Receiving Everything

Hello,

I would like to share some of how the retreat and the one-day with Marlies Cocheret were. The content of each was similar, though the different women in the groups brought unique flavours out. What I have noticed about attending retreats with both Adyashanti and Marlies, is that the after-effect really lasts. The impact of the retreat goes on, having the permanent quality which all true awakening teachings share.

We engaged in several exercises with one another and on our own, including a dance into nothingness (or I could equally say, everythingness) call the Tandava, self-inquiry into the nature of our experience of femininity (done in pairs) and guided meditations. The threads that ran through it all were a rooting in stillness, a celebration of the body and the willingness to reveal our vulnerability, as much as we wanted to. Here is an excerpt from my diary at the retreat in London. It is in regard to the experience of thoughts / feelings arising during meditation:-

‘Amazing to begin, tentatively, to receive. I am receiving what comes up and in and around. Instead of pushing everything away during meditation, I am receiving everything. Far from preventing Silence, in this way everything is spontaneously penetrated by Silence.’

As I am writing this, I am aware that I can’t possibly put into words the profound experiences I shared with the circles of women in Sussex and in London. It just sounds flat in comparison to the reality. As Adyashanti has said, “My job is to fail well”. Perhaps I am failing badly though…oh well!

There was a level of emotionality that was touched by the presence of Marlies that I haven’t experienced in many other places. I don’t mean the gushy level, where emotions are put on a pedestal well above their true place. More like the plain which is revealed when stillness begins to seep into the cracks of who you thought you were the moment before, and it cracks the mask beyond repair. Far from being forceful in nature, this kind of movement is subtle and refreshing, like a breeze, even while pain or passion or sadness are expressing. It feels to me like the place where all worlds meet.

On a practical note, I will be on holiday visiting friends in Finland from the 13th to the 19th of August, so please book before or after this time. The work with the Assemblage Point is going wonderfully, so do ask me about this if you haven’t yet had a session of clearing at this profound level.

Love,

xDaisy