Las Pirámides: Centro de Meditación, San Marcos La Laguna, Guatemala

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Ancient legend has it that Lago Atitlán is a sacred place because the bottom of this volcano lake is home to a spiritual temple of healing, which transmits an energy so pure and tranquil that it can cure people who bathe in it or live on its shores. Surrounded by three breathtaking volcanoes, which are also worshipped by the indigenous population for their positive energy (and by tourists for their majestic appearance), Lake Atitlan has been described by many visitors as (one of) the most beautiful lakes in the world. Moreover, the climate is surprisingly pleasant for a tropical location due to the 1500 meters elevation, which also keeps most mosquitoes away. Simply, Lake Atitlan feels like a magical place all around.

It is not by coincidence that 15 years ago the shores of these waters were selected to open “Las Pirámides” (The Pyramids) a center for meditation, yoga and spiritual growth. Since then this center has seen tremendous growth, which I attribute to the powerful message that it teaches and the beauty is has created. One simply feels at peace being here. The first 7 years in its existence were spent without electricity in simple accommodations. Today there are 13 different houses for the visitors each built as a pyramid to expose its inhabitants to the healing properties of the pyramidal structure. Since the early years, two temples have been constructed as well as an administrative building, a medicinal garden, a vegetarian kitchen, a multi-lingual library, and a sauna, all of which also have a pyramid shape. Each building is carefully aligned with the four hemispheric directions. And it seems that everything about this place has been given equal attention to detail and thorough consideration.

Visitors are welcome to attend any course on a walk in basis, but more serious students are encouraged to live on the premises to get the full experience (“This is NOT a hotel” signs are on display). The cornerstone of the curriculum offered is the 4 week “Curso Lunar” (Moon course), which begins and ends on full moon. Participants meet for three daily session (Yoga 7am, Metaphysic teachings 10am and Meditation 5pm). Each of the 4 weeks has a different area of focus and covers topics such as dreams, charkas, getting in touch with your sub-consciousness, astral projection, reincarnation, life after death, astrology and tarot. The final week of the course is spent in complete silence, fasting and undergoing other detoxifying treatments. The goal of all these activities (among others) is to establish balance and tranquility on a physical, mental, emotional and spiritual level. Subsequently, students eager to dive deeper can attend the 3 months long “Sun course” offered 4 times a year.

Las Pirámides is a terrific place for people searching a gentle introduction to spirituality as well as more committed seekers eager to have a profound experience. Its physical beauty by the lake surrounded by volcanoes, the peaceful and healing energy combined with the richness of the classes offered, make this an experience of inner as well as outer growth.

Opening a Door to a New World

Las Pirámides: Centro de Meditación, San Marco La Laguna, Guatemala

The small passenger boat docks to a wooden pier in a small bay on Lake Atitlan. Besides the lush green vegetation no too much else is in sight. “San Marcos La Laguna,” announces the captain. Somewhat skeptical if this is really the right place (because it really does not look like a town) I exit the boat as the only person. But as soon as I step off the pier I know I have come to the right place. A feeling of peace and tranquility overcomes me and I have not even reached my final destination: Las Pirámides meditation center. I follow the signs along a narrow path and a few minutes later find myself surrounded by pyramids of varying sizes (from small garden pyramids used to encourage growth of medicinal plants to a huge meditation pyramid to encourage growth of the spiritual seekers that enter).

I have always enjoyed yoga and meditation and have an open mind for spiritual practices, but after only a few days here is has become painfully obvious to me how one-sided of a life I have been leading. There exists a world inside each of us more complex, surprising and fascinating than anything the physical world can offer and more importantly for most of us (myself included) it remains largely unexplored. Many of the exercises I have experienced have made me feel like a discoverer setting foot on a new unknown continent. Each of us has a physical, emotional and spiritual dimension, which has to be in balance for the entire being to be healthy and happy. However, the vast majority of our energy tends to be confined to the physical dimension because it is visible to the eye and can be explained by western science. Yet, though personal experiential experience it is equally possible to explore the esoteric side of us. And the rewards are tremendous. I have had many of my questions answered, but will walk away form this experience with far more questions that I have had on arrival (but I suspect that is to be expected when exploring a new continent). At the same time, the rewards of this journey have been immediate: my body feels healthy, cleansed and supple and my spirit feels in harmony. Each day here has been like a dream: quiet and tranquil and yet filled with activity; full of learning and experiencing; receiving and giving. Of all the discoveries I have made on this trip, the realization of the complexity of my own inner self has been the most profound.