Wellness Travel - Maui
Journey to the Heart of the Sacred Feminine
Dancing with the Goddess in Maui, Hawaii
May 29 - June 5, 2010
Retreat Leaders: Alexina Mehta is a Naturopathic Physician who inspires
others to access their own innate healing potential, and to step into their
power as a creative being living in harmony with themself and others. She also
teaches a variety of transformative workshops in healing and has trained in
Energy Medicine, Yoga, Pilates, and Nia Dance. Sarah Dykstra has been a
life-long student of the Sacred and is currently working on a Ph.D. in Religious
Studies. She has been a devotee of yoga and meditation for ten years, and is a
great lover of dance and music. Read more about Alexina Mehta and Sarah Dykstra
on our About Your Tour Leaders Page.
Reterat Description
Join Alexina Mehta and Sarah Dykstra on the healing island of
Maui, Hawaii for a Journey to the Heart of the Sacred Feminine. Maui,
renowned as the “heart chakra” of the Earth, is the perfect setting to take you
on this journey into the Sacred Feminine. We stand at the threshold of a new era
in human evolution, one in which the feminine consciousness is calling (indeed
demanding!) to be reacknowledged, reawakened, and resurrected. Now the Goddess
yearns to take her rightful place upon our planet, to be invited back into our
sacred body temples, and to take up permanent residence within our psyches. Now
is the time for Her long-awaited inauguration as part of the Sacred Marriage
between the Divine Masculine and Sacred Feminine, between Spirit and Matter, and
between Heaven and Earth!
During this retreat we shall focus upon calling forth and embodying the energies
of the Sacred Feminine, forging stronger connections with these energies and
ultimately bringing ourselves back into alignment with them. We shall create a
sacred container in which we can invite the Cosmic Feminine and summon the
energies of the Earth Mother. By doing so, we shall create a healing and
empowering space in which we can reunite Heaven and Earth within our own bodies
and psyches.
This retreat is a celebration of the Sacred Feminine: the physical, emotional,
mental and spiritual aspects of the divine feminine consciousness in all of its
glory. Each day we shall explore a different expression of the Divine Feminine
by exposing ourselves to a variety of wisdom traditions (both ancient and
contemporary). We shall call upon teachings from various world traditions as a
way of assisting us to tap into the vast reservoir of feminine wisdom within and
around us. Then, through ceremony, ritual and divine
play, we shall work to download and ground these energies into our physical
body temples.
Through our daily practice of meditation and yoga and through the
pleasurable and healing art of dance (Nia dance, Yoga dance, Belly dance,
Sufi dance and Tara dance), we shall weave our way back to the Great
Mother, re-establishing a sacred connection that has long been severed. Through
bathing ourselves in the numinous energies of the Volcano of Haleakala,
the Seven Sacred Pools and the many luxuriant and sensuous natural
settings of Maui, we shall fortify our connection with the Ground of our Being
and come into a deeper awareness of our own natural rhythms and our own interior
essence. Through playful and celebratory evening gatherings we shall explore and
revivify our own unique Goddess natures.
Have you felt the need to connect with your feminine essence in a new way - a
way that honours and nurtures you on all levels? This retreat is for the woman
who is longing to step into a higher place of empowerment, and ultimately into a
greater place of wholeness, vitality and fulfillment. Bring your sisters,
friends, and mothers and join a circle of women who come together for a
celebration of the Heart of the Sacred Feminine!
"Another world is not only possible, she is on her way! On a quiet day, if
you listen carefully, you can hear her breathing." ~ Arundhati Roy ~
Note: This retreat is open to a maximum of 12 participants. Early
registration is encouraged.
Mălamalama means ‘Light of Knowledge’ and inspires us to open our hearts, our
minds, and our spirits to engage more deeply with nature. It thus seeks to bring
us further into balance and inspires us to reconnect
with our own true divine nature.
Mălamalama is a non-profit organization. The Retreat Center, as well as the
Farm, is found in a secluded rain forest in 'Upcountry' Maui and offers both
privacy and convenience. At the farm center, ideal temperatures (about 80
degrees F) can be enjoyed year-round, and the center is only minutes away from
all you need: historic towns with restaurants and unique boutiques, world-class
windsurfing, surfing, swimming and walking beaches, and Haleakala Crater
National Park. The airport and central shopping districts are 25 minutes away
and the famous ‘road to Hana’ is at our back door.
In true Hawaiian style, Mălamalama extends the warmest ‘aloha’ by providing for
your comfort with a friendly and caring staff, a fully equipped gourmet kitchen,
plentiful seating mats and cushions for meetings, quiet walkways, a seasonal
stream and an abundance of native Hawaiian plants, fruits and flowers. The hot
tub supports your totally relaxing experience, with massage available upon
request. Delicious and healthful gourmet meals (mostly organic) prepared by our
talented and knowledgeable chef are also included in this fabulous retreat.
----------------------------------------------------------
About Your Tour Leaders
Alexina Mehta
Alexina Mehta encountered yoga and the spiritual traditions of her Indian
heritage at a young age and is fascinated with the possibilities of human
potential. Her undergraduate education in Kinesiology and Fitness at the
University of British Columbia gave her the initial tools to discover her own
body by learning how it works on a mechanical and physiological level, while her
formal training in Yoga and Pilates awoke in her the knowledge of the other
levels at which the body works. She later continued her studies to become a
Naturopathic Physician as well as a doula. Alexina has also trained in other
healing modalities such as Craniosacral and Bowen Therapy, Autonomic Response
Muscle Testing, Intuition Development, Family Constellation work, Nia dance, and
Dying Consciously work. She also studied at the Four Winds Energy Medicine
Institute under the tutelage of renowned and respected teachers Alberto Villoldo
and Linda Fitch. As part of her training, she journeyed to Peru to be with the
Qu’ero elders, the indigenous peoples of Peru.
Alexina’s curiosity started at an early age, where she was faced with the
struggle of finding her own identity. This desire to know who she was, what she
was, and why she is here started her on a healer’s journey, one in which she
would open to learning about the body, the mind and beyond. She has had the
honour of working with people who have overcome incredible obstacles and
accessed levels of strength and wisdom that are difficult to imagine until a
situation comes along that demands them. She loves working with people in this
domain, being at the forefront of what is possible, and allowing for such
possibilities to become realities. She is deeply grateful for the opportunity to
act as a guide and to use her knowledge and wisdom to assist others in accessing
their own healing power. Her life experiences have led her to a place where she
knows, in every single cell of her body, that we are truly magnificent creators.
Currently, Alexina practices Naturopathic Medicine in Vancouver, BC, utilizing
the modalities of herbal medicine, counselling, homeopathy, physical medicine,
nutrition, acupuncture and much more. She is essentially a detective, teacher
and doctor all in one and uses various diagnostic techniques to discover
patterns, and then utilizes the most relevant modalities to address the needs of
her patients while teaching them how to become more aware of these needs. Two of
her other special interests include the Dying Consciously Program (www.dyingconsciously.org)
and women’s empowerment. In her leisure time, she loves to practice yoga,
meditate, dance, hike and travel to see and feel the earth in her myriad forms.
Sarah Dykstra
Sarah Dykstra has been a life-long student and disciple of the Sacred. From an
early age she has dedicated herself to cultivating an understanding of issues
pertaining to human consciousness, the mysteries of life and death, the search
for contentment and freedom, and the human being’s place within the greater
fabric of the multicosmos. She holds degrees in Classical History and Philosophy
(BA summa cum laude) and Religious Studies (MA) and is currently working on a
Ph. D. in Religious Studies at the University of British Columbia where she is
funded through the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada to
carry out research on spiritual and mystical experience within a cross-cultural
and historical framework. Some of Sarah’s many interests include mystical and
spiritual experience, the Sacred Feminine within a cross-cultural context,
ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern religions, alternative healing
technologies, and global shamanism. In addition to having been a devotee of yoga
(in all of its various dimensions, including both its philosophical and physical
aspects), she has also been a dedicated practitioner of meditation for ten
years. She counts herself especially blessed to have been exposed to the healing
technologies and ancient wisdom of the indigenous peoples of the Peruvian
Amazon.
About Malamalama Farm Retreat Center
Mălamalama means ‘Light
of Knowledge’ and inspires us to open our hearts, our minds, and our spirits to
engage more deeply with nature. It thus seeks to bring us further into balance
and harmony with all living things, and to reconnect with our own true divine
nature.
Mălamalama is a non-profit organization. The Retreat Center, as well as the
Farm, is found in a secluded rain forest in 'Upcountry' Maui and offers both
privacy and convenience. At the farm center, ideal temperatures (about 80
degrees F) can be enjoyed year-round, and the center is only minutes away from
all you need: historic towns with restaurants and unique boutiques, world-class
windsurfing, surfing, swimming and walking beaches, and Haleakala Crater
National Park. The airport and central shopping districts are 25 minutes away
and the famous ‘road to Hana’ is at our back door.
In true Hawaiian style, Mălamalama extends the warmest ‘aloha’ by providing for
your comfort with a friendly and caring staff, a fully equipped gourmet kitchen,
plentiful seating mats and cushions for meetings, quiet walkways, a seasonal
stream and an abundance of native Hawaiian plants, fruits and flowers. The hot
tub supports your totally relaxing experience, with massage available upon
request. Delicious and healthful gourmet meals (mostly organic) prepared by our
talented and knowledgeable chef are also included in this fabulous retreat.
----------------------------------------------------------
Retreat Summary
Day 1 Sat, May 29:
Day 2 Sun, May 30
Day 3 Mon, May 31
Day 4 Tue, Jun 1
Day 5 Wed, Jun 2
Day 6 Thu, Jun 3
Day 7 Fri, Jun 4
Day 8 Sat, Jun 5
Detailed Retreat Itinerary
Day 1 Sat, May 29: Arrive in Maui (D)
You will be met and transferred from the airport to the beautiful Mălamalama
Farm Retreat Center. Upon settling in, you will have an orientation of the
center, the exquisite natural surroundings, and a tour of the developing farm.
You will not only be invited to connect with the spirit of the land you will be
staying upon and the beautifully positive and powerful energy within her, but
you will also be encouraged to connect with its overlighting mission.
Kolealea is an organic farm which is organized around the principles of on-going
sustainability. Kolealea promotes sustainable living on earth, as well as ways
of being in the world which are rooted in our connection with nature and with
each other. Together with Malamalama, a non-profit organization, Kolealea works
to feed the community and to assist others to do the same by teaching organic
gardening, sustainable farming and harmonious living. In doing so, they work to
facilitate much needed positive changes in service of global ecology.
Kolealea has a spiritual approach to everything that they do. Above all, they
are committed to harmonious and peaceful living. They are on a mission to bring
humans and nature back together, to foster a sense of “oneness” with the Earth
and planetary consciousness, and to help individuals to feel and know that we
are all part of the great fabric of Life. Through working in concert with the
land - the plants, animals, and all of Nature's spirits - they are working
together with the wonder that is Nature to bring us back into a state of balance
and harmony with all living things.
By bathing in the energy of this special land and feeling its life force, its
mana, we are greatly supported in tuning into our own innate wholeness and our
own internal template of the Divine. Listen to the heartbeat of this land,
listen to it breathe, and then take a few minutes to breathe together with it in
peace and harmony.
This evening we gather for our Welcome Group Dinner. Following dinner we
will begin our introduction and orientation with Alexina and Sarah and
learn a little about our fellow sisters and the amazing journey we are about to
embark on.
Day 2 Sun, May 30 (B, L, D)
Enjoy a morning Meditation and Nia Dance class followed by breakfast. We
then gather for our first teaching, The Re-emergence of the Sacred
Feminine, where we will discuss:
*Remembering Atlantis and Lemuria
*The Call of the Goddess and the
Reawakening of the Divine Feminine
*Growing the Goddess and re-uniting
Heaven and Earth
Myths and legends inform us that there have been certain cycles during the
evolution of humankind in which the feminine principle has been revered,
honoured and celebrated. Although human beings have, for the past several
millennia, been strongly orientated toward the masculine principle, we now find
ourselves living in a time when the feminine principle is yearning to be
acknowledged and reintegrated into our everyday lives. Many of us, however, are
left wondering how, in a world that is still strongly orientated toward
masculine ideals and ideologies, we can engage with and “grow” the goddess
energies - both within our personal lives and psyches and within the collective
consciousness. In this teaching, we shall explore ways in which we can chart new
pathways for honouring, engaging with, and ultimately incarnating the energies
of the Sacred Feminine.
Later, enjoy a Meditation and Invocation followed by lunch. After lunch
we embark on a hiking excursion to experience the wonders of the
beautiful island of Maui.
This evening, following dinner, we enjoy a special event, a channeling
session with renowned psychic Liah Howard, followed by our Goddess
Initiation Gathering.
Day 3 Mon, May 31 (B, L, D)
Enjoy a morning Meditation and Yoga Dance class followed by breakfast and
our second discussion, Wisdom Teachings from the Americas, where
we will learn about:
*The Great Mother and Pachamama
*The Undomesticated, Untamed
Feminine
*The Munay Ki Wisdom Teachings:
Stepping into 2012 and Beyond
The indigenous North and South American traditions are responsible for imparting
to us a dynamic tapestry of spiritual and holistic teachings that are rooted in
a deep understanding of the living essence of the planet upon which we live.
According to many of the North and South American indigenous cosmovisions, the
earth is regarded as the Great Mother: She who births, nurtures and sustains all
those who inhabit Her oceans, lands and skies. Within these traditions, the
Great Mother (known as “Pachamama” in the Peruvian Andean traditions) is
regarded as the overlighting presence responsible for gifting us with life, and
it is predominantly through Her that we live and move and have our being. In
this teaching, we shall explore some of these “Great Mother” traditions, and
contemplate what it would mean to give our primary spiritual allegiance to our
Earth Mother. We shall look, in particular, at an ancient lineage of teachings
born out of the Andes, and imparted to us by the wisdom keepers of the Qu’ero (a
modern day Peruvian tribe whose peoples are the descendents of the ancient
Inca). We will then have the special opportunity of participating in a
Despacho Blessing Ceremony.
Later, with a packed lunch, we head out for a Maui Beach Tour to revel in
the glorious sunshine and soak in the soothing and transformative healing
properties of the ocean.
After watching the sunset, we return to Malamalama Farm for dinner, after which
we gather for a Goddess Fire Ceremony. Here we shall take part in a
ceremony in which we connect with the ancestors, let go of old stories, and step
into new ones.
Day 4 Tue, Jun 1 (B, D)
This morning we enjoy an early breakfast and depart for a breathtaking,
three-hour bus trip along Hana Highway to the small village of Hana. Our
trip will include stops along the way to view the waterfalls as well as the many
other beautiful scenic vistas of coastal Maui. We then spend the afternoon
visiting the Seven Sacred Pools in Haleakala National Park where we will
participate in a sacred water ceremony and enjoy some time for hiking and
swimming.
We return to our retreat center later in the afternoon to relax and refresh
ourselves ,and to reflect upon the day before gathering for our evening dinner.
Day 5 Wed, Jun 2 (B, L, D)
Enjoy another morning Meditation and Bellydance class followed by a
teaching, Ancient Manifestations of the Sacred Feminine: India, Sumeria,
Egypt and Greece where we will discuss:
*The Cosmic Mother
*Kali and the Dark Goddess
*Tara: Mother of Mercy and
Compassion
*Inanna: Queen of Heaven and Earth
*Isis and the Cosmic Feminine
*Aphrodite: Sensual and Celestial Love
Ancient cultures and civilizations have much to teach us about the Sacred
Feminine. From these cultures we inherit many myths and legends which serve to
highlight the various different faces of the Cosmic Feminine. In this teaching,
we shall explore the Goddess from the perspective of four of the world’s
greatest ancient civilizations: India, Sumeria, Egypt and Greece. What do these
goddesses teach us and how can their stories enrich our modern lives and bring
us closer into contact with our own interior essence? Through exposing ourselves
to their legends and myths and engaging with them through certain meditative and
ritual practices, we shall work to forge deeper connections with all aspects of
our interior being.
We then gather for a Meditation and Invocation followed by lunch. After
lunch, we enjoy the afternoon in the colourful and vibrant village of Paia
where we will explore local boutiques, relax on the beach, and soak up the
unique atmosphere of one of Maui’s most funky towns. We return in time to wash
up and get ready for dinner.
This evening we will be joined by guest teacher, Kachina Palencia who
will lead us in a special Tibetan Buddhist Tara Dance. Here we shall tap
into the feminine aspect of the Buddha by dancing through the 21 qualities of
the goddess Tara.
Day 6 Thu, Jun 3 (B,
L, D)
An early morning departure will have us embarking on a day trip to the highest
point on Maui (10,023 feet) at Haleakala (“house of the sun”). Here we
shall watch the sunrise, participate in a ceremony on the summit of the
volcano, and hear about some of the local traditions surrounding the indigenous
volcano goddess Pele. We will also experience a special guided hike in
the Waikamoi Preserve, a place which in former times was frequented only
by those who were regarded as being worthy of entering into the wao akua (“realm
of the gods”), and whose access still remains restricted today. Here we shall
encounter windswept native cloud forests, native plants, birds, and
invertebrates, and discover an “ecological fabric that supports some of the
rarest and most beautiful of Earth's creatures”.
After this extraordinary experience, we return to the retreat centre to wash up
and get ready for dinner. This evening you may also want to take advantage of
the optional healing treatments offered at the retreat centre.
Day 7 Fri, Jun 4 (B, L, D)
This morning enjoy a Nia dance class followed by breakfast and then our
teaching, The Feminine Face of God within the Western Traditions: Judaism,
Christianity and Islam, where we will discuss:
*Sophia and Shekhina: Gnostic and Hebrew
Expressions of the Divine Feminine
*Mother Mary and Mariology
*The Recent Resurrection of Mary Magdalene
*The Black Madonna and the Virgin of Guadalupe
*The Feminine Principle in Sufism and Islamic
Mysticism
Judaism, Christianity and Islam are generally known as religious traditions that
were born out of a strong patriarchal consciousness and deeply orientated toward
masculine ways of being in the world. It is less known that throughout the
evolution of these religious traditions, there have been certain mystical and
esoteric trajectories that have deeply honoured and revered the Sacred Feminine.
In early Christian circles, for example, the goddess Sophia proved an integral
part of the early Christian cosmology. Likewise, in some early Christian
circles, Mary Magdalene was deeply revered and even regarded by some as “the
disciple of disciples”. In the Middle Ages, Mary, Mother of Jesus of Nazareth,
attracted a strong cultic following, and came to be known as a great cosmic
force in her own right. In this teaching, we shall explore some of these lesser
known traditions, discuss the recent search for expressions of the feminine
principle upon the part of those devotees of the Western religious traditions,
and examine these developments from the greater perspective of the return of the
Cosmic Feminine to planetary consciousness.
We then participate in a Meditation and Invocation followed by lunch.
Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at your leisure to wander the grounds of the
retreat centre, explore Maui independently, or simply relax and reflect on the
journey and teachings thus far.
In the late afternoon, we are invited to a special lecture, Cycles of the
female body and how they relate to the earth: Ancient practices to rejuvenate,
nourish, and enliven the female form. How can we live in harmony with
our body and ultimately bring it into a state of radiance and grace? As women
living in the modern world, we have become disconnected from the beauty, grace
and health of the female form. In this teaching, we shall discuss how we can
re-align our bodies and our bodies’ cycles with those of the moon and the earth.
We shall also consider Ayurvedic, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Naturopathic
Medicine viewpoints on how to support and regulate the female body in its
various cycles and rhythms. We shall look at various plants and herbs and we
shall discuss nutritional tips designed to optimize the functioning of the body.
Finally, we will use the power of the mind-body connection via meditations to
facilitate this process.
We then gather for our final group dinner followed by our closing celebration
with special guests, Kachina Palencia and friends, who will lead us
in a series of Sufi Dances of Universal Peace which draw from a variety
of the world’s sacred and religious traditions.
Day 8 Sat, Jun 5 (B)
We enjoy one final breakfast in paradise followed by our last discussion,
Integrating the Sacred Feminine into our Everyday Lives, where we will
learn the practical elements of incorporating our teachings and experiences into
our everyday contemporary lives. You will be transferred back to the airport for
your departure flight home.
Retreat Inclusions
and Price
Retreat Includes:
7 nights accommodation at the Malamalama Farm Retreat Centre in Twin Rooms
(2 beds per room)
All meals (mostly organic) - Breakfast Daily, 5 Lunches, and 7 Dinners (not
including 1 lunch in Hana)
Private Airport Transfers
Private Transportation for all excursions included in the itinerary
Special Added Features:
Wisdom Teachings and Discussions with facilitators, Alexina Mehta and Sarah
Dykstra,
Special Guest Teacher, Kachina Palencia, who will lead us in a Tibetan Buddhist
Tara Dance and Sufi Dances of Universal Peace
Yoga Dance, Nia Dance, Belly Dance classes
Channelling session with special guest Liah Howard
Meditations and Invocations
Goddess Fire Ceremony
Sacred Water Ceremony
Despacho Blessing Ceremony
Hiking Trips
Beach Tours
Excursion to Haleakala Volcano
Excursion to Hana and the Seven Sacred Pools in Haleakala National Park
Guided Hike in Waikamoi Preserve
Optional Healing Treatments and Lomi Lomi Massage
Retreat does not include:
Airfare to Maui, Hawaii
Cancellation & Medical Insurance (ask us for a quote if your are Canadian)
Meals and drinks not specified (participants will be responsible for buying
their own lunch in Hana)
Cost to obtain valid passport
Any items of a personal nature such as laundry, drinks and telephone calls. Any
item that is not specifically detailed on our website or in the final retreat
itinerary.
Retreat Price Per Person (Land Only)
USD $2,499.00
Note: This retreat is open to a maximum of 12 participants. Early
registration is encouraged.
Sacred Earth Journeys, Ste 220 - 133 E. 8th Ave. Vancouver, B.C. V5T 1R8 Canada
Tel: (604) 874-7922, Toll Free 1-877-874-7922 www.sacredearthjourneys.ca