I recently attended a five-day retreat where we explored how we relate to others and the essence of authentic connections.
Through a series of engaging exercises, I gained valuable insights into my own behaviors. I discovered instances when I sought approval, experienced safety and openness, and so much more. This retreat offered me a wealth of understanding and self-discovery.
A key focus of the retreat was exploring how our conditioning—the sum of our experiences, beliefs, and learned behaviors—significantly impacts our ability to be authentic in our interactions. This conditioning acts as a filter through which we perceive both ourselves and others, distorting our view of reality.
I also experienced the depth and beauty of connecting with another in one field of consciousness beyond our conditioning and projections. It felt pure and unencumbered by ideas or history as we recognized each other as unique expressions of the Divine, like two waves in the ocean, individual and part of the same ocean.
As the retreat concluded, my heart was open, and my perspective shifted.
Little did I know that a simple errand would lead to a beautiful illustration of genuine human connection.
When the retreat finished, I arranged to meet with an 11-year-old girl from my neighborhood who I hired to make ten bracelets for a retreat I am hosting in Sedona, Arizona (As you read this, I will already be in Sedona). Over the past several months, we have developed a lovely relationship, starting when she set up a shop outside her house and I purchased many of her creations.
When I arrived, she held her rabbit, Robert, and invited me to see her other rabbits in the backyard. I agreed, not realizing the wonderful experience that awaited me.
Stepping into the backyard, I was greeted with so much warmth. The girl's five sisters and parents, whom I had never met, welcomed me with genuine smiles and kindness. I was introduced to the family, including the other two rabbits, and immediately felt a sense of belonging.
Noticing the beautiful gardens, I complimented the mother on her green thumb. She proudly showed me her vegetables and offered some to take home. Before I knew it, I had a bag filled with fresh tomatoes, lemongrass, and peppers - a gesture that felt like Christmas in September.
The family invited me to stay and chat, and I engaged in refreshing conversations with the parents and children aged six to eighteen. They were curious about me and eager to share their own stories.
As her mom spoke about her love for cooking traditional dishes from Palestine, she offered to cook for me. True to her word, her children delivered a warm, homemade dessert to my doorstep the next day. It was delicious!
As I left, my heart was full, but I also felt a tinge of nostalgia. Although this experience felt somewhat foreign, it reminded me of how I was raised—in a neighborhood where people supported each other, freely entered each other's homes, and shared meals together.
This serendipitous encounter served as a beautiful, real-world example of the authentic relationships we had explored during the retreat. It reminded me of the joy and fulfillment that come from genuine human connections, unbound by preconceptions or social barriers.
I am deeply grateful for this interaction and the new friendships formed. It reinforced the lessons from the retreat and reminded me of the vibrant, supportive communities that can exist when we open our hearts and homes to one another.
May we shine light on the world, dissolve the barriers in all hearts, and unite in love.
With Love,
Diane