BEAUTIFUL SELF-DISCOVERIES NOW
Discovery of anything ultimately begins with discovery of self. One needs some higher level of self awareness to even recognize the opportunities in new ideas. Of course there is a wide spectrum of paths towards self-discovery. Some have religious or spiritual traditions. Some are rooted in art and creative practice. Some are grounded in nature.
We present a handful of beautiful places, around the world, that are currently offering self-discovery programs where you might find a new view of you.
Photo: Geoff Livingston. Plum Village.
Plum Village, France
Discover the nature of interbeing at Plum Village, a monastery in southern France, led by Thich Nhat Hanh, the Vietnamese monk whom Martin Luther King Jr. nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Here, over 200 monks and nuns cultivate lucidity as a means to connecting with oneself and others.
Photo: Paul Davis. Plum Village.
Mindfulness, peaceful living, inner growth, and transformation of self and society are tenets that Plum Village promotes. Here, you will look deeply and weave mindfulness into all of your daily activities, much in community practice, for mutual support, benefit, collective energy, and harmony.
Photo: Paul Davis. Plum Village.
Plum Village observes a monastic way of life year round. That’s right -- no sex, drugs, or rock and roll on premises. But, of course, that’s not what you come here for. You come here to discover a higher way of life through Five Mindfulness Trainings. They are a concrete expression of the Buddha’s teachings, leading to healing, transformation, and happiness for ourselves and for the world. They include:
Reverence For Life
True Happiness
True Love
Loving Speech and Deep Listening
Nourishment and Healing
Plum Village also has practice centers located in The United States (Deerpark, Bluecliff, Magnolia), Maison de l’inspir Paris, EIAB Germany,Plum Village Thailand, Plum Village Hong Kong, and Entering Stream Australia.
Photo: Alexander Van Dijk. Woodacre California.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center, California
Head north from San Francisco to discover yourself at Spirit Rock. The land and the views alone make this a very inspiring place to begin a personal journey. In fact, Native Americans discovered this centuries ago, choosing this place to conduct spiritual ceremonies.
Photo: Courtesy of Retreatctrs. Spirit Rock Meditation Hall.
Jack Kornfield, renowned Buddhist teacher, author, and clinical psychologist, is a founder of Spirit Rock Meditation Center, dedicated to the teachings of Buddha in the vipassana tradition. A main practice here is Insight Meditation, or mindful awareness.
Photo: Tommy Angelo.
Spirit Rock offers silent meditation retreats, as well as classes, trainings, and Dharma study. The paths to discovery lead both inward and outward here, aiming to connect with, enlighten, and heal, both yourself and the world around you.
There are a myriad of programs and different kinds of retreats offered, including those focused on leadership, gratitude, healing, effective lawyering, compassionate hearts, and many more.
Yielding to the present is a powerful way to discover where you are, the basis of where you might be headed next.
Photo: Surya Sen. Ananda in the Himalayas.
Ananda Spa, Himalayas, India
Ananda Spa is an extraordinary retreat at the base of the Himalaya Mountains in India that can help you discover yourself through yoga and meditation. It offers personalized, customized meditation, dining, and yoga programs.
Photo: Surya Sen. Ananda in the Himalayas.
The yoga here isn’t like your typical class. Ananda yoga offers one-to-one hands-on sessions to guide your mind and body into more perfect positions. It offers a wide range of yoga practices, many of which you won’t easily find elsewhere.
Photo: Courtesy of Nirvana. Ananda Spa.
Traditional Hatha helps you to develop a deeper understanding of how your body works and to connect with your body’s natural intuition. The goal is perfect health and balance, to lead you from consciousness to super consciousness, to eternal bliss (Sat-Chitt - Ananda). It is the basis for the rest:
Gatyatmak Yoga is a focus primarily on rhythm, dynamism and vitality of the body-mind system.
Kriya Yoga is a process of unleashing psychic energy
Pranayama focuses the attention on the breath.
Advanced Pranayama with Bandhas activates and regulates the ‘life force’ and helps one to discover a higher state of vibratory energy.
Photo: Surya Sen. Ananda in the Himalayas.
Sitting in the middle of a 100 acre estate, with incredible views of the Ganges and clusters of villages in the distance, Ananda’s sheer beauty certainly helps the discovery process. WIth luxury accommodations, gardens, and gorgeous yoga pavilions, you’ll feel pampered as you dive deep into your own center. The spa won best spa in the world in 2012 from Conde Nast Traveller Reader’s Spa Awards.
Photo: Lynne Franks Retreat, Deia Mallorca
BLOOM Retreats, Deia, Mallorca
When I first met Lynne Franks, before I even knew much about what she did or where she lived, I remember thinking: Here’s a woman who has been down the self-discovery road a few times, with beautiful results. Franks was one of the top publicists in London, for many years. Everyone in media knew her name. She led a busy life in the spotlight… until she discovered herself on the side of a cliff in Mallorca.
Photo: Courtesy of Louise’s Ideas. BLOOM Retreats, Mallorca
And then, Franks thought to share the magnificent experience with others by offering an array of retreats at her beautiful property, in Deia, Mallorca, the land of the White Goddess. The house, part of a 17th century monastery, is nestled among ancient Moorish terraces, olive trees, lemon and orange groves with spectacular views over the Mediterranean sea and the Tramuntana mountain range.
Photo: Courtesy of Deia. Mallorca
Her life-enhancing BLOOM Women’s Creative Leadership Retreats program includes some of her favourite well-being experts, artists and writers, to nourish and develop all aspects of the ‘whole’ woman.
You might discover your inner artist and/or you might discover how you can be a creative leader at two respective retreats being held this November.
Photo: Courtesy of Deia. Mallorca
Combining meditation, creative activities, nature walks, and personal coaching, you’ll no doubt enjoy a powerful experience. The workshops are a journey via both reflection and discussion. Frank’s unique SEED coaching tools can help you lead a creative, abundant and purposeful life. Check out her SEED Manifesto video.
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Video: Dan Filmo.
Franks has been devoted, in particular, to empowering women to be key role players in society, whether in their local community or at corporate and government level.
She believes that women can handle things in a more humane and sensitive manner, living with principles of collaboration, community, connection and creativity.
This a special space for sharing experiences and nurturing dreams. This is where seeds are sown and cultivated to produce wonderful personal blooms.
Photo: Courtesy of See Mallorca. Deia, Mallorca
Read about beautiful discoveries all this week, as it relates to Arts/Design, Nature/Science, Food/Drink, Place/Time, Mind/Body, and Soul/Impact, including Discover New Books on Discovery, New Discoveries, New Scopes, Beautiful Food Discovery Apps, and Discover Cool Art, Books, & Sound.
Get busy and enter the BN Competitions, Our theme this week is Beautiful Discovery. Send in your images and ideas. Deadline is 10.13.13