“What is a teacher? I’ll tell you: it isn’t someone who teaches something, but someone who inspires the student to give of her best in order to discover what she already knows.”
~ Paulo Coelho, The Witch of Portobello
You may remember that at the very beginning of my Retreat preparation I made a mala, with one bead for each of my students, and one for each of my support team.
Twice a day for the month before the retreat I prayed that mala, sending love, healing and energy work to each person. Setting my intent for them to find their way and to receive everything they needed for their Highest Good during our time together on retreat.
Soon my fingers knew every bead. And so did my heart.
There was Helen and Paul and Margot. This one was Cherie. The next one was Brooke…
When we all came together I kept holding space and praying that mala until just before the end of the retreat.
Then I broke down the string of beads, took each one, and made it into a mala of its very own.
I was up late into the night working on them after everyone had gone to bed. It was the first thing I did in the morning after my meditation, trying to get them all finished so that I could present them on the last day.
Finally they were all done, and I held each one up to be blessed.
It was with mixed emotions that I lifted all the malas up over my head to wear them one last time before I handed them over to each student.
I had carried them all with me, and now I was letting them go.
They are still in my heart, and I’m so very proud of them. It has been my absolute pleasure to be their teacher. I know that they will shine much positive energy and love out into the world.
Here’s me, on the final morning. Thoroughly exhausted, emotional, and bursting with love for them all.
