After so many years of hearing about Kate Opahinov's name and wonderful shamanic healing abilities from Des, and after years of having Kate's number in my telephone book, I decided to give her a visit, for an intuitive reading on the occasion of my birthday this year. The results were nothing sort of earth shaking in term of the clarity it brings to my life. I found the last missing puzzle, I've been looking for. Thankfully, Kate recorded the session, so I could go back to listen to her gift of transparent clarity.
First, the bus that was supposed to take me to Eglinton East from Donland station has been rerouted and I had to go back to Greenwood station to catch this bus. After waiting at Greenwood station for more than 20 minutes, I knew that I was going to be late so I decided to catch a cab. Despite of Kate's instuction to push the door, I pulled it and couldn't open the door. Because I have not yet arrived in the 21st century and didn't have a cell phone, I had to go to a store next door to give Kate a call to announce my arrival to her. Kate is good natured.
First she explained how I interface in the world and play of energy in life. The energy comes to me fast and intense. She was given view of the Hindu pantheon, my energy is strong and there is an archetypal charge to it. This is a very rich and deep river running under a life, more of my connection with a spirit than to myself. The connection is overwhelming, such a strong undercurrent, a source of great power and joy but the mundane level it can be problematic.
I have never thought of this as a problem with Spirit, but rather a shortcoming. n overdoesn't get a chance to live. Kate spoke very slowly, saying she was asked to speak carefully because precision was required to such a great extent. Hinduism is about an understanding of chaos. I was compelled to live a life, for many many incarnations, as a pujari and manjari. With her Judeo-Christian background, she was trying her best to explain the range of vocabulary given to her: handmaiden or maidservant of a goddess, and a temple mistress. She said it was so strange, although to me it wasn't.
To love the divine so much, to serve unquestioningly with such devotion and yet to feel disconnected to the divine has caused grief, a conflict and confusion. It if painful and irreconcilable, and it started since I came to Canada. This was not past of my childhood. The metaphor given to her was outpost where ambassadors sent to. I was sent as an ambassador of the Hindu gods and goddesses to the day-to-day consciousness of North American. On a very deep level, I felt left alone not knowing what to do in a strange land. This is affecting my health not at the mind or heart level, but at the solar flexus. I cannot process certain foods when I'm in spiritual distress. As she was speaking, she felt it. Apparently, she felt every possible ways I receive information. She talked about past life and spirituality, not emotional, mental or psychological.
Little did she know that this was exactly the missing link I was looking for. She said my "problem" was completely spiritual and past life related and how to relate that to my present life. Respectfully, she carefully to introduce to me the fact that I'm a "witch". When I said I know, she was rather surprised. I had to tell her that I come. from a long line of shamanic healers. As witches, we manifest fast. Any disowned part of the self will hit us back like a boomerang. When the Kundalini energy raises up, it needs a large container and expression. I have been playing "small" and "normal", and this is no longer serving me.
Kate once again mentioned about my complete devotion: live, rise, sleep and work for the divine. I was a daughter and beloved mistress of the divine. This lasted many incarnations, the last one being about 5 to 600 years ago, to the same place and the exact same role. Although it was very unusual for spirit to come back again and again to the same role, I did. Because of that, it has made a deep groove in my soul. I pick up so little of this world, as every part of me was built from time memorial. I was completely feminine, absolutely 100% total Yin. This incarnation, I came equipped with a masculine energy to this "outpost". It brings grief, divorced from the perpetual feminine role of handmaiden of Radha. I need to let go of my completely devotion, Yin, handmaiden role and fully embrace the new role.
Feel complete connection to the divine. Assume this role fully to feel 100% contact with the divine, with the introduction of a dancing Shiva energy, no longer Radha energy. This Yang needs to come out. Move and dance, she says, to invoke powerful new connection with the divine. This is the energy needed in North America. Like Faith, Kate says I need to assume the leader/master role. She also asked why, although a healer in many lifetimes, I don't practise healership. I told her how confusing it is for me to choose between the teacher or healer role. She said I was a master-teacher but it was so comical for me to pretend that I was not a healer. She told me that we don't get to avoid our spiritual calling. When Spirit chooses us, we comply.
She said we were built perfectly for the role of a master-teacher and healer. It is absurd to negate the call because it will cut us from Spirit. Of most importance in this reading is the introduction of the masculine energy. I have to own the beauty and graceful energy of Shiva in myself in order to invite a man with a balanced masculine and feminine energy to match the balanced total feminine and the new masculine energy in me. Right now and in the last few years, my powerful masculine energy is emasculating to the men who have not yet learned to embrace their own sacred feminine and masculine energy.
Shiva is teaching me to teach men about the sacred masculinity. Most women, Kate says herself included, have the mission to teach men about femininity. But not me, my "job" is to teach men about sacred masculinity. Not the macho kind but the "new" man paradigm. Kate repeated the fact that I was very feminine, but North Americans in general do not know that one can be immensely feminine and intensely masculine like me, because that is a recipe for "bigness". A little masculinity and a little femininity is OK, because it's "safe" and not overwhelming. She mentioned how people here "hook-up" all the time out of desperation, if they care to admit. Beloved relationship is rare and almost unheard of.
I must be partnered with a master, someone who has already embraced his own feminine and masculine energy. She repeated this fact in so many ways and so many times. Thinking back, almost all past partners were those who had feminine energy but disowned or at the very least were uncomfortable with their own sacred masculine energy, resulting in aggressive behaviour. Most of these men also were "close" to their mothers bringing another archetype to the table.
My own take from this experience is that both women and men of today must embrace the "new" paradigm of a more balanced individuals, instead of perpetuating the once glorious role-playing but no longer serving the demand of the massive raising of collective consciousness. We must love fear out of the way. If that sounds contradictory that's because it is. Although we know that heart is a feeling instrument and it's Yin in nature, we need to pay attention to what energy fueling the emotion. Is it love or fear? New women and men, ideally, are loving and not fearful.
I am grateful to past partners, life collaborators, who have fulfilled our sacred contracts to bring us higher in the evolution of human consciousness. Energy evolution is our last revolution!
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Hare Krishna and SRF in beautiful Kaua'i
This facebook notes, written on August 21, is transmigrated here because I don't know how much longer I want to reside in facebook. Too bad I don't know yet how to post photos here.
~The man who has no inner life is the slave of his surroundings~Henri Frederic Amiel
Although I got back from Hawai’ian islands (Maui, Oahu and Kaua’i) on the weekend, my body is still on Hawai’ian time, going to bed at 6:00 or 5:00am. Today is the first day I feel like myself again. This afternoon, after many hours of sleep, I went to the Beaches, reading and practising Yoga near the water, amidst the cries of seagulls and delightful children.
In June, I read The Man Woman Dilemma – Relationship Truths for Troubled Times (Kali Yuga) by Justice and Faith Collier (Yogamaya devi dasi ACBSP). On receipt of this book, I read it cover to cover, amazed by the message. It felt as though I had written the book myself. Being born and raised in the “old country”, although I function well here, I am often bewildered at how most people relate casually to each other, especially the man-woman interactions. Where I come from, there are guidelines and our words are prayers!
Raised by parents of mixed ethnic, religious and social backgrounds—in Bali, where people are predominantly Hindu—I learnt about tolerance at a very early age. My parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary 10 days ago and are as romantic as ever, still holding hands, calling each other sweet nothing, etc. Theirs clearly is a union of two strong equals. My ideal for a Divine Couple relationship has been deeply ingrained in me since childhood.
I have my share of relationships, lessons I created to make me wiser and more conscious of what is real, which is the Self, not ego or the false self with its many heads: fears of engulfment or abandonment, doubts, criticisms, judgments, etc. As you and I know, relationship is earth school’s most intense lessons, where we are partnered with the one/s who has the exact gifts for our mutual healing and spiritual growth. Hopefully, we remember to always look within, instead of blaming others for how we feel and that we are mirrors for each other to reflect on. If we don't like our reflection in the mirror, remember to fix ourselves instead of breaking the mirror.
Along with the book The Man Woman Dilemma, I was also reading 2 other books: Take Me to Truth – Undoing the Ego by Nouk Sanchez and Tomas Vieira, based on the principles of A Course in Miracles “scribed” (message from another realm) by psychologists Helen Schucman and William Thetford. Justice and Faith used to teach this course at a Retreat Centre. Take Me to Truth, called a “revelation” by Gary R. Renard author of The Disappearance of the Universe, offers a powerful 6-stage guide to ego-release. It maintains that we cannot realize enlightenment while we still cling to our ego.
In Embracing the Beloved, by Stephen and Ondrea Levine talk about how relationship is Yoga or life dharma, and not to be taken lightly. The Levines regards their relationship as their most significant spiritual commitment, a path to God, mixing their life experiences with philosophy and meditations.
In The Man Woman Dilemma, Justice and Faith talk about how Divine Couple relationship is based on God’s laws (in so many words). As this book seems to embody the belief I have about relationship, I wrote to ask them a few clarification questions. They told me that the content of the book was downloaded to them, shruti style, from the “other realm”. They were asked to surrender to the eternal laws of Creator-God’s.
Similarly, one night about half a year ago, when chanting alone in the wee hour of the night, I received the same message: to surrender fully to the eternal Divine Couple, Radha-Krishna. When I complied, everything magically shifted. However, love and ego cannot co-exist.
The Man Woman Dilemma is divided into Counsel for Man and Counsel for Woman, providing guidance for relationship problems, from Dealing with Exes (I kid you not :), Trespassers, Defining Relationships, Fiery Explosions to The Unnecessary Battle between the Sexes, etc.
On return from Bali last year, I made a conscious decision to prepare myself and my environment to make room for a spiritual partnership (not dating, as that word does not exist in my vocabulary). I began with changing my computer’s wallpaper with a beautiful picture of Radha-Krishna, glorifying their names in my signature line, intensifying my sadhana, as well as cleansing myself mentally, emotionally, physically, energetic and psycho-spiritually. I cleared my place and my schedule, and brought closures to all unfinished businesses. If you know me well, you know that I live my life reverently. And so the story goes.
Intrigued, I started to correspond with Justice and Faith. When they asked me to send them a couple of photos, I did. Faith’s reaction was, “You sound wonderful and godly, and are SO filled with Light.” I had a good giggle, for I know that I do not shine like a beacon or a star, and I am no god or goddess for that matter, either. We are however made in the image and likeness of God. Actually, I have heard the same comments made before by fellow light workers, teachers and elders.
I am convinced that their comments have nothing to do with "me", but referring to the light of Purusa, that eternal light of pure consciousness which is present in all of us, without which, any knowledge would be in the dense darkness and hidden behind layers of the veils of maya or illusion (ego, false-self). I know that Faith was initiated in Hare Krishna by the late Srila Prabhupada himself and I was very curious about her openness, kind words and her ability to sense energetically. I thought it was just a matter of gender-specific ability.
As I was supposed to go camping anyway last weekend, I decided to do so in Kaua’i island county, Hawai'i, in the company of Justice and Faith Collier. From the moment I set out that intention, everything ran very smoothly. Faith says, “This trip is divinely arranged”, which made me smile as I too believe strongly in Divine guidance.
When I was there, I heard Faith making comments, times and again, on how attuned I was with Creator-God’s plans, how clear I received the message and how trusting/accepting I was towards this guidance. I, on the other hand, was amazed at her level of “seeing” me so clearly, cutting sharply through any illusions in such a short period of time. It was as though she has known me for a long time. Later I found that she also works energetically, which I believe is a more accurate parameter than anything else. Although I also believe in the heart power, the heart is either fueled by love or fear. We feel "good" when we operate out of love and "not good" when we are constantly fearful. In SRF, we are also taught that dhyana or meditation helps clear our frequency from any interference.
Aloha spirit was prevalent in the air as the plane touched down in Maui. I look around and, although I did not know anyone there, everyone looks very familiar to me. After awhile, I realized that they wear similar facial expression with mine, one of smiling countenance. Everyone speaks in sing songy tone, melodious and joyous, which I assume can be found in any tropical islands.
The colours are vibrant, the heat is intense and I melted into the familiar similarity. Faith has previously told me that, while some islands has harsh, dense and coarse vibrations, the Hawai’ian islands’ fine vibration (especially in Kaua’i) is similar to that of Bali, gentle, warm and very loving. I remember sometime ago, one of Doreen Virtue’s ATPs told me that Hawai’ian and Balinese people are star people (?)
Oahu is a “young” city, or rather a city for the young. Troy, Sterling’s son, used to live in this island for many years with Kristel his mom and later on with Erica his girlfriend. Everyone seems to be so young, jet-setting to Europe, the “main land” and other countries in the world. They have the most sophisticated electronic devices, many of which are strange looking and I do not even know the name. I kept on noticing how people are at ease, “locked eyes” with and smile to each other (strangers). Such warmth and genuine openness! There is no stiffness and avoidance of others’ eyes, or is it fear, that we see in big cities. I know that I would thrive here.
Kaua’i has the gentlest vibration of them all. Justice and Faith were still waiting for me at the arrival lounge despite of the last minute delay, typical inter-island flights. Faith put a sea-shell lei around my neck and gave me a kiss and warm hug. My heart skipped a beat when the carousel stopped and I did not see Leny and Paul’s suitcase lent to me for this trip. After waiting for awhile, the wicket opened and I found the suitcase. We drove at sunset on hilly roads, passing by beautiful flower line roads and white beaches to the Mother’s Sanctuary, home of the Divine Couple Ministry. Almost immediately after we arrived, my ears were greeted by the nocturnal sound of cicadas, crickets, frogs and night birds (screeching owls).
Faith prepared a vegetarian rice dish, while Justice picked up some vegetables from their organic garden. They commented on how joyful I was and how there was no trace of tiredness on me, worrying that I might not be able to sleep right away because of the time difference (6 hours behind). I did not tell them that I have just given myself Reiki and done the Self-Authority invocation. Instead, I gave them the gifts of Indonesian beras kencur (rice and ginger-like root) drinks and teh hijau melati Sariwangi (Indonesian green-jasmine tea), and we talked for awhile before they showed me my “home away from home” for the next 9 days.
It was a red Swiss Army tent, spacious enough for a twin mattress (the bed was beautifully made like in a hotel, with layers of sheets, comforters and warm woolen blankets), my suitcase, carry-on, light, etc. I could even stretch inside the tent. Most of all, the tent is under a canopy of a beautiful and mature tree with leaves touching the ground. It was perfect! My heart jumped up with joy. Look at what happened when I listened to my heart and followed my intuition.
I fell asleep right away, getting up very early to the glorious sounds of Kauai roosters and many birds. I inhaled deeply the fresh smell of morning, eyes feasting on the dew covered grass, spacious lawn, beautiful flowers (hibiscus, plumerias, fragrant ginger, etc) and birds, Brazilian cardinals, feeling the warm sunshine on my skin, when I heard Faith’s voice inviting me to have breakfast. She has cooked oatmeal with young coconut and soya milk. The coconut juice was as sweet as that from my parents’ yard. The kitchen is Balinese style, separate from the house. Faith says the minute she saw a Balinese kitchen, she knew that she had to have one for herself. From my Asian style seat, on the ground, I saw the mountain range. This may not be Bali, but this sure feels like heaven on earth!
Faith and Justice briefed me of the program. What I thought would be a healing, spiritual retreat ended up being a 7-day Intensive Course on Divine Couple Principles and Practices. Apparently, they “received” the night before that, although I am not yet “on the other side” of life, I am an experienced and qualified “elder”, which made me giggling yet again. They start every activity with a prayer. This is a familiar territory for me and I love the fact that they always open themselves for guidance and, not surprisingly, they receive. Of late, I notice that I have been doing exactly that in my teaching and coaching. As soon as I move out of the way, the guidance pours directly through me to the recipient.
After breakfast, I walked around the property. Immediately after the entrance, there is a beautiful Balinese-style palapa (gazebo), including the typical woodcarved gables, bamboo slats floor and straw roof. It is facing a man-made pond with running water from the Waikoa falls/river. I made a mental note to use the palapa for my daily Yoga practice. I ended practising everywhere, on a beautiful and quiet beach, or the property's huge ground.
There is an outhouse (a dry porcelain toilet) and an outdoor shower, as well as another closed gazebo where we had “sessions” in the property. There are so many different trees and nobody seem to know some of them, while I only know the names in Indonesian or Balinese, papaya, biu batu, batan waru, etc. Around noon, Faith took me for a walk to Waikoa, the home of a CSA organic guava plantation, although there are also a lot of gazebos and a beautiful flower garden on the ground. After walking for about 15 minutes, we enter a man-made “heaven” with a stone statue of a mossed-cover Buddha, a host of tropical flowers (pink and white oleanders, pink and white frangipani or plumerias, yellow alamanda, red and yellow cana lily, lily of the valley, a man-made pond, a river, and another gazebo.
We did our first “work” here. In the process, I found out that after she left the ashram, Faith familiarized herself with the teaching of Paramahansa Yogananda of Self-Realization Fellowship, which explains her openness and gentle spirituality I sensed from the start. I have been a member of SRF for 10 years. Another former Hare Krishna member who has been in SRF for 12 years told us that 65 of his and his wife's family members have commented on how open, gentle and loving he has become in the last decade. SRF Kriya Yoga observes Karma, Jnana and Bhakti. We study the Bhagavad Gita and chant, but also embraces tapasya, swadhaya and ishvara pranidhana to enhance inner awareness and guide us to moksha.
Although we “worked” deeply and intensely everyday, with the exception of a silent meditation observing Sabbath and their half-a-day couple time, we also go to a different beach everyday. I almost felt bad because they cut their couple time to a half day, but Faith explained that they just came back from a road trip promoting the book, speaking and counseling (Faith is a practising psychotherapist) at Prabhupada Village in North Carolina (where Justice started chanting the Maha Mantra) and at a Hare Krishna temple in Missisipi. They had some administrative responsibilities to take care of. After I left, they were welcoming a devotee from Mississipi Hare Krishna temple.
The beaches in the North shore of Kaua’i island are very interesting. On the one side is white sandy beach and on the other is a lush verdant mountain. The natural vibration of the place is pure, strong and very lively (full of life). I also gave Faith 3 Reflexology and a Thai massage sessions, and a Reiki session to Justice. They were appreciative and gave me very positive feedback on the impact of these treatments. But, like Des, Faith told me that although I am a powerful healer, I should teach and preach (of what it is still a mystery to me :)
We also took the time to have some well deserved fun, going to have tea and watched a seashore wedding with live music at the posh Princeville hotel, listening to live jazz at Saffron, had delectable dessert somewhere in town the equivalent of Toronto’s Big Carrot, singing at the church in Kapa’a, and harinama sankirtana with a dozen devotees at the residence of Radha devi dasi ACBSP in Anahola.
The streets of Kaua’i reminded me of streets in Riau islands of Indonesia, about 40 seamiles South of Singapore. The soil is clay red and the houses are typical island houses. We were not sure if we were at the right place until I spotted the word KRSNA on the back window of one of the cars. Radha’s whole house is a Radha-Krishna’s shrine. Faith said it reminded her of Vrndavan in India. Everywhere I looked, I saw beautiful paintings of Radha-Krishna. Some of them were done by Faith’s ex-husband, Muralidhara Dasa ACBSP, whose paintings adorned a lot of ISKCON books and at the Palace.
Radha has a warm and very vibrant personality, giving me a lovely welcome hug (we consciously breathed a full synchronized breath together), saying she loves Bali, giving me a tulasi neckbeads and asking me to never take it off, and to keep in touch with her. She is a singer and musician, vegetarian cooking teacher, among many others. I loved hearing her realizations and mystical experiences. She is famous in the Hawai’ian islands because she had taken her worship to the street, alone, all by herself. Her kind and soft spoken husband is a disciple of Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayana Maharaja.
Radha and Yogamaya live their lives with integrity and is very inspiring to see. Every woman should have at least one female mentor. This is what living spirituality is like, given time to mature and blossomed. I will write in more details about Divine Couple Principles and Practices.
This trip was indeed fated and divinely arranged. It has taught me that spirituality does not need us to defend Itself. Like good food, we still have to chew it carefully, swallow it mindfully and digest it well so it is nourishing. Left to itself, it will go bad very quickly. And, if we swallow spirituality without chewing it properly, it will upset our digestion system and may cause either spiritual heartburn or spiritual constipation.
A few Hare Krishna youths in Toronto have met Radha in Oahu and Maui.
Mahalo, matur suksma for browsing~
~The man who has no inner life is the slave of his surroundings~Henri Frederic Amiel
Although I got back from Hawai’ian islands (Maui, Oahu and Kaua’i) on the weekend, my body is still on Hawai’ian time, going to bed at 6:00 or 5:00am. Today is the first day I feel like myself again. This afternoon, after many hours of sleep, I went to the Beaches, reading and practising Yoga near the water, amidst the cries of seagulls and delightful children.
In June, I read The Man Woman Dilemma – Relationship Truths for Troubled Times (Kali Yuga) by Justice and Faith Collier (Yogamaya devi dasi ACBSP). On receipt of this book, I read it cover to cover, amazed by the message. It felt as though I had written the book myself. Being born and raised in the “old country”, although I function well here, I am often bewildered at how most people relate casually to each other, especially the man-woman interactions. Where I come from, there are guidelines and our words are prayers!
Raised by parents of mixed ethnic, religious and social backgrounds—in Bali, where people are predominantly Hindu—I learnt about tolerance at a very early age. My parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary 10 days ago and are as romantic as ever, still holding hands, calling each other sweet nothing, etc. Theirs clearly is a union of two strong equals. My ideal for a Divine Couple relationship has been deeply ingrained in me since childhood.
I have my share of relationships, lessons I created to make me wiser and more conscious of what is real, which is the Self, not ego or the false self with its many heads: fears of engulfment or abandonment, doubts, criticisms, judgments, etc. As you and I know, relationship is earth school’s most intense lessons, where we are partnered with the one/s who has the exact gifts for our mutual healing and spiritual growth. Hopefully, we remember to always look within, instead of blaming others for how we feel and that we are mirrors for each other to reflect on. If we don't like our reflection in the mirror, remember to fix ourselves instead of breaking the mirror.
Along with the book The Man Woman Dilemma, I was also reading 2 other books: Take Me to Truth – Undoing the Ego by Nouk Sanchez and Tomas Vieira, based on the principles of A Course in Miracles “scribed” (message from another realm) by psychologists Helen Schucman and William Thetford. Justice and Faith used to teach this course at a Retreat Centre. Take Me to Truth, called a “revelation” by Gary R. Renard author of The Disappearance of the Universe, offers a powerful 6-stage guide to ego-release. It maintains that we cannot realize enlightenment while we still cling to our ego.
In Embracing the Beloved, by Stephen and Ondrea Levine talk about how relationship is Yoga or life dharma, and not to be taken lightly. The Levines regards their relationship as their most significant spiritual commitment, a path to God, mixing their life experiences with philosophy and meditations.
In The Man Woman Dilemma, Justice and Faith talk about how Divine Couple relationship is based on God’s laws (in so many words). As this book seems to embody the belief I have about relationship, I wrote to ask them a few clarification questions. They told me that the content of the book was downloaded to them, shruti style, from the “other realm”. They were asked to surrender to the eternal laws of Creator-God’s.
Similarly, one night about half a year ago, when chanting alone in the wee hour of the night, I received the same message: to surrender fully to the eternal Divine Couple, Radha-Krishna. When I complied, everything magically shifted. However, love and ego cannot co-exist.
The Man Woman Dilemma is divided into Counsel for Man and Counsel for Woman, providing guidance for relationship problems, from Dealing with Exes (I kid you not :), Trespassers, Defining Relationships, Fiery Explosions to The Unnecessary Battle between the Sexes, etc.
On return from Bali last year, I made a conscious decision to prepare myself and my environment to make room for a spiritual partnership (not dating, as that word does not exist in my vocabulary). I began with changing my computer’s wallpaper with a beautiful picture of Radha-Krishna, glorifying their names in my signature line, intensifying my sadhana, as well as cleansing myself mentally, emotionally, physically, energetic and psycho-spiritually. I cleared my place and my schedule, and brought closures to all unfinished businesses. If you know me well, you know that I live my life reverently. And so the story goes.
Intrigued, I started to correspond with Justice and Faith. When they asked me to send them a couple of photos, I did. Faith’s reaction was, “You sound wonderful and godly, and are SO filled with Light.” I had a good giggle, for I know that I do not shine like a beacon or a star, and I am no god or goddess for that matter, either. We are however made in the image and likeness of God. Actually, I have heard the same comments made before by fellow light workers, teachers and elders.
I am convinced that their comments have nothing to do with "me", but referring to the light of Purusa, that eternal light of pure consciousness which is present in all of us, without which, any knowledge would be in the dense darkness and hidden behind layers of the veils of maya or illusion (ego, false-self). I know that Faith was initiated in Hare Krishna by the late Srila Prabhupada himself and I was very curious about her openness, kind words and her ability to sense energetically. I thought it was just a matter of gender-specific ability.
As I was supposed to go camping anyway last weekend, I decided to do so in Kaua’i island county, Hawai'i, in the company of Justice and Faith Collier. From the moment I set out that intention, everything ran very smoothly. Faith says, “This trip is divinely arranged”, which made me smile as I too believe strongly in Divine guidance.
When I was there, I heard Faith making comments, times and again, on how attuned I was with Creator-God’s plans, how clear I received the message and how trusting/accepting I was towards this guidance. I, on the other hand, was amazed at her level of “seeing” me so clearly, cutting sharply through any illusions in such a short period of time. It was as though she has known me for a long time. Later I found that she also works energetically, which I believe is a more accurate parameter than anything else. Although I also believe in the heart power, the heart is either fueled by love or fear. We feel "good" when we operate out of love and "not good" when we are constantly fearful. In SRF, we are also taught that dhyana or meditation helps clear our frequency from any interference.
Aloha spirit was prevalent in the air as the plane touched down in Maui. I look around and, although I did not know anyone there, everyone looks very familiar to me. After awhile, I realized that they wear similar facial expression with mine, one of smiling countenance. Everyone speaks in sing songy tone, melodious and joyous, which I assume can be found in any tropical islands.
The colours are vibrant, the heat is intense and I melted into the familiar similarity. Faith has previously told me that, while some islands has harsh, dense and coarse vibrations, the Hawai’ian islands’ fine vibration (especially in Kaua’i) is similar to that of Bali, gentle, warm and very loving. I remember sometime ago, one of Doreen Virtue’s ATPs told me that Hawai’ian and Balinese people are star people (?)
Oahu is a “young” city, or rather a city for the young. Troy, Sterling’s son, used to live in this island for many years with Kristel his mom and later on with Erica his girlfriend. Everyone seems to be so young, jet-setting to Europe, the “main land” and other countries in the world. They have the most sophisticated electronic devices, many of which are strange looking and I do not even know the name. I kept on noticing how people are at ease, “locked eyes” with and smile to each other (strangers). Such warmth and genuine openness! There is no stiffness and avoidance of others’ eyes, or is it fear, that we see in big cities. I know that I would thrive here.
Kaua’i has the gentlest vibration of them all. Justice and Faith were still waiting for me at the arrival lounge despite of the last minute delay, typical inter-island flights. Faith put a sea-shell lei around my neck and gave me a kiss and warm hug. My heart skipped a beat when the carousel stopped and I did not see Leny and Paul’s suitcase lent to me for this trip. After waiting for awhile, the wicket opened and I found the suitcase. We drove at sunset on hilly roads, passing by beautiful flower line roads and white beaches to the Mother’s Sanctuary, home of the Divine Couple Ministry. Almost immediately after we arrived, my ears were greeted by the nocturnal sound of cicadas, crickets, frogs and night birds (screeching owls).
Faith prepared a vegetarian rice dish, while Justice picked up some vegetables from their organic garden. They commented on how joyful I was and how there was no trace of tiredness on me, worrying that I might not be able to sleep right away because of the time difference (6 hours behind). I did not tell them that I have just given myself Reiki and done the Self-Authority invocation. Instead, I gave them the gifts of Indonesian beras kencur (rice and ginger-like root) drinks and teh hijau melati Sariwangi (Indonesian green-jasmine tea), and we talked for awhile before they showed me my “home away from home” for the next 9 days.
It was a red Swiss Army tent, spacious enough for a twin mattress (the bed was beautifully made like in a hotel, with layers of sheets, comforters and warm woolen blankets), my suitcase, carry-on, light, etc. I could even stretch inside the tent. Most of all, the tent is under a canopy of a beautiful and mature tree with leaves touching the ground. It was perfect! My heart jumped up with joy. Look at what happened when I listened to my heart and followed my intuition.
I fell asleep right away, getting up very early to the glorious sounds of Kauai roosters and many birds. I inhaled deeply the fresh smell of morning, eyes feasting on the dew covered grass, spacious lawn, beautiful flowers (hibiscus, plumerias, fragrant ginger, etc) and birds, Brazilian cardinals, feeling the warm sunshine on my skin, when I heard Faith’s voice inviting me to have breakfast. She has cooked oatmeal with young coconut and soya milk. The coconut juice was as sweet as that from my parents’ yard. The kitchen is Balinese style, separate from the house. Faith says the minute she saw a Balinese kitchen, she knew that she had to have one for herself. From my Asian style seat, on the ground, I saw the mountain range. This may not be Bali, but this sure feels like heaven on earth!
Faith and Justice briefed me of the program. What I thought would be a healing, spiritual retreat ended up being a 7-day Intensive Course on Divine Couple Principles and Practices. Apparently, they “received” the night before that, although I am not yet “on the other side” of life, I am an experienced and qualified “elder”, which made me giggling yet again. They start every activity with a prayer. This is a familiar territory for me and I love the fact that they always open themselves for guidance and, not surprisingly, they receive. Of late, I notice that I have been doing exactly that in my teaching and coaching. As soon as I move out of the way, the guidance pours directly through me to the recipient.
After breakfast, I walked around the property. Immediately after the entrance, there is a beautiful Balinese-style palapa (gazebo), including the typical woodcarved gables, bamboo slats floor and straw roof. It is facing a man-made pond with running water from the Waikoa falls/river. I made a mental note to use the palapa for my daily Yoga practice. I ended practising everywhere, on a beautiful and quiet beach, or the property's huge ground.
There is an outhouse (a dry porcelain toilet) and an outdoor shower, as well as another closed gazebo where we had “sessions” in the property. There are so many different trees and nobody seem to know some of them, while I only know the names in Indonesian or Balinese, papaya, biu batu, batan waru, etc. Around noon, Faith took me for a walk to Waikoa, the home of a CSA organic guava plantation, although there are also a lot of gazebos and a beautiful flower garden on the ground. After walking for about 15 minutes, we enter a man-made “heaven” with a stone statue of a mossed-cover Buddha, a host of tropical flowers (pink and white oleanders, pink and white frangipani or plumerias, yellow alamanda, red and yellow cana lily, lily of the valley, a man-made pond, a river, and another gazebo.
We did our first “work” here. In the process, I found out that after she left the ashram, Faith familiarized herself with the teaching of Paramahansa Yogananda of Self-Realization Fellowship, which explains her openness and gentle spirituality I sensed from the start. I have been a member of SRF for 10 years. Another former Hare Krishna member who has been in SRF for 12 years told us that 65 of his and his wife's family members have commented on how open, gentle and loving he has become in the last decade. SRF Kriya Yoga observes Karma, Jnana and Bhakti. We study the Bhagavad Gita and chant, but also embraces tapasya, swadhaya and ishvara pranidhana to enhance inner awareness and guide us to moksha.
Although we “worked” deeply and intensely everyday, with the exception of a silent meditation observing Sabbath and their half-a-day couple time, we also go to a different beach everyday. I almost felt bad because they cut their couple time to a half day, but Faith explained that they just came back from a road trip promoting the book, speaking and counseling (Faith is a practising psychotherapist) at Prabhupada Village in North Carolina (where Justice started chanting the Maha Mantra) and at a Hare Krishna temple in Missisipi. They had some administrative responsibilities to take care of. After I left, they were welcoming a devotee from Mississipi Hare Krishna temple.
The beaches in the North shore of Kaua’i island are very interesting. On the one side is white sandy beach and on the other is a lush verdant mountain. The natural vibration of the place is pure, strong and very lively (full of life). I also gave Faith 3 Reflexology and a Thai massage sessions, and a Reiki session to Justice. They were appreciative and gave me very positive feedback on the impact of these treatments. But, like Des, Faith told me that although I am a powerful healer, I should teach and preach (of what it is still a mystery to me :)
We also took the time to have some well deserved fun, going to have tea and watched a seashore wedding with live music at the posh Princeville hotel, listening to live jazz at Saffron, had delectable dessert somewhere in town the equivalent of Toronto’s Big Carrot, singing at the church in Kapa’a, and harinama sankirtana with a dozen devotees at the residence of Radha devi dasi ACBSP in Anahola.
The streets of Kaua’i reminded me of streets in Riau islands of Indonesia, about 40 seamiles South of Singapore. The soil is clay red and the houses are typical island houses. We were not sure if we were at the right place until I spotted the word KRSNA on the back window of one of the cars. Radha’s whole house is a Radha-Krishna’s shrine. Faith said it reminded her of Vrndavan in India. Everywhere I looked, I saw beautiful paintings of Radha-Krishna. Some of them were done by Faith’s ex-husband, Muralidhara Dasa ACBSP, whose paintings adorned a lot of ISKCON books and at the Palace.
Radha has a warm and very vibrant personality, giving me a lovely welcome hug (we consciously breathed a full synchronized breath together), saying she loves Bali, giving me a tulasi neckbeads and asking me to never take it off, and to keep in touch with her. She is a singer and musician, vegetarian cooking teacher, among many others. I loved hearing her realizations and mystical experiences. She is famous in the Hawai’ian islands because she had taken her worship to the street, alone, all by herself. Her kind and soft spoken husband is a disciple of Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayana Maharaja.
Radha and Yogamaya live their lives with integrity and is very inspiring to see. Every woman should have at least one female mentor. This is what living spirituality is like, given time to mature and blossomed. I will write in more details about Divine Couple Principles and Practices.
This trip was indeed fated and divinely arranged. It has taught me that spirituality does not need us to defend Itself. Like good food, we still have to chew it carefully, swallow it mindfully and digest it well so it is nourishing. Left to itself, it will go bad very quickly. And, if we swallow spirituality without chewing it properly, it will upset our digestion system and may cause either spiritual heartburn or spiritual constipation.
A few Hare Krishna youths in Toronto have met Radha in Oahu and Maui.
Mahalo, matur suksma for browsing~
Birthday greetings from Yvonne
As the heading implies, the following entry is from a blue heart-shaped water birthday card from Yvonne, with an instruction:
To be open and return by September 8, 2008.
Birthday greetings, dear Savitri.
When I saw this card, I thought of the waters of Bali, where you were born and raised and the Beach(es), where you currently live.
I thought of the movement and fluidity that keeps your life flowing along, open to whatever is next on its often curcuitous route.
I thought of the water drops as tears that you shed, faithfully, in order to cleanse your body, spirit and soul.
The heart shape is your giving, sharing and caring self -- someone who has proved to be an exquisite treasure in my life, and words do not do justice to the person you are to me.
My birthda gift to ou indulges our love of organic vegetarian fare and my love of cooking.
You will receive in the mail the Table of Contents - 4 pages - from Molly Katzen, The Vegetable Dishes I Can't Live Without, New York, NY, Hyperion, 2007. Please choose 1 item from each page. Please e-mail or let me know by phone what your choices are. As you do not eat dairy, I will use so instead whenever you choose those recipes which call for dairy products.
I know that you are swamped at this time of the year. I am happy to come over and cook your potluck (with leftovers you could freeze) some weekend or weekday, while you are either out or in and we can share a meal together in honour of your 49th birthday and you will have some ready-made homecooked meals for at least a couple of days!
Thanks for your warm presence in my life and happy celebrations!
With love,
Yvonne
To be open and return by September 8, 2008.
Birthday greetings, dear Savitri.
When I saw this card, I thought of the waters of Bali, where you were born and raised and the Beach(es), where you currently live.
I thought of the movement and fluidity that keeps your life flowing along, open to whatever is next on its often curcuitous route.
I thought of the water drops as tears that you shed, faithfully, in order to cleanse your body, spirit and soul.
The heart shape is your giving, sharing and caring self -- someone who has proved to be an exquisite treasure in my life, and words do not do justice to the person you are to me.
My birthda gift to ou indulges our love of organic vegetarian fare and my love of cooking.
You will receive in the mail the Table of Contents - 4 pages - from Molly Katzen, The Vegetable Dishes I Can't Live Without, New York, NY, Hyperion, 2007. Please choose 1 item from each page. Please e-mail or let me know by phone what your choices are. As you do not eat dairy, I will use so instead whenever you choose those recipes which call for dairy products.
I know that you are swamped at this time of the year. I am happy to come over and cook your potluck (with leftovers you could freeze) some weekend or weekday, while you are either out or in and we can share a meal together in honour of your 49th birthday and you will have some ready-made homecooked meals for at least a couple of days!
Thanks for your warm presence in my life and happy celebrations!
With love,
Yvonne
Friday, March 28, 2008
Follow Your Destiny, Wherever It Leads You plus quotes
This weekend, I'll be at the I CAN DO IT conference and workshops at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Instead, I thought that I would include the following poem from a writer I've never heard before.
Follow Your Destiny, Wherever It Leads You
There comes a time in your life when you realize that if you stand still, you will remain at this point forever. You realize that if you fall and stay down, life will pass you by.
Life's circumstances are not always what you might wish them to be. The pattern of life does not necessarily go as you plan. Beyond any understanding, you may at times be led in different directions that you never imagined, dreamed, or designed. Yet if you had never put any effort into choosing a path, or tried to carry out your dream, then perhaps you would have no direction at all.
Rather than wondering about or questioning the direction your life has taken, accept the fact that there is a path before you now. Shake off the "whys" and "what ifs", and rid yourself of confusion. Whatever was--is in the past. Whatever is--is what's important. The past is a brief reflection. The future is yet to be realized. Today is here.
Walk your path one step at a time--with courage, faith, and determination. Keep your head up and cast your dreams to the stars. Soon your steps will become firm and your footing will be solid again. A path that you never imagined will become the most comfortable direction you could have ever hoped to follow.
Keep your belief in yourself and walk into your new journey. You will find it magnificent, spectacular, and beyond your wildest imaginings.
~Vicki Silvers
If you want things to change to different things, you must think different thoughts. And that simply requires finding unfamiliar ways of approaching familiar subjects.
~Ask and It is Given
If you keep on doing the same things in the same ways, will you expect a different result?
~unknown
Follow Your Destiny, Wherever It Leads You
There comes a time in your life when you realize that if you stand still, you will remain at this point forever. You realize that if you fall and stay down, life will pass you by.
Life's circumstances are not always what you might wish them to be. The pattern of life does not necessarily go as you plan. Beyond any understanding, you may at times be led in different directions that you never imagined, dreamed, or designed. Yet if you had never put any effort into choosing a path, or tried to carry out your dream, then perhaps you would have no direction at all.
Rather than wondering about or questioning the direction your life has taken, accept the fact that there is a path before you now. Shake off the "whys" and "what ifs", and rid yourself of confusion. Whatever was--is in the past. Whatever is--is what's important. The past is a brief reflection. The future is yet to be realized. Today is here.
Walk your path one step at a time--with courage, faith, and determination. Keep your head up and cast your dreams to the stars. Soon your steps will become firm and your footing will be solid again. A path that you never imagined will become the most comfortable direction you could have ever hoped to follow.
Keep your belief in yourself and walk into your new journey. You will find it magnificent, spectacular, and beyond your wildest imaginings.
~Vicki Silvers
If you want things to change to different things, you must think different thoughts. And that simply requires finding unfamiliar ways of approaching familiar subjects.
~Ask and It is Given
If you keep on doing the same things in the same ways, will you expect a different result?
~unknown
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Don't talk to stranger?!
Don't talk to stranger?!
A tale of faith and miracle
This piece was written exactly a month ago, on February 27
A tale of faith and miracle
This piece was written exactly a month ago, on February 27
Yesterday, I took a “mental health” day to care for my shining soul and worldly physical form. As always, immediately after I got up in the morning, I chanted, sat in meditation, gave myself self Reiki and stretched. I made breakfast of yummy brown sugar and maple syrup hot oatmeal, with chocolate chai tea and soya milk, before I started and completed all 3 assignments.
As I sipped my robust morning tea, I recalled a conversation with my dad last night. He calmly said, “Remember, no matter what the situation is, there is only love. Everything is about love or a cry for love, which are everything else other than love (fears, doubts, anger, sadness, hatred, etc.)” I made a mental note to remember this the next time I am dealing with a challenging situation. This morning was a truly peaceful inward driven moment for me, just as it should be!
For lunch, I cooked a fresh stir fry of king mushroom, snow peas and red pepper. The colours were vivid and beautiful, the taste was sweet, pepper spicy and delicious. I had this stir fry on a spinach tortilla wrap. When I was trying to check my e-mails, I found that I didn’t have any internet access.
I spent a lot of time being on the phone with Thaleesma, a Bell CSR in India. She put me on hold several times, as she consulted her supervisor and, at the end, I still didn’t have any internet access. It was quite frustrating.
In the afternoon I did a lot of reading and called Prabhu to wish him a successful MRI. We talked about his day and his work plans, and he asked me about my plan for the day. I was about to have another 4-hour Yoga session at EMYS exactly like I did last week, determined to open up my physical, energetic, spiritual and emotional bodies, so Life could flow right through me. I intend to remain open, despite of the urge to run away or fix things, determined to trust the process of life.
Secretly though, I wish that he would make the time to care for himself, so his heart could blossom, wide open and vulnerable, but filled with tender love and be forever free by the sometimes paralyzing fears and doubts. I have made up my mind to undergo the same regiment I did two years ago. To my sadhana regiment, I will add talk, body, and energy therapies, effective immediately.
On the subway, I closed my eyes and chanted the “My Name is Truth” mantra inwardly, as soon as I boarded the subway. I needed to remind myself more often of the nature of my (God) Self these days. At Coxwell station, when I briefly opened my eyes, the young woman who sat to my left said enthusiastically, “You smell so good! Fresh and good!” She asked me what it was that I had on. I told her that I didn’t have any perfume on, so it must’ve been Coolaulin, Lush’s leave in conditioner with coconut and lemon juice to hold my curls and to shine my hair. [Thinking that was the end of the conversation.]
This young woman proceeded to tell me how she had just accepted a new job close to her new home, starting this coming Monday and she traveled for two hours to her existing job to give about a week notice to her present job, only to be told to leave immediately. She worked for a Real Estate company call centre located in Scarborough. On top of that, a few of her then co-workers jeered at her and one of them maliciously told her that she looked pregnant. Although it was almost comical, for nobody should take that seriously, it is also very clear to me that this person was very upset. My heart instantly goes out to her and I know that this is a golden opportunity for more heart opening.
I congratulated her on her new home and new job, reminding her that although we cannot stop mean-spirited people to say or do heartless things to us without knowing who we really are, we can always count our blessings [in her case, a new job, a new home and a new beginning with her boyfriend]. I reminded her that she would not want to work in such environment with such coworkers anyway, and that God must have bigger and better plans in store for her. It was so rewarding to see how my words [God’s words through me] cheered her up almost immediately!
She told me that she was very excited about the direction of her life at this time and everything else in her life is looking up. [I wish that I could say the same.] But being my soothsayer and life coach self, I once again congratulated her on these happy news and thanked her for sharing them with me, a perfect stranger. Laughingly, she introduced herself to me. Her name is Christina [she could’ve very well been the spirit of Christ!]. When I said my name, and mine is one of those more exotic names, Christina could say it correctly the first time around. Impressive!
Encouraged by this positive interaction, I suggested to her to take a hot bath to relax herself once she gets home. She warmed up brightly, saying she does have a calming lavender bath balm from Lush at home. It turns out that she is also familiar about Lush, the environmentally friendly, organic and hand made cosmetic line. Christina told me that, as soon as she gets home, she would have some herbal tea, soak herself in the sweet smelling Lush bubble bath and unpack some boxes, while waiting for her boyfriend.
As we were approaching Yonge station, Christina thanked me for being “as warm as the tropical sun”, for having an open heart to hear a stranger’s story and for sharing kind words of wisdom with her. She says that she is feeling good now, that our encounter was her best therapy session she has ever had—as far as she is concerned—and that my leave-in conditioner worked like a magical aroma therapy to her. Somehow she knew that I am equipped to listen to her and offer the support that she needed so badly at the time.
In the spirit of sharing and openness, I thanked Christina for taking the initiative to talk to me and allowing me to have the insights of her day, telling her that I feel privileged. I told her that I have been having a very challenging time in the last two weeks myself. I was looking for some kind of sign that humankind is trustworthy and “all is well”. The real reason I took the day off was to care for my soul and physical form, while honouring the goddess within, and God sent her and her seeming “problem” to me so I could touch the life of another. She touched my life in return. Don’t you just love the mirror work?!
Without any hesitation, I told Christina that she was the answer to my prayer and that she had just made my day. Now looking peaceful and serene, Christina looked at me quietly and proceeded to give me a hug before she waved me her goodbye, just like a classic case of the kindness of a perfect stranger! Like a true miracle, Christina came from “nothingness” and she went back to where she came from. I am touched by our encounter and my faith in humankind is restored. This every day occurrence was simple yet very profound to me.
So, don’t talk to strangers, you say? Think again!
We could be so enchanted as to be in the company of an angel without even realizing it. If we regard the world as a wide yet peaceful playground, we may just learn to relax the body, calm the mind and open the heart wide to prepare ourselves to receive every day miracles! Heaven or hell, they say, is just a state of mind. I am the recipient of one such miracle and I am forever grateful! Miracle is just a shift in perception from fear to love. That shift will change your entire life within second, if you allow it to happen.
The 4-hour Yoga classes moved my energy just as I knew it would. Paola di Paolo, the teacher, ended the class with Sat Kar Tar mantra. The purpose of this meditation is—surprise, surprise—to open the heart to Life flow. Didn’t someone previously say in a title of a book, “Ask and It is Given”?
Every day miracle really is abundant every where. All we need to do to receive them is to open our heart, mind and eyes. All is once again well in my world!
Savitri is a Yoga teacher, Life Coach, Holistic Practitioner and Reiki Master
She is trying to ride the uncertain and sometimes rough waves of Life with grace~
©Savitri Ingga Talahatu 2008
As I sipped my robust morning tea, I recalled a conversation with my dad last night. He calmly said, “Remember, no matter what the situation is, there is only love. Everything is about love or a cry for love, which are everything else other than love (fears, doubts, anger, sadness, hatred, etc.)” I made a mental note to remember this the next time I am dealing with a challenging situation. This morning was a truly peaceful inward driven moment for me, just as it should be!
For lunch, I cooked a fresh stir fry of king mushroom, snow peas and red pepper. The colours were vivid and beautiful, the taste was sweet, pepper spicy and delicious. I had this stir fry on a spinach tortilla wrap. When I was trying to check my e-mails, I found that I didn’t have any internet access.
I spent a lot of time being on the phone with Thaleesma, a Bell CSR in India. She put me on hold several times, as she consulted her supervisor and, at the end, I still didn’t have any internet access. It was quite frustrating.
In the afternoon I did a lot of reading and called Prabhu to wish him a successful MRI. We talked about his day and his work plans, and he asked me about my plan for the day. I was about to have another 4-hour Yoga session at EMYS exactly like I did last week, determined to open up my physical, energetic, spiritual and emotional bodies, so Life could flow right through me. I intend to remain open, despite of the urge to run away or fix things, determined to trust the process of life.
Secretly though, I wish that he would make the time to care for himself, so his heart could blossom, wide open and vulnerable, but filled with tender love and be forever free by the sometimes paralyzing fears and doubts. I have made up my mind to undergo the same regiment I did two years ago. To my sadhana regiment, I will add talk, body, and energy therapies, effective immediately.
On the subway, I closed my eyes and chanted the “My Name is Truth” mantra inwardly, as soon as I boarded the subway. I needed to remind myself more often of the nature of my (God) Self these days. At Coxwell station, when I briefly opened my eyes, the young woman who sat to my left said enthusiastically, “You smell so good! Fresh and good!” She asked me what it was that I had on. I told her that I didn’t have any perfume on, so it must’ve been Coolaulin, Lush’s leave in conditioner with coconut and lemon juice to hold my curls and to shine my hair. [Thinking that was the end of the conversation.]
This young woman proceeded to tell me how she had just accepted a new job close to her new home, starting this coming Monday and she traveled for two hours to her existing job to give about a week notice to her present job, only to be told to leave immediately. She worked for a Real Estate company call centre located in Scarborough. On top of that, a few of her then co-workers jeered at her and one of them maliciously told her that she looked pregnant. Although it was almost comical, for nobody should take that seriously, it is also very clear to me that this person was very upset. My heart instantly goes out to her and I know that this is a golden opportunity for more heart opening.
I congratulated her on her new home and new job, reminding her that although we cannot stop mean-spirited people to say or do heartless things to us without knowing who we really are, we can always count our blessings [in her case, a new job, a new home and a new beginning with her boyfriend]. I reminded her that she would not want to work in such environment with such coworkers anyway, and that God must have bigger and better plans in store for her. It was so rewarding to see how my words [God’s words through me] cheered her up almost immediately!
She told me that she was very excited about the direction of her life at this time and everything else in her life is looking up. [I wish that I could say the same.] But being my soothsayer and life coach self, I once again congratulated her on these happy news and thanked her for sharing them with me, a perfect stranger. Laughingly, she introduced herself to me. Her name is Christina [she could’ve very well been the spirit of Christ!]. When I said my name, and mine is one of those more exotic names, Christina could say it correctly the first time around. Impressive!
Encouraged by this positive interaction, I suggested to her to take a hot bath to relax herself once she gets home. She warmed up brightly, saying she does have a calming lavender bath balm from Lush at home. It turns out that she is also familiar about Lush, the environmentally friendly, organic and hand made cosmetic line. Christina told me that, as soon as she gets home, she would have some herbal tea, soak herself in the sweet smelling Lush bubble bath and unpack some boxes, while waiting for her boyfriend.
As we were approaching Yonge station, Christina thanked me for being “as warm as the tropical sun”, for having an open heart to hear a stranger’s story and for sharing kind words of wisdom with her. She says that she is feeling good now, that our encounter was her best therapy session she has ever had—as far as she is concerned—and that my leave-in conditioner worked like a magical aroma therapy to her. Somehow she knew that I am equipped to listen to her and offer the support that she needed so badly at the time.
In the spirit of sharing and openness, I thanked Christina for taking the initiative to talk to me and allowing me to have the insights of her day, telling her that I feel privileged. I told her that I have been having a very challenging time in the last two weeks myself. I was looking for some kind of sign that humankind is trustworthy and “all is well”. The real reason I took the day off was to care for my soul and physical form, while honouring the goddess within, and God sent her and her seeming “problem” to me so I could touch the life of another. She touched my life in return. Don’t you just love the mirror work?!
Without any hesitation, I told Christina that she was the answer to my prayer and that she had just made my day. Now looking peaceful and serene, Christina looked at me quietly and proceeded to give me a hug before she waved me her goodbye, just like a classic case of the kindness of a perfect stranger! Like a true miracle, Christina came from “nothingness” and she went back to where she came from. I am touched by our encounter and my faith in humankind is restored. This every day occurrence was simple yet very profound to me.
So, don’t talk to strangers, you say? Think again!
We could be so enchanted as to be in the company of an angel without even realizing it. If we regard the world as a wide yet peaceful playground, we may just learn to relax the body, calm the mind and open the heart wide to prepare ourselves to receive every day miracles! Heaven or hell, they say, is just a state of mind. I am the recipient of one such miracle and I am forever grateful! Miracle is just a shift in perception from fear to love. That shift will change your entire life within second, if you allow it to happen.
The 4-hour Yoga classes moved my energy just as I knew it would. Paola di Paolo, the teacher, ended the class with Sat Kar Tar mantra. The purpose of this meditation is—surprise, surprise—to open the heart to Life flow. Didn’t someone previously say in a title of a book, “Ask and It is Given”?
Every day miracle really is abundant every where. All we need to do to receive them is to open our heart, mind and eyes. All is once again well in my world!
Savitri is a Yoga teacher, Life Coach, Holistic Practitioner and Reiki Master
She is trying to ride the uncertain and sometimes rough waves of Life with grace~
©Savitri Ingga Talahatu 2008
Happy 40th, Tanya
I probably have to mention the fact that I thank Crystal so much for introducing me to blogging, for writing so beautifully about our soul friendship, for being a clear mirror that she is for my Self and others to reflect on, for being a voice of reason in the event I have none, and for being who she is: a vibrant and vivacious woman! I'm happily using this medium now to connect with the world (and we will continue to use facebook, of course). Thanks, Crystal!
Today is Tanya's landmark round birthday. "Lordy, she's forty" is the theme she chooses for her birthday brunch bash at Bodega this Sunday. Tonight, Tanya and her Papa is having a "formal" birthday at Canoe, that posh fine dining restaurant. I know that they're having a wonderful time, making new memories and reminiscing about old ones. Precious moments!
Happy 40th Birthday, Tanya!
May the coming year be one of continued evolution/revolution/dissolution/resolution of the soul.
May your path continue to unfold for you with blossoms of beauty, love and joy.
Before knowing her, I often saw Tanya at Downsview station on the way to or from work. I think it was in 2001 when I saw her at the Osgoode Professional Development (then Professional Development Program of Osgoode Hall Law School) office where I've been spending my days since July 2000. Prior to that, OPD was housed at Osgoode building at York main campus. We quickly found that we love jazz and blues. We exchanged cds to listen to and to ...ssshhhhh... burn. From Nina Simone to Miles Davis and John Coltrane. What started as office colleagues turned into deep friendship. Tanya enriched my life by sharing her family: grandma, cousin Crystal and aunt Sonia and later on her Papa; as well as her friends: the fabuluous Crystal and starbright Coco.
We had walk at the Beaches at the coldest day of Winter (what were we thinking?), she stopped short from chaperoning me to a blind date arranged by another dear friend Ana, we have hiked at the Elora Gorge, we have visited each other and with friends, we did a road trip to a eco-village intentional community last Summer, we talked about life-the sun, the moon, the star, the earth and everything in between, so to speak-she watered my plants when I was out of the country and, most importantly, she cared for me during the temporarily trying time last year.
We have shared many hopes, dreams, laughters but also tears. Our friendship is wholesome and holy! I'm looking forward to spending many more birthdays with Tanya in the years to come. As she is enjoying road trip and time away from home and work with her Papa, I have the pleasure of having Mr. Dexter Higgins-whether he likes it or not-to myself! I can just imagine how His Highness, being his beautiful self, grant me the short sniff or touch as he passes me by. As aloof as only a spoiled precious katze can be.
This is the year of Tanya! Enjoy it to the fullest, T.
In the word of Dr. Maya Angelou:
Phenomenal Woman
Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
Today is Tanya's landmark round birthday. "Lordy, she's forty" is the theme she chooses for her birthday brunch bash at Bodega this Sunday. Tonight, Tanya and her Papa is having a "formal" birthday at Canoe, that posh fine dining restaurant. I know that they're having a wonderful time, making new memories and reminiscing about old ones. Precious moments!
Happy 40th Birthday, Tanya!
May the coming year be one of continued evolution/revolution/dissolution/resolution of the soul.
May your path continue to unfold for you with blossoms of beauty, love and joy.
Before knowing her, I often saw Tanya at Downsview station on the way to or from work. I think it was in 2001 when I saw her at the Osgoode Professional Development (then Professional Development Program of Osgoode Hall Law School) office where I've been spending my days since July 2000. Prior to that, OPD was housed at Osgoode building at York main campus. We quickly found that we love jazz and blues. We exchanged cds to listen to and to ...ssshhhhh... burn. From Nina Simone to Miles Davis and John Coltrane. What started as office colleagues turned into deep friendship. Tanya enriched my life by sharing her family: grandma, cousin Crystal and aunt Sonia and later on her Papa; as well as her friends: the fabuluous Crystal and starbright Coco.
We had walk at the Beaches at the coldest day of Winter (what were we thinking?), she stopped short from chaperoning me to a blind date arranged by another dear friend Ana, we have hiked at the Elora Gorge, we have visited each other and with friends, we did a road trip to a eco-village intentional community last Summer, we talked about life-the sun, the moon, the star, the earth and everything in between, so to speak-she watered my plants when I was out of the country and, most importantly, she cared for me during the temporarily trying time last year.
We have shared many hopes, dreams, laughters but also tears. Our friendship is wholesome and holy! I'm looking forward to spending many more birthdays with Tanya in the years to come. As she is enjoying road trip and time away from home and work with her Papa, I have the pleasure of having Mr. Dexter Higgins-whether he likes it or not-to myself! I can just imagine how His Highness, being his beautiful self, grant me the short sniff or touch as he passes me by. As aloof as only a spoiled precious katze can be.
This is the year of Tanya! Enjoy it to the fullest, T.
In the word of Dr. Maya Angelou:
Phenomenal Woman
Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
A love letter to Crystal ~ A response to an entry on her blog about our friendship
Crystal, my dear friend.
Thank you so much for a heart-felt blog on our friendship. I wish to comment, but my reply is longer than your entry. If you wish to do so, you're welcome to post my comment on your blog.
You are wise way beyond your not quite thirty years! Your ability to acutely see my Light so clearly is amazing! You must know that today, of all days, I need a clear mirror to reflect the Self on and you so lovingly provide one for me. for that, I am forever grateful!
Thank you for the precious gift of pure and empowering soul friendship and, most importantly, for your open-heart ability and clarity to see, hear, sense and feel ME (the Light of God in the little me) so clearly. There's no gift in the world better than what you have graced me with. Of all the nice things you wrote about me, I can definitely feel: authentic, genuine, real and organic. How I love that word! Yes, I AM organic! Let me always remember that.
Changing for the better is good! I remember the time another dear friend says that I'm "open and versatile." We are indeed mirrors for each other! Those who see me as being "open" are definitely "open people" themselves. They have minds that are open to new ideas, hearts that are open to love and bodies that are open for healing. I wrote this just yesterday:
Constantly evolving,
I'm excited about changes.
Change is the nature of life.
The only permanent in life is change itself.
I don't want to forever be a larva
tightly wrapped inside a suffocating cocoon.
Or, be like a tight flower bud
that never blooms into a magnificent flower.
I wish to be as light as a butterfly
and allow myself to bloom into my highest potentials,
supported by an ever present and evolving, loving partner.
Just as I'm supporting this partner in reaching his full potentials.
As I'm standing right in the middle of the Flow
of the constantly changing process Life.
Ours is definitely a loving and compassionate Universe! The last time I needed cheering up, I found the beautiful poem that my son wrote for me. Today, other than this wonderful blog of yours, I have also received a soul-strengthening e-mail from my friend Yvonne. When I moved away slightly from the centre of my Being, I was granted clear mirrors for the SELF to reflect ITSELF on. So, you're right. I am indeed blessed!
I too love you, Crystal, fabulous WOMAN, partner, mother, friend, sister, teacher, poet, writer, women's advocate, counsellor, Lifestylist, and Yoga teacher-practitioner on sabbatical. The feeling is undoubtedly mutual!
Let me say this to remind ourselves that for everytime our heart is broken, our duty is to ensure that it's broken open to more love, acceptance, compassion, peace and greatness. Otherwise, it's just broken to pieces, or closed, hardened and shrivelled, definitely not a fertile ground for love to grow (no matter how strong love's embryo is).
Let's also remind ourselves that we are vibrational beings projecting out our vibrations all the time, like a magnet for like energy (that which vibrates on the same frequency). Although I'm still learning about what to do with the opposite vibration which also has pure/good intention to increase its own calibration through us, but without the ability to nurture or nourish us in return, I know for a fact that we are powerful Beings who constantly co-create our experience with Creator-God.
There is not a single person or situation out there to blame, as everything is "in here." Others are in our life as mirrors for our own reflection, to reflect back to us our magnificence or that which still need healing. It's neither good, nor bad. It just is. I know that as we grow spiritually into spiritual maturity, never again will we play small, pass judgment, or blame others. Never again will we hear, "What's wrong with you?!" with such consternation. And, if we hear that sentence again and we remember the mirror work principle, we know exactly where the problem lies.
Thank you so much for mentioning my soon to be expanding business, as well. I'm considering a new name: RADIANCE, playfully RADIANZ. Let me know what you think.
Of late, I've just completed a Lifecoaching program at Transformations Arts College. My focus is human relationship, with the help of my meditation practice which has helped me see things as they are. I also intend to teach Reiki much more intensively, so we may recalibrate our vibrational frequency to a level that is a perfect match for the imminent raising of our collective consciousness. Please help me spread the word, thanks!
Lastly, although I may forever be Ingga to family and friends who have known me for more than five years, I'm in the process of metamorphing into SAVITRI or "Being of Light", daughter of Surya the Sun God in the Hindu mythology, Patronness of the sunset.
I look forward to seeing you tonight and a lifetime of genuine soulful friendship~
PS:
May I please share:
1. The link to a pet project, Soul Renewal Yoga and Wellness Bali Retreat: http://www.danutours.com/bali_soul_renewal.htm
2. The Mayan calendar forecast for today, "Yellow Planetary Warrior" day, meaning "I manifest a quest and/or I perfect intelligence." Yellow Planetary Warrior days are good to manifest perfection.
Perfection is the achievement of feeling whole and complete within ourselves.
To manifest is to make apparent or to demonstrate.
To "manifest perfection" is to achieve demonstrating our wholeness.
Perfection only exists in the heart of the beholder. Nobody can feel whole, one with the Universe, if they are not feeling whole within themselves. Perfection has been misunderstood as it is used to find who is better, instead of find wholeness within themselves.
Envision yourself sitting in the centre of your heart chakras and feel your own presence surrounding you. How much understanding, acceptance, unconditional love, care and forgiveness do you have toward yourself? If you lack just of one of the above, ask yourself why. By understanding our wounds, we allow ourselves to accept, care and forgive what was, so we can be free to love ourselves completely today.
Today's Yellow Planetary Warrior energies will help manifest who you really are, so you can find inner perfection. Today is a perfect day to quest perfection.
Thank you so much for a heart-felt blog on our friendship. I wish to comment, but my reply is longer than your entry. If you wish to do so, you're welcome to post my comment on your blog.
You are wise way beyond your not quite thirty years! Your ability to acutely see my Light so clearly is amazing! You must know that today, of all days, I need a clear mirror to reflect the Self on and you so lovingly provide one for me. for that, I am forever grateful!
Thank you for the precious gift of pure and empowering soul friendship and, most importantly, for your open-heart ability and clarity to see, hear, sense and feel ME (the Light of God in the little me) so clearly. There's no gift in the world better than what you have graced me with. Of all the nice things you wrote about me, I can definitely feel: authentic, genuine, real and organic. How I love that word! Yes, I AM organic! Let me always remember that.
Changing for the better is good! I remember the time another dear friend says that I'm "open and versatile." We are indeed mirrors for each other! Those who see me as being "open" are definitely "open people" themselves. They have minds that are open to new ideas, hearts that are open to love and bodies that are open for healing. I wrote this just yesterday:
Constantly evolving,
I'm excited about changes.
Change is the nature of life.
The only permanent in life is change itself.
I don't want to forever be a larva
tightly wrapped inside a suffocating cocoon.
Or, be like a tight flower bud
that never blooms into a magnificent flower.
I wish to be as light as a butterfly
and allow myself to bloom into my highest potentials,
supported by an ever present and evolving, loving partner.
Just as I'm supporting this partner in reaching his full potentials.
As I'm standing right in the middle of the Flow
of the constantly changing process Life.
Ours is definitely a loving and compassionate Universe! The last time I needed cheering up, I found the beautiful poem that my son wrote for me. Today, other than this wonderful blog of yours, I have also received a soul-strengthening e-mail from my friend Yvonne. When I moved away slightly from the centre of my Being, I was granted clear mirrors for the SELF to reflect ITSELF on. So, you're right. I am indeed blessed!
I too love you, Crystal, fabulous WOMAN, partner, mother, friend, sister, teacher, poet, writer, women's advocate, counsellor, Lifestylist, and Yoga teacher-practitioner on sabbatical. The feeling is undoubtedly mutual!
Let me say this to remind ourselves that for everytime our heart is broken, our duty is to ensure that it's broken open to more love, acceptance, compassion, peace and greatness. Otherwise, it's just broken to pieces, or closed, hardened and shrivelled, definitely not a fertile ground for love to grow (no matter how strong love's embryo is).
Let's also remind ourselves that we are vibrational beings projecting out our vibrations all the time, like a magnet for like energy (that which vibrates on the same frequency). Although I'm still learning about what to do with the opposite vibration which also has pure/good intention to increase its own calibration through us, but without the ability to nurture or nourish us in return, I know for a fact that we are powerful Beings who constantly co-create our experience with Creator-God.
There is not a single person or situation out there to blame, as everything is "in here." Others are in our life as mirrors for our own reflection, to reflect back to us our magnificence or that which still need healing. It's neither good, nor bad. It just is. I know that as we grow spiritually into spiritual maturity, never again will we play small, pass judgment, or blame others. Never again will we hear, "What's wrong with you?!" with such consternation. And, if we hear that sentence again and we remember the mirror work principle, we know exactly where the problem lies.
Thank you so much for mentioning my soon to be expanding business, as well. I'm considering a new name: RADIANCE, playfully RADIANZ. Let me know what you think.
Of late, I've just completed a Lifecoaching program at Transformations Arts College. My focus is human relationship, with the help of my meditation practice which has helped me see things as they are. I also intend to teach Reiki much more intensively, so we may recalibrate our vibrational frequency to a level that is a perfect match for the imminent raising of our collective consciousness. Please help me spread the word, thanks!
Lastly, although I may forever be Ingga to family and friends who have known me for more than five years, I'm in the process of metamorphing into SAVITRI or "Being of Light", daughter of Surya the Sun God in the Hindu mythology, Patronness of the sunset.
I look forward to seeing you tonight and a lifetime of genuine soulful friendship~
PS:
May I please share:
1. The link to a pet project, Soul Renewal Yoga and Wellness Bali Retreat: http://www.danutours.com/bali_soul_renewal.htm
2. The Mayan calendar forecast for today, "Yellow Planetary Warrior" day, meaning "I manifest a quest and/or I perfect intelligence." Yellow Planetary Warrior days are good to manifest perfection.
Perfection is the achievement of feeling whole and complete within ourselves.
To manifest is to make apparent or to demonstrate.
To "manifest perfection" is to achieve demonstrating our wholeness.
Perfection only exists in the heart of the beholder. Nobody can feel whole, one with the Universe, if they are not feeling whole within themselves. Perfection has been misunderstood as it is used to find who is better, instead of find wholeness within themselves.
Envision yourself sitting in the centre of your heart chakras and feel your own presence surrounding you. How much understanding, acceptance, unconditional love, care and forgiveness do you have toward yourself? If you lack just of one of the above, ask yourself why. By understanding our wounds, we allow ourselves to accept, care and forgive what was, so we can be free to love ourselves completely today.
Today's Yellow Planetary Warrior energies will help manifest who you really are, so you can find inner perfection. Today is a perfect day to quest perfection.
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