June at MiST - The Beauty of Nothing
Meet in Silent Truth
Dear Ones,
In this letter you will find:
The inevitable pain and exquisite beauty of life as I go around the sun one more time
A nudge to sign up for the last places of our October W H O L E retreat in Portugal - 10% Early Bird discount is available until the end of the month!
Yoga is back due to popular demand - join us every Thursday at 6pm UK on zoom in an exploration of the roots of yoga
Would you like to meet in person? I will be in London for a few weeks in June and July and welcome you to 1:1 embodied healing sessions in 3D!
The Beauty of Nothing
I’m turning 37 tomorrow. It starts to sound like a lot and yet, I’ve never felt younger than now. The last year around the sun has brought so many subtle but profound changes in this life that my eyes well up with gratitude as I pause to reflect on it today.
Picture by Super Greg
You may be wondering “What happened?”. I could say that I lost a lot over the last 12 months and, in some way, it is true. I felt the grief of not meeting all my (and society’s) expectations of what life should be at this age, I lost the bizarre “comfort zone”, income and structure of the London life; the cherished roles of being a teacher or a therapist; the affection, stability and togetherness of a relationship…it’s all falling away. And it is not a comfortable fall.
I could also say that I gained a lot over the last 12 months and, in some way, it is also true. I moved to Portugal and met my Master - this meeting continues to be profoundly uncomfortable, but so freeing. I met many new dear friends that see me and love me as “coucou” as I am. I walked barefoot in nature every day, sat in silence for many hours with my beloved dog Sam, fell in love with God in a way I can never explain or understand (and I’ve never been a religious person).
But whatever I say about this time would be just a story - a story of gain, a story of loss. Who cares? And in the end, neither of these are the truth.
The truth is, I don’t know why or how, but I’ve become a little emptier of all my definitions (read “subtle lies about who I am”), hopes (read “subtle lies about the future”) and memories (read “subtle lies about the past”). There are fewer questions. There are fewer answers. There is less “stuff”.
Somehow, from this emptiness, the natural joy and love of being as I am are shining more and more unimpeded and touching others in ways I could never foresee. It’s not that I’ve discovered some secret or realised the ultimate truth…No. I haven’t realised anything. It’s that the one who was trying to realise something has become less important. And this is so freeing.
Over the last few days, a number of people (blessedly) asked me what I wanted in life, how I wanted to expand my small project, what I wanted to accomplish next. And it was with great sweetness and gratitude that I discovered that the answer is “Nothing”.
Nothing. After so much striving, longing, praying…it is so sweet to finally say “nothing”. As everything in life, this may change, but right now, I feel so grateful for that sweet taste of nothing needed.
Thank you for reading these letters and being part of the small community in whatever way suits you. I feel honoured and wish us all to answer “nothing” more often. To be enough as we are. To just be.
With Love,
Iri
WHOLE: Autumn yoga & self-discovery retreat in Portugal, Oct 16 - 23
Only 2 rooms left. You can still catch the Early Bird discount by July 1
Have you been longing for nourishment, deep healing and rest? Are you willing and ready to meet what has been avoided, heal what has been wounded and return to your natural wholeness?
Our next retreat at Bodhi Bhavan in the magical Monchique mountain, Portugal, is now open for booking with a 10% Early Bird discount before July 1. We were nearly full before I even announced it as many people are returning from last year and bringing their friends. If you are planning to come, I’d say book quickly. At this point, there are only 2 rooms left.
Join an intimate and stunning group for a loving and carefully designed week of soulful yoga beyond asana, voice work, self-inquiry, cacao rituals and sound healing for those who are ready to shine light upon, heal and reclaim all parts of their being to return to their natural wholeness.
The Roots of Yoga on Zoom
Yoga on zoom is back due to popular demand. You can join us at 6pm on Thursdays for 1h of soulful vinyasa. This series of summer classes is devoted to the roots of the yogic tradition. Every class explores one of the primary sutras as an embodied way of stepping on the mat and in life.
1:1 MiST Sessions - Meet in Silent Truth
I will be in London in June and July - welcome to come for an in-person session. I would love to meet you.
These sessions are a mix of self-inquiry and trauma-informed therapeutic skills, but most importantly, they are rooted in silent loving Presence. This simply (but powerfully) means meeting you with a quiet mind and an open heart - being a mirror without agenda, without opinion, without judgement. I have found time and time again that this truthful open meeting has a deeply healing effect and leaves space for you to see your own beautiful reflection. It is the greatest gift I ever received and I am so honoured to extend the invitation to you.
Upcoming Events
With Love and Gratitude,
Iri