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WHAT’S NEW? Ancient Etruscans, Amazing Food & Stunning Landscapes?
And the answer is – Tuscany! I’m so excited to share two fabulous trips in September – one is a woman’s retreat and the other is a co-ed journey – both to beautiful Tuscany, Italy.
Transcend-Transform-Thrive Women’s Retreat – is running September 20-27, 2014. If you’re a woman in transition (divorce, empty-nesting, career change, etc) and need some inspiration, if you feel disconnected from a sense of vitality and purpose, and want a change and deeper understanding, or if you’ve spent a life-time caring for others but not enough time caring for yourself – this is the perfect retreat for you!
Upon arrival you’ll schedule an appointment for a luscious private massage! Mornings will be devoted to yoga classes and meditation practices. Afternoons will begin with a delicious lunch in one of the many Tuscan trattorias, we’ll visit nearby Castles, enjoy wine and chocolate tastings, take cooking classes, and so much more! Details here!
The Spirit of the Ancient Etruscans – is going Sept 25-Oct 2, 2014 and has both pre & post trip extensions to Florence and Venice! The Etruscans ruled over an area of Italy called Etruria between 900BC – 300BC (better known today as Tuscany). This mysterious religious culture worshiped the Earth Mother and are believed by some historians to have founded Western civilization until the Roman Empire usurped them and destroyed their sacred cities.
Only in the last two hundred years have their secrets come to light revealing mysterious pyramids, rock-cut temples, passages and tombs – which you will explore on this wonderful journey! The 5-day pre-tour add-on will include 4 nights in Ferentino visiting hilltop towns with panoramic views, and megalithic structures in the hills to the east of Rome. The 5-day post-tour add-on will include 2 nights in magnificent Florence and 2 nights in the unique city of Venice. Details here!
Blessings and love, Sheri Rosenthal
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EVENTS, JOURNEYS + WEBINARS!
Ayahuasca & Ayni in the Andes with Dennis McKenna: Peru
August 7-17th, 2014
We invite you to join us in Peru for a very special Ayahuasca & Ayni in the Andes program. We are honored and excited to present this week-long ayahuasca gathering – featuring three transformative ayahuasca ceremonies and a series of fascinating lectures by the well-known ethnobotanist Dennis McKenna, PhD – all in the luxurious rejuvenating spa environment of Willka T’ika Guesthouse.
August 7-9 includes a special pre-conference excursion to Cusco and Machu Picchu. August 10-16 will include the Ayahuasca Conference and optional visits to P’isaq, Ollantaytampu, the Urubamba local market, and the Maras Salt Farms.
Informed by over 30 years of research experience in the field of ethnopharmacology, Dr. McKenna’s lectures will include: An overview of ayahuasca – its botany, chemistry, pharmacology, and its traditional uses, Shamanic Medicines – an overview of the major psychedelic plants and fungi used in shamanic practices. Includes discussions of their botany, chemistry, pharmacology and current “state of the art” research on their therapeutic applications and so much more.
Trip tuition: $3375 USD per person double occupancy, most meals included.
Experiencing the Light of our Authenticity & Integrity!
by Sheri Rosenthal
In spirituality we read much about authenticity and integrity, but I’m not always sure we have a clear understanding of these terms. Some folks have told me they believe these words refer to being honest and true to themselves, but I most often feel that they are speaking about their ego-self rather than the true self inspired by the divine within.
By the time we are adults we actually believe that the way we are is our authentic self, but normally this is far from the truth. We’ve been deceived into believing that what we think about ourselves is what’s real – rather than the no-thingness of the Infinite within us.
François de La Rochefoucauld, the French noble and writer, has been noted to have said; We are so accustomed to disguise ourselves to others that in the end we become disguised to ourselves. When we are young, we mold ourselves to become what others tell us to be until we finally believe that is who we are.
Since we are domesticated using punishment and reward, we seek the reward which comes from doing and becoming what others expect from us. Fear of punishment is a strong incentive. Eventually we no longer even know who we truly are – only what we believe ourselves to be. The disguise is complete, our integrity and authenticity gone, traded for a biscuit or a shred of love.
It is this very observation that we must be on guard for in ourselves in every moment. By questioning our motives and our thinking, we can begin to get clarity on what is truth and what is not. It takes persistence and faith that what is ultimately true will reveal itself.
In the end it is harder and requires more energy to be what we are not, than what we really are. The disguise takes personal power to maintain and requires constant internal dialogue to uphold. In other words, our constant reiteration of what we believe about ourselves and our world in our mind, helps keep the construct of the disguise in place.
Once we take the time to quiet our thoughts, we can see the construct of the mind fall apart and we are no longer certain that what we believe about ourselves, or anyone else for that matter, is truth. It is in these moments that the truth reveals itself, and we see the light of our integrity and authenticity shining through.
We glimpse the perfection of our divinity and see that our faith has been sorely misplaced. And even if letting the disguise fall away is uncertain and often times frightening, our ultimate freedom of expression is well worth the temporary fear we experience in letting go.
In that moment we no longer seek approval or love from others though our words and actions; we no longer need the biscuit or the shred of love. Our actions are genuine expressions of life moving through us, rather than from the neediness of our wounded ego.
We are no longer diminished by the disguise; we expand to the width and breadth of the universe, knowing we are no longer trapped and bounded by falsehood. We realize deeply that when we are no longer beholding to anyone for approval or love, we are whole or one unto ourselves and we have embodied our integrity fully and completely.
This is the reward of our spiritual path: Ultimate freedom from the masks we wear that seemingly keep us safe, but steal our greatness and our personal power. I encourage you to go beyond your comfort zone and challenge yourself to let your disguise go, it never really looked good on you anyway…
Blessings & Love, ~ Sheri
If you’d like to strengthen your connection to your authenticity and integrity join Sheri in Bhutan December 7-18th for her Mastering the Buddha Nature Within journey.
I stand for the right for every human to live an audacious life. To stop feeling trapped by jobs, relationships, and limiting beliefs that no longer serve them and are holding them back from being everything they can be in this lifetime.
To be free to create the business of their dreams, to travel, to explore the world, to have supportive amazing relationships, to be healthy and happy, to have time freedom, to learn deeply about themselves, to honor themselves spiritually, to give back, to serve the world in a huge way, to get their message out there, and to stop playing small.
Photo credits for the pictures of Borobudur, Garden of Peace, and Speed of Consciousness go to h.koppdelaney.
OUR UPCOMING JOURNEYS
~AUDACIOUS AUGUST ADVENTURES~
Mysteries + Sacred Sites of England
Sacred Britain
Trip Leaders: Cameron + Glenn Broughton
August 6-15, 2014
Ayahuasca & Ayni in the Andes with Dennis McKenna
Peru
Trip Leader: Dennis McKenna
August 7-17th, 2014
The Heart Wisdom of Whales & Wild Dolphins
Panama
Trip Leader: Anne Gordon de Barrigón
Multiple dates: Aug 17-22, Aug 31-Sept 5, Sept 14-19, Sept 28-Oct 3, 2014
The Magic of Celtic Country
Sacred Ireland
Trip Leaders: Cameron + Glenn Broughton
August 22-31, 2014
~SOUL-STIRRING SEPTEMBER SOJOURNS~
Transcend-Transform-Thrive Women’s Retreat
Tuscany, Italy
Trip Leader: Lauretta Zucchetti
September 20-27, 2014
The Spirit of the Ancient Etruscans
Tuscany, Italy
Trip Leaders: Cameron + Glenn Broughton
Sept 25-Oct 2, 2014 – Pre & Post trip extensions to Venice + Florence
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Want to see our whole line-up for the upcoming year? Visit our Trips at a Glance page.
