Monday, March 16, 2015

Day 9: The End is the Beginning

I found a pond with about forty lotuses waiting to bloom. I feel that it represents us, the ones here in Bali at Sacred Circularities. We are being primed and purified in a beautiful way here, and once we come through to the other side, a blossoming occurs. Until then, patience and beauty....patience and beauty.
Today is the last day of the first week of the retreat. I began the day with a very special private session of breath work with one of the retreat participants. She said “I just want to stay here forever in this place. I am so peaceful! I’ve never felt this before.” During her session we focused on breathing in THIS air; this air that has the potent prayers of the people, and perfume of the incense and flowers. I breathed right along with her as I was coaching her, reminding myself that my being here is temporary...and how I wish it weren’t. The ending of the first week brings the sobering reality that I will eventually be reintegrating into a more familiar lifestyle, and to really soak this place up for the blessing it is. As I prepare to teach during weeks two and three, I am feeling immensely grateful that my passion for teaching The Art of Hula Hoop has brought me all the way across the world to this beautiful and inspiring place. Giving THANKS!
Today’s only class was Malaika’s African Village Dance. I love taking this class every time I get the chance! The music, the movements, the togetherness, the story, the roots, the rhythm, the sweat and the happiness! It’s all there. We danced and stomped and leaped and landed in joy on that amazing wooden floor in the wantilan, smiling the entire time. By the end we were all wishing there was more time for us to do it all over again, but alas, the last breakfast was upon us. We gathered for the meal time and the feeling of community was so much more palpable than the first dinner we ate one week earlier. Friendships have been formed, bonds have been forged, many laughs have been shared and tears have been tenderly witnessed. We have become family. It’s hard to imagine that it just keeps getting better from here, but it does! We may have to say goodbye, but truly, this is only the start. 
The Closing Circle was just as beautiful and inspiring as the Opening. Jaguar Mary gave us all such a beautiful gift. She came around to each one of us, showered our feet with flower petals, and gave us a heart felt hug. She spoke before hand on ‘honoring our enlightened masters with an offering’, and proceeded to treat each of us as an the enlightened ones before her. It was so special to witness many of my sisters faces glisten with tears of joy and wonderment of being beheld in such a way. I felt that perhaps many of them had never had anyone shower their feet with flower petals, and honor them as a realized being. I am so thankful to Jaguar Mary for having the humble heart and the divine inspiration to honor these women and few men in such a sweet way. I could see it was actually changing lives.
After this blessing, we each had a moment to share on our experience. Many attendees were overwhelmed with the waves of gratitude for this time, and spoke their sentiments through deep emotions, straight from the heart. Like the Lotus, the petals had been peeled back, and with our community members as mirrors, we have been able to see the true reflections of who we really are, perfectly unfolding and being held in our splendor. What a gift to witness each woman and man existing in a more authentic and joyful version of themselves.
During the sharing, as a group, we organically created a circle with all of the flower petals. Each persons petals connecting with the petals of the person next to them. Again, I am reminded of the lotus pond I have found, with all of the petals of the lotus shedding and sharing the same sacred space. Our petals perfectly positioned to create one circle, one unit. Each petal and important part. After all, The Flower of Life is one sacred shape including many circles. After the sharing, and acknowledging our circle, Francie sang us a sweet song on peace to all beings in all worlds. As we go about our enchanted lives of hoop dance, travel and togetherness, may we send that love to all beings everywhere, and trust that every living thing on every plane of existence will be happy. Let us share this beautiful blessing by shining, singing, spinning and grinning!
Finally, we all made our rounds and hugged every single person present. We received and gave love on a powerful level, through acknowledgement and touch. What a fantastic group of hoopers this has been! I am amazed at the talent and wisdom, the radiance and uniqueness of each individual. I loved that we were a small enough group to be able to call everyone by name, and that we could all feel like very good friends at the end.
This has been such a special time with special people. I am very much looking forward to the beginning of Week Two! May all of you who have gone home from being here at Week One know how much you are loved and missed. Keep reading the blogs to stay right here with us! And for all of you who want to be here but are where ever you are, know that we are holding you near and dear, and also holding space for you to attend next year. Dream big! Life is waiting....
Blissings,

Shellie White Light


1 comment:

  1. I know how important this time is, for you and entire Divine Feminine Collective. I AM doing my best to hold space in my Divine Masculine Presence, as your lotus gently opens to embrace the warmth of the Sun, and your Light inside. It is proving to be a challenging task to support you fully while remaining unemotional. Thank you including me as much as you have and all the kind words I have received. I Love U Boo~ Thank you for the work/play you are doing in the world! It is a service to us all!

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