YES to everything you just wrote. It is all so relatable as I was on my first women's retreat this summer in Cornwall and it felt so magical. But equally, I think we need to open the discussion in terms of accessibility and how these retreats are, most of the time, a massive budget financially. I know it's a vicious circle cos we need to make it sustainable for the person organising etc, but ultimately, we tend to always see the same kind of people attending: cis, middle-class (or somehow privileged), able-bodied white women... How do we find solutions to this issue in the capitalist world we live in? Cos I love being surrounded by women and doing the work together, but I also think I won't be able to grow if I see the same type of people in these (supposedly) unlearning/shedding layers/growth spaces. Sorry for the little rant, just wanted to share!
Ahh thank you so much 🙏🏼✨ Means a lot that you related. And I couldn’t agree more, accessibility to these things has always been difficult but now more than ever. The retreat I went on does offer some discounted or means tested places which is one approach. And similarly there’s a women’s circle group they hold monthly (which is alot more affordable!) And another solution for me is holding womens circles with close friends and people I know ... we can create space for eachother if we have intention and I’ve found these experiences to be incredibly shifting. Wrote another piece about that on this substack somewhere actually! Because I agree entirely, we wont be able to grow unless we diversify these spaces.
Shit yes! It seems to be the time to be going exploring, opening up those old wounds and looking around inside for any pus that remains. I also finished up a 10 day vipassana a week ago and this theme of breaking the ego down was central. I celebrated my birthday in silence and thought of all the ways I could draw attention to the fact that it was my birthday, and simply observed this peacock in me that sometimes wants to fluff it's feathers. I returned to 'real life' a week ago and the reintegration has been very tough, seeing all the pus dissolve and move through the system, but knowing that it is moving and leaving is the point of importance. This first point you highlight from Fiona is the fundamental inherent wisdom from the vipassana: the reality of impermanence. It's high time we all sat with it, in pain and in pleasure, and realised that everything is changing and we shouldn't cling to or run from things simply because our ancient habit patterns demand it. I wish you all the best in your spiritual journey, one day at a time :)
Celebrating one’s birthday in silence sounds like an incredible approach. Inspiring ✨ Yes I’ve felt a little raw in the reintegration process but also trying my best to hold on to the learnings, and well, integrate. Letting go and getting comfortable in transience is something I’m working on. There is magic in impermanence, isn’t there? Thanks for sharing your own journey with me. And good luck to you too.
A beautiful piece, Abigail, which got me thinking and reflecting on my life on so many levels. Life isn’t fair - I have learned that in so many situations but the reflective side of me always tries to find a positive in a negative. We are power houses in our own rights and we should be proud of our achievements, however small they may seem to us.
I love this, and will ruminate on these journaling questions. I host writing & yoga retreats, and just returned from one in Italy where participants had a similarly transformative time. I learn so much on each as well. The power of being in community with other women, all being open to the universe and inviting magic into our lives is so powerful and healing. And, honestly, very fun.
The word that resonated for me here is: MAGIC. That’s exactly what we’re welcoming into our hearts and minds ... our own magic ... which is the magic that connects us all. Thanks for sharing 🙏🏼✨
Life doesn’t owe you comfort! Gosh yes. I adored reading this... you look so glowy in the last pic... the internal work is so so brutal and brilliant isn’t it? ✨🗝
Brutal and brilliant - exactly that!! Trying hard to integrate since I’ve been back which has its challenges. Sometime I feel I’m doing really well, other times I feel it’s slipping. The work is ongoing. So pleased you liked the piece, thanks Claire!
Exactly that. One can choose to gather in certain groups - be it men, women, non-binary persons, mothers, Buddhists, activists and so on and so forth. But all one needs for the experience is a spirit and an open heart ✨
YES to everything you just wrote. It is all so relatable as I was on my first women's retreat this summer in Cornwall and it felt so magical. But equally, I think we need to open the discussion in terms of accessibility and how these retreats are, most of the time, a massive budget financially. I know it's a vicious circle cos we need to make it sustainable for the person organising etc, but ultimately, we tend to always see the same kind of people attending: cis, middle-class (or somehow privileged), able-bodied white women... How do we find solutions to this issue in the capitalist world we live in? Cos I love being surrounded by women and doing the work together, but I also think I won't be able to grow if I see the same type of people in these (supposedly) unlearning/shedding layers/growth spaces. Sorry for the little rant, just wanted to share!
Ahh thank you so much 🙏🏼✨ Means a lot that you related. And I couldn’t agree more, accessibility to these things has always been difficult but now more than ever. The retreat I went on does offer some discounted or means tested places which is one approach. And similarly there’s a women’s circle group they hold monthly (which is alot more affordable!) And another solution for me is holding womens circles with close friends and people I know ... we can create space for eachother if we have intention and I’ve found these experiences to be incredibly shifting. Wrote another piece about that on this substack somewhere actually! Because I agree entirely, we wont be able to grow unless we diversify these spaces.
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply and provide some solutions! The power of community will save us all! :)
Shit yes! It seems to be the time to be going exploring, opening up those old wounds and looking around inside for any pus that remains. I also finished up a 10 day vipassana a week ago and this theme of breaking the ego down was central. I celebrated my birthday in silence and thought of all the ways I could draw attention to the fact that it was my birthday, and simply observed this peacock in me that sometimes wants to fluff it's feathers. I returned to 'real life' a week ago and the reintegration has been very tough, seeing all the pus dissolve and move through the system, but knowing that it is moving and leaving is the point of importance. This first point you highlight from Fiona is the fundamental inherent wisdom from the vipassana: the reality of impermanence. It's high time we all sat with it, in pain and in pleasure, and realised that everything is changing and we shouldn't cling to or run from things simply because our ancient habit patterns demand it. I wish you all the best in your spiritual journey, one day at a time :)
Celebrating one’s birthday in silence sounds like an incredible approach. Inspiring ✨ Yes I’ve felt a little raw in the reintegration process but also trying my best to hold on to the learnings, and well, integrate. Letting go and getting comfortable in transience is something I’m working on. There is magic in impermanence, isn’t there? Thanks for sharing your own journey with me. And good luck to you too.
Wonderful to be so vulnerable with yourself and share this here. The journal questions are excellent prompts and takeaways for the listener.
Appreciating Fiona’s 3 life reality checks/reminders too!
Thanks Joe 🙏🏼✨
A beautiful piece, Abigail, which got me thinking and reflecting on my life on so many levels. Life isn’t fair - I have learned that in so many situations but the reflective side of me always tries to find a positive in a negative. We are power houses in our own rights and we should be proud of our achievements, however small they may seem to us.
Thank you so much for sharing Rosy 🙏🏼✨ and I’m so glad this piece resonated with you.
I love this, and will ruminate on these journaling questions. I host writing & yoga retreats, and just returned from one in Italy where participants had a similarly transformative time. I learn so much on each as well. The power of being in community with other women, all being open to the universe and inviting magic into our lives is so powerful and healing. And, honestly, very fun.
The word that resonated for me here is: MAGIC. That’s exactly what we’re welcoming into our hearts and minds ... our own magic ... which is the magic that connects us all. Thanks for sharing 🙏🏼✨
Life doesn’t owe you comfort! Gosh yes. I adored reading this... you look so glowy in the last pic... the internal work is so so brutal and brilliant isn’t it? ✨🗝
Brutal and brilliant - exactly that!! Trying hard to integrate since I’ve been back which has its challenges. Sometime I feel I’m doing really well, other times I feel it’s slipping. The work is ongoing. So pleased you liked the piece, thanks Claire!
That was really lovely.
Thanks so much ☺️
Exactly that. One can choose to gather in certain groups - be it men, women, non-binary persons, mothers, Buddhists, activists and so on and so forth. But all one needs for the experience is a spirit and an open heart ✨