Sacred Self Care, that’s what I call it. Precious time away from your usual environment to be by yourself. To make space for delving deeply into what comes up when we go within. Not for the faint-hearted, this is the real work where the treasure is revealed as we uncover the layers that we didn’t even know were there.
For some years I have been meaning to take myself away for some sacred self-care. This year I made it happen. Three nights away in the Southern Forest in a chalet by a lake in the bush with me, myself, and I. It was transformational in many ways.
I left home, car loaded with a yoga mat, bolster, blankets, blocks – all the things for some restorative practice – along with my flute and drum, my Shirodhara machine, journals, and pens. I put out to the universe to give me signs along the way. Be careful what you ask for (I advise in hindsight) as I was taken off the beaten track and through the forest to get to my destination, at times wondering if I should have listened to Google Maps at all! It was very wet already and still raining as I negotiated dirt forest tracks, washouts, and huge potholes. I trusted the process and eventually came back out on a main road that led me to my destination. A little shortcut perhaps, shorter as the crow flies but certainly not shorter in time taken to transverse the forest detour.
What did my sacred self-care retreat look like?
I arrived and moved into my chalet, smudging with sage and then setting the energy I wanted with incense and candles, crystal gridding, and a little rearrangement to fit my yoga mat next to the wood fire. I unpacked, lit the fire, and settled in. Over the time I was there, I put myself onto an ayurveda soup fast and cleanse that was nourishing and easy to do. I had a daily practice of meditation, bush walking, restorative yoga, Shirodhara, journaling, weaving, reading, and each evening soaking in the hot tub on the chalet verandah overlooking the lake. Very nourishing on many levels!
I arrived with a couple of niggling physical ailments that I wanted to give time to and delve into the underlying emotional causes. Transformation took place in the form of one side of my jaw swelling up, leaving me looking like a chipmunk as it got bigger each day! It wasn’t painful and I knew I was moving energy through my body. The message I got about this was, in a nutshell, I was not tasting the sweetness of life. I reflected and journaled on this and realised how I had been striving too hard, doing too much, and missing out on the simple pleasures of a sweet life. Why did I need my jaw to swell up so much? So that I got the message loud and clear – let the sweetness in.
One very loud message became clear: you don’t know how much you are holding until you make space to let it go a little. It can be overwhelming at first as you realise just how much you’re holding. Perhaps this is why many don’t venture into the realm of sacred self-care. There isn’t anything glamourous about it, but it is vital work.
My reflections for anyone wanting to delve deeper are these:
- Take time to honour the most sacred – You
- Take time to be with yourself in nature
- Self-reflection – journaling and releasing word by word
- Self-nourishment of body, mind, heart, and soul
- Be gentle and kind to yourself
- Take it breath by breath, relaxation by relaxation, nature walk by nature walk
- Honouring the most sacred – You
Remember I wrote about my forest detour? The message I took away from that blatant sign was this: step out of your comfort zone, get off the beaten track, go where others wouldn’t venture, and be open to wider perspectives. Let your mind open and trust the process.
This is sacred self-care, the deep diving into the hard stuff, the allowing of what needs to be expressed so you get the message. The acceptance of and reflection in letting go of the lesson. It’s all about the inner journey, the continual uncovering and making space for what is seeking to emerge as your truth.
What is seeking to emerge for you? Let me know in the comments below or by reply email if you have experienced similar transformations.
It is in the sharing that we make meaning of life and help each other flourish in these ever changing times.
Namaste
Sarah
Thats wonderful Sarah,
I can understand we all need time off in this our busy life., and so pleased you were able to get what you needed in the bush.
I pray every morning and contemplate the day, and I try to replicate the contemplation if things don’t go to plan., days work well if you keep your heart and soul in check, and be are kind to yourself.
Danni and I saw the Sound of Freedom this afternoon and it was very moving and very cathartic.
I was still very emotional when I dropped her off and as Eddy had gone bike riding and no one home, I got on my bike too and cried and cried and prayed and spoke to my favourite people Jesus and Mary., pleading for them to intervene somehow….I was deeply affected.
I pedalled hard and deep and did lot of deep breathing, after 10 kilometre I felt a little better.
What can we do ???
Thank you sharing your self retreat and healing.
it sounds very peaceful & the bush would have smelt great!!!
I did a similar trip but went to the coast an area past Leaman that nobody went to but had camping at first it was abit scary as it was deserted but after the first night glorious!! I walked & sat & scketched &
fossicked & made things on string! but I get what your saying as I loved
just talking to myself & the sea
Great to hear Tracie, it is really soul time isn’t it? I think we all need it.
Pia you are amazing. I am so glad you went and saw the film. What can we do? Well we keep shining our lights, praying and doing all we can to make this world a safe and peaceful place. Plus I feel we need to share this, as awful as it is, awareness needs to be spread so that people see beyond their own lives. This has been going on for hundreds of years and the more we can shine a light on it the more we can raise awareness and hopefully reduce it. Let’s keep shining light into dark places and bring hope.
Blessings to you dear Pia for all the empathy you poured out. xo