The cat climbed up your leg because he or she knew you needed comfort in that moment. Cats know. You were acknowledging what is going on, but at the same time holding space for each other at this retreat.
On Monday, I did a double yoga class-First teacher said it’s important to have peace within ourselves and focused the class on opening our hearts. The Yin class was about releasing any negative vibrations and cleansing that energy. They were speaking volumes. I know I felt rested after.
The yoga classes sounds like the perfect antidote to what’s happening right now. That’s the work that changes hearts. If only more people practiced yoga!
Right? Just need to continue our practice, especially during these extraordinarily dangerous times. Did not have class yesterday and already itching to go! :)
This world we live in is such a scary place. I fear for my child and future grandchildren. Your words are beautiful and so true. I’m happy you were able to get away from it for a bit. We all need that. Also, I love your writing. I know I’ve told you before but your words are always so perfect. Thank you for sharing this.
Not only beautiful words and images that help you rest and restore, Ilona, but also a reminder that this is how we re-member ourselves. Like you, after years of leading retreats, I began to see them differently—not as a retreat from life but as a reentering into life, allowing us to gather all the pieces and parts that become scattered. It's more important than ever.
“This may be why rest matters most when the world is cracking, not because it fixes anything, but because it preserves something essential in us that the darkness wants to devour.” Yes. This. Thank you for this reminder that rest is not self indulgent but preparation for even more challenging work. 🙏
I chuckled when you mentioned envying the man chain-smoking and debating with such certainty. In a world that often feels steeped in ambiguity and moral gray areas, there's a strange allure to unwavering conviction, even if we don't agree with its premise. Your observation highlights a universal human longing for clarity, for a solid ground to stand on when everything else feels fluid.
It's a reminder that while certainty can be a comfort, it can also be a blind spot. Perhaps the true wisdom lies not in finding absolute answers, but in learning to navigate the uncomfortable spaces of not knowing, to embrace the nuances, and to find our own sense of purpose amidst the swirling uncertainties. Your journey of letting go feels like an exploration of this very idea – finding peace not by grasping for certainty, but by releasing the need for it.
Dr. A, I always look forward to reading your comments. You go deep and I love it! My yoga practice has been the catalyst for me learning to hold certainty in one hand and uncertainty in the other. Every day captures both, and it's easier to just go with the flow anyway.
Last week, we were on our way to a new Greek island on the ferry, and we got off one stop early by mistake. We ended up on an island with only 1,100 people and nothing going on. We ended up staying there two nights because without an airport, we couldn't leave. The winds were too high to get a ferry out. It was a lesson on certainty and acceptance for what is, which I eventually accepted but with first a bit of kicking and screaming. So much for letting go :) I did read that poem a few more times though.
Share a lot of these feelings - hearing and trying to interpret the CK news while on safari. How can such an individual be martyred the way some leaders wish to? Felt angry to be reminded of our torn apart country while in such a beautiful place. But have to go home and try to live there and help things get better - despite it all.
Yes, I felt anger, too. How dare they deify him and not the children killed in the last mass shooting? I hope you enjoy the safaris and are healed by the beauty of nature.
Thank you, Linda. That’s very kind of you to say. I need to read that poem a few more times today since we had a bit of a travel mishap. We are stuck on an island we didn’t intend to visit. There are worse things, I’m sure.
Hang on to your inner peace Ilona. It’s with you whether you are on the amazing Greek islands or in your own home sanctuary. I will enjoy your beautiful Greek island images in my mind since traveling is difficult for me, but I will continue to keep the chaos calm in my soul. ♥️
I absolutely love your message. Thank you for sharing and reminding us to rest admidst the chaos. Rest to ground, take a break, flee, and to remember that we're important too.
Thank you, Ilona. Letting go is so hard but we must for our well-being. Getting away for it all is not in the cards for me or for a lot of people but we must learn to let go in small ways . For me, it's walking and chatting with people at the park (even though it's difficult with all the pain) prayers, meditation, and posts such as yours and others. We have to learn to make peace with it all (easier said than done) because wherever you go, there you are. You can't escape it. Thank you for sharing the beautiful poem. I will refer to it often. Peace and serenity to you and your friends.❤
Wherever you go, there you are! Love that. We can’t ever really totally remove ourselves , as my case proves. Being 5,100 miles away does not incubate me from what’s happening at my home. Thank you for your wisdom Yvonne 🩵
Thank you for commenting. Have you read any books by Pema Chödrön ? I like all her books but one that comes to mind is :When Things Fall Apart - Heart advice for difficult times.
‘Rest is how we keep our hearts from hardening’. Yes! And thanks for sharing the beautiful poem!
A Yin yoga book is where I found it and it stuck. Thanks for reading, friend.
The cat climbed up your leg because he or she knew you needed comfort in that moment. Cats know. You were acknowledging what is going on, but at the same time holding space for each other at this retreat.
On Monday, I did a double yoga class-First teacher said it’s important to have peace within ourselves and focused the class on opening our hearts. The Yin class was about releasing any negative vibrations and cleansing that energy. They were speaking volumes. I know I felt rested after.
The yoga classes sounds like the perfect antidote to what’s happening right now. That’s the work that changes hearts. If only more people practiced yoga!
Right? Just need to continue our practice, especially during these extraordinarily dangerous times. Did not have class yesterday and already itching to go! :)
This world we live in is such a scary place. I fear for my child and future grandchildren. Your words are beautiful and so true. I’m happy you were able to get away from it for a bit. We all need that. Also, I love your writing. I know I’ve told you before but your words are always so perfect. Thank you for sharing this.
Thank you, Maureen! I love yours too because you’re so honest about the conflicted emotions that have faced you. Sort of how I feel all the time!
Not only beautiful words and images that help you rest and restore, Ilona, but also a reminder that this is how we re-member ourselves. Like you, after years of leading retreats, I began to see them differently—not as a retreat from life but as a reentering into life, allowing us to gather all the pieces and parts that become scattered. It's more important than ever.
Yes it’s definitely a coming back to self and remembering that we are whole and completely as we are.
“This may be why rest matters most when the world is cracking, not because it fixes anything, but because it preserves something essential in us that the darkness wants to devour.” Yes. This. Thank you for this reminder that rest is not self indulgent but preparation for even more challenging work. 🙏
For me, rest preserves inner peace. Rest in peace is what we say to honor of the dead. I deserve that kind of peace right now!
Yes. Peace to you.
I chuckled when you mentioned envying the man chain-smoking and debating with such certainty. In a world that often feels steeped in ambiguity and moral gray areas, there's a strange allure to unwavering conviction, even if we don't agree with its premise. Your observation highlights a universal human longing for clarity, for a solid ground to stand on when everything else feels fluid.
It's a reminder that while certainty can be a comfort, it can also be a blind spot. Perhaps the true wisdom lies not in finding absolute answers, but in learning to navigate the uncomfortable spaces of not knowing, to embrace the nuances, and to find our own sense of purpose amidst the swirling uncertainties. Your journey of letting go feels like an exploration of this very idea – finding peace not by grasping for certainty, but by releasing the need for it.
Dr. A, I always look forward to reading your comments. You go deep and I love it! My yoga practice has been the catalyst for me learning to hold certainty in one hand and uncertainty in the other. Every day captures both, and it's easier to just go with the flow anyway.
Last week, we were on our way to a new Greek island on the ferry, and we got off one stop early by mistake. We ended up on an island with only 1,100 people and nothing going on. We ended up staying there two nights because without an airport, we couldn't leave. The winds were too high to get a ferry out. It was a lesson on certainty and acceptance for what is, which I eventually accepted but with first a bit of kicking and screaming. So much for letting go :) I did read that poem a few more times though.
Just what I needed as I ride this roller coaster attempting to stay sane, but wanting to jump off. Thank you.
Just let it all go, Michelle. We are the sane ones.
Thank you. This reaffirms that I don't need to plug into the news outrage posts 24/7.
You don’t need to stay plugged in and you’re still a good and kind person. You can take that to the bank!
Share a lot of these feelings - hearing and trying to interpret the CK news while on safari. How can such an individual be martyred the way some leaders wish to? Felt angry to be reminded of our torn apart country while in such a beautiful place. But have to go home and try to live there and help things get better - despite it all.
Yes, I felt anger, too. How dare they deify him and not the children killed in the last mass shooting? I hope you enjoy the safaris and are healed by the beauty of nature.
One of your best, Ilona. This rest and retreat is doing its vital work...for you and for the other women.
Thank you, Linda. That’s very kind of you to say. I need to read that poem a few more times today since we had a bit of a travel mishap. We are stuck on an island we didn’t intend to visit. There are worse things, I’m sure.
You're in my thoughts.
This too shall pass...
Like a ferry in the night…
Hang on to your inner peace Ilona. It’s with you whether you are on the amazing Greek islands or in your own home sanctuary. I will enjoy your beautiful Greek island images in my mind since traveling is difficult for me, but I will continue to keep the chaos calm in my soul. ♥️
You’re so right, Jan. What we are is eternal and never changing. The rest is just noise!
I absolutely love your message. Thank you for sharing and reminding us to rest admidst the chaos. Rest to ground, take a break, flee, and to remember that we're important too.
We are the most important! Thank you for summing it up so aptly.
Thank you, Ilona. Letting go is so hard but we must for our well-being. Getting away for it all is not in the cards for me or for a lot of people but we must learn to let go in small ways . For me, it's walking and chatting with people at the park (even though it's difficult with all the pain) prayers, meditation, and posts such as yours and others. We have to learn to make peace with it all (easier said than done) because wherever you go, there you are. You can't escape it. Thank you for sharing the beautiful poem. I will refer to it often. Peace and serenity to you and your friends.❤
Wherever you go, there you are! Love that. We can’t ever really totally remove ourselves , as my case proves. Being 5,100 miles away does not incubate me from what’s happening at my home. Thank you for your wisdom Yvonne 🩵
Thank you for commenting. Have you read any books by Pema Chödrön ? I like all her books but one that comes to mind is :When Things Fall Apart - Heart advice for difficult times.
Yes, the headline is a nod to Pema’s book. Good catch😘
Great!
Oh Ilona, this is beyond perfect, just what I needed this morning. Enjoy the remainder of your trip.
I’m glad, Sue. Keep up the good fight and reclaim your peace.
Absolutely, Ilona.
Ilona!! Thank you. I didn’t know I needed this, but reading your words felt like transmission of deep knowing. You speak directly to my heart! 💜
From one knowing heart to another…Thank you, Sherry.