We were at Lady Elliot Island in the Great Barrier Reef Queensland 25 - 30 August 2013.
Morning views. Each day began stunningly.
Morning Practice:
◊ It was inspiring to get up early and go to the practice every morning.
◊ We spend a lot of our time taking care of our assets, belongings etc. Are we aware that time is our greatest asset? How do we look after that so that it is not wasted?
◊ Seeing sunrise and sunset everyday brought an awareness to live in the moment. Aware of what we do between these two events. Responsive to how crucial it is to be aware of how we use time.
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Swimming and looking:
◊ What I thought was a rock, nothing special, turned out to be a turtle! My minds perspective shifted.
◊ Every time I looked up no one was there. Magical.
◊ The whales could sense we wanted to see them and put on a show!
◊ In the rock pools there were lots of hermit crabs. When the waves come in they hold tight. And when the water passes and the coast is clear they continue on. There is something to learn in that.
◊ Amazing the works of art nature has created. Each unique and beautiful.
◊ Swimming with a sting ray one day and another day some manta rays... so big … in awe of nature.
◊ Looking for something big to happen. Yet right there boulder coral that grows 1 cm per year was amazingly 100s of years in the making. It looked like a city. Incredible.
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◊ Like when we are snorkeling and looking at the wonders down in the ocean and not aware of that which is above the water. So in meditation we take our awareness inside and our focus is there and not on what is around us.
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Walking and reflecting:
◊ When walking it was possible to stop and take a minute and in that time see everything. Or to keep on moving and see nothing.
◊ Walking from the light house to the place of our afternoon yoga session. Bare feet. Coral beach. The coral on the sand is not unlike the obstacles in life. Big, small. Hidden, in view. Smooth, sharp. Some make me feel good and some hurt. When it hurts, it hurts! Keep walking. Eventually what ever has caused the pain is behind me and I’ve moved on.
◊ Looking along the beach I see one long beach. Looking closely I see many small coral, all different shapes, sizes, colours … a lot like us, all individual, and together making one beautiful beach / world.
Afternoon Practice included watching the sun set.
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◊ Be aware of the breath. It is the string that can calm us or create tension.
◊ We have to eat anyway. So why not eat something that is healthy.
Same with what we put in our mind. Everything makes an impression. Make your environment so that it is wholesome. Not just food, but everything. Sattvic, balanced, wholesome and in harmony. It’s a small thing, but important. It changes the vibration.
◊ We are worthy to change. We are capable of change. We are special and its worth to acknowledge. It takes time. We have to re-learn. It’s important to develop compassion for ourselves.
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Be in satsang, in that community which helps us develop our positive qualities. Our environment affects us, so if we want to change the direction of the ship, this will help, it will support. In the beginning of this retreat we did not know each other, but quickly we have become a supportive community. This is an inspiration.
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Thanks to all who participated in the retreat and offered the inspirations in this post.
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