Temazcal: Tradition of Rebirth

A temazcal is an indigenous MesoAmerican tradition of rebirth that continues today.  We participated in this tradition as part of our YAGM retreat on silence and indigenous spirituality.  A temazcal is a spiritual ritual that involves a herbal steam bath which we participated in a dark lodge.  We crawled in to the igloo-like space backwards, and soaked in the warm, sweet, strong, steamy herb-filled air.  The small space is meant to be like returning to a womb: a dark, safe space of gathering.  After about twenty minutes of silence and sweating, we re-entered into the light, the bright surprise of life once again greeting us.  We were wrapped in a sheet, and then we rested.  I also participated in this tradition at a birthday party with a blend of Mexican and international friends to at the beginning of spring. At this party, there was a temazcal at the house we went to.  While we didn't participate in the steam bath, we did go in.  A woman who had studied the spirituality of the temazcal led us in a chant to  honor and create sacred space.  This tradition reminded me to reflect on each moment as an opportunity for rebirth, each breath as an opportunity for renewal.  There are many places throughout Mexico City and Mexico in general where one can go for a temazcal.  Sometimes, one has to pay for these services, and many times, people do a temazcal with the intention to heal or improve a certain health condition.  The health benefits of a temazcal are similar to those of a sauna: they help with circulation and cleanse the body through sweat.  The spiritual, historical, and sacred elements are all intertwined into this health-creating ritual of renewal.