Posts Tagged ‘Shaman’
Tears + Geckos – A Wild Cosmic Heart Journey
Wednesday, April 11th, 2018
Seven years ago, I began planning a week-long retreat that would take place on the Big Island of Hawaii. I wanted to spend a week exploring our wild cosmic heart. I had no idea that a week before the retreat a hurricane would sweep the East Coast. I had no idea that three weeks before the retreat I would have medical appointments and not feel well. I had no idea that my heart would feel so heavy and raw.
In November of 2012 as I prepared to leave for my flight, I thought of canceling – of staying home to help family and friends affected by the storm. I thought about how I would reschedule my medical appointments that were canceled due to the power outages from the hurricane. I thought about volunteering somewhere to help hurricane victims who lost everything.
When I asked friends if I should still lead the retreat, they all gave the same answer – YES. I listened and took an 11-hour flight to Hawaii. I arrived exhausted and anxious. When I arrived at my room, two large geckos were awaiting me. I barley slept my first night and, in the morning, I met with the Group Manager. She greeted me with a big hug and my eyes filled with tears.
As the week continued I knew I was in the right place (not only because it was Hawaii). I met so many people willing to explore their hearts. I met people who were open to being seen and heard. I met people who were willing to be vulnerable. As I sat and listened to the retreat participants, I became more in awe of the many people who live their life celebrating and tending to their wild cosmic heart.
I met Louise whose husband was dying of brain cancer. I met Yolanda who celebrated her 75th birthday with friends and a group of strangers. I watched Tina snorkel with joy as she swam in the warm ponds. I smiled as Angela took her first hula class. I listened to Francine remember that she can drum and sing. I took a picture of Susan sitting in her shamanic earth mandala, which she made in the roots of a huge tree. I laughed with Lisa in the water, like a teenager with the giggles.
Most of all, I remember that my heart felt open and grateful. I realized that when I open 
and invite others into my heart, the world expands. Many in the our sacred circle were longing for connection, community, and belonging. The Wild Cosmic Heart Retreats offers just that — deep connections through guided meditations, mindfulness walks around trees, shamanic journeying to the garden of the heart, and sacred play. In the midst of worry and responsibility, participants from around the world were willing to drop the armor around their heart.
I even befriended the Geckos, known to me as Heckle and Jeckle. The retreat was so powerful that I have taught it again and again. And this November, I will be facilitating the Wild Cosmic Heart Retreat at Kalani on the Big Island of Hawaii, November 4-10, 2018. Join us for a week of daily meditations, mindfulness walks in the luscious tropics, shamanic journeying, and homemade ice cream! What is your wild cosmic heart asking of you?
Living Lineage
Monday, February 10th, 2014
“Make a relationship with the lineage as a living force that is communicating within us right now.” ~Reggie Ray
When I began channeling the Lineage of the White Mesa in 2005 I had no idea where it was going to lead. I just knew it was time to heal with Light in the most profound way. In an article about the emergence of the White Mesa I wrote, “The Path of the White Mesa is about sharing one’s greatest light. The White Mesa is more than my own personal journey of pain. It is a rite of passage of stepping beyond the darkest moments and remembering the light.”
After co-teaching White Mesa Intensives for more than seven years, I was called to serve and teach about the White Mesa Lineage in new ways. I had a deep sense of sharing this living lineage in sacred circles throughout the world. The White Mesa lineage felt palpable and alive. Living the White Mesa lineage meant opening to the inner abyss and letting the unknown be one of the sacred teachers.
The power of living lineage is that it evolves and meets us where we are at in our lives. Living lineage is direct, honest, and uncompromising in its integrity. It blazes new trails and opens hearts. Living lineage is a willingness to bear witness to what’s happening in our lives and take a deep dive inside. It constantly gives birth to new life. Lineage is not a person or one set of teachings. Living lineage is fluid – a deepening and expanding that we’re all invited into. To take a deep dive into a lineage, we must learn to let go of expectations, spend time in a dedicated practice, and have ongoing mentoring. In this way, the lineage will be very real, intimate, and human.
For me the Path of the White Mesa is a lineage of emerging ancient teachings with contemporary humanity. It’s a path that is open to all. Lineage is meant to be shared, practiced, and carried on by many practitioners.
Listen for the living lineage inside of you. What does living lineage mean to you?
The Lineage of the White Mesa is a global medicine path, which includes: anchoring altars of stone and drum; shamanic mystical traditions for personal and planetary healing; an awakening of our original and evolving connection with Mother Earth, the Luminous Lineages of Light; and re-discovering our place in the primordial cosmic web of life. For those who would like to read the origin of how I came to channel the Lineage of the White Mesa, click here.