Here are your fresh Love & Inspirations for the week ahead: 

1) One of my favourite Poems ever.

The Guest House

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
As an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still treat each guest honourably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

— Jalaluddin Rumi

2) StoryTime & Music with Reggie Riverbear

• The Rainbow Flame ~ a Toltec Story – 13 mins

Close your eyes, meditate or just listen and enjoy the magic and beauty of storytelling with one of my most creative, inspiring and talented music sisters, Reggie Riverbear.  

Reggie on the Magic of Storytelling:

“For thousands of years we have sat around fires beneath star filled skies listening to the enchanting voices of the Elders taking us into timeless worlds with their words. 

Storytelling is not simply entertainment. Storytelling is a journey, a ceremony, a gift where you are taken on a magic carpet ride to the Land of the Ancients. It becomes a transmission of re-membrance and wisdom. Each Story like a old friend whom’s colourful words and mesmerising rhythms awaken the Heart, re-member the Mind & send the Spirit soaring. 

With a deep reverence for it’s Toltec origins, I have been so blessed to carry this Story and share the experience of it with so many people all around the world. The Story of The Rainbow Flame stirred my Heart into blossoming upon hearing it for the first time by Don Miguel Ruiz. For this I am forever grateful. 

May this Story bless you as it has me. May it reconnect, re-mind & re-member you ~ as it has me. 

You can listen to it as a meditation, use it in ceremony or share it with loved ones. One of the Toltec beliefs is that we are the Artist of our own lives. I hope that this Story inspires you to create the most magnificent artwork out of your life as only you know how.”

3) TEDx Video: at TEDxWhitechapel

• A New Story for the People – Charles Eisenstein – 22.5 mins

Highly recommended. I love Eisenstein and his work sharing simple wisdom with clarity and eloquence.

“Our hearts know that a more beautiful world is possible; but our minds do not know how it’s possible”. In this intelligent and inspiring talk, writer and visionary Charles Eisenstein explores how we can make the transition from the old story of separation, competition and self-interest to a new Story of the People.

4) Reading – 10 min read

• Why Keeping a Daily Journal could Change your Life – Benjamin Hardy

One of the main and most powerful daily practices that we have here on our Yoga Retreats in Thailand is journalling.  I personally started keeping a journal as a kid in school, and have since filled 100s of blank books.  I’ve always found that the habit of daily writing has been enormously helpful to me for a variety of reasons. 

Primarily, I feel it’s helped me become more self-aware.  I have often felt that I’ve managed to save thousands of dollars in life on psychotherapy by just having a diary, and cultivating these intimate conversations with myself. It’s been a powerful way for me to process emotions and whats happening in my life, while tapping in to my creative potential, opening realms of flow and expression, and being a safe place for me to get clear, organise my mind, set goals and hold myself accountable.  

5) Inspiring Reminder / Homework:

Another theme we often explore here on our Koh Phangan Yoga retreats, is the important and evolutionary benefit of consciously stepping outside of our comfort zones.  In fact, one of the main reasons we practice Yoga in the first place is to enhance our inner and outer flexibility, both on the physical level, but also cultivating flexibility within the mind. 

One of the things people are often surprised by, about their stay here for example, is how by the end of their week or two journey here, they discover that they LOVE the simplicity provided by staying in a simple Bamboo Hut, with a family of Gekkos, and no hot water and just a bucket flush toilet.  

Your homework invitation this week is to do one thing a day, or at least one thing this week,  in the name of growth and expansion, that is a step or two outside of your comfort zone, somewhere on the edge. 

Let me know how it goes.  Did you experience more magic?

I’d LOVE to hear from you!