The Shadow Self ~ welcoming our parts into the whole

Image: The courageous heart of the shadow.

We live in a culture that glorifies busyness. Success is often measured by how much we can achieve before we even pause to breathe. Slowing down can feel like falling behind, and resting is sometimes mistaken for laziness. But what if the pace we've been taught to idolize isn't the one that serves us best?

Today, as I sat in my office, I heard a woman in the next room speaking on the phone. Her voice was fast, clipped, filled with the kind of tension that vibrates just beneath the surface. Listening to her, I felt an unexpected wave of recognition. She sounded like me years ago—before yoga became more than just a physical practice in my life.

There was a time when I ran myself thin, juggling responsibilities and striving to meet every expectation, often at the cost of my health. I didn’t realize I was suffering from adrenal fatigue, nor did I understand how much I needed to pause, to breathe, to simply be. But back then, that pace felt normal. It felt necessary.

After 20 years of yoga, my life feels different. There’s a calmness now, a sense of being centered that wasn’t there before. I find joy in the small moments—in a quiet morning, in a deep breath, in the soft rhythm of life unfolding. But as I listened to that woman today, I realized something important: the version of me who was constantly rushing, constantly pushing, wasn’t wrong or bad. She was doing the best she could with what she knew at the time.

But here’s the truth—even now, that part of me still exists. The driven, overachieving version hasn’t disappeared; she’s just not in the driver’s seat anymore.

As Connie Zweig explores in Romancing the Shadow, our shadow selves—the parts we often suppress or reject—hold valuable truths. That restless energy, that need to achieve, was born from a desire to feel worthy, to matter. Ignoring or dismissing those parts doesn't heal them; it only deepens the divide within us.

Spiritual growth isn't about becoming a "better" version of ourselves. It’s about expanding our awareness and embracing all parts of our journey—even the messy, chaotic, and painful parts. It’s about recognizing that every version of ourselves—past, present, and future—is worthy of compassion. It's about turning toward the shadows with curiosity, asking, "What were you trying to protect me from? What did you need that I wasn't giving you?"

If you’re in a season of life where everything feels overwhelming, where slowing down seems impossible, I see you. I’ve been there. And while I’ve found more peace now, I honor that driven, exhausted version of myself just as much as I cherish who I am today. Because she still whispers in moments of stress, reminding me of an indomitable courage and strength that sits beneath the noisy surface. She knew the path would turn and she would be the cause of a clearer view and a better day.

Growth isn’t about leaving behind who we were. It’s about integrating every part of our journey, understanding that each phase teaches us something valuable. The shadows, the light, the in-betweens—they all belong. So wherever you are on your path—whether you’re sprinting, walking, or resting—know that every step, even the hurried ones, are part of your unfolding story. And when the shadows rise, meet them with kindness—they have something to teach you, too.

I hope this resonates with you on your own path, wherever you may be. Namaste.

Katie de Araujo
Body Centred Living

Dining Together to Reset the Nervous System ~ a daily well-being practice

Having a well-set dinner table and sharing meals with others can significantly impact our emotional and physiological health. We are mostly oblivious to the fact that this mostly happens through stimulation of the ventral vagal system. What’s that?!

The ventral vagus nerve is a key component of the parasympathetic nervous system, which regulates the body’s relaxation responses. When we sit down to enjoy a meal in a calm and pleasant environment, our nervous system can enter a state of rest and digest. If you have experienced a long history of the dinner table as a time of chatting, sharing thoughts and feelings, processing one’s day with others, theses memories trigger the ventral vagal system, promoting feelings of safety, contentment, and relaxation.

Let’s look at four obvious ways dining supports well-being.

The ventral vagus is purportedly linked to our ability to engage in social connection. The act of dining together facilitates communication, eye contact, and shared experiences. These core elements of social engagement activate the ventral vagus system. Positive social interactions, such as laughter, storytelling, or simply being present with others, enhance vagal tone, the strength and efficiency of vagal activity. This promotes a state of calm alertness, encouraging social bonding and a sense of belonging, which are fundamental to emotional well-being. In this way, mealtimes become more than just about nourishment; they are about nurturing our social and emotional health.

I have felt that the process of preparing a meal and sitting down to eat in a mindful way can ground us in the present moment. When we focus on the experience of eating, savoring each bite, and appreciating the food, it reduces stress and creates a soothing ritual. This mindfulness is a powerful trigger for the parasympathetic nervous system, which counteracts the fight-or-flight response. The act of dinning intentionally for a daily act of simple pleasure signals the nervous system that it is time to rest and recharge. This parasympathetic state lowers cortisol levels and helps balance our emotions. The sensory experience of sight, smell, and taste engages our sensorium in a way that stimulates social engagement and lays the foundations for connection. We may feel calm enough to think through things that when in stress state were too overwhelming to consider considering!

The calmness that comes with this mindful eating experience stimulates the ventral vagal system, contributing to an overall sense of well-being.

Healthy social interactions during meals also provide opportunities for emotional connection and regulation. When we eat in the presence of others, especially those with whom we feel safe and supported, it fosters emotional attunement. This process of emotional sharing and connection is mediated by the ventral vagus, which helps us feel calm and connected to the people around us. I can think of many times where social dynamics during mealtime has reduce feelings of isolation and stress, providing a sense of emotional coherence. Experiencing this regularly (as regularly as a nightly meal) promotes long-term mental health. The body responds to these interactions by lowering heart rates and calming the nervous system, further enhancing our ability to engage with others in a healthy way. I have even experienced social interaction at mealtime as an analgesic - bye bye headache! Thank you humans, for your pain-killing presence!

Finally, a really basic idea of structure and predictability can’t be overlooked. The practice of sitting down for a shared meal can encourage a shared sense of ritual and routine that supports mental and physical health. The consistent experience of a calming, social, and nourishing mealtime environment helps to create the sense of structure and predictability, that is particularly helpful in managing stress. It fosters a balance between rest and social engagement, which are essential for overall well-being.

As the ventral vagus system is strengthened through these experiences, the body’s ability to handle stress and maintain emotional equilibrium is enhanced, improving both mental and physical health. When is your next dining experience planned for? It is a simple yet powerful tool for enhancing health and now you know just how layered and encompassing the wellness of dining can be.

I have to sign off with one small note: who do you want to be for others? A light, warmth, fun, love, support, inspiration? At dinner time there are two things we don’t encourage and that is the blame/ complain game. Unfortunately for some people that is the only way they know to connect with others. The second one is point proving. A serious fun killer right there, and pointless in the bigger picture of life and death.

Bring the thing you wish other to share with you - we all can bring a dish to the table - making conversation as tasty and exciting, nourishing and surprising as the food.

The integration of Somatic Therapies in Australia’s Mental Health Care settings - what is actually on offer, how, what and where

Somatic mental health practices focus on the connection between the body and mind. They have been increasingly incorporated into mental health services in Australia in recent years. These practices recognize the role of physical sensations, body and breath awareness, and movement in the treatment of mental health conditions. While traditionally, mental health care in Australia has been focused on talk therapies and pharmacological interventions, there has been growing recognition of the importance of integrating somatic approaches for a more holistic treatment model, particularly in trauma-informed care and mental health recovery.

Here are what I think of as the top 6 or ‘key’ Somatic Practices in Australia

1. Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) and Somatic Experiencing

Somatic Experiencing (SE), developed by Peter Levine, is one of the most widely known somatic therapies for trauma. SE focuses on helping individuals release stored trauma from the body through body awareness, movement, and mindfulness techniques. This therapy assumes that trauma is often held in the body and that symptoms of trauma (such as anxiety, hypervigilance, and dissociation) can manifest as physical sensations, postures and movement attitudes.

Some public and private mental health services in Australia have integrated somatic experiencing techniques, particularly in trauma recovery programs. This is especially common in services that cater to individuals with a history of complex trauma, including those who have experienced childhood abuse, domestic violence, or military service. Australian mental health professionals, including psychologists, social workers, and counselors, can seek training in SE through accredited programs, and these practices have been adopted in specialized trauma therapy settings.

2. Body-Oriented Psychotherapy

When I was studying Psychology at Melbourne University I happened to pick up a book on the library shelf called Haikomi: Body Centred Psychotherapy. It hit at the heart of how disembodied our medical and therapeutic practices had traditionally been. After completing my degree I decisively moved my attention to the body as the place for healing. I studied Yoga and Yoga Therapy and attended extensive mediation retreats such as Vipassana.

Thirty years later and enough has changed that I can earn a living as a Yoga Therapist.

Body-oriented psychotherapy involves engaging the body as part of the therapeutic process, integrating physical sensations and movements with emotional and psychological work. Techniques in this approach may include breathing exercises, muscle relaxation, posture awareness, and gentle movements.

While not yet widespread in mainstream services, body-oriented psychotherapy is used in private practice settings and in some specialized community health programs, particularly those focused on stress management, chronic pain, and trauma recovery.

There are programs for therapists in Australia to specialize in somatic psychotherapy, and these approaches are becoming more integrated into trauma-informed therapeutic frameworks.

While what I offer aligns with the therapeutics of psychotherapy, it is body-centred. Yoga understands the nature of the mind - as taught by sages like Patanjali - and integrates the body as an aspect of consciousness. If you have ever wondered how I chose my business name: Body Centred Living… it is because the body is such a powerful place to affect mind, express mind and transform one’s experience of life.

3. Mindfulness-Based Somatic Practices

Mindfulness-based approaches, which often include elements of somatic practices, are being increasingly incorporated into our mental health services. These practices focus on helping individuals develop awareness of the present moment and the sensations in their bodies, which can be helpful for managing stress, anxiety, and depression.

Yoga and Meditation teachers have criticised the one dimensional nature of this training claiming it lacks the philosophical framework to provide a context for insight. Humans relate more powerfully to meaning and story and the traditions of Yoga and Buddhism for example are rich with these offerings. Noticing that one feels anxious and their breath is erratic and shallow can be triggering if there is no framework pointing toward freedom from suffering which the wisdom traditions expound.

• Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) therapies combine mindfulness meditation with elements like body scans, yoga, and breathwork to increase body awareness and regulate emotional responses are used in both public and private mental health services, especially in programs for managing anxiety, depression, PTSD, and addiction.

  These therapies are often provided in group settings or as part of individual therapy.

4. Yoga Therapy and Breathwork

Yoga therapy is becoming more recognized as an effective tool in mental health care in Australia, particularly for stress reduction and emotional regulation. Yoga helps connect body movements with emotional processing and can provide a physical outlet for stored trauma or stress. Breathwork, including deep diaphragmatic breathing and other breathing techniques, is often integrated into yoga therapy and somatic practices.

• Incorporation in Australian Services: Yoga therapy and breathwork are occasionally used in mental health clinics, private practices, and hospital-based services as complementary therapies for stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma recovery. Some public mental health services offer yoga and meditation classes as part of their wellness programs, particularly for patients with chronic mental health issues.

• Research and Training: Programs such as Yoga for Trauma and Trauma-Sensitive Yoga are being incorporated into some clinical settings, with specific training available for practitioners in Australia who want to integrate yoga into mental health care.

Unhelpful policies result in clients unable to access my services for Traum Informed Yoga and Somatic wellness.

NDIS Criteria for Eligibility

For any health care modality to be eligible for NDIS funding:

• It must be directly related to the participant’s disability and its impact on their daily life.

• It should help with achieving specific NDIS goals, such as improving independence, managing health needs, or enhancing social and community participation.

• It needs to be reasonable and necessary, as determined by the NDIS planning process. This means the support should be necessary for the participant’s disability and should provide value for money, benefit to the participant, and align with NDIS guidelines.

My clients and those medical professionals who refer to me as fully aware that the Yoga Therapy would meet theses criteria, yet here we are. At best, the clients psychologist or O.T may recommend me to be included as part of the clients NDIS plan.

Yoga Australia, the Peak Body representing Yoga teachers and Yoga Therapists put out a clear article on 10th Oct 2024 about the withdrawal of NDIS funding for Yoga Therapists which you can read here.

5. Somatic Movement Therapy

Somatic movement therapy involves using movement to reconnect individuals with their bodily sensations, helping them become more aware of their physical state and its relationship to their emotional and psychological well-being. This approach may involve structured movement exercises, dance, or free-form movement.

• Use in Australian Mental Health Services: Somatic movement is being applied in psychosocial rehabilitation programs, particularly for individuals recovering from mental health crises or chronic mental illness. These therapies can help individuals regain a sense of agency, express emotions non-verbally, and reduce stress. They are often used in conjunction with other therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).

6. Sensorimotor Psychotherapy

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy is a therapeutic approach developed by Pat Ogden that blends somatic techniques with traditional talk therapy to address trauma, anxiety, depression, and attachment issues. This approach focuses on the physical sensations, posture, and movement patterns that may be linked to emotional experiences.

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy is used in private practice settings and is also offered in some specialized clinics, especially those treating clients with trauma and complex emotional issues. Mental health professionals in Australia may undergo specialized training in sensorimotor psychotherapy as part of their clinical development.

Integration with Government-Supported Services

The Australian government, while traditionally focused on more conventional psychological services, has increasingly acknowledged the importance of holistic and integrated care. Some of the initiatives that have incorporated somatic practices or principles include:

• Headspace: Headspace, a national youth mental health foundation, provides mental health support services for young people aged 12-25. While it is not primarily somatic-based, Headspace offers a variety of mindfulness and body-focused therapies in its programs, particularly in areas such as stress management and trauma recovery.

• Mental Health Recovery Programs: In various state-run mental health recovery services, somatic approaches, such as yoga, mindfulness, and body-awareness training, are sometimes included as part of community-based rehabilitation programs for people with chronic mental illness.

Research and Evidence

The incorporation of somatic therapies in mental health services in Australia is backed by growing research into the role of body awareness in mental health treatment. Various studies have suggested that somatic therapies can improve outcomes for individuals with conditions like PTSD, depression, anxiety, and chronic stress. However, while these practices are becoming more widely accepted, they are still often considered complementary to more conventional mental health interventions, rather than being the primary focus of treatment.

Conclusion

Somatic mental health practices have made inroads into Australian mental health services, particularly within trauma-informed care, mindfulness practices, and alternative therapies like yoga and body-oriented psychotherapy. These practices complement traditional therapeutic approaches and are gaining ground in both public and private mental health settings. The integration of somatic approaches into clinical services aligns with a broader shift toward more holistic, person-centered mental health care that addresses the body and mind as interconnected systems.

3. Have a Song in your Heart

Third Lesson in the Series “Twelve Lessons from our Deep Healing Retreat”

I believe we are meant to learn from our yoga. Each session is an opportunity to take something home with us, to tend to it and keep it as a treasure we can turn to and rely on in times of need.

A low mood, a distressing interaction, a shock or the slow wearing away of one’s joy are, I feel, human experiences we all share. Everyone, at some point is going to need something to turn that they trust and know works for them.

A fair chunk of our day to day misery is probably self made. I say this, because it is an empowering stand point. Another way this is said is that we have control over how we perceive and respond to life.

My approach is more creative. I see that we are creative in-putters into our own life. I don’t rely on the day, the people around me or the media to set the days tone… to prop me up or ground me back down. If I did I’d probably be a confused wreck.

I set the tone of my life. I select the playlist, I turn the volume up or down. Literally.

Times in my life when my mood has been consistently more elevated are the years that I sang in a choir. There was always a song in my heart and often one escaping from my lips too! I’d sing at the end of the day while I watered the garden, I’d sing when I cook or make my morning cup of tea.

Especially good were the songs in latin or French. I felt like an open channel for the spirit of music to move through untethered to any meaning I (the small me) might add to it. I could be of any time, any place, as a human instrument vibrating between heaven and earth. And singing certainly does ensure your feet are on the earth. We sing from our feet on the ground - especially the high notes or more operatic tones. An this allows an up flow that connected us to the heavens. By this I mean that the space of the room around you opens up and the bigness of the space seems to ripple out all the way to the horizon. The space inside of us, is mapped out and lived in through song. We could not resonate without the empty spacious voids. A singer knows their body as inner spaces - open and free - more than the body as a solid object.

And what has all this got to do with our Deep Healing retreat in 2024?

On the very first day I mentioned the importance of choosing the song one has in their heart. One of the participants mentioned that she has a talent to instantly think up the song related to any moment. You can say a word or a phrase and she’ll have a song at hand for it. The sunny disposition and fun nature of this person certainly aligned with my theory that having a song in ones heart is a good way to live each day.

A solid day of Noble Silence is a requirement for the kind of deep healing the retreat offers. To prepare for the challenges total silence churns up, we needed to address the fact that the mind will keep putting on the same old records it always does, even in Noble Silence. A person filled with self doubt, or complaints, or defensiveness does not suddenly drop them because they are no longer speaking. They simply get to have a clearer view to watch their own inner voice and the beauty or havoc it creates. In any case, a change in the status quo of the mind is the aim. One of several techniques to create a healthy shift or opening of the mind is the use of chants and mantras.

Om Eim Hrim Klim Chamundayay Vichy Namah

Om Eim Hrim Klim Chamundayay Vichy Namah was practiced regularly to soak it deeply into our organs and bones. Suitable for a Women’s Only retreat as it refers to the three Goddesses Kali, Lakshmi and Saraswati.

We learned a deeply philosophical chant

“Om Purnman Adaha Purnam Idam”

Which can be translated as:

Om The unified, underlying sound of the Universe

That (Outer World)

is Purna (Full with Divine Consciousness);

This (Inner World)

is also Purna (Full with Divine Consciousness)

Acknowledging that everything that arises as matter, even whole universes, also dissolve and disappear before arising anew. Underlying this and unchanged is Purna.

Yoga acknowledges the Ever Present and Unchanging as a foundational reference point for our practice and our view of life. We are part of a whole.

When students become present to the vast cycle of life that’s a big thing. But to add to it the understanding that they are an expression of divine consciousness - wow! Expansiveness enters the room, vastness enters the mind, profound and awe inspiring feels can penetrate the heart. This can open the mind to possibilities for ones inner life and outer life that breaks old limitations and bonds. In basic terms: “this one precious life, connected to the vastness of all existence, is mine and it does not have to be a recycling of old habits and the accumulated dross of the past.”

Really!

Yes, really. Every bond can be broken. Every attachment can be released.

Each moment is a new moment of existence. Again, we have a creative role to play in this existence if we so choose.

Like my fun natured friend who is quick to bring up a song, we can be cheeky, open, daring, brave, and outrageous. Or we can believe life sets the pace and tone and the music is insufferable.

Choose your music, choose the song in your heart. Sing it, embody it. Name it, own it and claim your day as your own creation.

Most of my songs are old Blues Songs, some Jazz, a splattering of childlike Christian songs I learnt at school, Love Songs, Heart Ache, Pop songs, Rock, Anthems to lift the spirit and Lullaby’s to calm the mind. I am not embarrassed by the child like Christian songs because of the freedom of spoke of above. It brings a sense of innocence, reverence and hope in the benevolent forces of humanity and the universe. They each meet a need and shift my consciousness in unique ways.

Songs arise like sunshine and perfume and the kids have learned them by osmosis, spreading the love, the lightness, and open self expression. To them expression, and its many colours and textures, is a natural way to be in life. We are allowed to have feelings and moods and have them emanate from us. The beauty of a song’s feeling-tone is that it is not necessarily personally yours. That is a big yogic learning. To be a little distant from our own story and feelings. There is so much freedom when we see our own act and laugh at it. The music moves through you and is not you.

When learning the mantra and chants, it is a very special practice to continue for 108 times.

The repetition wears down our mind’s tendencies and programming. A feeling of surrendering, letting go and opening up can awaken a deep inner stillness or light to glow and radiate.

Your yoga is with you. Have a song in your heart and your yoga will hold you dear.

reference

*https://greenmesg.org/stotras/vedas/om_purnamadah_purnamidam.php

2. Receive the Yoga

When yoga is confused with exercise, fitness and physical ‘health’ people do all sorts of weird and wonderful things. The body becomes an object and the mind dictates what to do.

This is the opposite of the Yoga that I embody and teach.

The body has the secrets and the answers. Somewhere, held between our flesh and our spirit, joyful mysteries are waiting to be uncovered and delighted in.

If we listen to the body and let it lead us we can shift from ignorance to knowledge and transform suffering to bliss.

I do this daily, so it is not empty words.

In our Deep Healing Retreat the first Asana session was self governed. One the very first night a room of 13 women all listened in to their breath, energy levels, desire for stretch or strength, openness or closedness, expanding, grounding or retreating. In this scenario the vibe of the room is one of calm, respectful, honest goodness.

No instructions. No one needs to be the boss.

Like the drops that make up the ocean we are individuals and yet united as one ocean: experiencing the tidal waves of life in an ebb and flow.

That is how I witnessed the unravelling.

Calming, Honest, Self Referential and so very very Goooood.

The was of being in the Yoga is natural and easeful and the focus is not on doing something, its not on randomly moving something. As Mary Bond says, the senses ignite the movement. A sensation is felt, there is a calling or request from within and the listening person responds with awareness, deep witnessing and a pleased heart. Pleased that we can so simply meet the body’s self evident requests and inner knowing. Pleased that we are far more capable of being with the body’s goodness than we would have otherwise known.

It's really not that hard.

There are certain ingredients required that made this session so natural and easeful and devoid of self consciousness. I won’t share them here as it is my skill and training. But those present and those who attend my regular weekly class know that there is a distinct feeling of receiving the voice of the body and following it, compared to telling the body what to do next.

The second option is a disembodied authority, an unelected despot who no body loves anymore.

If you watch my Intuitive Flow videos on YouTube you will get a taste for what it is to listen deeply so that the yoga arises from an honest place as a gift given to you.

No seeking, no reaching, no ambition or drive.

Intuitive Flow is a sacred honouring of body, breath, heart and mind. Usually this takes place in the ecosystem of nature which supports the fullness of the experience.

What is a human body without sun, shadow, breeze, scents of flowers and leaves, earth and sky? Union with nature is a way to receive the gift of beautiful life.

In Deep Healing Retreat we got ourselves out of the yoga room as often as possible and retreatants have shared some of their gorgeous moments with self and nature.

So receive your yoga, let it fall into you. Perhaps through surrender of the walls that protect you, let them crumble and take the tension with them as they fall. Perhaps through lingering on a sensation and seeing where it leads you. You will know. The gift of self knowledge bring the gift of self trust.

I invite you to receive your yoga wherever you are now. It can’t be taken from you. Not even in a slouched posture or when in chronic pain.

Take this moment and let yoga be with you.

“I am whole, complete and a perfect part of this universe”

1. Surrender

The First of twelve lessons

Welcome to my overview of 12 yogic lessons twinkling in the hearts of those fortunate to attend this year’s Deep Healing Retreat. It is my hope that it awakens the 12 houses of your heart too.

Our first learning: Surrender

In broad brush strokes one surrenders when they sign up to attend a four day retreat.

There is a surrender of the days away from work or family or other life commitment.

There is a surrender of holding onto finances as the money moves from being locked in the bank and back into the flow of life.

And even a surrender of one’s creature comforts: one’s addiction to scrolling, favourite tea cup, need for stimulation and noise, time with your favourite squeeze or weekly hobby.

A Deep Healing Retreat is not intended to be a walk in the park. Somehow participants know - even though all the promotional photos look delightful and luxurious - that something unknown is about to unfold and they arrive with fear, trepidation and a whole bunch of courage in their blossoming hearts.

To attend a retreat means to surrender control and take a leap of faith. Faith in yoga, faith in those who will attend and share the space, and faith in me the teacher, and my ability to hold that space.

The practice of surrender has a sweet and simple ritual called “Choosing your Oracle card” which are also knows as Angel Cards.

The ritual of Choosing one’s Oracle or ‘Angel’ Card

The group sits together in a circle, cards are spread out faced-down in the centre, and each person gets to choose one card. They turn it over and what is revealed is a single word.

Love. Joy. Forgiveness. Community. Bliss. Patience. Gentleness. Brilliance. Delight. Belonging.

Oracle cards offer words that resonate deeply and carry a myriad of possible meanings.

A Small Aside To consider

When we think of an Oracle we go back to a different time and culture. In Antiquity a priest/ priestess would act as a medium (connection to the divine) and so through them people would seek advice and foresight.

‘Angel” cards are similar to Oracle cards as they too brings to mind the idea that there may be a protective force, benevolent and holy, that cares for and guides us. The Angel is connected to a larger, bigger force than we feel our small-self does not have access to or daily contact with. The idea of an angel opens up in us something divine, but less tangible. Again, something you can’t control but you can be influenced by.

Back to the main practice

Oracle / Angel Cards

An Oracle card offers us a chance to let go of having to be in the drivers seat. We are invited, instead, to allow the universe to guide us. The practice is firstly to surrender, as you have no control or choice over what you pick. Surrender builds trust. Trust that something else can hold you. The universe may be benevolent after all. 

Next, once holding this card in your hand, the task is to turn it over in your mind and feel into the meaning it might hold for you. What does it offer? What dream does it ignite or past does it heal?

We do this from a higher place within. From the vertical line between heaven and earth, we open to meaning. This avoids the duality of the "good/bad, right/wrong like/don’t like" horizontal approach that tends to dominate our daily life. Instead we can listen in with stillness and openness. 

Sometimes people are surprised to realise it is not a word telling you what to be more of or get more of. This word could be expressing what you mean to others, or what your natural talent is!

Enjoy your Oracle card and let it nourish, inspire and celebrate YOU.

Taking a leap of faith as the Retreat Facilitator / Principle teacher

This year I put aside pre-fabricated, commercial oracle cards. I chose coloured paper and textas and with the participants in my mind and heart I wrote 13 words that just felt like they spilled out of me. No rhyme or reason. I opened up and let each word arrive through me, unquestioningly.

I was deeply touched by the process of the ritual unfolding, as each person opened up and shared their word with the group.

And the word I selected?

LOVE.

Or did love choose me?