I recently went on a retreat to the mountains in Upstate New York with a group I do Yoga/Healing classes with. The retreat was incredible- a lot of great classes and practicing, and inspiring people.
One of the takeaways and things I shared in a group was just how amazing it is to talk with people and hear what they have to share. Each person I conversated with had such wisdom and depth- and I think it’s only when we appreciate our own wisdom and depth that we have those stimulating conversations. When we think it’s all surface level, we don’t appreciate our own or each others greatness. Side note: Some recent books I’ve read are by John O’Donohue on Celtic Wisdom. These books can help you appreciate your inner world.
There were three parts to a hike we did and each one had a teaching. One part was a meditation by a waterfall- the teaching was all about how it’s so easy to judge or analyze emotion and push it down or disconnect from it. And how healing comes from feeling and accepting what’s there. As master Dawn at the retreat said: “If I can feel it, I can heal it.” This also reminds me of Buddhist teachings, especially Pema Chodron and Tara Brach- feeling what is there fully, as tough as it might be.
A gem of a take away: “To change your energy, change how you walk, your facial expressions, and your words.” When you feel low or tired and need to change the energy- you can do these three things. It’s cool how we have that control. We might have our head down as we walk, have a clenched face, or be using limiting words as we go. But changing even one of these things can have a big impact and actually affect the others. Think about it- we smile when we feel joy- so if you feel low and smile, it makes sense that you’d feel more joy. It might be tough at times, but something to keep in mind.
One step at a time. Wishing you health and strength!
