Openhand's "Transfiguration" Belgium 2017

What a brilliant and inspiring, and not-entirely-surprising to me, thread.
Knowing from my own experience how transformative the Transfig course can be, I can relate to so much of what is written herer.
I'm so pleased for you all.
It ain't easy work, no lazy-bones or chickens here.
Bravo!

May I politely suggest being as gentle with yourselves as poss over the next while?
Plenty good food and rest, keep on meditating and holding the feeling.
These courses can be truly profound, and keeping 'on course' (as it were) with daily practice helps maintain the ground gained.

Sending love and warm wishes, brother and sisters

Hi Jane,

Great question to contemplate as I always take so much from Openhand gatherings and there are always many precious gems to take away.

One of the big things for me this time was finding my power in my belly and coming from that place. (Thanks Trinity for the support with that one again!).

There were so many magical moments, and yes singing to the cows was so sweet "Blessed be, Mooo-oooo!"

With love, Fiona

What an wonderous week and a what a great privaledge to have been able to support the courageous snd deeply honest enquiries made by everyone. Thank you all.
My personal classic takeaway was an Open quote 'the physical is just a feeling'.
What was yours?

today i felt so strong and I wanted to go walk and went to the local river a very beautiful spot. Right outside my house was a beautiful fluffy white feather stuck in a bird poo :) and I thought wow that's a mirror that the angels are with me and I am learning even when I feel I am "shit". I walked and every few hundred yards there were groups of fluffy white feathers. I sat a the river and I started to feel grief welling up. Grief that my parents have gone and the realisation that they were two of my best friends my soul mates even my grans/granddads/uncles etc I felt I could feel some sort of ray or vibration that threads through my family and relatives. I had the feeling of well who supports me now - who do I go to when I need a hug etc and then I realised how close nature was to me. The butterflies were flying very close and the colour of the flowers was beautiful and birds were coming closer than before. I saw a sea bird and it was hovering looking down at a point (I guess a fish) in the river. I heard "we've got you". It felt like a "growing up" somehow :)

Wow, Anatoly and Aspasia, you wonderful, wonderful people, such shining lights you are. I read your sharings with a smile and a deep sense of joy and amazement.

Anatoly, I am totally unsurprised they were unable to turn off your light. You go being "outrageous you"! :-)

Aspasia, thank you for your touching words. I am glad I was able to share a little warmth with you. And really, anytime you need a hug, just let me know. <3

So after all the lovely sharings, what else is there to say but "thank you all!" Thank you to my new friend, the apple tree. Thank you to the doctor, who showed himself to me right after I wished I could see him. Thank you to all the baby frogs (hope I didn't squash any of you) and the beautiful squirrel.

Thank you, Michael and Marielle, for creating this lovely place and bringing us all there together.

Thank you to all my fellow travellers, those who were close (miss you, roomies, and our nightly talks) and those who journeyed at a distance. Sometimes you need that extra step back to see just what the mirror is showing you.

Thank you, Steven, for the song I now have stuck in my head, opening up in sweet surrender...

Thank you, Open, Jane, and Fiona, for your support and your presence, your words and gentle touches. I have a small handfull of really vivid sense-memories of a warm hand on my shoulder or hip, and I feel warm and held and safe whenever I call them to mind. They make being out here again, back at work in the office, a little easier to bear.

And thank you, Trinity, for each smile, for your duet with the blackbird, and for being in the studio with us on the last day. I really loved "meeting" your angels. :-)

Thank you, world, for being this awesome.

And last but not least, Fiona, I had a "22 moment", too, walking from the train station to my flat on Friday evening. The number jumped out at me from a car's numberplate, and while I was still trying to remember the significance of it, my eyes were drawn to another car - black and shiny, with big yellow letters splayed across it that said ZEIG DER WELT WOHER DU KOMMST - show the world where you are coming from. :-)

P.S. I'm typing this during my lunch break, sitting in my co-worker's place at reception. Just a few minutes ago, I spotted the 22 again - in the numbers on the computerscreen's frame. Followed by the word SyncMaster - how's that for synchronicity? :D

Hi Anatoly,

Lovely to hear of your experiences following the flow.

Keep shining and being "outrageously" you. You are an inspiration!

With love, Fiona

Dear Aspasia,

What a beautiful open sharing and outpouring of love, I am really touched by it all. You have wonderfully captured the beauty of the delightful souls present and the sacred moments shared.

I love that you have been reciving 22 too, my synchronisities continued with a few more messages today! I thought of how 2 reminded me of a swan and was then given a card from Alexia and Steven that had two swans on it! Awesome!

Sending a big hug to you,

Fiona

I would like to thank you all individually from the bottom of my heart. Each one of you mirrored back to me what I needed to feel so as to see clearer deep within myself. So as to inquire, feel through and UNHOOK! (Its a long post!!)

JANE, do know that I am ETERNALLY grateful to you for holding me: physically, energetically, emotionally and mentally. I fully trusted your directedness, steadiness, upfront-ness, clarity and earthiness as it manifested in the course because that’s also the way I am. As we were walking out the train station I felt this pull to surrender to you – to myself. So I came to you. And there at the bank of the river for the first time in my life I fully surrendered in human arms because it felt totally safe. The moment was pivotal it made a HUGE shift, which is still unfolding. Openhand is honoured to have you in the team.

FIONA, your smile always warms my heart and your supporting energy is felt through everywhere – inner and outer - even when you are not physically there. And when you are physically there, it feels totally right. Like the time you put your hand under my sacrum in support to the unfolding of my ‘activating soulbody’. It felt warm, caring, present and reassuring. With much much gratitude. Your hands hold openhand very gracefully.

OPEN, you were the most powerful catalytic mirror coupled with a loving, supportive and fluid presence. It propelled me to discover more about myself and dig deeper into very painful places inside. It was like my past in this life came up in the present (in the course!) – all of it: the conditions, people, the energy even the physicality – a painful Deja vou, over and over and over again. Yet, there was also deep connection and love and magic and heaven and synchronicity and yearning. Yearning also to go back ‘home’. I love you and push you away at the same time – hey, lets’ not forget: polarity!

TRINITY, the first time I ‘met’ you was through the openhand web and I instantly felt so much affection for you and love. I was a bit surprised by this initially but well, this is how I felt. I shared this with you at the New Year’s course and you gracefully held it. Having felt your energy in this course, I now know why I have this immense affection for you. You are ALWAYS there, no matter what – offering, giving, all of yourself – no matter what. With your amazing food, your upbeat vibe, your humour, your angelic connection, your expressive eyes, your sweet smile, your understanding and encouragement. And here we are in the studio, I have gone through hell on my cushion and it has passed. I open my eyes and see you dancing. Our eyes meet, I see your smile. You dance closer and closer and at some point I raise my arms to you. You take them and help me up from my seat. I give you a hug and its perfect. And it dawned on me: I yearn for someone like you to be by my side – for someone to always be there no matter what. And inquiring…can I offer this to someone else? I don’t think so…my soul dances a different dance…and I then ask: Why do I need someone to always be there? And WHO is always there for me? Having had this kundalini activation I now feel ‘myself’ more, the ONE (pure awareness/soul) is the one who is always there for me – I feel more at peace. Thank you.

MARCELLA, you were - without a doubt - a twin flame energy for me in this course. You are SO beautiful inside and out. Full of love for everyone; a golden light that beams from a deep authentic space. It illuminates, penetrates, releases and fills all of us up. Thank you for receiving my kiss so enthusiastically and openly, also for generously sharing your stories with me till 12.30am! I cherish our moments together. I love you and sing back to you in Jai-Jagdeesh and Tina Malia’s voices – my favourite singers who you brought to life through your own amazing voice.

HEIKE, thank you for your sparkling vibe, your sweetness, sensitivity, attractive vulnerability and caring gestures. I still feel the hug you gave me to warm me up whilst standing by the fire after having come out of the lake. I was shivering intensely…your delicate arms wrapped around me felt HUGE, so huge that the whole world just disappeared for a moment. I was SO honoured to join you lying down inside the sweat lodge because my sacroiliac was so painful in that fixed seated position. When you got anxious at first, I felt it too, when you lied down, I did too, when I drank water you drank too. Just magic. Thank you for the mirror.

MARIJE, your towering loving presence touched me deeply and it manifested exactly when I needed it! I am thankful. I was in a lot of pain and after having resisted the offer to be comforted by someone else, I was now in excruciating pain…and then you came along. You walked with me and took me into your long arms. Resistance slowly melted away and some tears started flowing – it felt good, as it does. Walking to the rhythm, walking and being hugged in the rhythm…thank you.

EDDIE, what a powerful presence. Here I was in another moment of vulnerability when I tend to sink into non-communication. A teenager identity manifesting as I retract into feeling the pain when all it wants to do is express itself. I was intending to be alone and quiet but the universe had other plans. So, we ended up chatting for hours, till 2.30am! Wow! Thank you for the mutual sharing about animals (very important to me), politics, relationships, love, families, fear, shit and all, the whole world. And oh, I am so grateful for giving me your towel after coming out of the lake – I had totally forgotten mine! And for lighting my incense. HUGE hug.

MARIELLE, never have I met someone, either male or female, who had the same way of being as a child and teenager as me! It was spooky! And SO amazing to see an identical mirror. You are always in my heart. You are the little me. I cherish our sharing so much, it brought me to tears! And then another moment, that challenging day we had as a group and after Marcella filled the group/room back with light with her singing voice…you looked at me then spread your arms as if to say ‘let’s hold hands’. I looked at you from across the room and mirrored because it felt totally right. Then the circle was formed. The group was back, together on the way towards harmony. Our energies match, they are one.

STEVEN, your music and singing voice coming from the depths of your soul really moved me every time. Your shamanic vibe resonated with mine and your Vipassanic energy I appreciated. Thank you for sharing with me your challenges and authentic voice. Also for listening with openness and receptivity as we co-created clarity and trust in the process. Your authentic and unique expressions in the group catalysed a profound transformation in all of us: it brought to light what was needed to be brought to light, it ultimately brought the BEST in us all. Wouldn’t have it any other way! Three bows to you.

LISABEL, what a joy to connect with you. Here we are waiting for Alexia to pick us up from the allocated spot, only to find out that we are in the wrong one! And we had the time to dive directly into mutual sharing as if we knew each other for ever! Thank you for your aboriginal shamanic spirit which excited me, your passion for justice and positive change, your vibrancy and fire, your compassion in listening and acting. I remember our dancing together, we danced with our hands, me lying on the floor and you sitting and hugging the cushion. I reached out to you and our fingers touched and connected. They moved multidimensionally to the sound of the music. You were SO beautiful and present. Thank you.

LISSA, my blonde Goddess, what a gift to be with you again! Your unravelling/s moved me every time and your deep sensitivity was a sensory heaven! And here you are sitting under the tree, meditating after the sweat lodge. The sun is shining on you reflecting back the golden light of your hair, face and naked body. I am a body worker and always appreciate beautiful bodies – yours is gorgeous, alluring, a temple of the soul like every ‘body’ is. And here is another moment, we bump into each other walking in the woods and we start talking. It flows naturally, it is insightful and enlightening. We walk on a lively speed – I like it. We share deeply and we connect. We create together, we inquire and I am in ecstasy. Very precious, thank you.

ANATOLY, you are such a BIG personality and such a courageous and outrageous soul! Love it! Every time you shared in the group I would be attentive, anticipating, listening to yet another amazing new world appearing through your words and mouth. Unexpected worlds and sensibilities, magical and daring worlds, rich, adventurous and brave. I always found myself going on a journey with you, feeling what you were feeling, huffing and puffing and sitting and standing and all. Thank you for the rides – totally enjoyed them!

HEATHER, I remember very dearly sharing the bathroom with you on many occasions. It filled me with joy to comb my hair while you were brushing your teeth, to put my face cream while you were showing me your vegan body creams, manoeuvring our bodies in that small space. It was playful and made me smile a lot. I loved seeing your smile every morning and on occasions hear about your hearts’ yearnings –in the bathroom. The bathroom is my favourite room, a sacred space of flow, a space to slow down, a sensual space where we are naked – inner and outer. Thank you for sharing this sacred space with me!

MICHEAL, you are such a caring and kind soul. Thank you for your generous sweet words of encouragement and reassurance. Also, for such an exquisite place you and Marielle have created as a home. The grounds are magical and the lake is unique. I talked with the trees, the flowers, the little baby frogs, the Doctor, the hedgehogs, the birds, the fire and the water. And I became very intimate with all insects. I still have their gifts with me. And of course, thank you for the Greek Zorba dance before the sweat lodge! It brought back memories! Much love.

What a powerful gathering of souls! It all flew as it should. I am still processing. My soulbody doing its thing…And indeed, Anatoly, I too can ‘hear’ the flow more clearly. And separating felt just right (no worries). On my way back home my attention would repetitively drop on the number 22. I couldn’t understand why. Thank you Fiona for answering this one with your post. And many more moments of flow…how beautiful to live this way all the time. I feel new connections will manifest in Glastonbury when I move there… shamanic tantrism speaks to me, exciting!

Tashi delek to all.
(Tibetan for ‘good luck be with you’ or ‘blessings and good luck’)

Here I am at home softening into density and felt to share some snapshots of the journey. It was so profound that I can only say IT ******* WORKS!

Waardamme (on the way to Brugge)
Four of us in the car (Jane, Aspasia, Marye and I), feels like we are approaching a war zone, density coming into view and excitement builds. We are about to be dropped off in the initial location at Brugge station. We are still together meeting our fellow travelers at the station from the earlier drop off. Our unit is still holding together, feeling into density, softening ... We are pulled to the some green space next to the station.

Brugge (I am on my own)
We are on a mission and the only way forward is to follow your own flow. We split up following our own pull wherever it takes us. I am on my own now trying to pick up the flow as I make my way to the town. Feels like something is constricting my flow. I cannot seem to pick up any threads. I go deep inside trying to feel what is it constricting my flow. Bingo - I realize there are no obligations even if I previously agreed to them. There is only flow! (Aspasia - I trust you will be alright but felt like our flows needed to separate and looked like you were in the good hands of Jane)
After a short break and a cup of coffee, my flow literally took off!!! It was speaking to me here and there. Took me on the narrow tucked away street and what do I notice - Marye is smiling at me sitting and drinking team at some place called Fantastic (in traslation). Wow - our flows met for a short break and some reflections. What are the odds! It didn't take long. The waiter shows up and insists that I order something or leave! I just got here and didn't feel like leaving so Marye starts to engage the guy and feels like wants to punch him. I am feeling the excitement building in the stomach, observing, softening. For some reason I had an urge to hug the guy but didn't act on it as situation resolved itself by ordering another tea. Yeah - what a refection of the density and it even manifested itself with some foul shitty smell in the air (literally)
After a short break and a hug, our flows separated. I had know idea where it is taking me. I would lose it at times but then was able to pick up again.
There are a lot of tourists in this time of the year. To cut short I was taken to the corner so it seemed like the only options are either turn right or go back. But the was a third one which small i was resisting but I felt the pull to go through was seemed like garage and it let me to the perfect place to rest. Hotel Acacia even the name spoke to me. Interesting that as I was waiting the printer at front desk malfunctioned - three buttons with the one in the middle blinking. But the most awesome thing was seeing this huge cage with a parrot inside in the lobby. The cage door was open so I was showing the parrot a way and we exchanged a bit, but it stayed inside. Interesting that the cage was next to the mirror so if looking in the mirror you don't see an open door. The most amazing thing happened next morning as I was checking out. My jaw dropped as i saw parrot out of the cage happily sitting on top of it close to an open flower.

Paris (breakthrough)
Next day I had to be in Paris to catch my early flight the following day. With regards to denser energies, Brugge hasn't prepared my to this. As I was getting off the train, I could feel the contraction as I was greeted with seriously looking soldiers with full armor. Softening and trying to pick up the flow again hugging these guys in the ether.
The most breathtaking thing happened in this huge park with lots of locals. I heard it has a temple inside surrounded by water but couldn't find it and flow wasn't taking me there. Intead, the flow took me to another place which I thought was a temple for some reason. It was a peculiar building like an island with a really nice lawn and flowers in front of it. Perfect place to meditate as all other places were over populated and not fitting. The only thing was the island was off limits with wires around right in the middle of the busy foot paths intersection. But I had a strong pull that it was for me supported by signs. I see the resistance rising as I step over the wire and sit facing the door. As I close my eyes it is becoming challenging attention being drawn to outside (people passing by projection what this guy doing there, police coming taking me away and on ....). Slowly I manage to draw my attention the breath the breath intensifying ... I had remember this feeling before during the course. I feel the strong soul infusion right there in the middle .... Wow it felt good!
The flow takes off taking me around out of the park only to bring me back to the other side of the park ... higher grounds. Now I can see the city skyline and a bit below - dome temple with columns surrounded by water. I felt to go there. Then the flow took me over the bridge. Time for celebration, music playing somebody is getting married. Felt to have a drink and some dancing! Wow - what a day!

Most interesting thing happened on the plane as I was sitting in the last middle row 42E. There was a malfunction. They couldn't turn off the light in economy middle section so we were flying with light on us all the way.

Sorry for the lengthy post but these are just snapshots I felt to share the rest stays in the ether.
Thank you for tuning in if you got that far.

with Love,
Anatoly

What an amazing experience being there with all of you in that sacred place during the course! Hard to put the gratitude and feeling into words. It just IS! Thank you Open for your insights and keeping the space infused with Openhand energy. I thank Trinity and her angels for high vibe angelic food (beet salad and hemp lemon ice cream are my favorites). I thank our facilitators Fiona and Jane for their support and keeping the course smoothly. And I thank all of the participant lovely souls for being there!

Namaste
*good*

Hi everyone,

What a deep, powerful and rich week we had in Waardaame. Really profound!

It was amazing and inspiring to witness the participants enquire so deep and explore their stuff with courageous self-honesty. Alot of old stuff was cleared and thus made way for new lighness to enter and soul to infuse. So miraculous!

Thanks Open for supporting such an amazing opportunity and working so diligently with the energies. Thanks Trinity for the amazing food, always welcome after an intense day of exploration (and for your angelic and energetic support too). One of my favourites was the lemon and hemp icecream - delicious! Thanks Jane for your insightful wisdom and support, it was fab to work and play with you :)

BTW I booked accomodation for Antwerp this morning and the address is at number 22. The angels are with us, lovely to have felt their support during the week and always.

With love and gratitude to each of you who participated and to all of you tuning in,

Fiona

Beautiful too see and be part of this, thank-you for the Lovely pics and making us all part of it in some way <3

Much Love to all the participants <3

Steve

My heart is with you all, guys! Speaking from direct experience, Transfiguration is a profoundly transforming experience... <3
wishing you all well,
Márk

fantastic photo's + what a beautiful setting .. the food looks incredible too !!
thinking of you all there + sending much love xx
I will try & obtain the pictures from my childhood mentioned earlier in this thread , I think connecting with my inner child /teenager is something I need to do !
Namaste
jeff

Hi Open, I am making time to connect with you all in Bruges. The inner child and teenager is a particular tough one for me, and it is bringing up shards of sadness and rejection. During my Transfiguration with you in north Wales, I had a massive realisation as a result of this work which opened up deeply buried memories. These were unexpected and turned many of my previous perceptions on their head. It was a big step forward for me, but as you say is not 'job done' and needs revisiting. At the moment I am glimpsing the child and finding it hard to connect, but will keep working. Mark

Just wanted to say thanks for inviting us in, Trinity and Open. I appreciate the photos and delectable cuisine and tuning into the energy.

It's been a hugely challenging week feeling into deeper and deeper layers of childhood and teenage identities and links to prior incarnations, re-cognizing how I project and create from false illusions. It feels hopeless at times. Like I'm never going to break through and let go. The smallest of 'similar' experiences tap into excruciating pain from trauma down through the eons. It's impossible to convey how I feel to those around me. Doing my best to accept and allow my emotions to flow through me without attaching. Meanwhile, when I try to go 'there', I'm being told how fortunate and lucky I am. Which is true in the big picture but it feels like suppression. Which feels like a reflection of not feeling worthy of being heard. I'm grateful for this forum where I know I'm accepted and understood.

Much Love to all,

Cathy

Well, the location, and of course the food, look amazing!

I don't doubt all the bits you can't transmit by word or image are also so.
;)

Sending love love,
Rich

Do you hear the birds sing? Singing a song of love and joy. They sing for all of you. My heart sings with them. x Cathy

Such a special gathering....I will be tuning in with you all. My heart is overflowing with gratitude and love for this community and the possibilities within each one to shine as brightly as the sun. It's sure to be a powerful week. Sending love, Jen

Woohoo! Such a powerful and life changing course. I wish all the participants the best of explorations, healing and joy.

I'll be with y'all through the ether.

Much love,

(other) Rich

Hey y'all,

I'll be tuning in over the ether.
Sending love and blessings to all.

Open your hearts and let yourselves into it.
You will be rewarded.

Love love,
Rich.