13 B'Aktun: Mayan Visions of 2012 and Beyond

Gonzalez   As 2012 looms with its promise of radical cultural and spiritual change, humankind is increasingly seeking strategies to survive and thrive. In 13 B'aktun, Gaspar Pedro Gonzalez turns to the traditional Mayan belief system to navigate this uncertain future. The term 13 B'aktun refers to the thirteenth cycle of 144,000 days in the Mayan Long Count Calendar. Many scholars believe that this cycle is set to end on December 21, 2012. Framed as a fictional dialogue between a contemporary Mayan father and son, the book explores such questions as Will life continue on Earth? and Will there be another creation at the end of this era? The father imparts the knowledge of his ancestors and shares his direct mystical experiences that bring alive traditional beliefs about creation and the divine purpose of humanity, the Earth, and the universe. Through the father's poetic words, the author helps us to critically reflect on our existence, the state of the modern world, and human destiny. I