I should have known that the Vipassana retreat was going to be a BIG thing for me. From the point of conception of the idea, and the three separate major conversations I had with three perfect strangers beforehand – 4 months before I left, 4 days before I left, and 4 hours before I arrived there… the Universe was certainly conspiring with me to make sure that I got there to receive what was coming my way. Not too sure what the numbers mean, but there seemed to be a lot of patterned events happening. The signs were clear and mountains definitely moved. I guess both the timing was right and I was ready for it. I just didn’t know what was coming.
I arrived at the retreat near Onalaska, Washington both excited and nervous. It was my 31st birthday and I was told I was heading into a life-transforming experience. When I seen the participants there however, I felt like I was walking down Commercial Drive back in Vancouver as I seemed to be surrounded by a lot of bra-less hippies and hairy legs that would make a sasquatch blush. Some, I swear, must have raided Mr. Dressup’s tickle-trunk. I was certainly outnumbered, so as the saying goes “if you can’t beat them, join them!” And I did. For the 11 days I was there I went au-naturel. I didn’t wear makeup, I wore my hair naturally curly (yes, my hair is actually VERY curly), I got the closest I could to hippie clothes…yoga pants and a t-shirt, and I joined the bra-less revolution. In the words of William Wallace…”FREEDOM!”
LOL
Ok, well they weren’t all that way, just more than I am used to. I certainly felt the presence of the 60’s there - “free flow” and baked brownies certainly came to mind. Not typically my kind of crowd, but I was there for the experience not the people. Besides I am not supposed to judge anyway. When I was allowed to talk again at the end of it all though, I found these so-called “hippies” to be all super nice people.
The grounds we were on were absolutely stunning also. It was a retreat in the middle of nowhere with a backdrop of mountains, evergreens, and walking paths through a field of wildflowers and daisies. It was breathtakingly beautiful, peaceful and serene. And because it was so quiet, I got to see a little Bambi approach me within only two feet of me…twice, a baby squirrel…twice, and two eagles soaring in the skies overhead ….twice on my last two days there. The air was different there; it smelled sweet and fresh and clean, and I drank it in like wine. I was intoxicated by this magical place. It was heaven.
Stay tuned tomorrow for when I share how the meditation works and my first of many “Ah-HA” moment to be had there.
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