Adventure Travel: Spiritual Volunteer Expedition and Adventure Trekking in Guatemala and Mexico

Soul Projects

http://www.soulprojects.org

26 Longhill Avenue Chatham Kent, ME5 7AR England

Description

At the moment Soul Projects has its first spiritual volunteer expedition and adventure trek in Central and North America, starting on Lake Atitlan in Western Guatemala and gradually moving to the Sierra Madre mountain range of Northern Mexico. Some of the expedition highlights involve yoga and meditation in the forest; Living in a homestay with a local indigenous Mayan family; Learning Spanish and the Mayan language; Your participation on a handful of positive and conscious local community projects and workshops; A spiritual adventure trek to the jungles of Northern Guatemala and Southern Mexico, to visit some of the most mysterious and spectacular ancient remains of the Mayan civilization; And the very unique and symbolic experience of taking part in a sacred 400-mile annual pilgrimage. Just like the Huichol (Wixaritari) Indians of North-Western Mexico have done for generations, as part of their very spiritually centred way of life. Giving you the chance to really leave YOUR mark and make YOUR difference.

The expedition is a progressive flowing journey that explores the ancient traditions and native cultures of the indigenous Mayans, Toltecs and Aztecs, still living today in remote locations in Guatemala and Mexico. All in all the project is halfway in-between being an active adventure expedition and a peaceful spiritual retreat, and would be suited to anybody looking for a "down to earth" spiritual experience. It would also interest someone who wishes to 'get out into the wild,' to find deeply rewarding adventures abroad or volunteering opportunities, whilst travelling or on their gap year. With the perfect balance of being able to get involved with some community work and conservation work at the same time.

Our Philosophy:

* 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, question consciousness, reality and the power of the mind.

* 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.

Are We What You Are Looking For?

Soul Projects or Spiral of Your Life Projects is a new age, open minded and family-like non-profit organization that was set-up in early 2008. It was born out of the dream to create spiritual volunteer expeditions and adventure treks that have the unique blend of combining together; volunteering and participating in local community projects and workshops, hiking, camping, conservation work, extreme adventure and yoga & meditation practice. While at the same time giving you Real-Life exposure to remote indigenous tribal communities of the world and their unique culture, way of life and traditions - sacred art, music, dance, ceremony and ancient wisdom teachings. Overall sharing a powerful journey that gives you a deep, well-balanced 'down to earth' spiritual experience, perfect for an inspiring and rewarding adventure abroad or gap year.

If you are 'open' to being inspired and are already sensitive to the important need to inspire others in your life, then Soul Projects could be just what you are looking for in your next big adventure abroad. Giving yourself a new, challenging and unique life changing experience, one that helps you make your difference to yourself and the world around you at the same time.

It doesn't matter if you are a totally new beginner to yoga, meditation, travel and expeditions, or whether you are already an experienced traveller who teaches yoga and meditation as a profession. We promise you that you will be challenged, led out of your comfort zone and will learn and grow from the experience in ways that you can't possibly imagine!

Soul Projects is for everyone and anyone! People of all nationalities, cultures, colours, creeds, walks of life, backgrounds, shapes and sizes; each unique individual bringing with them an infinite ocean of possibilities - different types of interests, passions, ambitions, aspirations and dreams. In fact, the more different types of people that join the expedition the better it is for everybody! As one of the key focuses of the project is to promote Self-realization and Self-discovery of the individual, through the human interaction with each other and with your natural living environment.

More experienced 'internal creative artists' that join an expedition (e.g. already more regular yoga and meditation practitioners), will also get the opportunity to teach one or two classes during their expedition if they so wish. To get the chance to share their knowledge and experience, and to enhance the appreciation of these two beautiful and very powerful healing human art forms with the rest of the group that they will be living and working with.

Highlights

What is an Expedition?

An 'Expedition' through our eyes, is an experiential 'journey' or 'voyage' that is undertaken by a group of people sharing a similar vision, goal or set of objectives. Originally you undertake this journey in order to experience and learn more about yourself and the 'physical' world that you find yourself living in. On a deeper level this has the knock-on-effect of helping you open your eyes more fully so you can catch a real glimpse internally of your 'true' Self, the 'non-physical' world, and who you REALLY are.

As by experiencing something new, different and challenging on all levels together with others, and by exploring an unfamiliar landscape, you are left transformed and inspired in ways that you couldn't imagine possible before. You now feel more open to live your dreams, follow your heart and ultimately to go on to discover your full potential in life.

So What Is The Expedition About?

The expedition is about giving you a deep rewarding experience that will challenge your body, energize your soul, clear your mind and awaken your spirit. By joining us, on our first spiritual volunteer expedition and adventure trek here in Guatemala and Mexico, you will get the opportunity to experience life on a volcanic crater lake with the indigenous Maya (Kaqchikels and the Tz'utujils) and high-up in the mountains with the Huichol (Wixaritari).

The essence to the project itself is about getting you 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 you the opportunity to glimpse 'yourself', and the other deeper side to life that is there right in front of you every moment, if you just learn to open your eyes to it.

We incorporate all of life's different levels of experience together into our expeditions: camping, trekking, yoga practice and living out in nature for the 'physical' body; meditation, a background into the ancient wisdom of indigenous tribal cultures and the study of traditional yogic philosophies for the mental body; volunteering and participating on a selection of positive and conscious local community workshops and projects, and providing you with the silent open space to explore and find peace with yourself for the spiritual body.

We simply offer travellers a destination through which to rediscover their Sacred Essence.

"This is your chance to truly absorb Guatemala and Mexico, and to get a good feel for the traditional culture and different way of life for yourself. Allowing you to be able to gain and give the most from the experience." (Soul Projects, 2010)

Travel Types

BackPacking Abroad
Birdwatching
Camping
Eco Tours
Hiking
Homestay
Language Immersion
Martial Arts
Native Culture Studies
Nature Tours
Overland Tours
RainForest Tours
Scuba
Snorkeling
Soccer/Football
Sports
Surfing
Tours
Trekking
Volunteering
Yoga
Summer Camp
Student Tours
Off Road / 4X4 Driving
Horseback Riding
Heritage Tourism
Environmental Studies
Ecology
Dancing
Cooking
Climbing
Archaeology

Languages

English
Spanish

Cost in US$:

Please visit our website or email us to be sent a Soul Trekker Expedition Information Pack

Cost Includes:

Cost Include Description:

Credit Available

no

Volunteer Types

Animal Welfare
Arts
Community Development
Consciousness-raising
Conservation
Culture
Disability Issues
Eco-tourism
Education
English Teaching
Environment
Handicapped

Health
Music
Natural Resources
Peace
Primary Education
Recreation
Sea Turtle Protection
Self Help
Sports
Teaching
Childcare/children
Community Health

Community Organizing
Cutting Wood
Digging
Grassroots Organization
Health Care
Health Education
Painting
Planting
Reforestation
Tree Planting
Volunteering

Age Range

18+

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participant.

Typical Living Arrangements

Group living
Home-stays
Other

Application Process Involves

Online Application plus Application Assessment
Physical Exam/Health Records

Typically The Application Process Time is

1-2 weeks

Post Services Include

Exit Debriefing Abroad
Alumni Network

Soul Projects's Mission Statement

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, question consciousness, reality and the power of the mind. 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. To support, empower, and celebrate indigenous cultures and peoples through their art and tradition. To aid indigenous communities in their struggle for self-sustainability, economic autonomy, and ultimately a better life for all. To create a network of conscious actors from all over the world, individualized by our diversity but bound by our common unity.

Year Founded

2008

Boomers Abroad

Program Photos

Spiritual Volunteer Expedition and Adventure Trekking in Guatemala and Mexico