The 2012 Story : The Myths, Fallacies, and Truth Behind the Most Intriguing Date in History

From Publishers Weekly Anthropologist Jenkins (Galactic Alignment) has been investigating Mayan culture since 1985, helping unveil the Mayan calendar system that predicts a once-in-26,000-years "astronomical alignment"-the solstice sun and the Milky Way with the galactic center-occurring on December 12, 2012, a date that's gained an apocalyptic reputation in the popular consciousness. Jenkins believes that the Mayans, just like their Greek, Indian, Babylonian, and Egyptian contemporaries, have much to teach us, but nothing about a global cataclysm. Applying the concepts of Mayan cyclical cosmology-in particular, a transformation-and-renewal creation myth not unlike other religions'-he suggests that 2012 "basically represents a shift from one World Age to the next" occurring over decades, not hours: "The world is in a crisis. Systems need to be transformed and spiritually centered social activism is called for." He believes that the Indian idea of an "indigenous mind" offers an alternative to modern materialism, "oriented more to... maintaining balance with a sustainable value system." He also finds hopeful signs in farming, beer brewing, energy innovation, and health-food communities, as well as the popularity of meditation and other ways of freeing oneself from "the tangled knot of illusion." This introduction to Mayan culture, from the scientist who uncovered much of it, replaces silly disaster scenarios with something both truthful and provocative. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Review "By far the best and most authoritative guide to the 2012 phenomenon. I doubt it will be followed by anything better." -Richard Smoley, Quest magazine "One of the most popular author in the 2012 category, [John Major Jenkins] helped usher in this craze." -Lisa Miller, Newsweek "As much as Jenkins has made a place for himself in the 2012 discussion through his independent research on the Maya and precession, he has made an even greater impact by applying academic rigor to the theories of his contemporaries and exposing...their inconsistencies with established Mayanist scholarship." -Benjamin Anastas, The New York Times Magazine "The most global and erudite voice of a swelling chorus of Galactic Center theorists. By framing the subject in the context of the Primordial Tradition, he raises it to a new level of seriousness and of reassurance." -Joscelyn Godwin, Colgate University "A fascinating journey through the history of the ancient Maya...Combining impeccable scholarship with incisive critical intellect, the author dispels the misconceptions and sensational speculations." -Stanislav Grof, M.D., author of Psychology of the Future

On December 21, 2012, the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar, a 5,125-year cycle calendar system pioneered by the Maya, will come to an end. At the same time, the earth, the sun, and the center of the galaxy will come together in an extremely rare cosmic alignment. More and more people believe that the world as we know it will experience a transformation in 2012, but few are aware of the complete history or significance of the date. John Major Jenkins, among the most authoritative voices of the 2012 movement, has written a definitive explanation of one of the most thought-provoking phenomena of our time. Drawing from his own groundbreaking research (including his involvement in the modern reconstruction of Mayan 2012 cosmology) and more than two decades of extensive study of Mayan culture, Jenkins has created the crucial guide to understanding the story of 2012—an essential overview of the history, theory, cultures, and personalities that have brought this extraordinary idea into modern awareness. Jenkins provides illuminating answers to some of the most-asked questions about 2012, including:
- How did the early Maya devise the calendar that gives us the cycle ending in 2012, and how does it work?
- How did the calendar come to be rediscovered and reconstructed in our era?
- What controversies and intrigues surround the topic, and what do scholars and researchers have to say about them?
- How can we cut through all the noise about 2012 and gain true wisdom from the Mayan teachings about this moment?

On December 21, 2012, the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar, a 5,125- year cycle calendar system pioneered by the Maya, will come to an end. At the same time, the earth, the sun, and the center of the galaxy will come together in an extremely rare cosmic alignment. More and more people believe that the world as we know it will experience a transformation in 2012, but few are aware of the complete history or significance of the date. John Major Jenkins, among the most authoritative voices of the 2012 movement, has written a definitive explanation of one of the most thought-provoking phenomena of our time. Drawing from his own groundbreaking research (including his involvement in the modern reconstruction of Mayan 2012 cosmology) and more than two decades of extensive study of Mayan culture, Jenkins has created the crucial guide to understanding the story of 2012—an essential overview of the history, theory, cultures, and personalities that have brought this extraordinary idea into modern awareness. Jenkins provides illuminating answers to some of the most-asked questions about 2012, including:- How did the early Maya devise the calendar that gives us the cycle ending in 2012, and how does it work?- How did the calendar come to be rediscovered and reconstructed in our era?- What controversies and intrigues surround the topic, and what do scholars and researchers have to say about them?- How can we cut through all the noise about 2012 and gain true wisdom from the Mayan teachings about this moment? "From the pioneering author who helped introduce the question of 2012 into the world spiritual community comes an epic exploration of the authentic origins and meaning of this portentous date. On December 21, 2012, the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar will reach the end of a great cycle. At the same time, the earth, the sun, and the center of the galaxy will come together in an extremely rare cosmic alignment. More and more people believe that our world will experience a transformation in 2012, but few are aware of the complete history or significance of the date. John Major Jenkins ... has created the crucial guide to this phenomenon. Drawing from his own groundbreaking research (including his involvement in the modern reconstruction of Maya 2012 cosmology), Jenkins surveys the roots and significance of 2012 in Maya thought, modern astronomy, ancient prophecy, and metaphysical philosophy, and explores why it has become a focal point for millions today."--Cover page [iv] Introduction: An unstoppable idea The 2012 story Recovering a lost world The long career of the long count Seductive spells Breakthrough or breakdown The 2012 explosion Doubting scholars The galactic alignment theory : update And the big picture Sacred science and perennial philosophy The fulfillment of the Maya prophecy Ending the war on us The Maya Renaissance Restoring the big picture After the party. Recovering a lost world The long career of the long count Seductive spells Breakthroughs or breakdown? The 2012 explosion Doubting scholars The galactic alignment theory : update 2012 and the big picture Sacred science and perennial philosophy The fulfillment of the Maya prophecy Ending the war on us The Maya Renaissance Restoring the big picture After the party. From one of the pioneering authors who introduced the 2012 countdown to the world's spiritual community comes an epic exploration of the origins of this portentous date. Jenkins examines the date's roots in Mayan cosmology, modern astronomy, and ancient prophecy.