Inner Insights Online Newsletter

A Spiritual Retreat

by June Michael

Summer is over. We are now feeling the effects of Mother Nature ushering in the cool weather and, the beautiful colors of autumn. How about another vacation, but not just any vacation, a spiritual retreat? I always wanted to go on a spiritual retreat, but somehow my vacations turned into sightseeing, fun adventures, not to say that a spiritual retreat would not be fun. I imagined it to be one that would nurture my body, mind, soul and spirit. It was exactly what I needed at this point in my life. I wanted the warm weather, the ocean, the mountains, the sand, the beach, meditation, prayer, yoga, and healthy meals. Yes, I wanted it all. I deserved to have it, and I found it at Punta Serena Holistic Retreat.

Punta Serena is located on the western coastline of Mexico. The Punta Serena Holistic Retreat (Serenity Point) is perched high atop a mountain that overlooks Tenacatita Bay. Tenacatita Bay that flows into the Pacific ocean is a favorite place for the angels of the sea, the dolphins. The brochure describes Punta Serena, “ As one of the most unique and intimate areas for spiritual renewal—and one of the few of its kind in Mexico—Punta Serena is an adults-only retreat that provides a comfortable and nurturing environment for rest, introspection and to restore wholeness.”

So, a friend and I went to renew our souls and commune with nature. To get to Punta Serena is not easy. We flew out of Baltimore Washington International airport to Atlanta, from Atlanta to Mexico City, from Mexico City to Manzanillo. Once in Manzanillo, the nearest airport to Tenacatita, we had to get a taxi for the forty-five minute ride to our destination.

After a time change of setting our watches back one hour, we literally arrived at our destination ten hours from the hour of departure. It was a long ways, but it was worth it. We had truly landed in paradise or heaven. The lush terrain, the blue, green waters, the blue sky and white clouds greeted us each day of our visit. The bungalow where we stayed was exquisite: two bedrooms, two baths, two balconies off the bedrooms, livingroom area and terrace area to recline in the hammock and listen to the ocean.

The open-air restaurant offered fresh fish and seafood from the sea, vegetables from the garden, and fruit dishes and drinks from the trees and plants. All breads and deserts and even the jam was made fresh daily.

Punta Serena is a place to rest. You can just be or participate in the activities of the Spa. I decided to do both. Here is a list of activities that helped me restore my chi (energy) and feel my connection with the earth and the universe.

My day started with prayer facing the east overlooking the sea. Followed by a light vegetarian breakfast and an hour and a half of Chi kung and Tai-Chi. The session sometimes ended with a short guided meditation and a moment or two to watch the dolphins play among the waves.

A quick shower and I was ready for the full body massage for 60 or 90 minutes depending on my schedule for the day. The massages are done by professional massage therapists in an open-air area over looking the Bay. They do a combination of techniques to get rid of energy blocks and stagnation.

One of the most rewarding holistic activities for me was the Temazcal Native Mexican Sweatlodge. I had never participated in a sweatlodge ceremony, so I didn’t know what to expect. It was exhilarating, liberating and purifying. I did not have a vision or any unusual experience. I simply connected to the earth and universe which helped me to open and purify my chakras (the seven energy centers of the body.)

Why Punta Serena and not some health spa in the United States? Punta Serena offered me all the holistic activities that I needed for my spiritual retreat. Additionally, I love the Spanish language and culture. The people of this holistic spa were nurturing and loving. I believe, in fact, I know that this trip reawakened the spirit within me after a very challenging year.

Inner Insights newsletter
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 The Man in the Mirror

by Sherry Dmytrewycz

Sometimes teachings come in bits and pieces that we don’t understand until much later. Then one day, the proverbial light bulb goes off and we begin to pull together all those bits of knowledge. This is what happened to me. While reading A Course in Miracles, I began to pull these bits and pieces together, and now I would like to share them with you.

Everyone that we interact with contributes to our perception of self. Most particularly the people with whom we have intense emotional relationships literally rewire our brains. In the book, A General Theory of Love, the authors state, “ Who we are and who we become depends, in part, on whom we love.”

Thinking of your emotional bond to your parents, a friend or lover, you can see how your personality was formed and changed by the view of others. We become merely actors performing the roll expected of us. Thus, many people revert to their childhood interactions with their parents when they are around them once again. If we haven’t a concept of how we should act, outside of the perception of others, we may continue in this role for life. It is however, merely our perceived view of what others think we are that affects our concept of self.

It is hard to face who we are. A recent activity that took place in a seminar that I attended brought this to light for me. In the activity people were asked to express their thoughts on an aspect of themselves to another person. Each person was also given the opportunity to state his or her thoughts to himself or herself in a mirror. Each of us found it easy to reveal ourselves eye to eye with another person, but when faced with our own image in the mirror, we had difficulty maintaining eye contact. I wondered at the time, if there was a part of me that was not being fully honest with myself.

I pondered what it was that I did not want to face in that mirror. Is there a deep, hidden, dark part of me that shatters my perception of who I am in the mirror? Later, I was reminded of a song: The Man in the Glass.

When you get what you want in your struggle for self
And the world makes you King for a day
Just go to the mirror and look at yourself
And see what that man has to say.
For it isn’t your father or mother or wife, whose judgement
upon you must pass,
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the one staring back from the glass.

Surely, the songwriter knew the importance of facing ourselves in the mirror and not letting our concept of self be formed by what or how others perceive us. A Course in Miracles reminds us that we are still being formed moment by moment. Remember, be patient God isn’t finished with you yet.

Angelology101

There are seven major Chakras, energy centers, in the body that receive, assimilate and transmit life energies. An Archangel or angel works with each chakra.

Chakra one, located at the base of the spine, is associated with survival. Its element is earth and Archangel Auriel.

Chakra two, located in the lower abdomen, is associated with emotions and sexuality. Its element is water and Archangel Gabriel.

Chakra three, located in the solar plexus, is associated with personal power and metabolic energy. Its element is fire and Archangel Michael.

Chakra four, located over the sternum, is associated with love. Its element is air and Angel Theliel, the prince of lovers. *

Chakra five, located in the throat, is associated communication and creativity. Its element is sound and Archangel Raphael. *

Chakra six, located in the center of the forehead, is associated with clairvoyance, intuition and imagination. Its element is light and Archangel Remiel. *

Chakra seven, located at the top of the head, is associated with knowledge and understanding. Its element is thought and Angel Metatron. *

Wheels of Life by Anodea Judith *The Angels Tarot by Rosemary Ellen Guiley

Poem a single Star
can light the dark.
a single Smile
can warm a heart.
a single Hand
can lift a life.
a single Voice
can speak the Truth.
a single Life
can make a difference.
Hallmark

For Those Who Love Writing and Spirituality

If you would like to contribute to the Inner Insights newsletter, please e-mail to junemichael@hotmail.com

Or fax to 202-722-1733.

The purpose of this newsletter is to raise the consciousness of humankind by sharing with others information and anecdotes of how metaphysical truth principles can apply to daily existence. Articles are to be written with the above purpose in mind. They are to be no longer than 1500 words. The editor has the right to edit. Please include two to three sentences about yourself. The newsletter will be published four times a year: January, April, July and October. Articles must be submitted one month in advance of publication.

 Book Club and Discussion Guide

One of the great things about being on the Path of Light is expanding one's consciousness through reading the great esoteric literature of antiquity and of the present time period. The purpose of the Path to Truth Book Club will be to provide an organized and systematic approach to the study of higher wisdom. The Path to Truth Book Club will offer you the opportunity to expand your consciousness, obtain lots of information, connect with others, and nurture your spirit. Join the Path to Truth Book Club either on line or attend a monthly group session and share your knowledge with others as well as learn from them. Membership is limited, so register now.

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