Refreshed

Hard to believe less than two weeks have passed since the first ever Women’s Wellness Weekend. It feels like so much growth and progress has happened since then. Isn’t it funny, you think slowing down and taking time out to refresh may set you back – but in actual fact the opposite happens, you have more energy and motivation to move forward faster and more efficiently than before! It’s all about mind set and putting yourself FIRST!

The sun rises over the Mangaraukau Swamp on the first morning of the retreat.

Eight lovely ladies did just that, put themselves and their wellness first. These beautiful souls gave up a weekend from their busy schedules and stepped into the unknown for two days of relaxation, connection and adventure! Renee and I had so much fun serving these wonderful women who joined us at the Kahurangi Outpost for a weekend of refreshing activities. We were blessed with delicious wholesome food, beautiful weather, glorious company, and picture perfect natural surrounds. There was nothing more we could have asked for.

The early morning view from the Kahurangi Outpost- rustic, basic and peaceful accommodation.

The two days flew by in a whirl of connecting, exploring, eating, chatting, relaxing, creating, sharing and ENJOYING! Having fun was a key component and hearing the sound of laughter amongst the women while we were preparing meals made us both beam from ear to ear. Each attendee had the opportunity to let their hair down, and quite literally feel the wind in their hair. A space was created where each individual felt 100% comfortable and accepted in a sacred circle of women. What we quickly realised is that participants desired not only a refreshing getaway but also an opportunity to tune in with themselves while connecting with likeminded individuals in a beautiful natural and nurturing setting.

The weekend catered for a diverse group of ladies from all different backgrounds and all different abilities, offering something for everyone. Some stepped away with new motivation to change lifestyle choices (e.g- zero caffeine) and others realised the importance of connection with other women. Most importantly, participants left refreshed and recharged.

The girls hunting and gathering for the fire in their gumboots, creating a glowing warming centerpiece  for our final evening.

Renee and I are big dreamers/doers and we have many plans in the pipeline for future retreats and events. If you know a group who would be interested in a tailored weekend retreat, get in touch. For now, we thank our very first participants and all of our generous sponsors: T2, Goodness to Go, [Love] your skin, It’s all good, Canterbury Essential Oils, The Soap Kitchen NZ, and Heaphy Honey.

We will take with us the growth and learning from the weekend into 2016, watch this space for upcoming events in the New Year.

With love and wellness,

Sammy & Renee

Extending Daylight

Happy daylight savings!! I don’t know about you but boy does this make me happy… Why?

The last few months have been rough, and I’ve allowed it to get me down. Early dark cold starts to the day followed by a lengthy commute and 9 hours in an office chair. Upon leaving work, driving in traffic for an hour before returning home to do the chores and repeat! (Reminding me of a brilliant quote by Ellen Goodman). I got sucked into this world of feeling like I was always short on time and energy. It’s true it’s been wearing me down, however I am no longer going to let this define me or my happiness… No more excuses!

Normal is getting dressed in clothes that you buy for work, and driving through traffic in a car that you are still paying for, to get the job which will pay for the clothes the car and the house you leave empty all day so you can afford to live in it- Ellen Goodman

I guess it was more of a shock than usual considering I had just come off the back of being a full time yogi for 6 glorious months. The fact this has been my first winter in New Zealand for 3 years didn’t help either. All of that aside, I dropped the ball. The first thing to slip was my yoga/exercise time, next was my healthy eating habits and finally I found I was no longer making time for the things I love (writing, walking in nature, crafts, reading). My priorities no longer became priorities, I became lythargic and moody- using a heavy demanding workload as an excuse for my unhappy state.

Many of us make excuses for whatever reason, the question is, who are we fooling? Not me, not you, not anyone. It’s easy to get caught up in a vicious cycle of self sabotage and that’s exactly what happened to me this winter. The trick to getting back on track is holding the understanding and awareness of how this is affects you and those around you. For me it comes down to what’s important, what I prioritise above all else… And that is health and happiness! Something about daylight and sunshine which brings everything that’s important into focus. 

 

Unfurling and unfolding as the sun shines and the days get longer…

 
Life- a balancing act consisting of highs and lows and everything in between. It’s easy to forget these variables, especially as social media broadcasts the worlds highs and barely ever exposes the raw and honest lows. Let’s get honest, it’s human nature, life’s not always a box of chocolates and we needn’t feel less for acknowledging that. I honour truth and authenticity, and my truth is I’ve been at a low. Loosing myself at the hands of the corporate career ladder… Enough with the climb. I’m earning an income which is allowing me to have security and stability which is what I need right now. For me, that is enough.
The experiences that I am having allow me to empathise and connect with women in similar situations, which is why I am so SO excited to share my learnings through Evergreen Earth! With retreats and workshops in the making there are wonderful things on the horizon. A little short term sacrifice is all worthwhile as my business develops its wings. In the meantime I’m finding balance by staying connected to myself and my goals.
Teaching yoga once a week to my colleagues is hugely beneficial in keeping me accountable, even those times when I don’t feel up for it I leave feeling 100% more positive. Yoga really is a lifeline. As daylight savings progresses I have grand plans for yoga in the park and at the beach. Nature, plus yoga plus Vitamin D has to be a winning combination! 

Time to get the jandals out and bask in the sunshine of Spring, may you all enjoy the long evenings as summer makes its way to the Southern Hemisphere. 

Xx Sammy

 

Go feel the wind in your hair, the sun on your face and love in your heart.

 
 

7 Qualities of Happiness

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about happiness… what is it, how do we measure it, why do we crave it and how do we maintain it?! For me, it’s about being true to myself. There is something invigorating about living your passion and breaking free from external pressures and expectations. Here’s 7 qualities I have identified in my journey to happiness…

Authenticity– Be as authentic, honest and open as possible. Inner integrity takes courage, I’ll admit it’s a little scary to look at yourself square in the eyes and accept what you see. Live your truth and you will reap the rewards.

Loyalty– Be committed, make a pledge and the universe will respond with the same level of commitment. When you honor your word you can stand tall with pride.

Gratefulness– Live from the heart with an attitude of gratitude. If gratefulness is present many other negative emotions cannot sneak their way into your consciousness.

Surrender– Go with the flow. Roll with the punches. Life has a way of taking us down the exact path we are meant to travel. Trust that things are unfolding exactly as they are meant to. Let go of controlling, and let the higher powers do their thing!

Sacredness– Hold awareness of all that is. We are so much more than we think, honour your body, you mind and your spirit as sacred elements of this universe.

Humility– Praise yourself and others. To give selflessly is to give and expect nothing in return, remember the world doesn’t owe you anything.

Love– Express love and be open to receiving it in return. Love yourself first and foremost, flaws and all! Only then can you share your heart with others.

Put your happiness first friends, remember you’re worth it!! x

Love

Bali’s Yin & Yang

What lures thousands of visitors to the Indonesian tourist hub of Bali? Is it the enticing cheap cocktails, massages and manicures or the smiling ever-eager-to-please Balinese? Perhaps it’s the bargain shopping or the vast natural landscape. Maybe you read about it in ‘Eat Pray Love’ or watched a movie portraying the Island as a tropical paradise. It could be the adventure and water sports, joining the other thrill seekers in chasing that perfect wave. Or it may be your soul you are searching for somewhere in between the plentiful rice fields and yoga retreats. Whatever the reason there is definitely two sides to every story… behold the Yin & Yang of Bali!

Sunset at one of Seminyak’s many beachfront Clubs

Yang- The stronger side of Bali’s tourism consists of large drunken groups of ignorant (and often arrogant) holidaymakers who pump a decent amount of $$ into the Indonesian economy and therefore think they have the right to run riot. Okay, this may be a tad stereotypical however after visiting Bali recently myself I can honestly say this type are very much alive and thriving on the streets of Kuta and Seminyak. It’s these kinds of travelers which not only disgrace themselves and their countries but also contribute to a downward turning spiral of third world meets first world, or East meets West.

Western ways and ideals can be detrimental to vulnerable, poverty-stricken nations such as Indonesia. It’s sad and unfortunate that the Balinese economy relies heavily on these disrespectful and deep pocketed travelers to keep the tourism industry afloat. Tourism is big business in Bali and has seen the Island become increasingly ‘westernized’ in recent years. Personally, I long to experience countries in their raw and traditional form- untouched and immune from outside influences. This is what makes each land intriguing and unique.  For me, travel is all about developing and learning through experience. If everything were the same there would be no broadening of horizons, no breaking out of the comfort zone and no personal growth.

A Caretaker Carefully Cleaning a Sacred monument Northern Bali

Yin- The other side of Bali lives in a blissful existence between rolling green hills and endless beaches. The femine yin of Mother Earth provides calmness within chaos. A smiling face greets you on every corner and you return the gesture with a polite bow of the head. Lush green vegetation provides a perfect arena for an abundance of tropical fruits and exotic animals. Bali is a volcanic island, dominated by Mount Batur the presence of nature it’s never far from sight. The intrepid explorer might consider rising in the middle of the night to climb the active beauty of Batur for a magical sunrise, others may be happy to marvel at the mountain from afar. No matter where you are on the Island you are never far from the coastline, an ocean lovers paradise.

Rice fields scattered throughout Northern Bali’s tropical landscapes

This side of Bali continues to lure considerable amounts of ex patriots who opt for a more simple life. On offer is the freedom to express yourself without the restraints of the fast-paced Western World. It seems Bali provides an appealing alternative to the corporate treadmill and big city hamster wheel in which many of us find ourselves trapped. It’s also very affordable as your dollar can go a heck of a lot further than in the neighboring country of Australia. Although the cost of living is tempting, more important than money is the ability to be free from ideals, expectations and judgments. Empowered to speak your truth, follow your passion, and live your calling. From those I have spoken to this is the true Yang of Bali. Many chose this option and live in peace and harmony with the beautiful Balinese. Only then can love and kindness can received and gifted ten fold.

The balance of Yin or Yang, coexisting in contrast.

Vipassana- the Art of Living

Shhhhhh- a silent meditation retreat! I’m talking (or in this case not talking) 10 days, one and a half whole weeks of complete and absolute silence. It’s taken me a good couple of months to come to terms with the whole experience and reach the point where I am able to put my journey into words. That and the fact that I wasn’t able to write or take notes throughout the entire course meant that this is nothing but a reflection of what I have retained over these past months.

Full Moon during the 10 day Vipassana Retreat

Throughout the 10 days participants were encouraged to feel as isolated and alone as possible, not something many of us are accustomed to these days. There were over 40 brave souls who accepted the challenge of zero physical or verbal communication whilst focussing on the art of living through Vipassana meditation. The purpose is to encourage an inward journey by maintaining noble silence of speech, body and mind. In doing so, distractions were very limited. The moral code ensured that nil reading or writing materials were available, no use of electronics, no exercise, no speaking, no eye contact or gestures and even no eating after midday. I know what you’re thinking, I couldn’t believe I signed myself up for this either!

During the course I became so aware and in tune with the smallest of things, I guess that’s what happens when you have no distractions. The landscape and nature in Brookton was stunning and I found solace in my camera (Yes this was also prohibited but I’ve never really been one to follow rules!)

First, a little background on Vipassana. Said to be one of India’s most ancient techniques, a teaching of Buddha and a gift to humanity. The meditation technique itself is very simple and something which anyone of us could follow if we had the willpower to do so. It is all about self observation and self purification, by focusing on the breath and eventually expanding awareness throughout the body. At this level of observation universal truths are accessible to be understood by the mind and self discovery can be made at the deepest level. The whole experience is a journey, a path they call Dhamma. The way of Dhamma is not something which has a finish line, it is a never-ending way of life. The Vipassana tag line “10 days in silence… Meditation for life” eludes to the notion of continuous practice and progression although we all know it’s never that simple.

Vipassana is not a religion nor a cult, rather something which can be freely practised by anyone at anytime. Something which is equally beneficial to all – regardless of culture, race, age, language, community or religion. This could be seen by noting the diversity of the course participants, yep we were definitely a mixed bunch! Our daily schedule consisted of a 4.30am wake up followed by 10 hours of silent and still meditation classes in 1-2 hour blocks at the group hall. In the evenings there was a daily audio-visual teaching which I always looked forward to, even if it was an old Indian guru harping on. He did raise some every interesting points however. Goenka was this fellas name and he was the one who brought this technique across the world and made it accessible to all. Goenka’s main teachings included the understanding of 3 main points:

Impermanence– Things are ever-changing, nothing, absolutely NOTHING is permanent. Ignorance of this leads into suffering.

Suffering– Caused by the craving for things to remain permanent and as they are OR craving for the past/future. When you think about it this is true, how often are we completely and utterly content in the present moment?!

Egolessness– Reaching deep enough into the mind to be fully aware of when the ego is at play and the tough part- resisting reactions to the big bad ego…

According to Goenka, successful completion of the 10 day course relies on each individual’s earnest efforts, confidence, sincerity, health and wisdom. The technique requires strength and good qualities of the meditator to ensure progression and development. The meaning of ‘Vipassana’ is to see things as they really are. A way in which to mentally purify the trials and tribulations of the mind. With so much time up my sleeve it was only right that I was able to gain deeper insight and feel calm and balanced within… Although I’ll admit getting to that point was no small feat! It didn’t take long for reality and my ego to take back over… which is why this weekend I will be picking up where I left off and returning to volunteer. Courses are run solely by donation and rely on ‘old students’ offering there services to future courses. I’m looking forward to getting stuck in and helping out while deepening my practice at the same time.

For anyone interested in learning more about Vipassana, courses are open to all and run worldwide solely by donation. For further information you can visit http://www.dhamma.org

Dhamma Padipa- Brookton WA

Reflections

It has been said that our external world is a reflection of our internal world. Whatever we feel and think inside is what is portrayed in our external life, both with ourselves and with one another. In our relationships we can only offer what we already know- love, integrity, kindness and compassion must be individually experienced before it can be expressed to another. How many of us actually make time for ourselves so that we can be better partners, friends, colleagues and family members?

In order to delve in and discover our inner selves we must break through some barriers and take a journey to our core… not many people have the courage to do so and often entire lives are a lead without the true discovery of the self. Perhaps the truth is too painful, your life is too busy, or maybe it is easier to ignore your essence all the while prioritisng others happiness above your own. I’ll let you in on a wee secret, an effortless way to bring happiness to others is to find happiness within yourself!

Do you want to merely exist or do you want to really LIVE with abundance, purpose and passion? In order to experience our own personal inner truth we must liberate any unwanted thought patterns by facing them head on. I’ve created a list of important areas to get the ball rolling (you may like to focus on a few which stand out for you):

Past Hurts– realise how much the scars of past experiences control present situations. Holding onto hurts creates seperation in relationships. It’s time to move on, take a stand and refuse to let the past cause any more pain.

Forgiveness– finding forgiveness allows a deeper understanding to unfold. Give and ask for forgiveness where needed. Only heart felt acceptance allows you to be free and at peace with what is.

Fear– give up control of what may or may not be. Release any negativity , stress and worry surrounding the future. The F word misdirects us off our personal path, don’t let fear lead you astray any longer!

Karma– we reap what we sow. Do you plant seeds or weeds? Take care to plant a beautiful bountiful garden.

Inner Integrity– a honest conversation with ones self can be one of the most difficult conversations we ever have, it’s much easier to accept the truth instead of fighting it. Maintain integrity and be free to be yourself. 

Acceptance– look at yourself and others, where are you placing limitations by not accepting? Let go of judgements and accept yourself. Each of us have unlimited potential, to unlock this gift you must accept and love (unconditionally!)

Security– We all have the same basic physical and emotional needs. Accept that we, as humans need to feel value, accepted and loved and that it starts from within.

Liberation– let go of anything and everything which may be holding you back. Break free from all grasps and live authentically!!!

It’s time to stand up and discover our potentials! Understand that contemplation over these points is a continual process, things are ever changing and evolving. Taking the time to reflect is one of the most beneficial exercises we can do to show self love, respect and compassion. I have recently taken some time out to do just that, it’s been a whirlwind of experiences and I can’t wait to share more with you soon!

Love & clarity,

Sammy x

Life’s Garden

 During my travels I have had the pleasure of visiting a very unique universal community, Auroville in Tamil Nadu-Southern India. Founded in 1968, Auroville is an ongoing human experiment whereby world citizens live together in order to transform the planets consciousness. The progressive township is also concerned with sustainable living and the environmental, social and spiritual needs of mankind.

“Auroville wants to be a universal town where men and women of all countries are able to live in peace and progressive harmony above all creeds, all politics and all nationalities. The purpose of Auroville is to realise human unity.”

These guys take the word ‘hippy’ to the next level… although their beliefs do hold some important meanings. The essence of Auroville is beautifully displayed in the pictures below. Take an enlightened walk, as I did through this garden and be reminded of the simple pleasures of life. I find it refreshing to reflect on these qualities and how I apply them in my life. May each petal of the flower brighten up your thoughts and attitudes by bringing together both nature and spirit. The perfect combination for the garden of life!

Further information can be found at: http://www.auroville.org/

The Spectrum of Life

How many of you take time to reflect on your day, your week or your month?  Those who do focus on reflection and awareness will notice how life is a constant flow of highs and lows. We travel through time and space not in a flat line but in a squiggle of emotions and experiences ranging from moments of darkness to moments of light. Sometimes these peaks and dips happen very fast and it feels as though life is hectic and overwhelming, other times changes are gradual and almost unnoticeable. The main thing is that we never remain stagnant and flat, we all know what a flat line on the monitor means! Life is meant to be lived through a diverse broad spectrum, taking the good with the bad allows us to let go of resistance and everything happens exactly as it should… a brilliant divine plan.

Recently my divine plan has led me on the hectic fast paced path, not that I’m complaining! I know eventually things will calm down but for now I am taking leaps and bounds to discover who I am, my essence and my purpose in this lifetime. What amazes me is I am never given more than I can chew, trusting in the timing is everything. I am discovering how very little control I actually have. Or course we all have decisions and actions which play a part in our future, however I truly believe that there is a higher purpose and meaning behind every choice. Have you ever experienced so much synchronicity that you dub it a ‘fluke’, a ‘coincidence’ or just plain ‘lucky?! Let’s be honest, there is no such thing as luck – we make our own luck by listening to our intuition and being true to ourselves.

Synchronicity exists to show us the way. These small significant things are what affirm the beliefs we already hold, even if they are subconscious. Trust me when I say, everything happens for a reason. Although it often doesn’t feel that way because we have it ingrained in our minds that life is supposed to be a roller-coaster of sunshine, flowers and lollipops. The answer is imbedded into the word itself… ‘roller-coaster’. Implying a that it is a ride consisting of highs, lows, twists and turns and sometimes even circles! The secret is to embrace it all, jump at opportunities, learn from experiences and have gratitude for all that is. Who knows what’s around the corner? Not me! I do however trust that whatever cards I am dealt they are handed to me specifically to assist in my personal journey. I agree to take the good with the bad and the happy with sad… for every experience holds a valuable lesson. The difficulty is in finding it!

Sending you all LOVE & LIGHT so you too can make peace with whatever may be unfolding for you…

 

Are You Satisfied?

I want to share an interesting theme which is an important learning here at Oneness Uni. That topic is the feeling of constant dissatisfaction or discontent which no matter how hard we try, we cannot escape from. Let me ask, are you 100% completely satisfied in your life? My guess is no. It seems that no matter how much we achieve, how successful we are, how much money we earn, how many nice things we have it is never enough to satisfy us! My question is why?!

There’s no denying that it’s human nature to strive towards greater and greater things. We can’t help but look at what others have and wish that it was us. Once we get what we long for we will be happy, right? Wrong. If we succeed we may be content for a short while, but what next? Even before we achieve what we set out for, we are scanning further ahead to the next best thing. So caught up in the idea of more more more that we barely have time to stop and appreciate what we do have. Spending time away from the Western World has made me far more aware of how much time is wasted on insignificant meaningless things.

That’s not to say that countries such as India are immune to such ways. I was in a hurry to find some face scrub at the supermarket the other day, I saw a familiar brand and brought it. After a few days I looked at the bottle and what I read shocked me, White Complete Anti-Tan Fairness Scrub! It’s no secret that in India fairness is associated with beauty, I’ve heard stories of young girls praying to the Hindi Gods to become pale. Meanwhile in the West people are visiting sun beds, applying fake tan and scorching themselves in the sun in order to become brown. Neither is happy with what they have and each is aspiring to what the other has… What a messed up world we live in! How much time, money and energy goes into feeding this void of dissatisfaction which can never be completely filled.

One of the main reasons I came on this trip was because of my dissatisfaction with my current situation. My job was no longer fulfilling, my career was stagnant, even my weekends were unsatisfying. My routine had become the same old and I felt restless. For me, the solution is always travel. It’s what makes me feel alive and free! Which is all good and well while I’m on the road having adventures and exciting new experiences each day… Sooner or later we need to face reality. In 5 weeks I will be back to Perth where everything is exactly the same, except I’m jobless and my bank account and bucket list have diminished!

Travel may be my way of coping with life’s discontent, what’s yours? Each of us have our own vice which makes us feel happy and satisfied for a little while. How long does it last? And who are you hurting in the process? Sometimes we are so wrapped up in our need for satisfaction that we do so at the cost of another’s happiness. The plain truth is this that this long sought after satisfaction can only ever be short lived. Even after we have attained our hearts desires we are unable to feel a sense of achievement, we will always want something more. Already I’m dreaming of my next trip! When will it end? During the last 3 weeks I have learned the importance of gratitude, the art of being grateful for every little thing. It’s so empowering to stop for a minute, be in the now and express gratitude for all the great things in life. Before too long it’s clear what really matters and how blessed we all are!

 

University= Indian Style

I have survived my first two weeks of the 28 day deepening process at the Oneness University. Wow, what a journey it has been! To be honest with you, two weeks ago I couldn’t have told you much about the course or what it would entail. After 14 days of teachings, rituals, classes, dances, meditations, exercises and activities I have begun to wrap my head around what is set out to be a life changing process. India is most definitely a country where it is a requirement to have an open mind and an open heart, without these two things it would be impossible to really experience what this diverse land has on offer. Oneness is one of many spiritual processes which originate here, there are thousands of ashrams, religions, beliefs and followings which all have a common thread. This commonality is simple, collective peace. To improve the consciousness of mankind through self awareness.

To get an idea of the severity of my schedule here’s a run down of the average day at Oneness: (apparently I’ve got a lot to learn and not much time to learn it!)

6AM- Run around the compound which is like a prison of westerners in a foreign land. I’m trying to keep as fit as possible for Nepal next month (1 lap is about 1km so there’s not much space for variety) There are also snakes lurking around off the track, learned that one the hard way!

7AM- Class begins

9AM- Breakfast  break

10AM- Second morning class where the daily liberation is announced

1PM- Lunch Break (I’ve been vegetarian this whole time believe it or not!)

2PM- Board the bus for the 5 minute drive to the Temple (We are not allowed to exit the compound by ourselves)

3PM- Class in the Temple begins, this can go on for up to 10 hours

9PM- Dinner (is sometimes delayed until 12AM if things run overtime)

And then we do it all again the next day! I’m exhausted and overwhelmed with the amount of information and the speed of personal growth which is taking place. I can’t complain because that’s what I’m here for after all. How many of us take the easy option and look outside ourselves for happiness at fulfillment? Constantly blaming circumstances and others for our suffering. There is something so rewarding about facing reality and accepting responsibility for our own life satisfaction. To partake in inner work is the most enriching experience, something you can’t afford to restrict with excuses such as time and money. In my opinion, personal development is the best and only way to improve relationships, enhance well being and boost the state of humanity. Oneness believes that 1 awakened person can effect 100,000 others, and that is my mission! Part of this journey was to find a meaningful and fulfilling purpose in my life. Even if reading this makes you think a little deeper about your own thoughts, actions and situations I’ll be one step closer! Instead of looking for something which cannot be found outside yourself, have the courage to look within and there you will find all the answers.

A book which I read recently ties in perfectly with this theme. For those interested, I highly recommend ‘The Monk who sold his Ferrari’ by Robin Sharma.

There is a saying in India that “those who have experienced it do not speak of it, and those who speak of it have not experienced it”. Very true, this post has been difficult to put into words. A transformation of this kind is truly indescribable!!