Do We Really Need Women's Retreats Nowadays?

In this day and age in the Western world, it may seem like it is unnecessary to offer women's-only gatherings, believing that these genderized polarities are part of the problem and we should be focused on bringing everyone together, despite their gender. I hear this from both men and women alike. And I've wondered myself -- is this really necessary? Isn't it just a matter of all of us just behaving with integrity and respect?

But the more and more I offer these types of retreats and workshops, the more I realize that indeed it still is necessary.  There is a massive movement happening in our culture and world, where we are moving towards a feminine approach. It is a necessary change, as we face greater destruction of all that seemed dependable – the climate, job security, family units, health, even the sense of a future. More than ever we need to reclaim the ancient teachings of women’s wisdom so we can bring back the values of balance, sharing, community relationships, vulnerability and nurturing, so we can operate and approach life from a humanitarian perspective rather than an ambitious perspective.  

A feminine approach honours silence, stillness, inner listening, and gentleness. Indeed, men and women are meant to integrate this quality into their daily lives. So it’s not ultimately about a person’s gender or body-type.  However, in a world of activity, harshness, addiction to violence and all things that numb us, much of the feminine approach still needs to be reclaimed and integrated. Women are the vessels and pioneers of this shift and need safe, healing and calming space in order to access this quality and share it in their communities. 

Because of the world we live in, most women have had to put up some defensive armor over their hearts in order to survive in a world that is out of integrity and does not honour the feminine approach.  With heightened pornography, sexual harassment and online dating, and media images that make women feel like they are not good enough, it is important for women to gather to talk about the difficulties we face on a daily basis and to offer support and guidance to each other to cope, knowing we are not alone.  Just simply sharing about one incident from a woman’s perspective can heal so many others who have been locked in silence, believing that they “shouldn’t feel that way” or they are being “too sensitive”. 

So through all of it, I would say there indeed is still a strong need for sanctuaries and forums for women to gather so we can breathe, feel like we aren't going to be "hit on" or criticized for speaking our true feelings and to have the space to reflect on what is true for us rather than what the world (or even feminism) expects women to become. We are needing to re-discover what gifts of ours are life-serving and what roles we want to participate in rather than what is automatically assigned to us by default. In order to be conscious, honest, caring and centred women, we need time out. It takes great strength and courage to not conform to the pressures of socialization but rather be totally authentic with oneself.  And in the company of others who “get it”, a woman can blossom her soul into what is true for her and not for everybody else.

If you are a woman who needs some time and space to re-group and reflect, please consider coming to an Open Your Heart Retreat. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

 

The Wisdom of Death

In Mexico, they celebrate death. It comes from an ancient understanding that one of our greatest barriers in life as humans is our knowing of our death or our denial of it.  It’s not meant to be morbid– it’s to bring about profound wisdom so we know that the only thing we need to consider is our soul, first and foremost.  When we come into right relationship with our mortality, then our priorities become very clear.  Would we do the job we do? Live where we do? Be in the relationship we are in? Do we like our friends or are we being fake and tolerant?  

Now it doesn’t mean you have to change everything overnight, but facing our mortality means we have to get real about who we are, who were not and start aligning ourselves with our Higher Connection so we can, ultimately, die peacefully with a full heart.  

I once had a dream where a Spirit Guide came in and said to me directly – “to master death, you need to master life. To master life, you need to master love.” Simple. And true. 

Reading about Dr. Wayne Dyer’s death, and his sense of non-fear around it, knowing he is on another adventure, is a living example of someone who discovered the secret to life – to live it with as open of a heart as possible. The more he did this, the more possibilities and connections came into his life.  But opening our hearts means trusting – trusting others, trusting the Universe, trusting ourselves.  For anyone who grew up with trauma (and I’m someone who indeed has had my fair share), learning to trust is a difficult thing to do. Knowing you are not alone and you are cared about and your values and things you care about matter, is an important part of the spiritual growth process. 

From doing years of mediumship professionally, I can safely say that much of what the souls who pass speak about is the message of how important giving and receiving love is.  This is what lasts, despite all the other issues and problems in the world. Giving love to a pet, a stranger, a community project or a family member in need creates many blessings in the world and benefits your soul’s progression on infinite levels.  Forgiving others while maintaining self-care is also highly important, as the Creator doesn’t want to see people harmed. Learning to set healthy boundaries is an important part of one’s soul path so your being doesn’t get damaged.

To reconnect with your heart is one of the greatest gifts you can give the world. I invite you to either book a session with me so we can find ways for you to regain trust, or come to one of my Soul Constellations circles, or if you are a woman, I’m offering Open Your Heart Again Retreats – a 1-day retreat in Fergus in October and a Weekend Retreat near Peterborough in November.  

Click Here for More Information or Click Here to Book anAppointment.

With deep love for you and who you are in the world.