December 21, 2012, is fast approaching, a day of profound significance in Mayan culture, and a date that some media outlets and internet sites are calling apocalyptic, forecasting Armageddon-style global events. (1) While such prophecies are founded on misunderstandings and sensationalism, this date does give us an opportunity to pause, question and reflect.

In Mayan culture, what does this date actually represent and what can we learn from ancient Mayan teachings at this time?

As Maya Master Teacher Miguel Angel Vergara Calleros explains, December 21^st, 2012 is the conclusion of “a period of time, an era, a sun, a final cycle”, and what comes next is, in very simple terms, a new cycle. The CBC’s Bob McDonald, in his “Quills and Quarks” blog, writes that the Mayans were excellent star gazers who developed sophisticatedly accurate calendars measuring time differently to how we do today: “a year was 18 months with 20 days each, and their longest unit was called the B’ak’tun, which ran 400 years […] December marks the end of the 13th B’ak’tun”.

Rather than an end, then, December 21^st can be seen as a transition, a pause on our path, and an opportunity to realign and transform ourselves. For McDonald, this date is a way “to mark the end of an era when humanity was cruel to the planet.” “Let’s begin a new era”, he enthuses, “where we will make changes at the community level to lower our impact on the Earth.” Miguel Angel equally stresses the importance of our relationship with the planet as this cycle ends: “to protect and love the planet is humankind’s position”, he says.

In order to respect “Mother Earth”, Miguel Angel advises we first need to look inward: “How can I love others if I don’t love myself?” he asks. Our first job, then, is to “connect with ourselves, transform what is needed to transform”.

It is not important where exactly in the world you are on the 21^st. Whether you are lucky enough to be in a sacred place such as Muyil or the Yucatán or at home, “you can create your special sacred place wherever you are”, the Maya teacher says. “You can put a candle, flowers, or you can share with other people; do a meditation, sending love and light for humankind, sending love to your beloved ones and all living beings.”

Mayan culture teaches us the importance of love and compassion, and reminds us that we have the power to create and effect positive change. Why not take some time next Friday to think about your own life, what’s working for you, what could change, transform? What could you do to help yourself reach your fullest potential while on this earth? How will you commit to caring for Mother Earth this month and beyond?

(1) The website “http://www.december212012.com” is one such example.

(2) Quotes from Miguel Angel are taken from a recent conversation with Richard Jelusich, Ph.D., broadcast via a webinar on November 8, 2012. Visit www.lightnews.org for more information.

~ Kim Bridgett