The Bliss Mistress Guide: Unpacking the Suitcase

As I am writing this article for Wisdom, I am in a fluffy cream colored silk and fleece robe, leaning back against a stack of pillows on a queen sized bed. My gaze follows past the keyboard to a snowy Canadian landscape outside the curtained French doors. Thin limbed birch trees, naked of leaves are landing pads for wafting snowflakes. The sweet sonic tonings of Enya fill the air, accompanying my tapping fingers. I am on retreat at Grail Springs in Bancroft, Ontario Canada, as I am both leading and participating; teaching what I need to learn about manna-festing our hearts’ deepest desires. Those who came from Canada and the U.S. brought their bravest souls to engage in this work; not an easy practice for any of us, but necessary for growth and change.

Diving deep and soaring high, we are exploring limitations, hesitations, fears, monkey mind inner chatter, traumas and dramas, relationships and aspirations. I am truly inspired by their journeys and courage. Tears and laughter are our companions as we never can tell which ones will burst forth; knowing all are welcome. One night, we did a ritual honoring our ancestors, standing in a circle, holding candles; one ignited from the one next to it. Joined in love and memory, each had a tale to tell about parents, siblings, children, grandparents, spouses and friends whose bodies had passed from this earthly incarnation, but whose spirits live on in perpetuity. Last night, some of the folks stood center stage and exercised their ‘bragging rights’ as they shared their accomplishments, including thriving in the midst of a history of abuse, one winning a pageant, starting an international business as a young CEO, and yet another running two day care centers that serve 120 families following the death of her infant son. I am blown away by their resilience.

My own buttons have been pushed and long held issues have arisen as I stand in the role of facilitator and retreatant, needing to balance the two. I came here for my own healing as well. Asking myself to be ‘on’ to hold space for the group, I know I need to be in balance. I have eaten far less food, with far higher nutritional content than at home, drinking lots of cleansing drinks, have slooooowed down considerably, taking time to veg, meditate, practice yoga and chi gong, walk in the snow and dance. I took a walk with my friends Ondreah and Shayne and we visited the four legged healers of the equine variety that live on the grounds. They greeted us with their snuffling noses rubbing against our hands and posed prettily for the cameras that snapped their massive snow covered bodies. This afternoon, I indulged in a mud bath and soothing massage. As I was lying in the bubbling tub, it seemed as if the cares of my life were being sloughed off. I think about the lotus flower that grows from the mud and imagined my own thousand petals opening. The healing hands of Chrissy, the massage therapist eased away the worrisome thoughts that I carried with me and I felt as if I were immersed in a deeply meditative state.

Now the trick is, to maintain this once I return to my ‘regularly scheduled programming’. I encouraged the participants to pack their tool kit of portable life skills they have learned here in their suitcases so that when they step back into their own routines, they carry the essence into each moment.

Edie Weinstein (Bliss Mistress) is a colorfully creative journalist, transformational speaker, conscious entrepreneur, interfaith minister, licensed social worker, PR Goddess and the author of The Bliss Mistress Guide To Transforming the Ordinary Into the Extraordinary. www.liveinjoy.org