As we now are noticing the nights becoming cooler and heat and expansiveness of summer subsiding we witness the new season is upon us. As we have known for lifetimes, the more we are Aligned with the changing rhythm of the Seasons the more balanced we are in every way. The 10 days following a season end is The Earth element ..a great time to nourish yourself , witness the stillness within and connect with the richness of the earth. ..” Simply go for a fresh walk In Nature each day with barefeet, allowing to be being nourished by observing all the gems that often go unnoticed …

” When you become my student you also become my colleague, ” is a common sharing I have with the students who come to me in class with their  earnest enthusiasm. This also points the way as to their role of a teacher that the student also undertakes .

Bhinneka Tunggal Ika 

Warm hugs at Agung …We are all huddled at the summit of Mt Agung … 6am in the morning , absolutely  freezing cold after just completing the ascent from Agung temple in the early hours of the morning.  It is a bitter wind, cutting us all to the bone as we wait for the sun to rise and give us some warmth to breathe again fully.  Without hesitation we all huddle together, rubbing each others backs and heads, laughingly, lying over each other in a human pile of metta as the cold wind slowly ceases its penetrating bitterness. Soon we are warm and dancing to the beats of Bob Marley as the sun appears as the warrior of light over the horizon.

The altar from where are activations flew …like an eagle

This is the volcano mountain considered as the holy centre of Bali. It has also been the divine altar for our daily yoga class for the past 12 days as we have stretched, sweated, sang and symbolically bowed in our own unique prayer.   This is the mountain that literally blew its top 50 years ago when the political leaders of the time did not adhere to the alignment of stars, moons and planets and forced a large religious ceremony 20 years prior than when it was meant to occur.  This is the mountain that is now teaching us that the divine is not  only something to be recognised around us but also something that is allowed to pour purely through us as we care, smile, appreciate, love and take time for one another.

I reflect on how there was no sense of uncomfortableness or hesitation  as 12 men and 2 girls made our ‘ warmth pile ‘ before the sun rose.  For some it might of appeared a peculiar site with the musicians, yogis, acrobats, teachers, builders, surfers and travellers simply made an effortless ‘human pile’ on the top of a mighty Agung in the darkness of the morning to keep each other warm.  For us involved though, it was a purely natural act to offer support for another.

This was an extension of the seeds we had been cultivating in the days beforehand.  A Zenthai Retreat where with 20 others, we bowed at each others feet before offering massages, walked hand in hand in the coconut forest, soaked up the simplicity of a Balinese smile and sat in silence honouring the great divine play in each moment.  It felt at this moment on top of the volcano, that the pure spirt we had been bowing down to in yoga each day was now being embodied by us with our simple act of kindness.

May these times away from our patterns of behaviour be simple and powerful reminders that we do not need institutions  or great teachers to bring us to the divine.  All we need is a open heart, an open mind and awareness to notice. To notice the needs of another and a willingness to act  in a caring and natural way.  There is a universal calling keep our helping hands and hearts out open , our eyes wide awake, allow simplicity to show us a way to allow this great force of spirt not to be only recognised around us but additionally always be available for this magnificent power to  flow right through us .

Blessings

Gwyn

The beauty of God is vast. To enjoy flowers for their loveliness is good, but far greater is to see behind their purity and beauty  the face of God .

~ Paramahansa Yogananda ~

I have been sitting , moving , breathing and bowing in front of a huge altar for two days now. …continually in awe, being constantly reminded of the beauty in nature and the benefit of quiet in our lives.  Having recently completed a 7 day ‘ life is perfect’ retreat co facilitating with Kevin James …it is a simple extension of what we have been heartfully sharing with the group. ..in the past week.

We have started the day with a full one day trek into the Laos jungle to the source of a great waterfall… amongst amazing scenery, drizzling rain and muddy path we arrive at the source. There are 8 in the team..two Germans,  a Dutchman, a New Yorkian. one from the Ukraine, a Californian, the Laos Guide and a good ol’ Aussie …me! ( sounds like a scene from the 5 km Olympic final minus the Africans).

The jungle itself is alive with the purity of nature. Back in the Thai Massage camp this can be easily missed as minds get preoccupied with the dangers of a scorpion bite, the bacteria in the water or the adaptability to one month in a tent and squat toilets. We have 40 students again this year from every corner of the globe. Many have just walked out of airconditioned apartments of Paris or the subway systems of  an inner city life. Big Step. One student has never given a bodywork session or been to a yoga class. I tip my hat at the courage of this big step into a one month adventure they really know little about.
There are moments like now that can be brought alive by the mystery offered when everything is an unknown.

We discover the source of the waterfall after a few hours  trekking. A small spring bubbling up from under the water surface that is obviously hooked into some underground water course, results in one of the most amazing waterfalls I have ever experienced. Our one month camp in the jungle , the multitude of Laos  villages that border the water course,  hundreds of agriculutural and butterfly farms and subsequent produce,  the green, diverse and flourishing plant ecosystems and a wonderful array of animals are all simply surviving of this small spring and the water that flows forth.

The Californian student slowly places a large yellow flower in the stream and we all watch in a spontanoues ritual of Honouring. “Maybe we will see the flower float past our tent in a couple of days? ” one woman remarks.  This small gesture of placing the flower in the water has awakened a rich and expanded reality for many.  I reflect on the Source.  Is the flower and the spring now the Source.  The spring, the flower, the stream and the forest..The Source. What about all of that and Me!   The Source Expressed Through my Self…..not a small S ..a capital S.!!

Unconsciously,when we look around and see the Immensity of life itself, we so often step aside and separate ourself from our True nature and seek a happiness or a ease of suffering from a Source outside.  I watch the flower still drifting down the stream as I awaken to a wonderful reminder that this Immense richness I am experiencing is the same life that flows through me.

So easy to forget,  it’s expression is clearly reflected through my knowingness.  It appears a duty and a honour of the grandeur of  Source to get the ‘little stuff’ out of the way and let it all shine forth.

I simply look up into the sky and see the expansiveness behind the clouds..Smile inwardly and say Yes.

Woodford festival has passed again …once more a incredible inspiration…of talent..music, circus.creativity..!! the list goes on. However, what ultimately inspires me is this calm, cooperative and caring community that evolves over the first day ..and simply grows like a pulsating glowball over the entire festival encapturing all within it.

We may wonder what it is that creates this unique glow at this festival and i am sure it is a multitude of factors that leaves us with a fresh taste around the boundless potential of the human spirit.

What I feel is a major factor is always this feeling of “New ,fresh .and leaving all the old behind” , that everyone embodies at this time of the year…New Year, New vision, New awareness, New intention, New attention…What occurs is we have space to become orientated towards what inspires us. This orientation could also be worded as ‘Connecting to source energy’, ‘Plugging in’, ‘Jumping into the stream of divine consciousness’. ” Coming to our Centre”

The good news is that even though we may show a new hair style,or change the furniture in our room to symbolise this new orientation, it is rarely about new externals but moreso around an inner reference point. New car, new job, new home or new pool…will never inspire us like a new way to relate to others.

If we are being inspired by new ways of inner reference and shifting our focus we become aware of the important aspect of Choice.

It is really a moment to moment choice we have towards the relationship with what is unfolding around us. The choices we are making now are creating our realities and what gets manifested in our lives..

This brings up three important factors….

1. Choices are often unconsciously sabotaged by old patterns and ways of thinking. We need to throw these old heavy weights off our backs as they often come in forms of controlling and comparative minds, judgements and feelings of inadequacy. Open up to them then let ’em go!
2. When on top of the mountain in pure clean air…choices are usually made with clarity and ease. When we are face planting into the floor or through the 3rd ‘boring’ hour of a 10 hour shift at the coffee machine…the choices are more difficult but also far more crucial. It is at these times when the externals are double plus with ‘Challenge’ that the inner referencing needs to truly be heightened. This will need honesty, persistence and trust.
3. Choices need to be aligned with spaciousness and Your truth. Decisions are often made hurriedly in the mind, Choices are made in the heart.

My inspiration towards calm, cooperative and caring community is really going to make sure I simply give more caring hugs this year.Yes !

May we all revisit in 2013 what truly inspires us ..be awake enough to catch ourselves when we bend away…and ensure our orientation and subsequent actions are all moving in the pulse of this magnificent river.

Inspired by the purity of mountains, the rhythm of music and the wonderment of nature

I am walking down the tarmac of the busy Jakarta airport on my way to present at The Namaste Festival of healing, yoga and Music.

I am the only westerner in sight in a sea of suitcases and feet encased in shiny leather shoes moving quickly to the taxi/ bus area. Only 2 hours before in Bali, I was surrounded in the smell of incense, smiling white teeth and sarongs sitting crosslegged with any idea of time apparently non existent. Their Indonesian neighbours could be a different planet …but after a 2 hour traffic jam, the taxi has me at the festival site ..a 5 star hotel, dead centre smack in the middle of a very busy and alive city. I bow down to the small team of six females who have worked tirelessly for the past 6 months to bring this Namaste Festival to the thirsty audiences that dwell in this major port. (Not to mention, 50% of proceed goes to Charities..wow).

Within 12 hours I am sitting in front of 25-30 faces , somewhat curious and definitely unsure. I step slowly, the bodies are tuned ..very flexible and alive. However, the minds stiil circling at the periphery of awareness. Like so many, it is easy to be stuck here unconsciously. Life becomes something to work for, to own your car, to pay the bills, to make good money, to get your kids a good education, make sure no-one goes hungry and to make sure everyone else thinks you are ok.

It unconsciously can be a about acquiring, judgement and control. I step slowly to bring my students closer to the centre..breath with the movement, awareness with the touch and ‘stoked to be where you’ are rather than ‘disappointed about not quite being there’. The sign outside my poduim reads “Be the change you want to see’ ..Yes… I am reminded.. as the mind slowly surrenders it’s noose, the spirit in it’s natural yearning expands.

In the final class we are seated in circle legs straight towards the centre, as we walk on our sit bones to bring fifty pairs of feet to a wonderful mandela of feet…so unique..many colours, shapes and sizes but all so the same. When we come together in festivals such as this, such a deep awakening arises. …division dissolves and a deep coming home to peace arises. Sacred Earth sing the lyrics of Paramahansa Yogananda in the background..” Wink has not touched my eyes, ever since I saw thee” Tears are rolling down the faces of some, smiles radiating on others, all are remembering the realm of conscious spirit and how liberating that can be.

I reflect on the mandala of feet and how important community, connection and celebration of the human spirit is to keep us aligned with truth.

The Namaste Festival like the Byron Spirit festival are inspired my The Bali Spirit festival…all stemming from the realms of pure intention. I am honoured to be involved with these powerful and transforming gatherings of the heart and spirits of many. The Byron Spirit festival ( March 1 to 4 ) has its last offer of early bird tickets this week. If it is close to you, please make the effort and come be part of the foot mandela with me…with LOVE.

Full moon blessings to you Enjoy yourself

Gwyny

Friday afternoon  …

Friday afternoon ..we head to the nearby temple …Monkey temple ..for a Bi annual ceremony. I am behind Mr. Komang, Mrs Komang sidesaddle behing Nilou. We arrive at a sea of motor bikes and literally a mountain full of people. Never before have i witnessed so many in one place/ one time. We begin the trek to the top ..a mixture of steps, rocky paths…people chattering and walking up together. Ages from 6 month to 80 years …every thing in a dance of the present. A challenging climb for some but difficult for no one ..as a ‘stop and rest’ ..no hastiness or hurriedness. We all share the wonderful view of mountain and sea, the sacredness of trees inhabited by inquisitive monkeys. As we climb together in white shirts , sarongs and head dress iam surronded by hordes of ‘baba guling’ (cooked pig) carried by bamboo rods to the temple on the top ready for the big feast tonight.

I occasionally sit and watch …this amazing myriad of humans..so dedicated in ceremony. The trilogy of Balinese Spirituality alive and well. 1. The deep connectedness to earth’s gifts is seen in their barefeet or sandals massaging the rocks as they climb. 2. The communities and connection to each other ..so apparent….a mass of people…not one complaint as people bump and jostle into each other…only smiles and holding of hands. 3. The  simple YES to the Divine…. IN the Ceremony ….not showing up is not an option.The soft chubby hands gathering the water from priest as he splashes before bringing it to their mouth 3 times…the flowers they place on their crown …signifying this DIVINE spirit is beyond life and death…it is Always. It is Everything.

Mrs Komang who has been ill for days is relentless in her climbing to the top with  BASKET OF Offerings on her head. At the top the sea of people gather in a soup of sitting and offering, dancing and laughing, others deranged in trancelike euphoria…it is simply a honouring of a special time. I sit with Mrs Komang and Nilou..in prayers and offerings moving from temple to temple at the top. A deranged 20 yr male runs in front yelling aloud, dagger in hand , his friend attempting to restrain. The priest splashes him 3 times with the holy water, he releases the dagger and drops to his knees in a simple state of reborn..he walks away gently ..smiling ..New skin. I reflect the depth yet simplicity of ceremony. Imbalances within are rewired in minutes..The clouds burst as the rain comes down, drenching the entire mountain. No one is fazed. Soaking wet…the prayers and devotional processions continue..as purity is far beyond phenomena.

I head back early …descending down..as masses still moving up in a festive fever. The walk back to Jasri…on sunset.. a 7km walk back home as the roads all blocked. A freshness is felt through me …wet from the rain, blessed from the ceremony …awakened from the richness of experience. A slow Bemo approaches heading to Jasri…ahh a lift!!…i run to keep up then jump into the back tray to find myself amongst 10 buckets of fresh fish…this is not a bemo. This is the local fisherman. We all laugh together. I reflect  upon what is available when we simply allow each day to be a chance to practice an internal shift… a shift to a constant state of awareness and renewal.Right now.

“ The past has already disappeared, the future only imagined, the present as fluid water. To awaken is not to fix or hold but to love whatever is here. Knowing this truth is to release our hearts from grasping. The mystery that gave us life becomes a dance”

Deep bow

Gwyny

Tat Twam Asee …

When Tat Twam Asee (translation … I am Free) is discovered to be the base mantra Of Balinese Spirituality it felt like we were simply being reminded on the Core Teaching that sits within each each day. Maybe there a unified reason that brought this group to this sweet, small Traditional village on the East Coast of Bali for 12 days of Zenthai, Yoga,and Culture.. The Power Mantra asks us not to continually be reaching out for Something …that is ‘already sitting deep’ within each and everyone of us ..FREEDOM..

AS RUMI BEAUITFULLY SHARES …’A place between rightdoing and wrongdoing…let’s meet there..where the soul lays in the grass and the world is too full to speak.

Towards final days , the group scribe their focused intentions onto a piece of paper which is wrapped in Balinese batik to be carried to the summit of Mount the Agung days later, where the power of words and thought word merge with the Sacredness, Light and Divine Power found in the eye of the Mighty Agung. The package of words are sealed with a final piece..the  Mantra ..’Tat Twam Asee..

A Team of 11 set off at the completion of the retreat for the trek to the top.  The twelve days beforehand are full of deep realisations, challenging sheddings of the old and beautifully unique,sweet, group connections. Beginning at 3am in the morning we arrive for sunrise, as the sun is blessing the pit of the great volcano. I throw the bandana of intentions into the Heart of Agung ..as we chorus internally together ..’Give Yourself up to Source’..The updraft from the centre take the paper pieces into a flying whirlpool of wind..let them them go!! Some down, some up, some around, not for us to decide !!

Half an hour later we begin the descent..Twenty minutes into the trek I step upon a lone piece of paper …one of the 35 that had been let go into the volcano an hour before. Here, was one that had obviously been thrown into the upward current and now found it’s place at my feet. I pick it up and read the words ..Tat Twam Asee.!!

I turn to friend behind with paper in my hand held high in the air.” Tat Twam Asee” I exclaim…in a mixture of disbelief, honoring and recognising of the Great Unfolding.. WE all take a deep Bow..Giving ourselves up to the Source..

I Thank all for being part of this wonderful unfolding with me. May your expanded being now paint the wonderful reality in your days. The paintbrush is in your hands.