Loving Life As It Is

(Discovery Channel - A View from Ocean Resort on Vancouver Island)

“You do not have a life; there is only LIFE and it lives AS you and everything else.” Leo Hartong

Being here in Vancouver Island, B.C., Canada with Lucas and Cheryl and friends, has been just perfect. Since leaving N.C. in December, each step of the way has been divinely guided. I am in awe of the Grace that is present orchestrating each moment.

After being in the Jindal Health Center, in India, there was a health plan that they prescribed for me. Then, it was put into place first in Hawaii and now here. Cheryl and Lucas have also been given a similar health plan as mine from a program they offer here at Ocean Resort their “Spiritual & Wellness Retreat Center” called “Fresh Start.” One of the gifts of my being here is my getting cooking lessons from Cheryl and Lucas. And, getting all that this body is needing for healing in all areas. I am so grateful to them both for their constant support and unending generosity. Actually, my gratitude extends to all who are reading this blog…to all of you who have helped to make this trip possible.

So, here is Cheryl and, I in their kitchen, making “live” granola.

There are many other gifts that are happening from my being here. All the other times that I have come here, since 2003, was to give various AHAM programs. There was not much time to just “hang out” together or get to see the island due to my busy schedule. This time it is different. I have time to really bask in the serenity of this retreat center and receive a deep healing from the good company, the Stillness and Peace and the sunshine and fresh Sea air. So, this communication with you will highlight these gifts that came to me along the way over my three weeks stay here.

Initially, I would like to refer to the quote above from Leo Hartong. “You do not have a life; there is only LIFE and it lives AS you and everything else.” He and I were emailing to each other several years back and this is part of his message to me. It seems that it’s true meaning is coming into full fruition now.

As I am here with Lucas and Cheryl, as a part of their family, I am having the experience of “Life living me and everything else.” And, it is absolutely lovely! The experiences that are happening here are giving me an opportunity to celebrate life in so many different ways, with so many different people and situations. It is difficult to put into words what that is for me. But, my eyes are opening wide to all that is around me and I am seeing that which is living and breathing me now much like a current or wave that takes me from one moment to the next and into whatever expression that comes through me and all around me. It is the "wave" that directed me in what was needed for my family and for AHAM all those years. Bhagavan Ramana says this is "the giver of existence to the whole world"...this Existence that is Consciousness and Bliss...and, "You are THAT." This insight came together like puzzle pieces that have been seen for some time.

It feels so good to have a "finger on" this pulse of Life. It is so Grace-full. It is Pure Love and complete support. From this perspective one cannot help but love every moment of what is happening, no matter what it might be. All that remains now is deep gratitude.

So, let's start here at the Labyrinth, which was constructed on the back lawn of Ocean, in May 2009. It was a group effort and created out of driftwood gathered from the beach just by this center. While walking the labyrinth, one would take a situation or question into the center for completion. It is a very powerful experience and a great way to set the conscious intention for my stay here.

Dennis Gray, Ocean’s “handy man”, was the one who headed up the project up and was the one who climbed up a nearby Douglas Fir to get this picture of the labyrinth. The next picture is taken from another angle including the retreat rooms at Ocean.

The walks on the beach, just out in front of Ocean Resort, have been one of the highlights. Often you would see the cruise ships going north from Vancouver to Alaska.

There are so many "heart rocks" to be found on this beach...what a treasure.

Here are some of the folks that I had the opportunity to spend time with while here...

(Myself, Collette, Cheryl, Tina, Anne, Katherine, Mary.)

Here we are after a Sunday afternoon meditation at Ocean. It was a delightful experience for me, being in the guided process led by Lucas.

This is Carolyn. We met when at an I SIT given here in 2007. Carolyn has been very helpful in this time of "healing retreat" while here at Ocean. She does several forms of special treatments and was able to give me exactly what was needed in this healing process. What a sweetheart!

By the way, if you would like to see a live webcam located close to an eagle's nest here close by, check this out:

http://www.hornbyeagles.com/webcam.htm

Here's Lucas and Cheryl in their living room at Ocean.

I met Lucas in India at an I SIT in 2003. He invited AHAM to come to his resort to do a program and we have done programs here each year since. Lucas has become like a brother to me. I met Cheryl also in India at AHAM's ashram and we became immediate friends. Here is a poem that she wrote while I was here that she gave me permission to share with you...

I choose happiness.

Even when it means I must visit my deepest shadows,

lie sleepless through the dark night and wake weary to the call of love.

I choose happiness.

I welcome all of it.

The pain, the sorrow, the collective grief.

I welcome all of it,

knowing that in the seeing, in the experiencing

I am free.

I choose happiness

and in the joy of just simply being,

the love that I am expresses.

Both Lucas and Cheryl have contributed so much to so many through what has been given here at Ocean. If you would like to get more information on what they provide here go to their website at "oceanresort.ca".

This is Heather and Peter. They both have been to the AHAM programs at Ocean. We spent a lovely evening together walking in the woods and being with all the spring flowers that grow wild in the woods here.

And...we ate at an awesome restaurant called "Locals." The owner and chef is Ronald, who also came to the AHAM programs at Ocean. He came and sat with us at the table ...

As you can see, I am just so happy and love this gift of simply hanging out with my friends here on Vancouver Island. There were many other events and experiences that occurred but this blog has to stop somewhere. My visit here is coming to a close and I will be moving on to Denver, Colorado to be with Richard and friends there.

As I luxuriously sit here on Sunday morning writing to you, what comes up to say is "I Love You so much" and I am so happy to have this huge family of the Heart...that seems to be much more global than I could actually experience from the perspective of the Center in N.C...and, look forward to visiting you ALL, however that can happen.

As you probably have discovered yourself, there is a much bigger picture that is not seen with the naked eye, but can be seen very clearly from the Heart. It may just be a nudge that we feel...not an obvious clue. It is so important that we don't hesitate, but follow it and see where it takes us. Then, we may just get another clue...follow it...the path may then begin to make sense. Just know that in some way we are serving this "bigger picture" somehow in our continuing to follow our Heart. This is where everyone wins...it is certain...happiness for ALL mankind. YES!!