Mount Shasta behind the scenes, Nevada City & Mexico
Ok, this is Epic. Read at a pace!
Ever since I came out on the Mount Shasta retreat, there are many phrases that I will never forget and I’ve decided to write a blog about all of them. One of my most memorable (which is not very hard to remember as its still going on) is Carly’s infamous saying "I'm going within". What follows is what essentially became Carly Goes Within versus the Universe, and one of the most hilarious series of events Ive seen as One Woman takes on the Universe. You just dont take on the Universe right??? Not if you're Carly Gilbert. As always there is a morale to the story, and for those of you who know Carly will know that she is always tapped into something....
Out in Shasta moments prior to a retreat with 44 people, you might think its not the best time to feel you want to go within, Carly knew what she wanted. I listened as she explained her intention to go deep inside and understand herself. Completely understandable I thought, as what a better place than Shasta to do this!
Ok, this is Epic. Read at a pace!
Ever since I came out on the Mount Shasta retreat, there are many phrases that I will never forget and I’ve decided to write a blog about all of them. One of my most memorable (which is not very hard to remember as its still going on) is Carly’s infamous saying "I'm going within". What follows is what essentially became Carly Goes Within versus the Universe, and one of the most hilarious series of events Ive seen as One Woman takes on the Universe. You just dont take on the Universe right??? Not if you're Carly Gilbert. As always there is a morale to the story, and for those of you who know Carly will know that she is always tapped into something....
Out in Shasta moments prior to a retreat with 44 people, you might think its not the best time to feel you want to go within, Carly knew what she wanted. I listened as she explained her intention to go deep inside and understand herself. Completely understandable I thought, as what a better place than Shasta to do this!
As each day dawned and each day brought in a fresh set of infinite possibilities, I would see Carly and she would state with her infinite enthusiasm that today is the day she is going within. Yep, I thought, perfect day for going within. The headwaters in Shasta was very close to the cottage we were staying at, and marks the beginning of the Sacramento River. Each day people from all over Mount Shasta, and beyond, come to drink from the sacred headwaters. The waters are actually melted glacier water that comes from within Mount Shasta, and so carry the energies of the mountain. Drinking it is like drinking liquid light, starting a dance within your body. Every cell absorbing the beautiful frequency within the waters. It was our daily ritual!
We arrived at the headwaters and Carly with her writing pad and pen, ready to go within, and record it. I looked over at the headwaters and breathed in the pure Shasta air. Carly, Simon and myself talked about the upcoming retreat, organising some more and generalyl in awe of life. The Shasta energy was doing its magic.
We arrived at the headwaters and Carly with her writing pad and pen, ready to go within, and record it. I looked over at the headwaters and breathed in the pure Shasta air. Carly, Simon and myself talked about the upcoming retreat, organising some more and generalyl in awe of life. The Shasta energy was doing its magic.
A few hours later we were up at Panther Meadows, 10,000 feet up on Mount Shasta. Panther Meadows is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen, the last two times I have come to Shasta it has been winter. And when its winter in Shasta, its WINTER ! Snow falls up to 25 feet, which means that beyond Bunny Flat (which is 7,000 feet up), there is literally a wall of snow that cannot be passed. it covers all trees. So this was my first time to Panther Meadows. And what an incredible sight! I have never seen colours like this on this planet like I did that day. There is something about the light at that height and of course, it being Mount Shasta. Myself, Carly and Simon walked up to the meadows and began to do some sound healing on one another. The greens of the trees and the blues of the water was neon and bright in a way that was totally off-worldly.
We noticed a woman walking along with her dog and said hello. Later on that afternoon, the woman came over and she began talking and said her name was Chula. She asked whether we would like to come to the top of Panther Meadows to a spring. A being called Philip suddenly appeared out of a nearby tree, and we discovered both Chula and Philip were from the same town called Nevada City (a very small town in California that would soon become very significant on our journey). They did not know each other and we all walked along happy at the beautiful encounters we had just made. We followed Chula and we sat down by a spring where water emerged from the ground. Here she began to sing beautiful sacred songs to Mother Earth that we sang along to, praising Gaia and reciting Native American music. Philip took my crystal wand that I had brought out with me, and offered it to the nearby invisible Light Beings to hold. Shasta was definitely going to be interesting this year.
We went home amazed at the magic we had just experienced, the Universe showing us that life is pure unfoldment, everything open to a divine experience should we wish to experience it. And by letting go of anything and simply enjoying, we realised that Earth does not need Heaven to come to it. Heaven is already within Earth, it is simply waiting for us to see it.
I looked over at the brand new writing pad Carly was holding. Carly's last words before bed, "Today was AMAZING! This place is incredible!!!! I love the way the Universe works. Tomorrow I'm definitely going within!"
We noticed a woman walking along with her dog and said hello. Later on that afternoon, the woman came over and she began talking and said her name was Chula. She asked whether we would like to come to the top of Panther Meadows to a spring. A being called Philip suddenly appeared out of a nearby tree, and we discovered both Chula and Philip were from the same town called Nevada City (a very small town in California that would soon become very significant on our journey). They did not know each other and we all walked along happy at the beautiful encounters we had just made. We followed Chula and we sat down by a spring where water emerged from the ground. Here she began to sing beautiful sacred songs to Mother Earth that we sang along to, praising Gaia and reciting Native American music. Philip took my crystal wand that I had brought out with me, and offered it to the nearby invisible Light Beings to hold. Shasta was definitely going to be interesting this year.
We went home amazed at the magic we had just experienced, the Universe showing us that life is pure unfoldment, everything open to a divine experience should we wish to experience it. And by letting go of anything and simply enjoying, we realised that Earth does not need Heaven to come to it. Heaven is already within Earth, it is simply waiting for us to see it.
I looked over at the brand new writing pad Carly was holding. Carly's last words before bed, "Today was AMAZING! This place is incredible!!!! I love the way the Universe works. Tomorrow I'm definitely going within!"
Five days later, as the Shasta retreat began, we were in full flow of our organisation, and Carly hadn't managed yet to go within. The organisation for the retreat took every ounce of our improvisation and willingness to flow with Spirit. The group dynamic within the faciltiators was once again, perfectly designed by the Universe as it worked out that we had to truly balance between free-flowing and being grounded and aware of what was needed on a real level. Everything I was about to learn over the next 9 weeks, until now (and am still learning) is about balance and harmony. Moving from duality to Oneness! Balance of all aspects of ourselves. The cosmic connection and groundedness. The male and female. The responsiblity and surrender.
The Shasta retreat ended and we all began to integrate just what the hell had gone on in the space of a week! As we moved out of rooms and moved back to the cottage, things didnt slow down as we anticipated, they sped up! We seemed to meet incredible people that were aligned with our hearts and passions. Who wanted change for this planet, and had answered a mystic call to leave their homes and begin a journey. We realised we weren't alone. What call had we really answered? Why were we really travelling? We knew we had the call to begin a community, to provide a sacred space for a new way of life, yet we also realised we had no idea hwo this would work, or why it was so deeply engrained within us that it would work! We had trust and faith, and were following a vision in our hearts. Seeing others on the same path made me realise something truly phenomenal was occuring. Which on some level I beleived, but now I was seeing it. This Shift is Happening! And the Universe has called its lightworkers to arms.
The Shasta retreat ended and we all began to integrate just what the hell had gone on in the space of a week! As we moved out of rooms and moved back to the cottage, things didnt slow down as we anticipated, they sped up! We seemed to meet incredible people that were aligned with our hearts and passions. Who wanted change for this planet, and had answered a mystic call to leave their homes and begin a journey. We realised we weren't alone. What call had we really answered? Why were we really travelling? We knew we had the call to begin a community, to provide a sacred space for a new way of life, yet we also realised we had no idea hwo this would work, or why it was so deeply engrained within us that it would work! We had trust and faith, and were following a vision in our hearts. Seeing others on the same path made me realise something truly phenomenal was occuring. Which on some level I beleived, but now I was seeing it. This Shift is Happening! And the Universe has called its lightworkers to arms.
Over the next few weeks we discovered many beautiful souls and learned a massive amount from our interactions with them. We were learning about ourselves on a monumental level. As has been experienced by so many, the Universe is using everyone around for dynamic reflections on the ultimate level right now to allow us to see what isnt serving us - to allow us to be in the total flow and infinite source of our own love. Carly had by this time learned to speak to people, turn to the side mid-conversation, tell me she was going within and continue the conversation midflow. Amazing
A key day came up as many dynamics were playing out with the group, no one gets away from the Universe at the moment I thought at that time! I realised how deep the Universe can go with me, as I delved deep into my "stuff". Carly looked serious.
Carly: “Vaz, I need to go within”
Vaz: “Ok, what are you going to do?"
Carly: “Go within. I need space from everything, and go inside to find my answers. I need to go tribal, let go of everything and be just me and the Universe"
Vaz: “Do you want my tent?”
Carly: “No, I don't need the tent, I need to do this on my own. I have my clothes and I'll find a way to sleep up high on the mountain, miles away from the cottage so I'm totally free to experience myself.”
After she took my tent, she disappeared and I went out into Shasta centre. When I came back, she had gone and I presumed she had left for the mountain. The next day, she emerged and looked like she had been dragged through several bushes! "What happened to you??!"
It turned out Carly had ended up at the campsite that literally 1 minutes walk away from the cottage. And her tent was set up that it was facing our cottage!!! So much for getting away!
Universe 1: Carly Goes Within 0
I watched amazed now at how the Universe was insisting on maneouvering Carly into not going within, or so I thought. I assessed at that time that maybe we werent supposed to go within, and we were meant to also share with others. Whilst this was very true, I was soon to learn a much deeper truth!
A key day came up as many dynamics were playing out with the group, no one gets away from the Universe at the moment I thought at that time! I realised how deep the Universe can go with me, as I delved deep into my "stuff". Carly looked serious.
Carly: “Vaz, I need to go within”
Vaz: “Ok, what are you going to do?"
Carly: “Go within. I need space from everything, and go inside to find my answers. I need to go tribal, let go of everything and be just me and the Universe"
Vaz: “Do you want my tent?”
Carly: “No, I don't need the tent, I need to do this on my own. I have my clothes and I'll find a way to sleep up high on the mountain, miles away from the cottage so I'm totally free to experience myself.”
After she took my tent, she disappeared and I went out into Shasta centre. When I came back, she had gone and I presumed she had left for the mountain. The next day, she emerged and looked like she had been dragged through several bushes! "What happened to you??!"
It turned out Carly had ended up at the campsite that literally 1 minutes walk away from the cottage. And her tent was set up that it was facing our cottage!!! So much for getting away!
Universe 1: Carly Goes Within 0
I watched amazed now at how the Universe was insisting on maneouvering Carly into not going within, or so I thought. I assessed at that time that maybe we werent supposed to go within, and we were meant to also share with others. Whilst this was very true, I was soon to learn a much deeper truth!
By the end of Shasta (we stayed there for 1 month in total) a few of us were parting ways. Carly "a million percent" determined to go within by now, was going north to Ashland. I headed to Nevada City, the town where Chula and light being Philip originally came from. I had made my way down with Ruben, a soulfriend who had come to the Shasta retreat, to help out Chula who was organizing a fundraising party for her project in Mexico. Yes synchronistic enough that Chula who we had originally met on the mountain was also involved in work in Mexico! Myself and Ruben travelled down and were helping her out on the land and it was a great way of zoning into the land.
There are certain towns, places on the planet that the moment you enter, you feel something. Something deep. Nevada City was one of them for me. Raw nature. I had a deep feeling of nostalgia as we drove in. It was like an ancient mystical English town with witches. The whole area had an incredible magical feeling about it. Was there really a palce beyond Shasta that would also feel like a Home!? Apparantly.
There are certain towns, places on the planet that the moment you enter, you feel something. Something deep. Nevada City was one of them for me. Raw nature. I had a deep feeling of nostalgia as we drove in. It was like an ancient mystical English town with witches. The whole area had an incredible magical feeling about it. Was there really a palce beyond Shasta that would also feel like a Home!? Apparantly.
Each day in Nevada City for the next week I helped out on the land, clearing Chula's incredible property for her fundraising party. I met beautiful, amazing souls, ran every morning in the pouring rain and stayed in her trailer on her grounds. Everything about this trip already was showing me about basic living and living basically was suiting me fine! The free spirit within was out and about.
A few days into the week I speak to Carly on the phone. Deep in peace and bliss I expect a similarly deeply peaceful few days from her side as we seem to match our experiences so much.
"Vaz, I tried to go within. I took extreme measures and went camping on the mountain in Shasta. I took the tent....I woke up and it snowed!!! I only had flipflops and had to be rescued from a family who just happened to be driving by!!" Universe 2: Carly Goes Within 0
What should be pointed out here is that Carly is the Madam of Synchronicities. No matter what situation she is in, she manages to manifest an insanely out of this world response from the Universe. She visusalised in her mind a family driving past to pick her up, and thats exactly what happened on the mountain. We are all capable of incredible manifestation - essentially what I mean here are what we'd call miracles. And it takes great faith and intention to allow this to occur. Everyone is able to do this in various ways, and it is often when we are pushed we are shown just truly how powerful we are. What I was shown in that moment was how miracles are just waiting to happen if we believe in them. Miracles are constantly happening anyway, yet they are also waiting to be born through us!
A few days into the week I speak to Carly on the phone. Deep in peace and bliss I expect a similarly deeply peaceful few days from her side as we seem to match our experiences so much.
"Vaz, I tried to go within. I took extreme measures and went camping on the mountain in Shasta. I took the tent....I woke up and it snowed!!! I only had flipflops and had to be rescued from a family who just happened to be driving by!!" Universe 2: Carly Goes Within 0
What should be pointed out here is that Carly is the Madam of Synchronicities. No matter what situation she is in, she manages to manifest an insanely out of this world response from the Universe. She visusalised in her mind a family driving past to pick her up, and thats exactly what happened on the mountain. We are all capable of incredible manifestation - essentially what I mean here are what we'd call miracles. And it takes great faith and intention to allow this to occur. Everyone is able to do this in various ways, and it is often when we are pushed we are shown just truly how powerful we are. What I was shown in that moment was how miracles are just waiting to happen if we believe in them. Miracles are constantly happening anyway, yet they are also waiting to be born through us!
Divine Masculine & Divine Feminine
In Nevada City, I went to talk that evening with a man called David Fabricius who runs a program called Men of the Code. This program is designed for the new masculine to emerge, through a series of experiences. I have been talking to friends for quite some time about the Divine Masculine, as it seems to be not as prevalant as the Divine Feminine in spiritual circles. What about us men! I could talk for hours on this, but there is a strong passion I have about the new men recognising their divinity and being afraid of their masculine power - as it is new and has integrity. David worked as a very successful motivator for CEOs for many years, until he changed his work to focus on empowering men and creating change through integrity in corporate circles. His program essentially focuses on the Native American way, where adolscent young boys are sent out into the wilderness for 3 weeks to "find themselves, go within and hear the Universe's call". I hear Carly's voice in my head.
David says that this time allows men to let go and become a man; and because this is not practicsed in western circles, it creates massive suppression of energy within men as they constantly seek to release this. He says that men seek sexual relationships trying to release this energy and never being satisfied - and that sex could nver satisfy this urge because it is a deeply masculine desire to know oneself and one's purpose. I listened facsinated as he talked about the Native Americans sending a young boy to the top of a hill, whilst his family and friends would be at the bottom, singing, praying, and sending him love, to let him know that they are there whilst he goes through his process. And the process is to strip oneself of support, food, and even water, to know that one is provided for by the Universe. and to know that is to experience it. After this experience, it takes the aggression out of men as they realise their purpose, and channell it into divine masculine love.
David's program involves crawling across broken glass naked and walking through fire, to allow the new men to understand their power, instead of spending a lifetime seeking to know it through dualistic experiences.
Im so signing up I think! (one of my many passionate genuine desires that never occured, but a sign of what I want to explore about myself!)
On the other side of the cosmos, I speak to Carly and she tells me of the incredible experience she has just had. Where she has a cosmic rebirth with three other women and a priestess at a divine feminine temple! They curl up into feotus positions and rebirth into pools, feeling the love and dancing into the Oness. We laugh at the fact we are both being called into divine genderness, and the way both are being expressed. One through nurturing love and the other through naked jungle crawling.
In Nevada City, I went to talk that evening with a man called David Fabricius who runs a program called Men of the Code. This program is designed for the new masculine to emerge, through a series of experiences. I have been talking to friends for quite some time about the Divine Masculine, as it seems to be not as prevalant as the Divine Feminine in spiritual circles. What about us men! I could talk for hours on this, but there is a strong passion I have about the new men recognising their divinity and being afraid of their masculine power - as it is new and has integrity. David worked as a very successful motivator for CEOs for many years, until he changed his work to focus on empowering men and creating change through integrity in corporate circles. His program essentially focuses on the Native American way, where adolscent young boys are sent out into the wilderness for 3 weeks to "find themselves, go within and hear the Universe's call". I hear Carly's voice in my head.
David says that this time allows men to let go and become a man; and because this is not practicsed in western circles, it creates massive suppression of energy within men as they constantly seek to release this. He says that men seek sexual relationships trying to release this energy and never being satisfied - and that sex could nver satisfy this urge because it is a deeply masculine desire to know oneself and one's purpose. I listened facsinated as he talked about the Native Americans sending a young boy to the top of a hill, whilst his family and friends would be at the bottom, singing, praying, and sending him love, to let him know that they are there whilst he goes through his process. And the process is to strip oneself of support, food, and even water, to know that one is provided for by the Universe. and to know that is to experience it. After this experience, it takes the aggression out of men as they realise their purpose, and channell it into divine masculine love.
David's program involves crawling across broken glass naked and walking through fire, to allow the new men to understand their power, instead of spending a lifetime seeking to know it through dualistic experiences.
Im so signing up I think! (one of my many passionate genuine desires that never occured, but a sign of what I want to explore about myself!)
On the other side of the cosmos, I speak to Carly and she tells me of the incredible experience she has just had. Where she has a cosmic rebirth with three other women and a priestess at a divine feminine temple! They curl up into feotus positions and rebirth into pools, feeling the love and dancing into the Oness. We laugh at the fact we are both being called into divine genderness, and the way both are being expressed. One through nurturing love and the other through naked jungle crawling.
Nevada City turned out to be an amazing experience with the fundraising and we met so many beautiful souls. The party was an amazing evening, with live music on her grounds and we totally danced it out for Viva La Milpa! See Chula's website for more details on what we were raising money for. The fact that we were guided down to Nevada City to help a complete random individual that we had just met weeks before, and were pivotal in her fundraising campaign said it all to me. There is something major going on, and we are ALL part of the grandest shift the world has ever known. No matter how large or small we think our part is at the moment, it is ALL monumental, for everything is inextricably linked.
As you'll discover from Carly's blog, we are in Mexico. And Chichen Itza was probably the most hilarious expression of Carly Goes Within versus the Universe. I am not joking but every single day I heard Carly say that she wanted to go within and find a space to do this, and each day, the Universe would ensure that this wouldnt happen. I actually saw the Universe bend space, time and rejig the Matrix to ensure that Carly couldnt go within nor could we separate to allow this to happen.
Carly Goes Within 0: Universe 100
What I was realising was there are both choices and a Divine Plan occuring right now. And I began my ongoing journey of trying to understand the relationship between free will and destiny (yep that old chestnut). What we found out was that there were infinite realities and possiblities ahead of us, yet we were also being guided towards a specific path. Of course this had to do with our paths and the work we have to do with the community. There is something amazing happening guys, and its happening to ALL of us.
So, here we are, 9th November and guess what??
Vaz and Carly are going within!!!!!!!
Yes, all that time I laughed at Carly's intent on going within, I realised that deep within I wanted to go within too but just didnt know it! And it seems to be a very significant call to the planet and to all people right now. Spending time to ourselves, to our thoughts, our emotions, LOVING YOU, is so crucual right now. The energies are speeding up, they are increasing, they have one agenda - to make you LOVE You! They are ruthless now and want you to feel Love, be Love, live Love.
They do not care about your desires, your future expectations, your wants to be in a relationship or have the perfect career path. They only care about one thing, making sure you are in total, absolute love with yourself. Because from there, you will radiate such deep peace and bliss, everything will match that accordingly. And so, I have to give Carly a bonus 100 points for seeing ahead as usual what was on the horizon
Carly Goes Within: 100: Universe 100
Matched
See you in a few days guys, enjoy 11/11/11 and a little nudge from me, and a BIG one from Carly
Why not go within?
As you'll discover from Carly's blog, we are in Mexico. And Chichen Itza was probably the most hilarious expression of Carly Goes Within versus the Universe. I am not joking but every single day I heard Carly say that she wanted to go within and find a space to do this, and each day, the Universe would ensure that this wouldnt happen. I actually saw the Universe bend space, time and rejig the Matrix to ensure that Carly couldnt go within nor could we separate to allow this to happen.
Carly Goes Within 0: Universe 100
What I was realising was there are both choices and a Divine Plan occuring right now. And I began my ongoing journey of trying to understand the relationship between free will and destiny (yep that old chestnut). What we found out was that there were infinite realities and possiblities ahead of us, yet we were also being guided towards a specific path. Of course this had to do with our paths and the work we have to do with the community. There is something amazing happening guys, and its happening to ALL of us.
So, here we are, 9th November and guess what??
Vaz and Carly are going within!!!!!!!
Yes, all that time I laughed at Carly's intent on going within, I realised that deep within I wanted to go within too but just didnt know it! And it seems to be a very significant call to the planet and to all people right now. Spending time to ourselves, to our thoughts, our emotions, LOVING YOU, is so crucual right now. The energies are speeding up, they are increasing, they have one agenda - to make you LOVE You! They are ruthless now and want you to feel Love, be Love, live Love.
They do not care about your desires, your future expectations, your wants to be in a relationship or have the perfect career path. They only care about one thing, making sure you are in total, absolute love with yourself. Because from there, you will radiate such deep peace and bliss, everything will match that accordingly. And so, I have to give Carly a bonus 100 points for seeing ahead as usual what was on the horizon
Carly Goes Within: 100: Universe 100
Matched
See you in a few days guys, enjoy 11/11/11 and a little nudge from me, and a BIG one from Carly
Why not go within?
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If you love what we do, we deeply appreciate your support on our divinely guided pilgrimage towards creating a sacred community
If you love what we do, we deeply appreciate your support on our divinely guided pilgrimage towards creating a sacred community
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