a couple days in Italy

June 29, 2011

The earth is different.  Instead of the soft grass edging into the Baltic Sea here ancient old worn stones greet you in their knowing.  Dirt and stone, sand and dry, like old roots, lead you down into the saltiness of the Adriatic Sea and a rope can lead you back.   The sun is nearer, more golden and buttery than the stretched Swedish light.  To and from, we’re winding through streets that can’t help themselves but dance you.  As the ancient roads rock you back and forth and the swerving reversals, cradle your fears, you find yourself at ease, racing around the next corner of possibility.  I have found myself rediscovering letting go and regaining the flush of excitement, rosy and joy filled, coloring my moments. 

 

July 1, 2011

My head feels stuffed and slow, not sure what I am allergic to, Italy? Dogs? Cats? Olive trees?  Or?   Italy!  A place for lovers and food, the romance of the senses,   I sit back and watch as it isn’t me quite like that right now for me. While I celebrate the light in their faces, I want to loose my head a little in the dizzying power of a kiss, to feel like you are Eros dropped down from above for just awhile, even it is a lie, make it a lie I can believe.  But instead I feel guilty for using too much toilet paper as I rasp my nose to a more injured raw, with every welcomed blow.   Despite these challenges, it’s good, really good.  I jumped into the ocean from the rocks and didn’t just observe from a far.  I witnessed a story unfolding, epic and passionate, hard and easy.  I took some time for myself even when I didn’t want to.  And of course I am in Italy so I had some delicious food, strong coffee and a good windy adventure!

July 2, 2011

Spent the day in Tati’s workshop, most of the time in a sea of beautiful non-understanding.   It’s interesting to watch people tell their stories and understanding only words here and there like shooting stars.   I noticed my way of listening is engaged and it’s really odd cause I am guessing at what they’re really saying while attempting to be supportive of the process at the same time.  I lead a yin yoga series, translated by Tati and that brought connection.The atmosphere was sincere and engaged, I believe Tati to be a natural teacher, leading confidently as the spiraling stories of biography come forth.   And just like what happens usually if you find yourself spending time in one room with the same people, connection comes :)

some of the things around me

for more information google dagara cosmology <3  or check out this link http://www.asarimhotep.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=91:fire-water-earth-mineral-or-nature-which-1-r-u-&catid=34:articles&Itemid=55

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of it's furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.

--Rumi

 

 

 lots o love to you

it's been awhile :)

The program here is two weeks shy of finishing and the light is bright and long, together creating a palpable excitement in the air.  For a lot of the people here, myself included, is what next. Some people are going home, others traveling and some doing amazing projects such as creating a café on a bus and touring different festivals around Scandinavia and Europe.  For me, so far, I have bought a ticket to go see a friend in southern Italy and then to Switzerland to visit another friend.  Then I am not exactly sure how but traveling in Germany and then to England to hopefully teach a painting workshop and see some relatives and my godmother.  After moving around for July and the beginning of August I will come back here to Sweden before flying to Asheville North Carolina.  Now this is a lot and to be honest with you, as I said I would, I’m not sure how I am going to afford it all. Despite responsible planning, life and people don’t always follow your plans.  I have often found myself in these moments in my life where I am not sure how the finances are going to manifest to support my intentions, its just a little bit more unnerving when your away from home!  But I still must trust that if I’m doing the right thing, if I am meeting the world in right relationship and working, then the money will show up.  And to date my life has shown me this to be true.  

a little spot for magic, june 2011

I offered a portrait painting workshop here and have been teaching yoga every morning.  And still new people from the surrounding community keep showing up along with a number of yippies.  I also continue to paint, albeit a little smaller.  It’s kinda funny that when I describe what I do, it changes little even when I travel!  Right now I am working on putting a workshop together for England, and it’s a struggle to organize things from afar.  Ok, even in the same city as the event I am planning, the organization and promoting challenge me, turns out everywhere you go there you are!  It would be dreamy to have an agent, but I fear that like gurus this is a dying tradition, a thing of the past so you have to work in the places you struggle.  Instead we build our reputation on the relationships we have and the experience we leave people with, allowing our integrity to be the source of attraction.  I will let you know how it works out :)

ah.. svasana ... and their portraits from our course hanging on the wall <3