, Beijing failed to purge Tai Chi of its magic because it is encoded into the postures and movements themselves. To move in these old ways is to visit archetypal territory, and we come away nourished from inexplicable wells. 


The presentation will be a combination of lecture, demonstration and group movement. Dress as you like. You can write me at mojofixer@gmail.com.