The first one deals with the Mayas themselves, whose civilization is plagued with surprising elements: they built impressive cities, many of which we can still admire today; they were the most advanced in astronomy during their period: they were able to measure time; they developed a coherent mathematical system and a complex hieroglyphic writing system; and highly advanced agricultural technology.
All these factors have led thousands of people to the profound study of the Maya culture: the accuracy of their calendars, the precise calculation of past and future celestial events, together with a cosmogony in which time is conceived circularly, as cycles that rise and fall. However, the ending of a cycle in the Maya calendar, that coincides with the 21st of December, 2012, has caused great expectation in the past years.
For the ancient Maya, 21 December 2012 will end the current era, which does not mean death or destruction, but only the beginning of the next era, the opportunity for a fresh start.
In this view, human beings have a responsibility to contribute to the maintenance of the universe. This ancient knowledge invites us to renew ourselves, to take an active role in caring for our world. Let us live this day as a great opportunity for rebirth and a fresh start.
The concept of time for the Mayas was very different to ours. To them it was not an abstract, but conformed by cycles. The belief implied the idea that the future was behind us, because our sight does not allow us to reach it, and the past is forward, because it can be seen.
