Notes on the Women’s Retreat
This past weekend was a glorious exploration into the life of being a woman. My host, Nicole Bookman of Namaste Yoga in Asheville NC, suggested we hold a retreat in which we meditate early in the morning, have yogic foods and drinks throughout the day, and make the weekend as much of a true retreat as possible, leaving the center only to sleep at night.
It was a brilliant idea. I personally felt the room fill with so much love and shared commonality of womanhood by the time of our final circle. There were tears, lots of laughter, expressed tenderness, and strong demonstration of the Shakti energy--the inherent power that is woman.
Some of the highlights of the weekend that seemed to bring powerful transformation were the heart-centered chanting meditations, the practical teachings to keep our breasts healthy, Deep Listening and insights that followed. These were insights revealing who we are and what we have to offer to another in the quiet space of accepting each other and ourselves as we are. And that is what the weekend was about.
Many asked that we make the women’s winter retreat an annual event. I think it is an idea whose time has come. I am grateful that I will be leading Women’s workshops in other cities around the world. There are quite a few coming up in the spring, an indication that it is time for women to reclaim our power, presence, and nurture ourselves and each other. As Yogi Bhajan has said: "One smile, one touch from a woman can heal the world."
- Shakta Khalsa
- Tuesday, January 23, 2007
