the power of retreat
an ode to nature, friendship, sobriety and contact with the 5th dimension
words and photography by isabelle m.
when i found myself at a yurt in the middle of vermont, i was sober, but i was weak. it had been less than 60 days of sobriety and life didn’t feel tangible. nevertheless, i was embarking on an adventure with my best friend and future shaman - i was in good hands.
we arrived mid-day on the property in vermont, received a quick tour from our quirky yurt keeper, and began to explore the grounds. during our weekend we hiked waterfalls, played in creeks, cuddled in hammocks, drank herbal tea under the stars, built fires, and tried to heal my open wounds with gratitude and acceptance.
it was our last full day where we did our longest hike amidst the falls, stopping regularly to stack stones and meditate amidst the rushing water. it was peaceful and we both felt the healing power of nature surrounding us. as a final farewell on the mountain top, we stripped off our sweaters, wailed a cry of feminine freedom and carried on with our day.
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we had planned our transcendental meditation for that night. our first day in vermont, marissa had explained to me her work with a new teacher of hers and the steadying power and heart opening expansiveness of the 5d consciousness. she was learning to clear her channels to have cosmic conversations stretching past the human domain.
i was fascinated to say the least.
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we gently stoked the fires in the wood burning stove, set our crystals on our heart chakras and laid down next to each other on the bed. bundled, but comfortable, side by side ready for the experiential journey into the fifth dimension. as a first timer, it was hard to stay present for the entire multi-dimensional exploration, but the teachings of marissa’s new teacher, zazar, were potent and spoke to me on a subconscious and inter-dimensional level. i know because upon waking i felt overwhelmed with a new sense of energy. it was powerful, fulfilling, and most importantly hopeful. since getting sober, i hadn’t felt such potential within. what had been a feeling of depletion and confusion, i now felt steady and energetically awake.
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we left that weekend gleefully and i remain sober. i smoked my last cigarette on the car ride home and haven’t had a craving since. my desperate attachment to a smart phone has been relieved and my participation in worldly communication happens on a need basis. i no longer seek validation outside myself, but find my work happening within. i consistently participate in the meditative journey with zazar. exploring the cosmos and receiving his guidance. it’s been seven months of sobriety and i’ve never felt so grounded. meditation has become part of my daily practice. i live in a constant state of calm, better understanding my role amidst the visible human domain.
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