The path of the Sensing Being Retreat
There are moments in life when the ordinary transforms into the mystical, where the mundane turns into a profound experience that resonates deeply within us.
As I sit down to write about the “Sensing Being Retreat” that took place at the end of April in Olympus, Turkey, I find myself pausing and sensing. It has been two months since the retreat, yet the essence of that experience continues to inform my present moment, shaping my now in subtle yet significant ways.
Writing about an event that still feels alive, even after time has passed, is an act of capturing a living, breathing moment. It’s about recognizing that the experience is not confined to the past but continues to unfold within me. This process of naming and articulating a forming happening is an encounter with the mystical in the midst of the ordinary.
During the retreat, we immersed ourselves in a Focusing living experiencing as a community of living beings. This heightened our awareness and deepened our connection to the present moment. In pausing and sensing we were met by the mystery of how this could be possible…being fully present with whatever was arising. These may seem simple, but it opened the door to a profound realization: that life is constantly offering us moments of implicit occurrences, subtle yet powerful living processes that shape our being and our belonging to the moment.
The “Sensing Being Retreat” was not just an event but a journey into the heart of what it means to be alive and present. Each day, we engaged in everyday moments that encouraged us to tune into our senses, to feel the textures of the world around us, and to listen to the whispers of our inner landscapes. These moments of deep sensing brought about a mystical ordinary, a space where the boundaries between the sacred and the mundane blurred.
The retreat was part of our in-person Professional Level Training. We gathered in Turkey to support one of our members who is from Turkey, embracing the opportunity to strengthen our global community. There is a special interest in bringing Focusing to Turkey from our friend Ceren, who works in the community sector, particularly with refugees in different areas of the country. This retreat was a testament to our collective commitment to expanding the reach and impact of our practice.
On the first day of meeting the new people who were joining us for the introduction into Focusing, we all went to a very special place close to Olympus, a mountain called Yanartaş. This mountaintop natural wonder is where ancient myth and scientific phenomena collide. The eternal flames found there have been burning for thousands of years. According to legend, the Chimera, a deadly three-headed beast, was the source of these flames. A Lycian king sent Bellophontes on his winged horse, Pegasus, to destroy the part lion, part goat, and part snake fire-breathing monster. Bellophontes plunged his spear into the Chimera and buried it deep into the mountain, where its fiery breath still burns today.
What happened there was a unique moment of joy and pure healing presence. As we sat there as a group to share the initiation of our time together, a firefly sat on top of one of the Turkish participants. This simple yet profound moment brought more stillness and calm beauty to all of us. It was a reminder of the awe and silence that occurs when we simply belong as we are.
The title “Fireflies in My Hair” is a metaphor that captures the essence of my experience at the retreat. Just as fireflies light up the night with their gentle glow, the retreat illuminated my inner world with moments of clarity and insight. These fireflies are like sparks of wisdom and understanding that continue to dance in my consciousness, reminding me of the beauty and mystery of life.
During the retreat, I felt as if these fireflies were weaving through our hair, symbolizing the transformative power of the experience. Each spark represented a new awareness, a deeper understanding, and a more profound connection to myself and the world around me. These moments of illumination have stayed with me, continuing to light up my path as I navigate the journey of life.
Writing about the “Sensing Being Retreat” has been a journey in itself, a process of reconnecting with the alive happening that continues to inform my present moment. It is a reminder that the mystical can be found in the ordinary, that profound experiences are woven into the fabric of our daily lives.
As I carry the fireflies in my hair, I am reminded to pause, to sense, and to be fully present with whatever is arising. The retreat may have ended, but the path of the sensing being continues, guiding me towards a deeper connection with myself and the world around me. The fireflies from the retreat illuminate the ongoing interconnected life that there is at all times, showing us the lasting impact of living a life of sensing the ordinary, perceiving the biology of our interweaved ecosystem.
I am sensing how the group that met in Turkey while reading this will also feel here what we all shared. The ordinary that occurs noticing the something that can´t be spoken. As Focusing companions finding ourselves marveling in the mystery of the paradox of emptiness and the eternal way of meaning forming.
Special thanks to all the practitioner level training 2023, the beautiful Turkish friends, all of them!! And Paula Charnley from the Uk who joined us as a companion trainer all the way.