A Weekend of Inspiration, Wisdom & Self-Discovery. I’m Now a Trained SoulCollage® Facilitator.

Posted by Barbara Techel

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I spent this past weekend at Holy Wisdom Monastery in Madison, WI. The perfect place for the SoulCollage(R) Facilitator training I attended. I’m happy to say I am now an officially trained facilitator!

For the first time in a long time, I feel some momentum in an expanded purpose and direction.

In one sense it is even hard for me to describe in words what this weekend was like. It was intense, but intense in a good and welcoming way. Diving deeper into all the different parts that make up who I am. While that may sound kind of deep in some ways, it was also a very fun process.

SoulCollage(R) is all about personal growth and self-discovery. Their motto:  Discover Your Wisdom, Change Your World.

As I move into 2015 I will be giving thought to ways in which I can teach workshops in my community and online with this process using the gifts I already have. I hope to use this process in getting in touch with our animal spirit guides, which is just one idea, of many, I have percolating right now.

But I’d like to share with you what Sunday was like — the day we received certification and the closing ceremony.

Twenty-two women from nine different states came together in this circle we formed. A circle of SoulCollage(R) cards each made over the weekend, as well as, over the last few months and years by some of the participants. Each card representing a part of ourselves that when formed together in this sacred circle celebrating that we are really all one in this big universe.

It was a silent ceremony with soft music in the background as we each took turns stepping into the circle to take in all the energy of those cards before us. Each woman now a part of each other — now changed in some way because of coming together.

As we each took our turn in the circle, we acknowledged each woman individually with eye contact – some placing their hands on their heart as they did this, or in prayer near their heart. It was very emotional — all in a beautiful and deep way.

This process is healing the planet one person at a time as people attend workshops and/or make SoulCollage(R) cards at their own pace — taking time to create from a place of wonder, discovery, fun, and open to what it can teach them to help them on their life’s journey.

I found it to be a deeply enriching and a truly intriguing process that I am looking forward to teaching others, as well as, expanding on for my own personal growth.

Once the ceremony was over we had the chance for a photo opportunity within the circle. I love this photo of me within this sacred circle — the profound feelings of this past weekend come rushing back to me and I feel changed forever in a new and beautiful way. So grateful for this process and for this opportunity to take part in this training.

In the next few days I’ll share a few more photos and more information about this, so stay tuned!

PS:  A super big thank you to my dear, sweet husband for doing an outstanding job of taking care of Gidget! Also to Candace of Agape Pet Service who stopped in a few times to help out as well. They gave me peace of mind to enjoy my training and time away!

Blog Break. Off to Listen to My Soul. Back on Monday.

Posted by Barbara Techel

gidg by fireplaceJust a heads up that my blog will be quiet for a few days as I embark on my weekend SoulCollage training retreat. I leave mid-morning Friday and will be back later Sunday.

Our instructions from the facilitator are to come well rested as it will be a full weekend with sessions running until 9:00pm Friday and Saturday.

I’m doing my best to honor the rested part, but in my excited anticipation I hope the angels help me sleep tonight!  Which reminds me of one my favorite things my best friend says to me right before we go to sleep when we have a sleepover:  “May the angels kiss your eyelids.”

Gidget and Kylie will be taking care of John for me while I’m away. I have a feeling they will spoil him rotten.

I’ll look forward to sharing my thoughts with you when I return. Have a wonderful weekend!

A Meditation: The Wolf and Me.

Posted by Barbara Techel

wolf and meOn Monday I had the opportunity to be taken through a guided meditation by the woman who was helping me through a recent challenge. It was our last session together as I’m feeling great to be on my way now with wonderful tools in place to return to if need be at some point.

But back to the guided meditation– I thought I’d step out of my comfort zone and share with you.

As I’ve mentioned lately, I’ve been opening myself more to being aware of what animal wisdom (besides my dogs) are trying to teach me. So it really should be no surprise what happened during the meditation, but yet, it has left me in awe.

During the guided meditation I found myself at the base of a mountain. When I looked around I saw a river and then saw a wolf nearby, howling with his snout pointed to the sky. At first I felt scared, but then was fascinated and quite curious that Wolf showed up.

The fear began to subside as he looked my way and we were looking into each others eyes.  I slowly walked closer  to a large rock that was next to Wolf. I sat down. After a few moments I reached out and stroked his fur. I wasn’t afraid. I was in complete awe of being in the presence of Wolf — an animal so many fear.

I was then asked to listen for a message from whatever Spirit was before me. I didn’t get anything at first. I told myself I was trying too hard — just be open — see what comes.

Wolf brought me a message that I’ve heard before when I’m working through something — this time I’m determined to take this in and honor it. But Wolf said, “You are worthy and loved. All will be okay.”

The next instruction was to stand behind Spirit, which was Wolf for me, and see through his eyes as Wolf/Spirit sees me. It came to me almost instantly as I saw myself as this huge red heart with a orange glow around it. Wow, I thought. Wolf/Spirit sees me as Love.

This brought tears to my eyes because how often we don’t see ourselves as Love — our mind beating ourselves up one thought after another. But the lesson that we are indeed a part of Spirit is one that we need to honor.

It was a powerful experience for me and I became quite emotional as I relayed it back after the meditation.

I drove home wanting to somehow capture what occurred so it would stay with me. And that’s when it came to me that I could create a SoulCollage card from my experience.

Not only was I so excited to create this card to honor Wolf and his teaching to me, but to honor myself… and quite tickled at how this is all unfolding just as I get ready to leave for the SoulCollage retreat this weekend.

The meditation and doing the SoulCollage is such a great reminder of the wisdom we have within us if we take the time to listen and pay attention.

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The background photo of the mountain courtesy of my friend, Dawn who lives in Alaska. I love that it is part of my card too as Dawn has been an important part of my journey the past 2 1/2 years in very special ways.