BALI …Creativity and Power….September 2010 It is now close to 1 year since our inaugural celebration with the opening of the Shanti Agung temple 2009. The 12 months following this magical experience have been blessed with the unfoldings of various workshops and retreats.

The September 2010 retreat is fast approaching and shaping up again to be a wonderful mixture of heart led souls to experience the magic and the mystery this beautiful village presents.

Since 2009 we have allowed a wonderful journey to take place that has revealed the purchase of neighbouring land, the construction of a 3 more accomodation spaces that faces the Sacred Mt.Agung, a variety of Divine statues and ponds and a garden getting richer and Richer by the day.

We remind this is a space dedicated to being Awake, being Joy, being Love. It is our intent to not only be a space where westerners can experience Bali’s unique spiritual gifts but also a place where we as westerners can give something back…a gift from the heart..a gift that allows a more conscious reality for all.

I am continually grateful to all the students and clients of the centre( Agung and Ninderry),the workshops and retreats …..It is you which have allowed the finance to support our vision.

Soon will be the time for a group of simply enthused individuals to converge on this relatively small village to experience the ceremonial opening circle of the Creativity and Power retreat Shanti Agung Temple and 12 subsequent days of bodywork, yoga, music, sharing and transforming. Here is a brief outline of what to expect..

1. Meeting at Homestay Irene.. 5pm on Sunday Sept 5th for opening circle and shared meal..The accommodation space will be available to setup ( rooms,sleeping) from midday on this day …your accommodation is booked for night of 5th sept… to day of sept 17th ( 2pm)

2. Each morning will be 6.30am rise ..silent meditation walk along headland and through rice fields to centre ( 10 min walk)

3. Each day will begin with yoga with Lisa or Adam before breakfast at centre at 8.30am

4. Daily class with Kaline and Gwyn ..bodywork from Thai massage, oesteopathy and Shiatsu…..Combining structural and energetic approaches… Between 9.15am and 1pm

5. Lunch at 1pm before middle of day break( 1 to 4.30pm) ..freetime for relaxing practice yoga-bodywork, exploring beach or waterholes, surfing( great waves), pool, fishing,,your call

6. The afternoon session(4.30-7 pm) will vary with topics such as Acroyoga therapy with Adam and Gwyn, Brima with Kaline, , self inquiry, ceremonial rituals, Yin Yoga , reflexology, natural medicines and intergration of work covered

7. Dinner will be served at 7pm. The remaining of the day will be occasionally Kirtan ( devotional singing) , optional practice time, circle sharing, healing ritual, sharing healing with local Balinese. Some nights will be an open program..Your call

8. Trips to nearby fresh waterholes, local crafts, nearby secret beaches and an early morning ceremonial climb up a nearby mountain are filtered through the 12 days.

 9. A Global Mala …108 sun salutations…at Nearby Ubud is an optional offering on the weekend after the retreat closes.

10. Please email asap if you have a preference for sharing with someone.

11. If you haven’t yet placed your $300 deposit into our account please do so as soon as possible.

12. Spaces are still available if therapists are still wanting to join the journey

Blessings to all Gwyny

“When you start to see the light that you really are, The light waking up in you, The radiance, You realise it has no intention to change you”….Adyashanti

Level 3 Principles

Life force Mystery..

It really is a lifelong quest to get the balance between prana/ ki being generated and that being exerted. As for most, the balance is usually topsided on the ‘exerted’ side leading to energy deficency and lack of that precious vitality.
When examined I see a lot of this energy is wasted by trying to measure up to an ideal.  Ideal is simply a projection of the mind, however, we so often mistake it for reality. It is not real. When we can give up trying to justify or condemn our actions and behaviours we simply have given up all the effort of living under an illusion ..an ideal.

The new surge of energy can be quite startling. This is when we begin to embrace the full moment for what it is….without our mental and emotional filter systems getting in the way. This is yoga.

Thich Knat Hahn summed it perfectly with his famous phase ” The real miracle is not to walk on water, it is to walk on earth…to be alive in every moment”.

Our beautiful friend Errol who passed away recently… had truly digested this preciousness of present moment by putting deep meaningful relationships at the very forefront of what to do in a day…and not what we ‘have to’ or ‘ need to do’.  At the celebration of his life his sons reflected with humour that his often repeated phase was ‘”The only thing you have to do in this life is die”…a vivid reminder of the myriad of choices we have in each moment to moment which ultimately creates a lifetime.

  In conclusion, i would like to share the two realisations that evolved in my Asian travels this year. One is the complete joy available in community working and sharing together and secondly the power and depth offered in devotion…listening and acting upon ‘Thy Will’. 

The great news is that Rasayana will be offering their unique blend of music at the centre in a couple of weeks ( see flyer)…their sharing being inspirations of both community and divine devotion. Would love you to come along to this event…bring your seated cushion to sit within the depth and stillness of the magic they offer but also tuck in a pair of dancing shoes for the rhythms that may ask you to get up and move!! 

May the moments today be saturated in simplicity and a full embrace. I know that ‘adung adung’…( Bali) or slowly, slowly has been a mantra that i keep singing in my head upon my return to Oz this year…a continual reminder of the preciousness that is in each moment when we remain awake.

May you walk in peace today..

.Love Gwyn

What’s happenning..

Every full moon will be a community circle where we can gather with song, movement and intention. Will keep you informed on next date ….Would dearly love all to come together  at Mt.Ninderry for these nights of raised consciousness and connection with soul.

May 6th…8 week advanced Zenthai
May 22nd ..Rasayana at Mt.Ninderry
June 6th..Zenthai at Brisbane Yoga fest..workshops and treatments
July 8th..4 day intensive at Mt. Ninderry
July 30th..Zenthai at Splendour in the Grass..worshops and treatments
Sept 6th..12 day retreat in Bali with Kaline and Gwyn

  Hey Gwyny,  Mount Agung was the perfect backdrop to a great introduction to Zen Thai Shiatsu and  the five elements, thoroughly enjoyed the teaching and the company”. Have attached a couple of my fav phots of you two.  Namaste Adam

                        

It is with honour I pass on the sad news that my beautiful friend, Errol Larkan left his physical body on the  22nd  March.

Errol was the rock behind the scenes for the Zenthai journey creating the website, the manuals, dvds, flyers, postcards ..all creative magnificence. It is a blessing his son Herrin will continue with the work he initiated.

Beyond the Zenthai story, Errol is a Dear Friend whom I will sadly miss. He saturated himself with the teachings of the spiritual masters of the day including Adyashanti, Gangaji, Pema Chodron and the Dalai Lama to name a few.  Hence he was a powerful conduit of their deep and transformative teachings. Many of the droplets of wisdom that come through my yoga or bodywork classes were penetrating insights shared by my friend, Errol.

I will celebrate his life and the deep love and friendship we share beyond a physical realm. However, his unique humour, intimate conversations and complete selfless support will be sadly missed.

My love and gratitude for the time spent together will never diminish.

Gwyn

Ahh..Jungle life in Laos..

so different from my 2 earlier experinces here.. I am reminded of my deep connection with the mother earth and the joy and restoration that occurs when camping beside a waterfall, walking barefoot, fresh oasis with bananna and papya everywhere…

only minimal electricity… eating rice and veges on Bamboo mats…

only noise is water running and birds chirping, bhajan around the fire each night…the people in the course are all so receptive and a real tribal expereince is happenning away from the distracts of the modern world…

my heart is often yearning to embrace my beautiful wife and children ..

other than that am really having a wonderful time with the gifts of nature and the divine blessings of sharing from heart space today in town doing some connection with outside world…

but truly am loving being cut off for a while..

realising God everywhere

i love you

Gwyn

NAMASTE.

JOYFUL BLESSINGS TO A NEW YEAR…2010..

Another Woodford festival signaling for many the closing of the old and the arising of the new…symbolised by a gigantic and amazing Woodford fire ceremony.

For the Zenthai Woodford team it is a great opportunity to unite our intentions, be inspired by the boundless talents and hopefully inspire others  towards the depth available through conscious touch. To anchor the team into each day each therapist is asked to select a word to remain a focal point for the day to keep our intention united and focus aligned especially when the energy resources are being challenged.

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During a recent Zenthai retreat the final day revealed itself as the group focused on ‘ do your best ‘ from the Toltec book ‘ The Four Agreements.’

What I strongly realised during this group introspection was that this ‘doing our best’ is really a powerful practice of present moment awareness. If our ‘best’ has reference points in the past or future we really miss the agreement being shared…This ‘best to every moment’ allows the presence of ‘failure’ or ‘not good enough’ to completely dissolve.

It is a powerful reminder that life is always moving … never still. ..life force of ki .. like a river continually flowing. The Thais and Chinese make often referrals to ‘ wind’…in the body and around the body. Empty wind ( deficent), turbulent wind ( uncontrolled), stagnant wind (NO movement). In harmony we are moving with the wind .. transient states shifting as nature and experiences ask of us. Likewise .. hought by its very nature is still. Stuck usually in past or projected in future. If we get stuck with thought therefore we may forget that we are truly life … life that is always moving.

” Doing our best” therefore is a constant reminder to not become too anchored in thought but more so remain aware of lifeforce and wind .. moving, growing, expanding, evolving … not resisting.

A great analogy I heard recently is of a Hot air balloon. Anchored to the ground the wind is forceful,trying to lift it up and away…the rope to the ground( our thoughts) keeps it resisting where the movement wishes it to go.  Cutting loose of the rope and suddenly the ballon is free, airborne, moving in space and time….the wind doesn’t  exist any more.

Freedom and spaciousness.

May we ‘cut loose’  during this celebration period ..soaring with the winds of loving kindness. Moving with this rhythm that is natural…accepting, being and therefore ‘potently’ giving.

My blessings

Gwyn

What’s on …

• Dec 23rd .. SACRED CHRISTMAS AT NINDERRY HEALING CENTRE  6PM ( BRING PLATE OF FOOD, SMALL GIFT AROUND $10 FOR BASKET)
• Dec 27 to Jan 1st.. Woodford…Zenthai has 3 workshop presentations and One performance.with Rasayana…check program
• Jan 28 to 31st….4 day intensive..bookings have started
• Feb 14th..one month retreat in Laos .” Thai Massage Circus”
• March 25 ..6 day Life force retreat in Bali..
• April 1 st Zenthai workshops at Bali spirit festival
• May 6th..Advanced Zenthai (n 8 week course)

1. Is it suitable for beginners or practicing therapists?

…the program will accomodate a variety of levels …the beginners mind really enables us to absorb and withhold material. The focus is on personal awareness, enhancing one’s daily health as well as bodywork and suggestions to support others on their healing journey. A majority of the material is based around EASTERN healing arts

2. Where is the centre?

about 2 hrs drive from airport. a small fishing village on the East Coast. Yes..there is surf…very nice right hand point

3. What is the accomodation

The rooms and bungalows are beautifully Balinese carved , very clean and mainly twin share. ( view www.homestayirene.com )The centre is 10 minute beach and rice paddy walk each morning. All meals are at the Shanti Agung Centre

4. What is the food ?

Vegetarian with all the Amazing Balinese Spices and local fruits and vegetables. Your digestive system will love you for it!! The Komangs ( our hosts) are simply the best.

5. How do I get there from the airport?

A taxi ( bemo) is available at all centres and the airport. About $35 DOLLARS aus..( can be shared) ..I have some contacts to pick you up if needed. Simply ask for Pantai Jasri, about 20 min past Chandi Dasa

6. What is happening at the Bali spirit Festival?

http://www.balispiritfestival.com/

..check out their website..and amazing array of Yoga, Music and Mind/body soul experiences. Retreat participants get discounted tickets. This is not part of the retreat but I envisage groups sharing rooms etc . together at Ubud ( 2 hr away)….AND our group enjoying this amazing celebration of life.

The Zenthai workshops ( 3 in Total ) will be focals for us all to get involved in.

7. I only have one week..is the festival important??

One week will still enable you to be part of the Shanti Agung Retreat

8. When do I pay deposit?

A deposit of $200 Australian..is required by the 26th January to commit your space.

9. Can I bring a friend?

I encourage all to be part of the retreat

10. Do I need any medications??

Bali Belly is every where is Bali so we need to watch the water. A digestive prob solution is advised. Jasri is one of the cleanest spots in Bali…but simple measures re. water and hygiene is advised

please write any queries you may still have..

Blessings
gwyn

Shanti Agung

I can still picture Mr. Komangs face now on the final day of our inaugural Bali Retreat, when all were slowly departing. Holding his chest with his  hand and tears welling in his eyes.

” So sad, Gwyn” he says in reference to the departure of so many that had touched and been touched by him.

Days earlier we had all been singing, dancing , drumming in bliss at the base of Mt.Agung in a state of euphoric contentment. Likewise, sitting on my surfboard surrounded by idylic waves, coconut trees and blue open sky  I was truly in heaven…one week later my heart is truly hurting as I feel the pain and loss of so many in the recent Pacific tragedies.

A state of equanmity simply doesn’t exist when living on this plane outlined above.This awakening for me is a deeper realisation of how we so strongly connect to life’s experiences and therefore it being the dictator of our own ‘beingness’.

It is taking courage and conscious effort to slowly allow this to dissolve.

An intention in this latest full moon is to shift my reference point away from lifes experiences to life itself. As ‘ life itself’  I am referring to that which is our life force, completely present, absent of a mental commentary, beyond form (Ekhart Tolle), complete love and acceptance ( Adyashanti) or simply sitting with God ( Yogananda).   It can be likened in Bodywork to having focus on the techniques versus the boundlessness nature of touch. In focusing on techniques it has continual commentary, a striving and doing, some great techniques so not so good…whereas when focusing on the boundless nature of touch..we really get to ‘feel’ beyond form, the depth of loving kindness ,an exploration beyond the surface of the skin ..mystery,discovery and movement all found together in the present moment.

In relating this transient and expansive nature of life into the daily arena, I have been tremendously  supported by not only sitting in stillness in nature or at the altar with a mind at rest but also by igniting new passions. To fully embrace the transient nature of life itself I have found it invaluable to keep the passion fire alive. When referring to passion, it is not the passion that relates to continually creating new projects ( however this does help)but moreso the falling in love with ‘life itself’. The unpredictability, the mystery the unexhaustable expansiveness, the elusiveness….. It is like changing your focus from swimming on the surface of the water to diving down deep and allowing the subtle currents to take you in the natural flow, as your remain fixed in wonderment.

Without this we don’t move, stagnancy arises and we rob ourselves of all the treasures of a magical life journey. Right now ..what is something that really makes your heart sing? Feel it , MAKE THE EFFORT, and we move …if it doesn’t evolve the way it was planned..it remains fine as we are moving with ‘life itself’..unconditional love and acceptance.  We have made the step towards a state of complete equanimity…it is here that we are truly free.

I know now if I see Mr.Komang holding his chest again with eyes welling in tears …I will smile, wrap the whole of arms around him and remind him everything is just fine.

As a final note I would like to express my deep gratitude to all the 30 participants that created the Magic in our inaugural Shanti Agung Bali Retreat. Like I have expressed many times it was like we were soaring afloat of two large wings abreast. The open heartedness and uniqueness shared from  each person is what truly created the magic.
As we all experienced on a clear blue sky day when the clouds have parted was the majestic and mighty Mt. Agung, so serenely still yet radiantly captivating. Many like me, sitting in awe at its majestic presence.
May many blue sky days continue to happen for you so your own Agung within yourself can be revealed

.HO.

Blessings

Gwynny

Dates …Oct 8…student clinic ( 7 weeks of thursday arvo)
……..Oct 10 ..1 to 5 pm working bee at centre..followed by rice,dahl and music.
…..Oct 15..Acro yoga ( 7 weeks of thursday Morning)
….Nov 7 and 8/  Nov 21 and 22..Faciliatator course
…Nov 26th ..Zenthai therapist graduation
…..Dec 3 to 6..4 day Zenthai intensive
…Dec 27..Woodford..Zenthai experience