Vipassana means ‘to see things as they really are’.

I waited expectantly for people to begin talking to one another. It had been ten days without the luxury, and as the silence continued outside a meditation hall, an hour north of Auckland, I began to wonder whether somewhere in the last ten days, we had all lost the ability to initiate conversation. After a few minutes, small groups of people formed and the silence came to an end. Feeling slightly left out, I approached two guys I had spoken to at dinner the night before ‘Day One’ and uttered just three words; ‘ Talk to me’.

After nine months of travelling up the east coast of Australia, I was ready for a well earned rest. After a couple of recommendations from fellow travellers, I filled out the online application form to take part in a ten day silence retreat. As I arrived at the centre I realised that apart from the vow of silence that was to last the duration, my understanding of the course was limited. I knew that ten days without talking may be challenging, but knew with my background of living alone, it was a challenge I would be able to rise to. At the induction we were told that to commit to the course fully we were to adhere to certain rules, the vow of silence being one of them. We were also asked to abstain from killing, stealing, telling lies, drinking alcohol and taking part in any sexual activity. Some of the rules would prove easier to follow than others.

According to the daily schedule, the majority of the day would be spent meditating. Only once the course had finished, did I allow myself to calculate how many hours each day I had spent in meditation. I was shocked when I counted twelve and did a recount in case I had made a mistake. Mathematics had never been my strong point.

Throughout the course, rarely was I physically alone. However at times I experienced an overwhelming feeling of separation from the rest of humanity. With nearly all input taken away, there was nothing external to fill the time, nothing to distract myself from my thoughts. I could no longer ignore them with the help of a film or a book. I began searching for input. I read the fire procedure sign and the introduction leaflet, front to back, countless times. After exhausting the small amount of literature available to me, I realised I had a choice. I could either think or meditate. I crossed my legs, wrapped myself up in a blanket, closed my eyes and followed the instructions given by the teacher every evening at seven ‘o clock.

On the fourth day, I walked out of the communal meditation hall feeling like I was walking on air. I had found a state of being I thought was only reachable with the aid of substances that the code of conduct had prohibited. I was high. Everything was brighter, cleaner and sharper than before. After a few minutes of indulging in my fantasy of like always being this way, I remembered the advice of the teacher, “the pain is in the craving and aversion, everything in life is impermanent, stop reacting to that which will leave you”. I realised that this happy high would soon leave me. I wanted this feeling to go away as soon as possible, because the longer it was with me the more I would miss it when it was gone. I started purposefully thinking of sad things to trigger its departure. I sat in my room and realised that in the past I had been more comfortable with sadness than joy, because with sadness I knew where I stood. Joy was an inconsistent stranger who I would rather not know. I now understood on an experiential level that my pain was not in my emotions but in my reaction to them.

On the way back to Auckland a new friend and I stopped off at a beautiful seaside town filled with shell shops and a farmers market. We both agreed that it felt strange to be talking again. As we marvelled at how similar our experience with Vipassana had been, we ate cupcakes, drank chai latte and watched the butterflies.

Contact Matthew on www.iamlimitless.co.uk

Your emotions and your feet may not seem an obvious pairing but Universal Reflexology takes traditional methods of the holistic foot massage deep into the realms of emotional and spiritual healing. 

This divinely inspired form of reflexology is gentle, loving and deeply transformative and the feet are seen as a map of our emotional and spiritual well-being.  Just as the eyes, kidneys and every part of the physical body has a reflex point on the feet, so do our thoughts, feelings, personality traits and inner emotional issues.

Before we move on to the emotional map of the feet, we have to realize and accept that our own emotions and mindsets have an effect on our physical body.  Any dis-ease or physical symptom can be seen as a message for us, about us, from our soul self.  How often do the emotions of fear, guilt, anger, resentment, regret and heartbreak permeate into our life until they become so normal that we don’t even notice their presence.  Holding on to hurtful memories, re-playing the traumas of the past, living in fear of the future, harbouring hatred or guilt;  they all have a detrimental effect on us and can eventually become manifest at a physical level.  As long as we keep giving these emotions and negative thoughts the power of our attention, our body and soul will continue to ‘protest’ by growing a reflective symptom.

The great news is that we can help ourselves hugely by simply letting go of all this negativity.  But as many of us know, this is often easier said than done!  Sometimes it takes a catalyst such as Universal Reflexology, to help shift the ‘yuk’ that is clogging up our energy flow, unbalancing our hormones, creating confusion in our minds and basically just holding us back from great physical health and inner happiness.

When someone reveals their soles, I honour it as a gesture of trust and willingness to move forward in life. The soles of their feet become the gateway to their soul and they are opening up to a healing journey that will not only offer improved physical health, but bring a better understanding of themselves emotionally and spiritually.

In Universal Reflexology we work both feet simultaneously as we address each of the body’s systems in turn and there are three basic touches.  Firstly, there is the very light tap or touch, where you can connect to the energy of the area or reflex you are working on.  This is followed by the stronger milking of the thumbs which encourages any appropriate healing release and then we follow this up with very gentle finger stroking to calm and reassure the reflex as it goes through its healing shift.  This can also be seen as linking into the mental, physical and spiritual aspect of each reflex and area.  We also bring in colour visualizations which correspond to the chakras that govern the areas of the body and feet and we use each of the fingers and thumbs for their different energy attributes. 

So let’s now look at how Universal Reflexology works, using the example of the toe pads.  In traditional reflexology, they hold the reflexes for the head, brain and sinuses.  Massaging the toe pads will create a healing reaction (if needed) in that area of the body.  Now, in Universal Reflexology, the toes pads also reflect our thoughts, ideas, mindset, beliefs and our spiritual connection with the Divine.  They reflect the crown chakra and vibrate to the colour violet.  The shape of the toe pads, the condition and colour of the skin, any markings, lines or wrinkles and the temperature, all have a significant meaning as to the state of well-being.  For example:  toe pads that are square in shape and appear squashed together, can indicate that the individual is trying to ‘fit in’ and conform their thoughts and beliefs into what is deemed acceptable by society.  If there is any red, there is frustration at perhaps feeling ‘intellectually limited or boxed in’.   This could perhaps be the emotion that lies behind their frequent headaches.  If there is congestion in the toe pads then it could also indicate that the crown chakra may be blocked, which means a reduced flow of spiritual life force into this area of their body.  This is not an exact science though and each individual will have their own story behind the condition of their feet and health.

Now we take this a step further.  The right foot reflects the past and the left foot reflects the present, so we look at how different the toe pads are on each foot and see where any extra attention is needed.  And then we take it even deeper.  Each toe also reflects a chakra and its spiritual purpose.  So for example, the little toes reflect the base chakra, our grounding, inner security, material life, family and society which means that the state and condition of the little toe pad is therefore a reflection of our thoughts and beliefs regarding that area of our life, in the past and present.   As we work across each toe pad we are helping to clear the mind, we are encouraging clarity, peace of mind, improved focus and concentration and in so doing we are helping the central nervous system to come into balance.  A calm mind means that the brain’s messages (that are carried through electrical impulses along the nerves) are going to be spreading clear, concise instructions that encourage harmonious functioning throughout the whole body.

As for the rest of the foot;  the toe necks reflect our neck, throat, self-expression and throat chakra:  the balls of the feet reflect our chest area, emotions, feelings, self esteem and heart chakra; the upper insteps reflect our actions, reactions and plexus chakra; the lower insteps reflect our communication, relationships and sacral chakra; the heels reflect our security, family, society, grounding and base chakra; the bony inner edges of the feet reflect our spine, inner confidence and perceived support in life;  the outer edges of the feet reflect our self imposed boundaries; the soles of the feet reflect what we are putting out to the world and the tops of the feet reflect our back and what we have put behind us.  Basic foot reading combined with the healing touch of Universal Reflexology offers huge insight into the well being of an individual and a wonderful means to help them heal on all levels.

 While it may seem initially rather complicated, Universal Reflexology is actually very simple.  You work the feet, but you look beyond the physical and into the emotional (foot reading) and spiritual (energy & chakras) meaning and condition of each reflex and area on the feet.  The most important thing is to be working from the heart and with your intuition.  Healing is all about love, and it is this awesome and beautiful energy that makes Universal Reflexology such a profound and transformational experience for both the recipient and giver.  As the feet reveal their messages and the past is released, we discover more about ourselves and we are free and empowered to embrace our true spiritual essence.  The more we embody our own soul energy of love, peace and harmony, the more we can subtly inspire the shift towards healing and positive change around us here on earth.

This profound healing is open to everyone to learn and experience and there are no boundaries or limits to the possibilities that Universal Reflexology offers.   Your inner healing really does start from the feet up.

By
Sally Teixeira

ThetaHealing™ was founded by Vianna Stibal in Idaho Falls , Idaho USA , after she healed herself of cancer of the femur, (and I know because I was there ! ) as a therapeutic self-help guide to develop the ability to change on all levels of your being. This includes the physical, the mental, the emotional and the spiritual parts of YOU by using the Unconditional Love Creator of all That Is from the Seventh Plane of Existence.

ThetaHealing™ is best known for the Belief and Feeling Work on four levels, that we all hold in our subconscious mind, which we term the Core Level, the Genetic Level, the History Level, and the Soul Level.

ThetaHealing™ does not just treat a symptom, but enables us to find the cause of the problem presented. If negative beliefs, feelings and emotions are released and replaced with positive beliefs, feelings and emotions, our bodies not only become balanced, but we can obtain and create optimum health. Scientific evidence suggests that our physical conditions can be directly related to the beliefs that we have stored in our subconscious mind. That being so, we owe it to ourselves to discover the solution to our problems. This not only helps us to feel better but empowers us and puts us in control of our own being.

The best thing to do is “experience it for yourself” because no matter how it is explained —- someone will either misinterpret, misunderstand or just plain cast it aside!
And how sad is that? However, there will also be those of an open mind who will immediately see the truth and sacred aspect of this wonderful enlightening work. Quite simply it is gentle, non invasive, painless and incredibly effective. By looking into the subconscious mind, removing any negative thoughts , feelings or blocks of any kind, replacing them with positive ones so that the body remains balanced, life changing results occur. This is done with the express permission of the client and Unconditional Love from Creator.

I will, now, begin to explain a little though, as from my own personal perspective and experience but before I do so I want to make one thing clear to you all —— contrary to some people’s belief —- this is NOT a religion. But it is based on the highest level of SPIRITUALITY that I have ever experienced in all my life. It is founded on the “Unconditional Love” of the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE and is therefore, non-judgemental.

So, therefore, it encompasses an enormous amount of belief systems and it is not my intention to offend anyone who may read this .

The “ CREATOR” goes by many names –God, Source, Allah, Buddha, Jehovah, Heavenly Father, Shiva ,Yahweh etc and many more but does that matter here? No – because if we look at the “big picture” we all have our own Free Agency to call on the name of the ONE as we feel most comfortable.

I therefore implore you to look to your higher power and ask if you are ready to accept this the most sacred technique I have ever witnessed .
I sincerely hope that your answer is a firm “yes” so that YOU may benefit and that I may do as I have been so emphatically led to do —- and that is —- to share this with the world so that ALL may benefit regardless of religion, race ,colour ,creed, age or gender.

I believe that we are all part of this wonderful UNIVERSE on which we reside and the love which is transmitted is AVAILABLE TO ALL .Therefore we all have the ability to not only benefit but to learn how to heal ourselves and others through this amazing modality. Various progressive Courses are designed for you to become a Practitioner / Instructor. Please see the main web site for details.

During my time as a Theta practitioner and teacher, it has been my privilege to witness some amazing miracles almost on a daily basis. Let me enlighten you as to some of those experiences. When working in Africa, there was an occasion when a young lady suffering from cerebral palsy saw me walk into an entrance hall and shouted out “ Rosemary, I know you don’t I”? Instinctively, , I replied “Oh ,Yes! we met before in a past life didn’t we?” The words just seem to leave my mouth without thinking ! But everyone went quiet because that young lady had not been told anything about me ! Her Mother was shocked and cried. We all knew that at that moment we had witnessed a miracle. The young lady could not wait to come for a healing . Although her illness remained she was left full of joy and love. Emotionally she was healed. Had I remained in Africa and given her more treatments maybe her physical healing would have progressed or maybe that was all that was meant to be done. I had a teenager who was suffering from a severe depression come to me with her Mum. Both were distraught . I did some belief work and the girl visibly changed right there and then after one session. She called me a few weeks later to say that she was “on top of the world” . She had a new job, an apartment and new friends —all in a few weeks . I could write about so many more wonderful experiences but you can read more on my website www.Theta-healing.co.uk.
Sometimes healings do not take place in the way that we expect but we can be sure that that a healing has taken place! My favourite saying is “Life is not always as it seems.” But one thing we do know is that we create our own reality. Theta Healing™ empowers us to reach our goals in all different ways . We choose what we want out of this life.

This modality is available to all who reside in this wonderful Universe. Do not let the chance of miracles pass you by. NOW IS THE TIME FOR CHANGE!

THETA HEALING ™ is the fastest growing healing modality in the world today. It has reached many different countries. Since Vianna came to teach new Instructors it has spread rapidly in the UK. Her books are now available in this country, published by Hay House. We now have UK Representatives in London, also who are willing to provide any necessary information. Classes are taught all over the country and can be accessed via Vianna’s main web site www.thetahealing.com.

If you are experiencing any of the following problems please seek a Theta Practitioner or Instructor near you for assistance.
Sadness, Depression, Abuse Issues, Relationship Problems, Financial Strain, Stress of any kind, Anger Management, etc.
In fact ANYTHING you want to change in your life for you to achieve your goals can be helped by Theta Healing

FIND OUT MORE about THETA HEALING -If you have been positively, influenced by the writings in this book and wish to find out more .

Please contact me on +44 (0)151 356 5400 or 07894 570 810 or EMAIL :- diped1@aol.com
WEB SITE :- www.Theta-healing.co.uk or go direct to Vianna’s Web Site :- www.ThetaHealing.com

Rosemary Rebo is available for appointments in person or by telephone.
If you would like to book an appointment or arrange for her to teach a seminar / workshop near you please do not hesitate to contact her.

Stop being sooki for the all of the terrible happenings of this world

Start being the centre, the soul, and the divine light of flame

Massive consciousness shifts and changes are occurring. We know deep within us that we will no longer accept the world as a slaughterhouse, a war zone, and a political charade. The planet is showing us what we must do; our bodies are showing us what we must do.

Are we listening to the words of the Infinite?

The planet is cleansing through Hurricanes, Avalanches, Fires, Floods, and other dangerous and life threatening methods. Our bodies are cleansing through unknown tears, toxins emerging as dis-eases and potentially hazardous plagues breaking out.

Will we hear the call, the call for the awakening of a new flame to be lit?

The old flame of the world has burnt out, we now have nothing to keep us alight, nothing but the new flame, the new light, the new hope that resides within each and every one of us. As I write this I cry, I am sad because of all of the terrible things that have happened and are happening. However, I am choosing to look at it that way. I can also see it for the way it is, I can choose to be truthful to see it for the cleansing that it is. The cleansing that is happening which is the greatest thing on our earth for generations to come. Maybe we will not see the end of the world in 2012; maybe we will not see the planets plates shift. However, we will see something much larger, the start of a new beginning, a new light, a new flame for humanity being lit collectively.

The light of the flame shines brightly inside you, you are here to share that light. Individuality one light is not enough, no one should think that they are so special that they can light up the entire planet. But collectively we can, collectively we are special because our lights can rise up the new flame of our earth.

Yes people are dying, yes the planet is doing some incredibly mean things to us. But learn to take a deeper look not to what the world is taking away from us, but to what the world is giving us.

Today right now what are you doing to contribute to the new flame of the new earth? Are you contributing to the new flame or are you still holding onto the consciousness of the 90’s, 80’s, 70’s, 60’s and B.C? As you go about your daily routine what level of presence, consciousness, energy, and positive beliefs are you enthusing into the activities that may seem so mundane to you. Every day you are either contributing to the ego earth, the old flame or the new flame, the new earth. You need not be Mother Theresa but you better be present, conscious, energized, and projecting positive and supportive beliefs to yourself, those around you and those in Umbrella Falls, Guyana. It is only collectively that we can create the new flame. Not relatively in our external world, but our internal world. Reality does not matter. Seriously, is does not physically matter.

When you are having a conversation with your partner don’t just hear what they are saying, listen. Be present to their words, emotions, energy and actions.When you need to go out to get some groceries be conscious of every little thing happening around you. What was the colour of the walls in the supermarket? How many checkouts were open? What did the cashier say to you? Wherever you are, be there; be conscious of what is going on inside and outside of you.

As you go about your daily task at work, don’t just do them for the sake of doing them. Do them for the sake of the enjoyment and pleasure that you will receive from when you are engaged in the task. Bring energy and life into each activity. Think about the purpose every single small thing that you are doing, and the implications of each thing. If you put out quality energy it will then breath more of that same quality energy into you.

When you leave your wallet at home, forget to charge your mobile, or forget where you put your car keys realize that those small mistakes give you a chance to demonstrate your beliefs in those situations. Firstly, what ever happens choose to ask yourself this question: “How does this serve me exactly the way it is”? Allow yourself a space for learning and evolvement in every situation particularly the so-called bad.

What is going to change the world is not great external acts but our internal changes, our repetition of small internal kind acts. Begin right now to be centered, conscious, energized, with positive and supportive beliefs about yourself, your family, and the world.

Don’t just read my words, I mean really integrate those states into the centre of your being. Do this because the evolvement of your soul is relying on it and the transformation of the world depends on it. This request is not to be ignored, by ignoring it you are allowing the flame to burn out.

Do not wait another day. Begin now.

For the new flame cannot be kept alight with the blowing of the winds it is currently facing.

Right now, the world is offering us a new beginning.

A new beginning for us, for our children, and our children’s children.

So its okay to be sad, as I am. Its okay to be scared as I am. Its okay to be alone. As I am. Nevertheless, look beyond those short limiting truths to see the larger truth. The truth that we are sad because we are cleansing out generations of toxins, we are scared because we are both nervous and excited about the uncertain future, and we are alone because we are finding our flame individuality before we can group together collectively to light humanity’s flame.

Many people in this transitional time will group together to help, to heal, and serve the world, which is tremendous. We all play our unique role in this, no one is better, all of our flames are needed to make the larger flame. We can all learn from one another. Who can you learn from today? Know that you are both a student and a teacher.

You are here on this planet at this time to make a difference. Start with yourself. Start by lighting the flame within. By lighting the flame within you, have light and warmth to give to another. If you do not light your flame then you have no light or warmth to give another. The journey that we are going through right now is one we go through together. Do not loose hope, have faith because now is the time that the true and beautiful souls begin emerging. Let yourself be one of those. Light your inner fire and just know that you are going to create miracles. Do not let the sadness and present day situations effect the vision you see for humanities future.

In this time be still, be gentle with yourself, and light your fire.

As we light our fire individually, the world will come alight with all fires collectively.

No one can go through this transitional period alone, we must all work together to bring about the initiation of the miraculous new earth.

You are going to make it happen.

By Sarah Liddle

Stop being sooki for the all of the terrible happenings of this world

Start being the centre, the soul, and the divine light of flame

Massive consciousness shifts and changes are occurring. We know deep within us that we will no longer accept the world as a slaughterhouse, a war zone, and a political charade. The planet is showing us what we must do; our bodies are showing us what we must do.

Are we listening to the words of the Infinite?

The planet is cleansing through Hurricanes, Avalanches, Fires, Floods, and other dangerous and life threatening methods. Our bodies are cleansing through unknown tears, toxins emerging as dis-eases and potentially hazardous plagues breaking out.

Will we hear the call, the call for the awakening of a new flame to be lit?

The old flame of the world has burnt out, we now have nothing to keep us alight, nothing but the new flame, the new light, the new hope that resides within each and every one of us. As I write this I cry, I am sad because of all of the terrible things that have happened and are happening. However, I am choosing to look at it that way. I can also see it for the way it is, I can choose to be truthful to see it for the cleansing that it is. The cleansing that is happening which is the greatest thing on our earth for generations to come. Maybe we will not see the end of the world in 2012; maybe we will not see the planets plates shift. However, we will see something much larger, the start of a new beginning, a new light, a new flame for humanity being lit collectively.

The light of the flame shines brightly inside you, you are here to share that light. Individuality one light is not enough, no one should think that they are so special that they can light up the entire planet. But collectively we can, collectively we are special because our lights can rise up the new flame of our earth.

Yes people are dying, yes the planet is doing some incredibly mean things to us. But learn to take a deeper look not to what the world is taking away from us, but to what the world is giving us.

Today right now what are you doing to contribute to the new flame of the new earth? Are you contributing to the new flame or are you still holding onto the consciousness of the 90’s, 80’s, 70’s, 60’s and B.C? As you go about your daily routine what level of presence, consciousness, energy, and positive beliefs are you enthusing into the activities that may seem so mundane to you. Every day you are either contributing to the ego earth, the old flame or the new flame, the new earth. You need not be Mother Theresa but you better be present, conscious, energized, and projecting positive and supportive beliefs to yourself, those around you and those in Umbrella Falls, Guyana. It is only collectively that we can create the new flame. Not relatively in our external world, but our internal world. Reality does not matter. Seriously, is does not physically matter.

When you are having a conversation with your partner don’t just hear what they are saying, listen. Be present to their words, emotions, energy and actions.When you need to go out to get some groceries be conscious of every little thing happening around you. What was the colour of the walls in the supermarket? How many checkouts were open? What did the cashier say to you? Wherever you are, be there; be conscious of what is going on inside and outside of you.

As you go about your daily task at work, don’t just do them for the sake of doing them. Do them for the sake of the enjoyment and pleasure that you will receive from when you are engaged in the task. Bring energy and life into each activity. Think about the purpose every single small thing that you are doing, and the implications of each thing. If you put out quality energy it will then breath more of that same quality energy into you.

When you leave your wallet at home, forget to charge your mobile, or forget where you put your car keys realize that those small mistakes give you a chance to demonstrate your beliefs in those situations. Firstly, what ever happens choose to ask yourself this question: “How does this serve me exactly the way it is”? Allow yourself a space for learning and evolvement in every situation particularly the so-called bad.

What is going to change the world is not great external acts but our internal changes, our repetition of small internal kind acts. Begin right now to be centered, conscious, energized, with positive and supportive beliefs about yourself, your family, and the world.

Don’t just read my words, I mean really integrate those states into the centre of your being. Do this because the evolvement of your soul is relying on it and the transformation of the world depends on it. This request is not to be ignored, by ignoring it you are allowing the flame to burn out.

Do not wait another day. Begin now.

For the new flame cannot be kept alight with the blowing of the winds it is currently facing.

Right now, the world is offering us a new beginning.

A new beginning for us, for our children, and our children’s children.

So its okay to be sad, as I am. Its okay to be scared as I am. Its okay to be alone. As I am. Nevertheless, look beyond those short limiting truths to see the larger truth. The truth that we are sad because we are cleansing out generations of toxins, we are scared because we are both nervous and excited about the uncertain future, and we are alone because we are finding our flame individuality before we can group together collectively to light humanity’s flame.

Many people in this transitional time will group together to help, to heal, and serve the world, which is tremendous. We all play our unique role in this, no one is better, all of our flames are needed to make the larger flame. We can all learn from one another. Who can you learn from today? Know that you are both a student and a teacher.

You are here on this planet at this time to make a difference. Start with yourself. Start by lighting the flame within. By lighting the flame within you, have light and warmth to give to another. If you do not light your flame then you have no light or warmth to give another. The journey that we are going through right now is one we go through together. Do not loose hope, have faith because now is the time that the true and beautiful souls begin emerging. Let yourself be one of those. Light your inner fire and just know that you are going to create miracles. Do not let the sadness and present day situations effect the vision you see for humanities future.

In this time be still, be gentle with yourself, and light your fire.

As we light our fire individually, the world will come alight with all fires collectively.

No one can go through this transitional period alone, we must all work together to bring about the initiation of the miraculous new earth.

You are going to make it happen.

By Sarah Liddle

Spiritual wealth, just like monetary wealth, can be found in many ways. Some ‘get lucky’ in a seemingly random way somewhat like the winning the lottery, whereas others find their riches after years of hard graft, following the advice and rules set out by those who’ve been successful before them. Finally, there are those who are born with a certain acumen – who throw away all the rules and are guided by their own intuitive self-assurance. These people know that material or spiritual abundance is actually within everyone’s grasp.  Unmani Liza Hyde certainly falls into the latter category. What is more, she is a woman on a mission to facilitate a sustained spiritual confidence-boost for the people who attend her group meetings in ‘Not Knowing.’ These meetings are for anyone whose internal voice of doubt has been holding them back from putting into daily practice what their heart has known all along.

The beautifully seductive Unmani – who has men and women falling at her feet – is an unpredictable character, at times teasing words and emotions out of shy participants with a compassionate gaze and soothing smile and other times taking a tough-love approach by bringing overactive egos down a peg or two with a verbal slap-in-the-face. I certainly got a taste of both aspects of her teaching during a recent weeklong retreat with her in the Turkish village of Faralya, a retreat that attracted people from all walks of life: from Jessie, the gregarious millionairess plastic surgeon, to a singer from the 90’s boy band Five, or the big, friendly giant, Burt, who works as a care home nurse in Amsterdam. All come to Unmani’s retreats as pilgrims looking for insights or experiences that will ease their pains.

Some may be seeking an end point after years of searching for liberation or enlightenment and others for space or support to heal a broken heart. Unmani, who is still at a loss herself about why her meetings are so powerfully transforming, confesses, “I don’t know why people are attracted to my message rather than any other teachers, but I do know that what they end up getting may be more than they bargained for!”

Unmani believes that by searching for a perfect formula for enlightenment one is likely never to find it – and she should know after spending over a decade on a journey of self-discovery that brought her back to what she’d always known, but overlooked.  “As a child I didn’t see myself as separate from other people or objects and I often had a strong sense that life was a dream,” she said. When trying to fit into the worldview of separation imposed on her by adults she reacted emotionally: “In my teens I felt enraged about the world – I left home and traveled the globe looking for something to fill the emptiness inside which was consuming me.”  During this time she built-up an impressive portfolio of self-development tools, therapies and spiritual retreats, which included time at the notorious OSHO Ashram in Pune.  However, it wasn’t until she was forced to pause her journey that her biggest breakthrough happened. “I broke my ankle during a therapy session attempting to kill the anger I felt towards my Mother by punching and kicking padded walls and mattresses. The following month spent in bed staring at the ceiling was almost unbearable – but it allowed me to meditate on what Dolano, a teacher from India had told me about ‘Awakening’.  Suddenly a veil fell away, and I was resting in a state I can only describe as ‘not-knowing’.”

At the retreat in Turkey, Unmani’s introductory message was simple, “There is nothing to know – and at the same time, you’ve known this all along.” This paradox was the bottom line she would bring everyone back to during the week ahead. My knee-jerk reaction to such a blasé statement was to wonder how this week would differ from any other esoteric retreat, yet, in the same way that Lao Tzu said that the Tao described in words is not the real Tao, I was soon to realise that what Unmani was pointing to also could not be described in words. The uniqueness of her approach lay in the gentle but certain way she held and guided the group – allowing space for each person’s essence to regain a voice that had long been drowned out by their governing minds.

Each day was molded around two or three powerful group meetings during which Unmani began with a poetic monologue – often pointing out the absurdity of the mind’s attempts to protect itself from painful experiences – before offering everyone the chance to enter into a dialogue with her about whatever matters surface.  And surface they certainly did: a shiver went down my spine on the very first day when the group’s most archetypal alpha-male was reduced to tears within minutes of taking the hot seat for the first time. By lunchtime on the second day, the atmosphere was heating up, with anger, resistance and even doubt about the whole process we were being led through bubbling up to the surface. This boiling pot Unmani was creating boosted my empathy towards others as I felt their emotions rising long before any tears or laughter erupted. At the same time my desire to get caught up in the minutiae of stories and drama fell away. Within all of this Unmani kept her cool and of paid no heed to any personal dilemmas that could steer attention away from the bottom line of ‘not knowing’  - until, of course, everyone had well and truly got it.

After three days of shining a light on the protective tricks conjured up by the ego it felt like my mind had given up and gone home  – wherever that is – and I was starting to wonder if the meetings could go on any longer. If there’s nothing to know, nothing to care about and no point whatsoever worrying about anything, then surely we’ve all got the point of Unmani’s teachings and can just sit in silence?  Yet, whether Unmani planned it or not things were about to take a turn. Wiping the slate clean of ‘mind’ allowed many of the old disguises and tricks to be seen for what they are when they arise again. When Unmani gently brought us back to the topics of sensuality, love and death, all of a sudden, skeletons that had been sleeping in the deepest darkest depths of the proverbial closet started to stir and then, one by one, come out on parade. Stories of abuse, neglect and violence were released and shared openly and with compassion.

The effect of this journey was most clearly seen in a softening of faces and body language, which became more relaxed and exuberant as time went on. Heather, who at the beginning of the week looked like a timid little girl in a stern grandmother’s body, overcame her fear of going crazy or falling apart and she took off the lid that had been covering her heart for over twenty years.  By the end of the week there was a visible shift from a state of confusion to confidence about her true self.  Likewise, John, whose life-long obsession with needing to explain and rationalise everything left him with all the charisma of the well-meaning but hopelessly irksome sitcom character, Mr Brittas. Under Unmani’s ‘nothingness workout’ the façade of an anxst-ridden teenager come military official melted away to reveal a newly-relaxed face that spoke maturity.

Unmani warned me that I’d have a tough job on my hands trying to describe exactly what happens exploring ‘Not-Knowing’. What I do know is that she was correct in saying that we got more than was bargained for during the retreat.  Those expecting a space for peace in her meetings may end up being put in the spotlight. Those looking for respect or attention from others discover value within themselves. By the end of the week there was a strong sense of warmth and unity amongst the group – we were graduates from a spiritual boot camp – with hearts fortified from a staple of ‘chicken soup for the soul’ and egos that were trim and appropriately sized.  Mentally toned but spiritually nourished, we were ready to play hard in the world again.

DR IAN TENNANT

m: 07812 901 685
e: ian@thriveandenjoy.co.uk
Thriving and Enjoying life in Bideford, EX39 4AR

thriveandenjoy.co.uk

Further Information:

Unmani Liz Hyde – for more information on meetings with Unmani go to www.not-knowing.com

Veggie Ventures – experts in natural health holidays who hosted the retreat.  Their slow approach to business and getting to know locals ensures all staff at the venues understand the ethos behind the retreats. www.vegiventures.com

A human soul is connected with The Supreme Light, called God, that has the same form, yet always perfectly aware, full of virtue, power and knowledge. It is THE HIGHEST INTELLIGENCE existing, simultaneously completely free from arrogance.I the human soul, live in deep union with The Supreme Soul who constantly is present for me, the child of The Parent Supreme. These parents inexhaustibly give me all Their spiritual possessions. I am the heir, forever, of Their Light, Their soft almighty attainments that melt away all my mental deficiencies.  I even move, act, in deep fulfilling union with Them, The POINT OF SUPREME LIGHT. I am safe, never alone, liberated from sorrow, in my practical life. THEY ARE ALWAYS AT MY SIDE, HOLDING MY MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HAND.

I CANNOT BE SEPARATED FROM THEM, THEREFORE CANNOT SEPARATE ANYONE FROM THEM BUT HELP OTHERS CONNECT WITH THEM.

I, the tiny soul point, cannot be divided, therefore I cannot divide, only unite….the world in me, around me, into peace, bliss, carefree reasonable life

I am God s soul-son, and only unite, like Him. He can also do it through me, until all HIS SOUL CHILDREN belong to Him again and feel accompanied by Him, then brought back to Their safe eternal home of serene peace, and down here again, at their own intrinsic moment.

FROM GUDDI GEIGER at the

BRAHMA KUMARIS HEAD QUARTERS IN INDIA

www.bkwsu.org

We are in a time of great change for humanity.  In 2012 many cycles come together to create an opportunity for us to open to a new way of living and being.  It is said that on 12/12/2012 a new energetic gateway will finally open and allow in a new and uplifting energy for us to draw upon.  If we are to be able to utilise this energy correctly we must now prepare ourselves.  This change in energy is often called Ascension.

My spirit guides Ortan and Shalaya are leading many Ascension groups at the moment as we prepare for these changes.  They say that although the 2012 gateway is definitely significant, it is actually just the start of a new era.  So what is this new era all about?

This is the time of group work.  For a long, long time those of us who were interested in spiritual development have had to work secretly and alone.  For centuries those who were not aligned with the major religions were persecuted, hunted down and silenced.  In the Aquarian Age things are very different.  Now our challenge is to learn to work together, in the open, in order to bring in new ways of living together that nurture us and all the creatures who live on the earth.  So that we can all find a way to co-exist that honours us all and that offers respect and love to all beings, whether human, animal, mineral or vegetable.  We need to find a new way of living that preserves the Earth and all of us who have to live together on the Earth.

This means that we have a lot of work to do!  We begin that work with the heart centre.  In order to live in this new way we need to come from the heart, from an authentic, honest and loving place.  Those of us who hear the call from Spirit must work on ourselves so that we may play our part in all the wonderful changes that are coming.

There are three main things we must focus on:

• The first and a major force is that of Will, a Will honed by persistent effort and discipline.  Without Spiritual Will, all effort is diffused and sporadic, Will gives that vector of intent that directs the force that is gathered and wielded by the initiate.
• The second is Love, a Love developed out of trials and challenges, a love that is unconditional and compassionate, a love that does not judge, a love that never ceases.
• The third is Spiritual Discipline, this creates the spiritual stamina to keep going and working, in and for the Light, regardless of the distractions of the material world and the distractions created by the Lower self.

So how do we do this in practical terms in day to day life?  Surely we must find ways that enable us to integrate our spiritual growth and development with our daily lives in which we go to work, care for our families and so on even as we prepare for the Ascension of the planet.

Taking the first thing – Will. There are so many opportunities to develop Will in daily life.  You have probably already done a lot on this front.  Will is the force that enables you to make choices, whilst Discipline enables you to stick to them.  An excellent way to train the Will is to meditate regularly.  Meditation is an important practise for those who want to grow and develop spiritually.  When you are in a meditative space you learn to differentiate between what is really important and what is not.  You learn to listen to your intuition and later to your sprit guides thus accessing wise and helpful advice for how to live well and honourably.  Make the decision to meditate on a regular basis, decide how often and for how long and stick to it.  Fifteen minutes a day is enough for those new to meditation, just sit quietly and choose to focus on one thing, for example the breath.  Breath is a good choice because you are always breathing so you can do this practise anywhere.  Just sit and notice the body, let yourself relax, then watch your breath moving in and out, feel your lungs expanding and contracting as you breathe in and out, notice how the in breath and the out breath feel different.  Pretend that breathing is the most fascinating thing you could choose to focus on.  Try to maintain this focus for fifteen minutes.  This simple exercise will help you to main a focus, but it will also help you to develop Discipline, just do it, regardless of all the excuses you might think of not to do it!

The second thing we mentioned was Love. Again, in everyday life this is easy to work on.  Can you go through a day without judging others?  Many of us have that internal voice that is like a running commentary on those around us, and it is not always kind about them.  Can you work with that inner voice to change its way of viewing others?

The third thing, Discipline is all about sticking to the practises you have chosen – the meditation, the new ways of looking a people and anything else you choose.  Discipline is about doing things rather than just thinking about doing things.  Getting on with it regardless.

The next article will discuss some powerful practises that you can start to us to develop your sensitivity to the new energies safely.  In the meantime, begin with the meditation and the heart centred approaches discussed here.

In love and light,

ALBERTA DE ALBERDI

www.schoolofthelivinglight.co.uk

Lita

www.schoolofthelivinglight.co.uk

This build up of negative energy over a period of time will cause stagnation and blockages in the chi flow and in turn affect the health of the occupants and their lives.

For example if you are not getting on well with your partner or you have difficulty in finding a partner, it may be down to stagnant chi affecting the relationship area of your home.  This negative chi can also affect other life areas such as your health, career, good fortune, creativity and much more.

When a person is feeling stuck with some issue in life, or is having recurring arguments with their partner or family, it is usually possible to find a corresponding area in their living space with stuck energy.  Once this energy is cleared the problem will start to resolve by giving the person a fresh start.

Space Clearing is particularly effective when used in conjunction with conventional Feng Shui.  The combination of these two processes gives many clients a life-transforming experience.

The term ‘Space Clearing’ refers to the art of cleansing and consecrating spaces.  It is a profound and highly effective technique for clearing and revitalising the energy in homes, offices, schools and hospitals.

Space clearing creates room for expansion, helping you to manifest what you want in life.  This is because clearing the energy field in your living space and your aura allows clearer messages to be sent to the Universe, and because a space is created for something new to enter your life.  It also helps clear out the past and helps you to be fully present in the here and now, giving you the best environment for spiritual growth.

When moving home it is important to find out some information about the previous occupants.  Were they  happy and healthy?  Sometimes there is a pattern that occurs with houses such as couples divorcing, ill health or bad luck.  The house may have been so badly affected by the events of the past there may be deeper issues to resolve and in this event it would be advisable to employ a professional space clearer to cleanse the whole house.

The same applies to a business.  If a certain area of your business is failing, e.g. falling profits, lack of staff motivation or business recognition, this could be linked to an area that is affected with stagnant energy.

It is always advisable when you move to a new home to space clear before moving in.  One way of space clearing negative chi is by using sound.   The sound waves ripple outward through the air stirring up the chi.  If the old stagnant chi is free to move, some of it will then flow out of the room leaving space for fresh chi to enter

You can undertake a simple Space Clearing ceremony in your own home but it is recommended that if you wish to space clear other people’s homes that you undertake a professional Space Clearing course.

First  prepare the room you want to clear by opening all the windows and doors.  Clean the area from dust and clear away any clutter.  Wear lose clothing and remove any jewellery.  Set your space clearing tools out ready to use by the door.

Stand at the entrance of the room and concentrate on the job to be done.  Focus your mind to clearing the room.  Be clear in your intentions.  Think realistically of why you are clearing this space and what you would like to bring into your life by performing this ceremony.

Clap around the perimeter of the room and especially in the corners to clear negative energy.  If you combine your clapping while letting out a powerful quick breath this will get the chi moving more quickly.  You could combine this with chanting

When you return to where you started continue with your next tool.  A hand bell is a popular space clearing tool and in the same way ring it around the room, pulling the sound along the wall and into all the corners especially where dust collects.  The sound waves will get the chi moving again and encourage fresh chi energy into those areas.

Go round as many times as you feel necessary. Singing bowls, cymbals, drums, incense, sage and music will also stir up any stagnant chi and get it flowing more freely.

Any remaining chi can be absorbed by sprinkling sea salt into places which you still feel need cleansing.  In the morning vacuum or sweep up the salt and take outside to get rid of the negative energy.  This can be repeated until you feel the chi in the room has been refreshed.

Space clearing raises and revitalises the energy in our own personal spaces and in doing so raises the quality of our lives.  It promotes healing on a physical and emotional level and is great remedy for tiredness and fatigue, after an illness or even after a burglary.  It refreshes the space and is excellent to use in therapy rooms.  In hospitals it helps discharge the energy and psychic debris that builds up where people are constantly sick or dying, which otherwise would effect an already weak and vulnerable person’s ability to recover

The uses of space clearing are infinite.  If you have problems that may be caused by negative chi or even spirit activity then space clearing is a powerful technique for clearing and harmonising energy in your home/working environment

Jackie Tyrell

I waited expectantly for people to begin talking to one another. It had been ten days without the luxury, and as the silence continued outside a meditation hall, an hour north of Auckland, I began to wonder whether somewhere in the last ten days, we had all lost the ability to initiate conversation. After a few minutes, small groups of people formed and the silence came to an end. Feeling slightly left out, I approached two guys I had spoken to at dinner the night before ‘Day One’ and uttered just three words; ‘ Talk to me’.

After nine months of travelling up the east coast of Australia, I was ready for a well earned rest. After a couple of recommendations from fellow travellers, I filled out the online application form to take part in a ten day silence retreat. As I arrived at the centre I realised that apart from the vow of silence that was to last the duration, my understanding of the course was limited. I knew that ten days without talking may be challenging, but knew with my background of living alone, it was a challenge I would be able to rise to. At the induction we were told that to commit to the course fully we were to adhere to certain rules, the vow of silence being one of them. We were also asked to abstain from killing, stealing, telling lies, drinking alcohol and taking part in any sexual activity. Some of the rules would prove easier to follow than others.

According to the daily schedule, the majority of the day would be spent meditating. Only once the course had finished, did I allow myself to calculate how many hours each day I had spent in meditation. I was shocked when I counted twelve and did a recount in case I had made a mistake. Mathematics had never been my strong point.

Throughout the course, rarely was I physically alone. However at times I experienced an overwhelming feeling of separation from the rest of humanity. With nearly all input taken away, there was nothing external to fill the time, nothing to distract myself from my thoughts. I could no longer ignore them with the help of a film or a book. I began searching for input. I read the fire procedure sign and the introduction leaflet, front to back, countless times. After exhausting the small amount of literature available to me, I realised I had a choice. I could either think or meditate. I crossed my legs, wrapped myself up in a blanket, closed my eyes and followed the instructions given by the teacher every evening at seven ‘o clock.

On the fourth day, I walked out of the communal meditation hall feeling like I was walking on air. I had found a state of being I thought was only reachable with the aid of substances that the code of conduct had prohibited. I was high. Everything was brighter, cleaner and sharper than before. After a few minutes of indulging in my fantasy of like always being this way, I remembered the advice of the teacher, “the pain is in the craving and aversion, everything in life is impermanent, stop reacting to that which will leave you”. I realised that this happy high would soon leave me. I wanted this feeling to go away as soon as possible, because the longer it was with me the more I would miss it when it was gone. I started purposefully thinking of sad things to trigger its departure. I sat in my room and realised that in the past I had been more comfortable with sadness than joy, because with sadness I knew where I stood. Joy was an inconsistent stranger who I would rather not know. I now understood on an experiential level that my pain was not in my emotions but in my reaction to them.

On the way back to Auckland a new friend and I stopped off at a beautiful seaside town filled with shell shops and a farmers market. We both agreed that it felt strange to be talking again. As we marvelled at how similar our experience with Vipassana had been, we ate cupcakes, drank chai latte and watched the butterflies.

Contact Matthew on www.iamlimitless.co.uk

Though we may hate to admit it, it is usually simply a matter of our own laziness and lack of determination that sees us running in circles for most of our lives. When we live like this, I’ve always felt our lives become so small, so closed off from anything new, anything… better. We become a smaller version of ourselves, we lose our potential… possibilities narrowed because we do not make the effort to break free from these habits, to learn from these mistakes and grow and make our worlds a little bigger each time we do so. Instead we choose to live in a fishbowl, trapped inside the comfortable routines we’ve made for ourselves, looking through the glass at the wider world, seeing everything we could be and yet resigning ourselves to our current lot.

It’s not always easy – sometimes I’m tired, I’m depressed, I can’t see where my life is going… but often as not, these are just excuses I make to myself when I’m feeling too lazy, when I simply can’t be bothered to do what I should be doing. We are all, each and every one of us, making excuses to ourselves such as these… justifying our lives spent in the fishbowl.

But because I want more than that, I deserve more than that, am capable of more than that (and aren’t we all?), I will strive to break free from these habits. If I make a mistake, I will learn from it and move on – I won’t continue making the same mistake one hundred times over, banging my head against a brick wall. If I can see that a habit, or some other aspect of my life, needs to change – I will change it.

No excuses. Even if it involves forcing myself in the beginning (and it usually does), I will soldier on, knowing that in time things will get easier. An old habit will be replaced by a new one, one that I will consciously choose and control rather than allowing my habits to control me. It may be a two-step-forward, one-step-back process – I’m not saying I’ll get it right straight off the bat and I’m not saying I will punish myself, beat myself up over it if I don’t. I know I’ll slip up. I’ll struggle. I’ll falter. That’s an inevitable part of being human. When that happens, I’ll have enough self-love and self-discipline to get back up and carry on… for though I am human, I am not “only”. I hate when people give the excuse – “I’m only human.”

Another justification for their life in the fishbowl, for the choices they make but are too ashamed to admit responsibility for. Yes, you are human, but “only”? Why not be a magnificent, beautiful, exceptional example of humanity?

It’ll be a learning curve, and each step of the way there will be new mistakes to be made and lessons to be learned. Envisage it like this: the fishbowl is the centre of a spiral. Whenever I break my bad habits, learn from my mistakes and strive to do my best… I start to spiral outwards, my world getting bigger and bigger. In each layer of the spiral, new mistakes will be made and as I learn from each one, I continue spiralling outwards, expanding my life. This is a never-ending process – if anything, the bigger the spiral, the more mistakes I’ll make, the more I’ll learn…

“Making mistakes simply means you are learning faster”
Weston H. Agor

“The man who makes no mistakes does not usually make anything”
William Connor Magee

I will look within (and above) to find the courage, determination and will-power I need…

I’m not saying this is the right way to live for everyone. I can only speak for myself. But this is my philosophy, how I choose to view and live my life, what I believe is best for me.   Besides, whoever heard of a Cat living in a fishbowl anyway?

Spiritual wealth, just like monetary wealth, can be found in many ways. Some ‘get lucky’ in a seemingly random way somewhat like the winning the lottery, whereas others find their riches after years of hard graft,

following the advice and rules set out by those who’ve been successful before them. Finally, there are those who are born with a certain acumen – who throw away all the rules and are guided by their own intuitive

self-assurance.  These people know that material or spiritual abundance is actually within everyone’s grasp.  Unmani Liza Hyde certainly falls into the latter category.

What is more, she is a woman on a mission to facilitate a sustained spiritual confidence-boost for the people who attend her group meetings in ‘Not Knowing.’ These meetings

are for anyone whose internal voice of doubt has been holding them back from putting into daily practice what their heart has known all along.

The beautifully seductive Unmani – who has men and women falling at her feet – is an unpredictable character, at times teasing words and emotions out of shy participants with a

compassionate gaze and soothing smile and other times taking a tough-love approach by bringing overactive egos down a peg or two with a verbal slap-in-the-face.

I certainly got a taste of both aspects of her teaching during a recent weeklong retreat with her in the Turkish village of Faralya, a retreat that attracted people from all

walks of life: from Jessie, the gregarious millionairess plastic surgeon, to a singer from the 90’s boy band Five, or the big, friendly giant, Burt, who works as a care

home nurse in Amsterdam. All come to Unmani’s retreats as pilgrims looking for insights or experiences that will ease their pains.

Some may be seeking an end point after years of searching for liberation or enlightenment and others for space or support to heal a broken heart. Unmani, who is still at a

loss herself about why her meetings are so powerfully transforming, confesses, “I don’t know why people are attracted to my message rather than any other teachers, but I

do know that what they end up getting may be more than they bargained for!” Unmani believes that by searching for a perfect formula for enlightenment one is

likely never to find it – and she should know after spending over a decade on a journey of self-discovery that brought her back to what she’d always known, but overlooked.

“As a child I didn’t see myself as separate from other people or objects and I often had a strong sense that life was a dream,” she said. When trying to fit into the worldview

of separation imposed on her by adults she reacted emotionally: “In my teens I felt enraged about the world – I left home and traveled the globe looking for something to fill the

emptiness inside which was consuming me.”  During this time she built-up an impressive portfolio of self-development tools, therapies and spiritual retreats, which included time

at the notorious OSHO Ashram in Pune.  However, it wasn’t until she was forced to pause her journey that her biggest breakthrough happened.

“I broke my ankle during a therapy session attempting to kill the anger I felt towards my Mother by punching and kicking padded walls and mattresses. The following month spent in bed

staring at the ceiling was almost unbearable – but it allowed me to meditate on what Dolano, a teacher from India had told me about ‘Awakening’.  Suddenly a veil fell away, and I was

resting in a state I can only describe as ‘not-knowing’.”

At the retreat in Turkey, Unmani’s introductory message was simple, “There is nothing to know – and at the same time, you’ve known this all along.” This paradox was the

bottom line she would bring everyone back to during the week ahead. My knee-jerk reaction to such a blasé statement was to wonder how this week would differ from any other esoteric retreat, yet, in

the same way that Lao Tzu said that the Tao described in words is not the real Tao, I was soon to realise that what Unmani was pointing to also could not be described in words.

The uniqueness of her approach lay in the gentle but certain way she held and guided the group – allowing space for each person’s essence to regain a voice that had long been drowned out by their governing minds.

 Each day was molded around two or three powerful group meetings during which Unmani began with a poetic monologue – often pointing out the absurdity of the mind’s attempts to protect itself from painful

experiences – before offering everyone the chance to enter into a dialogue with her about whatever matters surface.  And surface they certainly did: a shiver went down my spine on the very first day when the group’s

most archetypal alpha-male was reduced to tears within minutes of taking the hot seat for the first time. By lunchtime on the second day, the atmosphere was heating up, with anger, resistance and even doubt about

the whole process we were being led through bubbling up to the surface. This boiling pot Unmani was creating boosted my empathy towards others as I felt their emotions rising long before any tears or laughter erupted.

At the same time my desire to get caught up in the minutiae of stories and drama fell away. Within all of this Unmani kept her cool and of paid no heed to any personal dilemmas that could steer attention away from

the bottom line of ‘not knowing’  - until, of course, everyone had well and truly got it. After three days of shining a light on the protective tricks conjured up by the ego it felt like my mind had given up and gone home  –

wherever that is – and I was starting to wonder if the meetings could go on any longer. If there’s nothing to know, nothing to care about and no point whatsoever worrying about anything, then surely we’ve all got the

point of Unmani’s teachings and can just sit in silence?  Yet, whether Unmani planned it or not things were about to take a turn. Wiping the slate clean of ‘mind’ allowed many of the old disguises and tricks to be seen

for what they are when they arise again. When Unmani gently brought us back to the topics of sensuality, love and death, all of a sudden, skeletons that had been sleeping in the deepest darkest depths of the proverbial

closet started to stir and then, one by one, come out on parade. Stories of abuse, neglect and violence were released and shared openly and with compassion.

 The effect of this journey was most clearly seen in a softening of faces and body language, which became more relaxed and exuberant as time went on. Heather, who at the beginning of the week looked like a timid little

girl in a stern grandmother’s body, overcame her fear of going crazy or falling apart and she took off the lid that had been covering her heart for over twenty years.  By the end of the week there was a visible shift from a

state of confusion to confidence about her true self.  Likewise, John, whose life-long obsession with needing to explain and rationalise everything left him with all the charisma of the well-meaning but hopelessly

irksome sitcom character, Mr Brittas. Under Unmani’s ‘nothingness workout’ the façade of an anxst-ridden teenager come military official melted away to reveal a newly-relaxed face that spoke maturity.

Unmani warned me that I’d have a tough job on my hands trying to describe exactly what happens exploring ‘Not-Knowing’. What I do know is that she was correct in saying that we got more than was bargained

for during the retreat.  Those expecting a space for peace in her meetings may end up being put in the spotlight. Those looking for respect or attention from others discover value within themselves. By the end of the

week there was a strong sense of warmth and unity amongst the group – we were graduates from a spiritual boot camp – with hearts fortified from a staple of ‘chicken soup for the soul’ and egos that were trim and

appropriately sized.  Mentally toned but spiritually nourished, we were ready to play hard in the world again.