Ohana Soul Nurturing Women's Retreat

A few years ago I was able to hear the whispers of my soul for the first time. It really wasn’t until I finally became conscious of how I had covered up my soul’s messages with fearful, judging thoughts that I was able to honor and discover sacred space inside myself that allowed me to trust these messages. I can’t say that I’m always aware of my intuitive compass, but what I do know is that with practice and intention, I’ve gotten better at reading the signals.  Over time, I have come to befriend this guidance because I’ve realized a new me that feels more fully expressed, creative and free to be my unique self.  Yet, what I also know is fine tuning how I can nurture a relationship with my soul is ongoing.

Recently I said “Yes” and attended the Ohana Women’s Retreat held in the Santa Cruz Mountains. I wasn’t totally sure why I said yes but then I’ve come to know that I don’t need to have some logical reason for my choices.  I now know from experience that the why will appear. I just need to show up.

The retreat facilitator, Rachelle, asked us to bring an intention that we would like to explore while at the retreat.  Without any hesitation I wrote down in my journal, I want to have more insight about how to better receive the gifts of life within my relationships. I thought that was kind of weird because I know how grateful I am for others in my life.  Yet I was open and trusting my soul to show me some bit of wisdom that would enhance my awareness for how to be more alive inside, more aligned with my divine nature.

As the weekend unfolded cocooned in the redwoods among the safety and kinship of wonderful women and after the soul healing and nurturing offerings including Transformational Breathwork, yoga, reiki, and kava ceremony, I sat outside by myself to reflect and write in my journal. These words spilled out on to the page.

Be still.  Allow yourself to receive the essence of another person rather than feeling compelled to fill in the space.

I knew right away what this subtle yet powerful message meant to me.  And perhaps it will resonate with you. Upon observation I could see more clearly how I’m often so intent on navigating my life full of my own goings and doings that I easily fall into filling the spaces in relationships, as if I’m pushing myself to break the silence rather than being still and holding space for the other person. I realized that underneath this need to fill in, I feel more in control and less vulnerable. Receiving is a practice that requires me to open and allow what happens (the unknown) to be the guide.  As I sat and let these insights sink in what I came to know is that in the act of receiving I expand the reaches of a relationship as a creative act, one that grows and manifests into something more than I was before.  I am we. I am us.

Bodhisattva of Compassion Oracle Card: You are the purity of a thousand suns giving you the ability to listen to the song every soul is singing.

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