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