Pura vida: Costa Rica commencement
REPOST: August 26th, 2015
I can say with complete certainty, that this week has been one of the most humbling experiences I have had in my entire life. The humility I feel is not from anything that I have done. In fact, it is a feeling of reward completely outside of myself. I am awe-inspired by the aspiration and energy that each and every one of you has put into the practice. You have all shown a fierce commitment, an unequivocal courage and bravery that far exceeded any expectation that I could have had. You put all of your faith and trust into these teachings and for that, I bow to you in complete reverence.
These meditation practices are real, they are raw and they tear us open in a way in which nothing else can. They pierce deeply into the core of our insecurities, doubts and fears. They dismantle our comforts and throw us head first into the headlights of self awareness.
If we choose not to freeze and we decide not to run, the light that is shining in front of us will cast our shadows behind. Although, behind us the darkness is not gone. Our shadows are still there. But we have the opportunity to see beyond them. We need the shadows and we need the dark because within them our inner light can shine, much like the stars in the vast night sky. They can guide us, orient us and allow us to find our way only within the dark. We must remember that it is not always light versus dark, strong versus weak, or good versus evil. It is light and dark, strong and weak, good and evil. The pairs are inseparable.
This is the nature of the universe. This is the nature of us. If we can recognize this mere fact of our existence, then the weight of what we all carry on our shoulders will cease to be a burden. Our patterning, good or bad, is just patterning. Our attachments, good or bad, are just attachments. Our fears, good or bad, are just fears.
This process of turning the lights on is an awakening. It is the recognition of our truest and most beautiful self. It is not easy to accept this. Many of us will not. We are conditioned to believe life is not easy. That happiness must be earned. That we must work hard to live fruitfully. This is simply not true.
If there is one thing I want you to take away from this retreat it is this: balance is dynamic. It is dynamic because it comes and goes. Much like the tides coming in and moving out. Your role is not to change this. Your role, if you choose to accept, is to continue moving forward knowing that what comes, will surely pass. If you choose to stay in the present moment, breathe well and smile from time to time, there is a place you will find that holds a deep, deep, peace.
This is CULTIVATING THE ART OF BALANCE + MINDFUL BEING. I hope that you all had a taste of that. Remember, it takes just one spark to light a flame.