"Open your Mind" in Guatemala

  Guatemala

San Marcos

Dates: The expedition is on-going throughout the year!

Description: What is Soul Projects?

Soul Projects or Spiral of Your Life Projects, is a small, family run organization that was set-up in early 2008, to give travelers the opportunity to have adventurous travel experiences that are deeply internally rewarding. While at the same time helping to support the local communities, in the most positively active and sustainable way as possible. Giving you the chance to really leave your mark, and make your difference.

Our ultimate vision, is to set-up a range of projects that will give people from all over the globe opportunities to work together in remote places, in different parts of the world, with different cultures. Giving real experiences that change lives and enhance spiritual development.

* So what is the expedition about?

Challenge your body, energize your soul, clear your mind, and aliven your spirit by joining us, Soul projects, on our new expedition here in Guatemala. You will be living and working high-up in the mountains with the indigenous Maya Indians, the Kaqchikels and the Tz'utujils. Our forest camp overlooks the ancient volcanic lake of Atitlán, which is renowned to be one of the most beautiful lakes in the world!

The essence to the project itself is about getting people out there, into the unknown, off the beaten track, into nature, and away from the many blinding distractions of a too comfortable modern day western culture. And by doing so, giving people the opportunity to glimpse 'themselves', and the other deeper side to life that is there right in front of us every moment, if we just learn to open our eyes to it.

A large part of our project will therefore involve hiking & camping out in the middle of the forest, and living and working in a more secluded location with a group of other similar, like minded travelers from around the world.

Learning together about how to survive out in the wild, and to live more in harmony with our beautiful Mother Nature. Seeing and experiencing for ourselves the magic and benefits of living the 'simple life', in a more natural and high energy environment.

Yoga and meditation practice, and giving you an introduction into the internal martial arts (Taijiquan & Qigong), is an important element of the expedition as well. As it will help us clear the mind, connect with nature, and connect more with ourselves, by simply putting us more in the present moment.

Soul Projects also promotes and encourages interaction with the local communities as much as possible. Giving travelers a chance to be able to experience and gain a real taste into Guatemalan way of life, music, traditions, and Maya culture for themselves, seeing what it really has to offer the world.

An important part of our project is to give our viajeros the opportunity to live with and get to know a local Guatemalan family, work with the children and teachers of the schools, work with handicapped children from around the lake, get involved with local community projects, study Spanish and/or the Mayan language (Kaqchikel or Tz'utujil), and play some sport (football or volleyball) in the village.

Environmental education and conservation issues are an increasingly important issue to the local communities around the lake, as their natural environment is such a core part of their everyday lives.

Therefore, the project also focuses on helping to educate and spread a positive message to the village of San Marcos la Laguna and surrounding lakeside communities. We do this through teaching music, the arts, environmental awareness and English in the local schools, and by actively taking part in a clean-up project on the lake through scuba diving & snorkelling.

* Where is the project located?

San Marcos la Laguna, Lago de Atitlán, Sololá, West side of Guatemala

* What is it like there on the lake?

The ancient volcanic lake of Atitlán in the Guatemalan highlands, is renowned to be one of the most beautiful lakes in the world! It is surrounded by many indigenous villages, in which Maya culture is still prevalent and colourful traditional dress is still worn. The lake is shaped by deep escarpments all around it, and on its southern side lie the three impressive volcanoes of San Pedro, Tolimán and Atitlán.

Highlights:
- Living high-up in the mountains above San Marcos la Laguna on our forest camp.
- Combining together camping in the forest, yoga and meditation, teaching in the village schools, the opportunity to work with disabled children, a home-stay with a local family, community involvement, and scuba diving on the beautiful lake of Atitlan.
- All in all together, being a very cultural, spiritual, educational and environmental experience. Giving all those involved a true glimpse into REAL Guatemalan way of life, the deeper part of life life here on earth, and therefore the deeper part of 'themselves'.

Cost in US$: Please contact us for more information.

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Guatemala Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of maximum 10 people

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Physical Exam/Health Records

Post Services Include:

• Exit DebriefingAbroad
• Alumni Network
• Job and Internship Network

Soul Projects Guatemala's Mission Statement: Our Philosophy is to spread a message of love, peace, beauty and internal balance through the creative human art of ideas, insights and action, throughout the world and throughout the cosmos. To give people the chance to be a part of something positive, grow internally, and the chance to really make a difference in the world. To enhance peoples awareness, feeling and sensitivity to life, the spirit, and the energy in the universe, through the interaction with other people from around the world, and our living breathing planet. To explore the mystery of life, questions consciousness and reality, the power of the mind, and hopes to help awaken the inner warrior that is in everyone. Encouraging people to follow their hearts and live their dreams. To help restore our deep inner connection with the natural world, and in doing so, guide people in re-discovering the path to spiritual enlightenment, and understanding the power of living in the now. To ultimately act as a pointer tool to the realization of who we really are. That we are already whole, complete, happy and perfect if we just learn how to open our eyes to it.

Year Founded: 2008