Family of the Sacred Valley

Sorry I haven't been in touch. The other week saw the first edition of my 50-HR Inverted State of Mind training come into existence, and then I went off-grid in the mountains to explore my mind, rest, and reset.

I am still soaking in what has been, and there aren't necessarily words to describe what it was, but I am left with lingering feelings of humility, awe, disbelief, wonder, love, and gratitude.

I could never have planned for what unfolded. It went beyond any anticipated expectations or ideas. It was a beautiful reminder to trust and not over-prepare, and let the events come and unravel as they are meant to.

The energy of the mountains and the group truly created something unique and special beyond what I could have ever hoped and dreamed for. And so I want to share three things with you, as short but as powerful as possible, that I have taken away from it.

1. Lead by example
   This has always been part of my mission statement: to lead by example. And it was something I was deeply reminded of during the week of the training. We had a half day to allow for rest and recovery in the training. For some, that meant a massage. For others, that meant an afternoon in a Temazcal. Nine of us went over to a Shaman's nearby house named Derek. He was a young but wise and knowledgeable local man with a full life of experience. We went deep, sweating and shedding that which we no longer needed to carry, guided by chanting and drums, connecting through the discomfort from the burning heat that was coming within. Each of our minds tried to turn us away from sitting inside. But with each door that opened, we explored a new spiritual realm of meaning to unfold. Before entering one, he blessed us with his thanks for being a group that was open and willing to share, only to direct that towards myself and Tuqui as leaders for leading by example, for being willing to be vulnerable and honest and share our pains and intentions along with the students. It was not something I had considered or acknowledged, but he brought it into my sight and reflection. He observed that many teachers can hide themselves from their students, encouraging them to create shifts and go deep within but not displaying that themselves. And what I noticed through Tuqui and I being willing to do this was students felt comfortable to follow - to be in that space throughout the week and go deep in the temazcal, sweating, war crying, shedding tears, laughing, hugging, and creating a family. As teachers, we sit in a space of responsibility and power. Teachers should encourage their students to step into the flames of transformation and be willing to walk with them side by side, as an example, as a direction forward. Even outside of being a teacher, we should be ready to lead by example to those dear and near to us, aiming to bring forth our best selves and inspire others to do the same. How can we ever ask someone, especially our students, to do something we are unwilling to do ourselves?

2. Collectively sitting in discomfort.

   The above is one example of sitting in discomfort together and the richness of connection that comes through that. Throughout the week, there were many. The training was physically demanding and had spaces to open and share in Satsang settings. As the week progressed, more and more, everyone opened and unravelled. We are all always carrying something and can often become stuck in thinking that we must carry the weight and walk the path alone in silence. Yoga can be a lonely path, but the week showed and reminded all of us in it the power of connection, to hold, listen, and support each other in our journeys, and that we are not alone and many of us face similar struggles but just perhaps in different ways. Through all going through something together, each person could find lightness and release in the things they were carrying to lighten the load, no longer clinging to what was no longer needed. We are never alone in this journey; the power of tribe, family and community is a beautiful way to move through the load we might be bearing.

3. We are a family.

   The week was a mixture of reconnecting with existing friends and students and welcoming new ones. Some have been to three or so of my retreats and practising with me for years. Some were jumping on board and connecting for the first time. But by the end, we were all family: a tribe, moving and flowing together as one. We all bonded, built friendships and travel plans to adventure around the world together and reconnect at future retreats. Students overcame physical and psychological fears; they went beyond what they thought they might be able to do and endure and came out feeling more empowered and confident than when they first stepped foot in the training. That has always been a part of the vision: to connect and build a worldwide tribe and community of like-minded individuals who strive to push and support each other and move beyond what they conceive possible within themselves. And that vision is becoming real. A family is forming - a strong, loving, compassionate, and resilient family who are there for each other. And it's beyond humbling to see it come to life. And it's doors are always open.

For this year, adventures are somewhat done. But next year is looking like a wild one. Tuqui and I only have a few spots left for our El Salvador retreat in March. It's wild, actually; six of the students booked right away after the Peru TT to join us in El Salvador. If you want to join the family, our arms are open, and you can find more information here.

I will be back teaching public classes in London from the 1st of December, with my Saturday regulars at Kindred and Indaba going ahead on the 2nd. 

- Miles

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