Robert Sitler, PhD, serves as director of Stetson University’s Latin American Studies program in Deland, Florida, where he also teaches courses in Spanish, Mayan culture, and Latin American humanities. His latest book, The Living Maya: Ancient Wisdom in the Era of 2012 sheds an academic light on Maya culture that gets to the roots of the traditions of an often misunderstood people. A frequent speaker at new age conferences on 2012 and the author of numerous articles on the Maya and 2012, Sitler also translated and contributed a foreword for Gaspar Pedro Gonzalez’s wildly popular 13 B’aktun: Mayan Visions of 2012 and Beyond, the only book on 2012 released in the US written by a Mayan. For more info on Robert’s books, events, and more, please visit his website at Robertsitler.com.
Robert Sitler will be appearing this week on NPR’s Intersection with Mark Simpson in Orlando, FL starting tomorrow, December 6, at 9:30 am EST, and re-airing again Wednesday, December 8 at 6:30 pm and Saturday December 11 at 7:30 am. To listen to this show outside of the Orlando area, visit WMFE’s website at WMFE.org.
The 2012 phenomenon (a term I coined with an academic article in Nova Religio) largely ignores the Maya themselves. This parallels what happened in regional literature where the outside world took its views about the Maya from uninformed non-Maya writers like Miguel Angel Asturias. In regional politics, the Maya have been ignored as well. I didn’t want to see this happen again with 2012.
What is the greatest influence on your writing?
I wrote this book out of a profound sense of obligation to share my life-altering experiences in the Maya world. The humble wisdom of numerous Maya farmers, elders and spiritual specialists shapes all that I do, including my writing.
Is there a book that changed your life? What books have made a major impact in your life and writing?
I read Castaneda’s The Teachings of Don Juan right after the death of my father when I was 19. It opened up a new way of understanding death, seeing it as a faithful ally; and led me to seek my own adventures among indigenous peoples in Mexico. My journeys there led ultimately to the writing of this book.
What is the one thing that you want readers to take away from your book?
That we must learn to respect our infants and mothers during the birthing process. Now, the industrial birth disempowers women and undermines the well-being of our babies, eventually leading to the catastrophic social dysfunction in which we are living.
What are you working on next?
My next project will be writing the life story of a Maya weaver I know. She has never been to school but she’s had the richest life experience of anyone I personally know.
What single thing might people be surprised to learn about you?
Some might be surprised that I was a carpenter for ten years. My construction experience included working alongside Mexican laborers in California and Arizona as well as building a Hindu temple in upstate New York.
What book is on your nightstand now?
Richard Grosinger’s The Bardo of Waking Life
See Robert discuss the real traditions of Maya culture, beyond what you may have heard about 2012 in this video interview with Lilou Mace.
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