Robert Sitler

Robert Sitler's first exposure to the genius of Mayan culture came in 1976 while hiking in the rainforests of Chiapas. Since then, he has spent as much time as possible among Maya, visiting regularly with people from more than a dozen language groups. He completed a PhD from the University of Texas at Austin in 1994 with a dissertation on Mayan-related literature under the guidance of the late preeminent Mayanist, Dr. Linda Schele. Robert is currently a professor at Stetson University in DeLand, Florida and serves as Director of its Latin American Studies Program, teaching courses in Spanish and Mayan culture. His long-standing relationships with the Maya and their humble wisdom inform and inspire this book. The author's personal experiences with Maya have been complemented by formal study of Mayan culture and exploration of its ancient cities. He is a regular participant in professional meetings with Mayan scholars in Guatemala and the United States. Recently he has focused on the significance of year 2012 in the Mayan Long Count and the Guatemalan highland community of Todos Santos Cuchumatán. His CV includes numerous academic articles and presentations concerning Mayan culture and the year 2012. In particular, he has worked to include more Mayan perspectives in the discourse on the significance of 2012. He travels frequently to the most remote corners of Mexico and Guatemalan to learn from elders in various Mayan language communities. The diversity and depth of Robert's experience among the Maya has been informed by study with accomplished teachers in Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism and from elsewhere in Native America. He enjoys regular free diving in Florida springs, collaborating with local Mexican farmworkers, hatha yoga, bicycling and walking in Mother Nature.