Sun Dance – Offering of the Body & Spirit
A five-day retreat in Ocuilan, México with Elder Cristino, Chief Saul & Oscar Iván O’Farrill
Hosted by Protocolo Q
When
July 22–26 2026
Where
Ocuilan, Mexico
Cost
$1,500 USD
Retreat Overview
Retreat Overview
This module is an intense, five-day initiation into the Sundance Ceremony, the highest ritual of Wopila (Thanksgiving and Sacrifice), anchored in the lineage of Calpulli Cuauhtinchan in Mexico
The retreat focuses on profound prayer, rigorous fasting, and sustained physical endurance. It serves as a living laboratory for Neuro-Endurance and Ego Transcendence, where participants generate an Effort-Induced Altered State of Consciousness (ASC-E) through focused intention under the direct guidance of Elder Cristino Pérez.
Whilst these traditional healing methods are part of Indigenous culture and heritage, they are best integrated in Western psyches with practices that bridge modern psychotherapeutic practices and indigenous methods. This is the foundation of Protocolo Q’s work.
Protocolo Q’s Oscar Iván O’Farrill is a psychologist and integrative consultant, a traditional Mexican medicine practitioner, Sun Dancer, visionary guide, and temazcalero with two decades of experience in the above fields. He serves as a translator of both the language and intentions of the Indigenous ceremonies.
The retreat is designed to give participants the most integrated experience of ancestral practices whilst preserving the sacred traditions and lineages of their communities.
Please note:
Before attending the retreat, you must have attended the webinar or watched the replay.
As the safety of participants is of paramount importance, you will also be required to attend an interview to ascertain your suitability for the retreat.
Module Timeline
Module Timeline
Community Call:
Monday May 4, 2026
Masterclass Webinar:
Wednesday May 13 2026
Preparation Session:
Thu June 18, 2026
Retreat & Ceremony:
July 22-26 (5 days)
Integration Session:
Thu July 31, 2026
Format
Format
The module follows the sacred, rigorous chronology of the Sundance [FYI Am checking the length discrepancy with Oscar- he has stated both 5 days and 8 days]:
Days 1–2:
Sacred Preparations:
Establishing the sacred setting (raising the arbor, constructing the altar). Final Psychological/Somatic Screening. Intensive instruction on the code of conduct, prayer structure, and commitment to the fast.
The Great Prayer:
Four Days and Four Nights of Sundance—continuous prayer, dancing, fasting (no food or water), and exposure to the elements. Participants are continuously monitored by the support team.
Closing and Return to ordinary consciousness (breaking the fast). Group Processing Circle dedicated to anchoring the depth of the experience and committing to the vows made during the ceremony.
What You'll Gain
What You'll Gain
Core Focus: The Neuro-Anthropology of Endurance and Sacrifice
Sundance, Wopila (Thanksgiving), and the Hoop of Life with Elder Cristino and Chief Saul
The Sundance, as practiced by the Calpulli Cuauhtinchan (the first Sundance circle established in Mexico 42 years ago), is understood as an act of Wopila—a prayer offered through physical sacrifice and sustained intention. The focus is on the intentional induction of deep endogenous trance states through exposure, fasting, continuous prayer, and community support.
The primary objective is to facilitate a deep ego-transcendence, where personal suffering is transformed into an act of collective prayer for the healing of the world, fostering unparalleled spiritual maturity and psychological resilience.
In-Depth Scientific and Therapeutic Exploration with Oscar
This module provides unique data on the human capacity for endurance, integrating traditional ceremony with modern understanding of psychophysical limits.
I. Neurobiology of Sustained Endogenous States (ASC-E):
Neurochemical Shifts and Pain as Catalyst: We analyze how prolonged sleep deprivation, continuous prayer (chanting/movement), and radical fasting modulate the central nervous system. The focus is on the profound and sustained release of endogenous opioids (endorphins), which naturally induce non-ordinary states, dulling the pain response while clarifying perception.
Somatic Rewiring via Will: The repeated act of self-sacrifice and endurance is a powerful mechanism for somatic rewiring. It teaches the nervous system that surrender and endurance are possible even under extreme duress, fundamentally altering the individual’s Distress Tolerance and their relationship to personal suffering.
II. The Hoop, Collective Healing, and Ethical Purity:
Anthropology of the Sacred Hoop: We study the Sundance as an anthropological model for communal integration and collective trauma healing. The ceremony is a renewal of the Sacred Hoop, emphasizing that individual suffering is intrinsically linked to the wellness of the whole community, a core concept for ethical therapeutic practice.
Purity, Intentionality, and Containment: The absolute rigor in the setting (ceremonial ground, clothing, conduct) and the set (intentionality, fasting) ensures an unparalleled level of energetic and ethical containment. Students learn that the integrity of the self is the primary containment tool in high-stakes environments.
Meet Your Guides
Meet Your Guides
Elder Cristino Pérez (Calpulli Cuauhtinchan)
The designated ceremonial leader is the sole authority on the ritual protocols, embodying the wisdom and discipline of the first Sundance circle in Mexico. His role is to hold the vision and the safety of the entire ceremonial hoop.
Oscar Iván O’Farrill
Oscar Iván O’Farrill Cobo is a psychologist, executive coach, and integrative consultant with over 20 years of experience in psychotherapy, neuroscience, human development, and leadership transformation. As a clinical specialist, he has accompanied complex processes related to trauma, depression, anxiety, addiction, and high-performance emotional resilience.
Oscar is also the founder of The Future Academy and the Ecosystem for Human Development and Consciousness Studies, and creator of the Graduate Program in Therapeutic Accompaniment with Ancestral Medicines. As a traditional Mexican medicine practitioner, Sun Dancer, visionary guide, and temazcalero, he has over 18 years of experience in ceremonial and therapeutic work, particularly in mushroom-based therapeutic rituals with a clinical focus on deep trauma, depression, addiction recovery, and suicide prevention. His work bridges ancestral knowledge, scientific research, and transformative leadership.
About the Location:
About the Location:
Approximately 1.5 hours Southwest of Mexico City, Ocuilan is known for its abundance of nature and famed pilgrimage site of the Sanctuary of the Lord of Chalma. It features hiking trails, forests, waterfalls and a serene, timeless atmosphere.
This retreat and corresponding webinar are offered as both a standalone experience and also as part of Ubiquity University and Protocolo Q’s Certificate in Ancestral Medicine and Entheogenic Therapy.