I'd been pretty busy for the past week because I'd been attending a terrestrial Bhuddist retreat. This is the first terrestrial retreat I've attended in the last 9 years of my spiritual journey. It had been a lovely and alchemical few days. I've noticed how being close to a family of people can bring so much to the surface and allow it to be processed. When it comes to self-expression, I am a person who is preoccupied with what others think. I believe this is a natural quality of harmonizing with the environment that every empath possesses, but it is distorted into a need to belong and fit into a group, suffocating authentic expression.

Reframing perspectives

As we discussed what is too much and too little self-expression, one of my friends offered this invaluable reflection. If I'm not respecting others and their boundaries, I'm not being very compassionate. But we can reframe this perspective by thinking that if I step on someone else's territory, I'm also giving them the opportunity to express their boundaries, which is a compassionate thing to do. This, along with many other experiences, I believe gave me an extra boost of confidence and courage to be vulnerable in front of others.

Releasing Identities stored in the subtle bodies

Another experience worth mentioning is when we had this exercise where one participant stood in the centre of the circle and the other participants called all the names they had been called in their lives so far. I took advantage of this opportunity to release some baggage from my school days when I was bullied by a name. As the other participants called out that name, I burst into tears, releasing whatever I was holding. It was also shocking to discover how much we carry in our subtle bodies and how easily a simple exercise can trigger it.

Expressing authentic beingness

On the same evening, we celebrated Bhuddha Purnima ( full moon day when buddha got enlightened) and I played some songs for everyone. I would like share it here. I think you need headphones to listen to it.

Vimal