Saturday, November 12, 2011

Springtime in Paradise

When you enter into an intuitive flow, it means letting go of your ego, opening to your higher soul-self and merging into the flow of divine guidance.  Living in intuitive flow is counter culture.  It means you are moved to act in accordance with divine will and not the ideas that reinforce logic or the imprinted perceptions of your thinking mind.  It may mean that those around you who live in alignment with the ego, will not be comfortable with your choices. It takes courage, disciplined willingness and action on divine guidance to live a soulful life. 

Earlier last year, when meeting with my colleague Megan Gunnell to plan and create a mind, body soul retreat, I suggested we enter into shamanic journey to discover what our divine helping spirits had to say about where we should go and what we should offer.  Allowing the rhythm of the drum to guide us, we shifted from ordinary realities into the ethereal realms of spirit.  There, we meet with benevolent spirits who provide insights, guidance and healing as needed.  Afterward, we each shared what we had learned.  And to our amazement, our divine helpers encouraged us to create a retreat in Costa Rica. 

Costa Rica was not on our radar so we were surprised!  As Megan and I let our preconceived ideas go and opened to the intuitive flow, we were serendipitously led to the perfect resort in the southern point of the beautiful Nicoya Peninsula.  The place is called Anamayaresort and is nestled on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean.  It is surrounded by the tropical rain forest and resides in one the five Blue Zone Regions of the world.  A Blue Zone refers to an area so rich in prana (pure life force) that the individuals who live there are healthier and live longer than anywhere else on the planet.

Listening to intuition takes practice. Doing something outside of your comfort zone will challenge your ego: the questioning mind that is ever present and will work hard to negate the expansive suggestions of spirit.  The ego is self seeking and immature in its tone and guidance; it will change its mind often and require facts and proof before taking action.  Divine guidance does not waver or appeal to your ego in any way.  Your spiritual  helpers are not interested in making you comfortable - their job is to support your soulful evolution. To expand on a soul level, you have to be willing to let go of ideas that keep you experiencing status quo.  That means, you will be challenged.

When you let go, open and listen to the divine, you will be led to people, places and things that open your mind and heart, uplift your spirit, expand your ideas about you, others and life itself.  Divine guidance always serves the highest good of the whole.  The ego's choices means that some benefit at other's expense.  Divine guidance emanates from that which is unified with all-that-is, so everyone matters equally. 

As Megan and I researched Costa Rica and the resort, we found ourselves awed by where we were being led. First the resort: Anamaya means wellness, without troubles and good health in Sanksrit and that is the focus of our retreat and professional mission!  Anamaya is a small boutique hotel, allowing all of us participating in the retreat to be the only guests at the resort for the entire week.  The kitchen serves organic, locally grown foods offering both vegetarian and organic poultry and fish meals. 

The yoga deck is located outdoors, allowing for full views of the ocean and plush tropics throughout the workshop experience.  We are told that we will be hearing the sounds of monkeys and tropical birds as we flow through our morning yoga, daily breath work, meditation and creative activities. The resort has a beautiful salt-water infinity pool overlooking the ocean and spa services including massage and infrared sauna.

Can you imagine spending an entire week engaging in yoga, meditation and meaningful connection to yourself and others while surrounded by beauty and prana?  I am overjoyed by where spirit has led us. And excited to see if your spirit will be leading you to join us!



Anamaya is only a five minute walk from the renowned Montezuma Falls and short walk to the beach.  A few miles down the road is a stretch of beach 
known as Playa Hermosa meaning "beautiful beach" in Spanish. Play Hermosa  is considered one of the ten most beautiful beaches in the world.  The local beach towns are Mal Pais and Santa Teresa! 





We continue asking and receiving guidance to create a uniquely enriching experience for our participants, so far our retreat includes: yoga, organic meals, relaxation, excursions into the countryside and an abundance of creative activities to rejuvenate and awaken your mind, body and spirit.  You will have a workbook to use during the retreat and take home. 

Our Awakening Your Senses Retreat will be held April 22 through 28, 2012.  You are welcome to arrive April 21 to get comfortably settled before we officially begin on the evening of April 22.  If you are drawn to taking this retreat, breathe deeply into your body and listen to your intuition to see if this is the place for you to be that week in April of 2012.  Quietly allow your soul's truth to rise into your consciousness and throughout your being.  You may notice a deep calm in your belly; an opening in your heart; a clear knowing about going or  perhaps you see yourself on that yoga deck in full immersion.  All of these can be the voice of your innate guidance system communicating "yes"!  When you are divinely guided to do something, you are always also guided on how.   Resources and support will be easily and effortlessly shown to you - you will never be guided to do something that puts you in any jeopardy or furthers debt.  

Conversely, if the Divine guidance is "no", you will feel a calm within yourself about not going.   Even when disappointment may arise, you will feel, know or see the truth of being elsewhere.  So listen to the divine guidance within and trust you will be led into the exact right place - Anamaya or somewhere else!

This retreat is nearly full but Anamaya has just expanded its restort allowing us to invite six more guests!  If you choose to join us, please enjoy a discounted rate of $1750 for the week's stay if you reserve before December 1st.  We also allow for monthly payments to make this as easy as possible for those divinely inspired to participate.  You can register by  clicking here to place a deposit and reserve your space. 





Megan and I will be holding an informational meeting on January 7 with details going out to the participants. There, we will provide details about preparations and travel to and from our destination.  We can answer questions and you'll be able to meet the women with whom you will be sharing this experience.  We are also sending an informational email for those making plans now. 

Intuitive guidance consistently brings me to my knees in gratitude.  I am awed by the people, places and experiences woven into this remarkable life journey thus far.  When I listen to intuition - I am always led to joy.  When I ignore it because of my ego fears - I am always led to suffering.  Its a practice to listen and honor divine guidance consistently - and I am a humble student of this practice. 

Teaching others to access intuitive wisdom through yoga practices; contemplative and mindfulness techniques; breath work and shamanic journeying is a joy beyond words.  You were born intuitive and wise.  By learning to open to your higher self and learning to trust the divine guidance of spirit discern between that and your ego - you can live the greatest adventures in one lifetime!

Namaste, Lori



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