day 6

Today was the hardest so far. I was tired when I woke up. We had time for a quick swim and then off to see the male healer. On the way the traffic was backed up. The roads are very narrow and twisty so progress was slow. It turns out that the temple near the healer was celebrating its 210 day birthday, he said over 1.5 million people would go there over these few days. And as its the Buddha full moon, it was very popular. It the end we decided to walk the last half mile- it was all uphill. Then when we got to the healers we had to walk to his open air platform, again up hill. We sat and had lunch ( I find sitting on the floor difficult, and we do it A LOT). Then we did a chakra opening meditation which was very interesting. Then it was time to walk down to the river for the river Melukat. It was all downhill, but because it had just rained it was very slippery. I fell onto my butt twice. I should also say it was quite a trek. Then when we arrived we had to undress in the open air and put on our sarongs. Very funny as we have 2 gays and a very much male guy with us. I dont have a problem and just get on with it, but its funny watching people trying Mr Bean style to undress behide towels. Then came the shock, we had to climb bare foot over the river using rocks as stepping stones. Some were small and very slippery, some were large and quite a way apart. Either way it was a disaster for me, and my tender feet. Without the help of the healer, his daughter, Sampos and Dharma I would never had made it. After a series of prayers and blessings, we started the ceremony. We stood in a line in the water with a little reed basket full of flowers and a josh stick on our heads. We have to send all the stuff we wanted to let go of, but kept sticking to us, up into the basket. Then we had to push the basket off the back of our heads and without looking back and focussing our attention forward, we had to dive under the water and swim upstream. I actually enjoyed this part until the water became shallow and I had to pull myself upstream over rocks, slithering very unganly until we reached another deep pool. This one had a waterfall at the end. We had to dive one at a time into the water toward the waterfall. The healer grabbed us and helped us get in front of it. Then we had to put our heads into the flow of water for as long as we could,the flow was very strong and it was freezing. Then we had to cup our hands and drink 9 times. This was for abudance. Then over to a smaller waterfall to allow the water to run over our necks. Then whilst we waited for the others to do the same we had to be in the water upto our necks. Althought the outside temperature was about 26 c ( temp had dropped a little due to the rain) the water was apparently very cold. Everyone's teeth were chattering. I was nicely comfortable and couldnt understand why they were so cold ( weird eh ?) After that we scrambled over rocks until another deep spot. At this one we had to submerse ourselves as long as possible. The ones that didnt sink were gently pushed under by the healer. Im glad to say my lessons in the pool helped and I sunk. When I game back up I had to drink more water and float on my back facing the flow. Wearing a sarong for this sort of thing is a bit of a disaster as mine ended up round my waist. ( good thing I had bikini bottoms on eh?) . The healer looked onto my crown, laughed and said GOOD NOW OPEN. Thank Christ for that !! Then onto the spring. There was a rock under it and we had to kneel on the rock and stick our heads under this torrent 11 times. Then drink 11 times. Again I found this easy ( I know its hard to believe Dennis) Then another blessing in the water and then we scrabbled out. My feet were/ are so sore. Worse still we had to walk about a mile or so across paddy field boundaries onto the road. Where the minibus was waiting for us. So much for hospital telling me to take it easy for the next couple of years !!

Later, this evening we met yet another healer. This lady goes into trance and reads your energy. The hotel has its own temple which the local community uses. But tonight we had it to ourselves. Under the Mega Buddha Full Moon, she went into trance. When it was my turn she kept thumping her left breast. Ken had already told her of my problem on the right side. Then she spun round and grabbed me under the left breast and told me through Ken interperating that there was a problem, a tiny miniscule area of concern ( she kept tearing a flower petal, smaller and smaller) She said it was bad energy. Then she started hissing and trying to get through my clothes to my skin. I had tucked my blouse into my Sarong, so as she was not going to give up I pulled my shirt out of the Sarong and pulled it up. Exposing my flesh. She then dug her hands into the flesh under my left breast and emptied it into the holy water vessel her husband was holding. Then she hissed a lot more and seemed to spit something into the holy water. Hissing and spitting like a mad cat. Then she said she had removed the bad energy. She felt my right side was ok, but that I should take care and make sure I go for my scans and to keep checking that side. Her Husband said she had done this only a few times with people. But when she had removed this negative energy they were all OK. But to make sure I keep an eye on it.

Bloody Hell what a day. Thought I was going to break my neck at the river. Did not expect to undergo Physic surgery this evening. But you know what?- bring it on. I feel my body is so much lighter, although physically I am beginning to feel worn out. Onwards and Upwards !!

day 5

What a day we,ve had. First thing Paula and I rescued a poor bird that had gotten trapped in a long line of cotton about 30' up. We did it by using bambo poles we found lying around. Or I should say Paula did all the hard work I just assisted, but it felt good to help the poor thing. Then after lunch we went to our lady healers local temple where the priest and priestess are her in -laws. In Bali every Temple has a birthday every 251 days which is a Balinese year. Today was this temple's birthday. So we participated in the ceremony which included more water being poured on our heads - are you beginning to see a pattern here?? Anyhow we received our blessing and then returned to our lady healers Ashram for more trance dance. We all had a great deal of fun which ended with one of the attendants singing a local song. This little guy had been about to die and was brought to the Ashram, where the healer worked on him. He got so sick that they took him to the hospital. But he wouldnt stay and insisted on going back to the Ashram. And he has stayed as an attendant ever since. He is tiny, and when the energies start flowing he becomes a horse or a Naga, But today she blew on him and he sang the sweetest song.

We went to see a fire dance show tonight. Local men pretending to do trance dance. It was entertaining but obvious that its put on for tourists. I thing if half of them saw the real Bali they would be on the next plane home. !! Been talking to Ken about our walking on planet C today. He does a healing thing called bars. He asked if I would like some, and hopefully we shall get some time over the next few days so that I can receive some.

We are now at ' The Retreat' it is heavenly. As I type this I am in a huge four poster bed with beautiful lace curtains all around, flower petals were strewn all over the bed. The ceiling is vaulted and made of some kind of thatch, the suite is like a small bungalow. My bathroom is out through my dressing room in a courtyard. And I just had a shower in the open air under the biggest full moon you ever saw. Out front I have my own verandah and a huge daybed, just for me. Life doesnt get much better than this. I dont believe I have ever been anywhere as luxurious. I havnt really seen outside as we arrived in the dark at 9pm, but I know I wont be dissapointed. Postscript  breakfast next morning- I really am in Paradise !!!.....

day 4

Today we had a quiet morning, which was good as we were all exhausted from the trance dancing late the night before. So this afternoon we were taken to a river shrine, were we met our male healer. It was a beautiful place, but as always shrines seem to be either very high up or very low down. This was low down so we had to walk down a lot of steps. At the bottom there was a stream that entered the river via a small cave causing a T junction. This configuration makes a sacred area. Just up from the 'T' was a line of 9 pipes sticking out from the rock and then 3 smaller ones coming from the rock around the shrine. The river was not very deep and we were asked to form a line opposite one another. Then starting with Emma we had to sit in the river whilst the healer put a small basket of offerings, including a josh stick on our heads. We had to intend that any things we no longer wanted or served us were to be sent to the basket. Then the healer gently pushed us backward into the water until we were completely under. the basket meantime floated off. Our job was to splash water after it to ensure it entered the main stream and floated off. Then we were turned around so that our heads enetered the little cave. The healer supported our necks whilst we floated and rubbed our crown chakras whilst praying. Then we each had to step under each pipe, from which the water fell quite violently, untill we finished at the 3 at the alter. I absolutely loved this ( I know Dennis, I used to be frightened of water). I could have stayed there all day. But we had another appointment with a different healer. This one was a very petite 26 yr old priestess. The story behide her is that she died about 7 years ago. Her body had been prepared for buriel but she suddenly came back to life. On her return she had been gifted with understanding of all the prayers and Mundras, and caused such a stir that the Balinese TV got involved. After a lot of tests carried out by the priesthood ( who really dislike young woman knowing more than them) it was widely acknowledged that she has some amazing abilities. When we met her she was praying and using Mundras. She looked ethereal. She then performed Melukat on us. This time we were standing whilst she knelt above us at the alter. The pour of water was continuos. This time I did not wail but stood there head held high and breathed in after each soaking and out during the water flow. The energy was amazing. I felt elated, in fact I laughed through some of it. ( My love of water is now becoming a little bizarre, I know) After we had changed we joined her on her verandah, where we meditated whilst she sung to us in Astral. A language from the Universe. The song was mesmerising and otherworldly. When she had finished she spoke about our relationship with the Universe. It was startling to realise her beliefs are very similar to mine. Then she suddenly started to talk to us about yoga. She is getting instruction from the Universe on how to use yoga to improve the energy within our bodies. Suddenly I understood why today had been difficult for Karen. Karen is training to become a Yoga teacher and this afternoon was her time. Dont get me wrong. We all gained a lot from this experience, but I believe this one was specifically for Karen, to help her on her journey. It did certainly inspire her, she was very animated about it afterwards as she too had seen the connection. Unfortunately when we got back to the hotel she was sick ( purging, healing crisis ?) and went straight to bed. I believe she will wake up refreshed and inspired in the morning.

Tomorrow we have another ceremony in the afternoon in preparation for the full moon, then back to our lady for trance dance, then to an evening fire ceremony. After this we will transfer to another hotel. This will be another late nite, so I may not get the opportunity to update my blog until the day after. Namaste

day 3

Wow what a day!! Had a couple of hours this morning around town to do a bit of shopping which is great, except I need a container so that I can fill it with 6 ' high Ganeshe, Buddha Shiva etc. Then another swim underwater. Then off with Ken for lunch and then we visited an ancient temple to Ganeshe. Again it was an outdoor temple that is still in use, set amongst paddy fields surrounded by palm trees, beautiful. We said prayers and made offerings to Ganeshe. Then into the mini bus and to another outdoor temple where we met our healer lady and several of her ' congregation'. I perhaps should say at this point that I have made a promse not to print any of the healers names. This is because following the film ' eat,pray, love' several of the healers involved in the film were inundated with westerners looking for that quick fix. This brought with it great wealth. But the healers believe that too much wealth depletes their healing abilities, and so restrict the number of westerners they treat. And therefore keep thier energies clean and intact.

At the temple offerings and prayers were made firstly to the water gods, then to the various gods that guard the temple at their various alters. Then we all have to climb some very steep steps barefooted, the top of which Karen reached first only to be confronted by a huge monitor lizard crossing the path. Once there we again made offerings and said prayers. Then the lady healer and a couple of her attendants entered a small cave by the side of the Altar. Suddenly one of them, a lady, came out with a handful of lighted joshsticks, put the joshsticks lighted end first into her mouth. Bit the ends off and swallowed them. With that she sat on the ground in trance. Then one of the lady healers temple guardians became ' Hanuman, the monkey god' and came through us to join her in the cave. Then she started to trance and became quite upset and began talking. We couldnt understand her, but it was obvious it was not Ratunia coming through. All her attendants went in to help her and we later found out that she had channelled an even earlier ancestor. This one had foretold of a great change in the energy. The new energy was red and would be a creative energy of change for all of us. It was amazing to witness this. By now Hanuman was given an apple to eat and was learing around at us. It was slighlty disturbing to look at him because he really did look and act like a monkey. A very large one. Then one of the attendants flung holy water on him and he became himself again and sat down amongst us. Then up more steps to the very top of the temple where we once again prayed and gave offerings.

By now time was moving on and we left there to go back to the Ashram to attend the regular Thursday night get together. As normal we began with trance dance, except where there is normally us five girls plus Ken, Dharma and Sampos, tonight the whole village seemed to be there. This was the dance of the angels, so was just for the girls. Dancing became weirder still as this time we all kept bumping into one another( as you dance with your eyes closed). Villagers started to trance as the healer moved amongst us blowing onto us. One by one they collasped onto the floor or started shouting and waving their arms. Then the dance finished, we were all doused with holy water and everyone sat down. Then the Hanuman music began and 3 guys rushed onto the floor and morphed into monkeys, picking up on the energy. I should say that Hanuman is revered in Hinduism as a loyal guardian, so he's quite an important, if not highly amusing kind of god to watch.

Then the healer announced that she wanted to dance just with us and it was to be a dance of abundance. As the music started she came into the middle of us and we all started to dance. As the dance went on she touched me, firstly we linked hands ( which is something we always seem to do) then I felt her brush over my right breast and then over my left hip and she moved onto one of the others. It felt so natural the 6 of us dancing with our eyes closed and all the village watching. How far we have come from that first day when we all felt so self conscious.

After this the music was for Durga and men and woman got onto the floor. The healer was keen that Emma joined in, but the rest of us were allowed to rest and watch. It was quite somthing to watch shy Emma dance on her own with the villages unself-consciously as the energy moved her in a slightly agressive manor.

By now it was clear that the healer was beginning to trance and very soon Rotunia came through. They got her walking stick and chair and sat her down. She was attended by Ken, Dharma and about 3 other guys from the village. As she started to chew tobacco I became aware of Emma acting strangely. She sat on the floor looking over her shoulder outside the Ashram. Paula and I had seen this yesterday, just before she became Rotunia. We moved in closer just in case she collasped when one of the attendants noticed and sent Dharma over to get her. He dragged her across the floor to join the others. When she got to Rotunia she buried her head into her lap. The healer said something that got all the villagers laughing. We later found out that she was saying this young blonde woman from halfway around the world was a younger version of Rotunia and that she obviously wanted to do the healing. So she called Paula to join them and Emma put her hands onto Paula's head and onto the head of a villager that also wanted healing. It was fascinating. Them she annouced that she wanted her smoking partner and before I knew it I was smoking a cigerette she had lit and joined the party. The villagers eyes were out on stalks as this is apparently not something that ever happens. Emma continued her healing with me and the attendants and Rotunia looking on!

After this we danced some more. Our favourite is the 'Buddha song' Om Mani Padme Hum, the exact same one as we all got from Nepal the first time. I have to say by this time I was nearly going, but I managed to hold on.

My what a night, such scary happy times. Everyone is so joyful. Some of the young village women became like children stamping their feet and shouting. Whilst an older woman became a horse and galloped round the Ashram with another womens hands on her shoulders. They fed her grass. No one minded, no one judged, everybody kept on dancing with their eyes closed, and the healer walked amongst us moving the energy. It felt at times as though we were creating the Universe with our movement, each working the energy in their own way, men, women and children all working together for the greater good of all. Can you imagine how wonderful this would be, if in our cities, towns and villagers everyone got together once a week, whole families and communities and danced with the Universal life force??

And tomorrow we have another Melukat and then on to meet another healer, this one brings energies in from Sirius A and talks in Astral. Cant quite believe how natural this has all become, it as though we do this everyday. Well I suppose we do, for the moment .....

day two

What a fascinating day, firstly with the male healer. His diagnosis of me was very interesting. He said my bottom two chakras were wide open, but my upper chakras were part closed. This makes perfect sense as the bottom chakras are all about survival and thats what I have been concentrating on for the last few months. On my past life which he diagnosed by my placing my feet on his, he said I had been a Gladiator, a very ruthless one. He then asked to look at my back where he said were 3 scars. These injuries had been life threatening but I had survived to continue to be as ruthless and sucessful as before. This actually makes sense somehow. Then onto the Melukat. He told me I was a nine flowers. He did the 11's first. It was awful to watch as he scooped flowers and water out of the container over the recipients head. Knowing it would soon be my turn. When it came to me I had to pray first ( as did everyone) holding a josh stick and a flower against my third eye. Then the water began. At first I could not breathe, then I felt something bubble upto the surface. I heard Ken say let it out and suddenly I could hear from deep within a loud moan. Then it became a wail. It went on all throught the Melukat. Everyone said afterward they were surprised that I was able to breathe as well as get rid of that deep noise. After he had finished I felt so light. His wife then annointed by head with coconut water which I had to also drink followed by rice being placed on my face and arms and chest. I felt so relieved, whether it was because something had shifted or because I had survived a near drowning, I dont know. We then had lunch which was a selection of Balinese food which was delicious.

Then back to our female healer. We started to trance dance straight way. They play Om Mani Padme Hum, which always gets us going. She moves through us blowing onto us. Then as I'm in the middle of trance she joins in and suddenly she is beside me her arms entwined in mine our hands clasped together ( later she tells us she was Kwan Yin and I was her attendant) and that is exactly how it felt. A very deep connection. Then she blew on me again and I ended up once again on the floor. Again I heard Kens voice saying let it go. This time the noise that came from so deep within was a maniacle laugh. On and on I went laughing, nearly hysterical. All around me others danced, Emma was being supported by Ken who was getting her to put her hands on all our heads. They she threw holy water on me and I snapped out of it. The guys got me to my feet and we carried on dancing together. Then she announced that we would dance with the fans. As they were being handed out we suddenly realised that something was going on with Emma. As Ken and Dharma held onto her she started to change, they shouted for a chair and as they sat her down the change in her face was startling. The lady healer knelt beside her and called for a tobacco leaf. When she gave it to Emma she started to chew on it. These leaves are disgusting - very bitter. Quite an aquired taste. Emma chewed on it like she had done so many times before. The L H then put her face close to Emma's and started to rub her legs. Then they gave Emma a chunk of tobacco which she put into her mouth and started to chew. We then realised Emma was channeling the Ancestor !! Lady healer was by now crying and hugging Emma, they were both speaking in low voices to one another. Ken said it was Balinese they were speaking. The lady healer was rubbing the tobacco onto Emma's gums. Emma was clearly enjoying this- quite bizarely. It was very moving to take my turn to place my forehead onto Emma's knee, who was now Rotunia, for healing. We were all crying.

Afterwards the healer was obviously quite upset. She said this was the first time she had been on the receiving end of Rotunia. That she was able to experience the healing process that she normally channels. That she was able to be embraced and embrace Rotunia. It was really moving. Then we were all asked how we felt, in this unique moment. When it was my turn I said how connected I had felt to her when we danced together. She acknowledged this and said she had also felt it. Ken said that in all the years he had been with her he had never seen anything like what had happened over the last two days. She said we shared a very special energy, the combination of all the energies was so very special. She felt there was a change to come for all of us. A definate shift, a transition for all of us. It was magical. I kept laughing and crying. As did a few of us. She said our tears were tears of joy, as were hers. She then invited us for breakfast at some point over our stay. Rotunia cooks this, a typical Balinese breakfast, again Ken confirms this never happens.

Then it was time to leave. As we said goodbye she hugged both me and Emma. It was a hug a felt I so desperately needed. It was like a hug from the Universe. Tonight we are back there to join the villagers in dance. Cant wait.

On the way back we were priviledged to visit a 1000 year old cave of Shiva and Ganashe. We gave offerings and prayers and chanted Om. Magical.......

First Day

OMG what can I say?? Two firsts today. This morning I got my swimming googles on and within minutes I was swimming under water. An hour later I was able to swim a lenght !! Me !! Unbelievable hey Dennis?? An then after lunch we went to visit our first healer at her Ashram. She was amazing, charismatic, charming despite the fact she speaks no English. As she gifted us our temple sashes and Ken was interperating, she told me I was beautiful and that I had an amazing clean aura.
Then the dancing started, we all went with the flow, a couple of minutes later she danced upto me and blew into my face. I stepped backwards as I felt the energy. Then she did it again and the next thing I knew I was laying on the floor feeling waves of energy wash over me, utterly mind blowing. Eventually someone splashed water on me and helped me to stand up. She then said the energy I brought in was a Mermaid energy. Which I guess tied in with the feeling I had. Then we continued to dance some more I felt really happy and childlike and light. Then we sat down as she channelled her ancestor ' Ratunia' . Her complete personar changed. Her face became fuller, her assistants gave her tobacco to chew and a cigaret to smoke. She started to speak to each of us, it was all very funny and light. Then she pointed right at me and said her ancester wanted my spirit to smoke with them. Everybody laughed. Ken said I wouldnt have to inhale it just go through the motions. I havnt smoked for about 25 years. When they handed me the cigerette I immediately took a big draw on it and inhaled right down into my lungs. It was heavenly. Now anybody who has smoked will know that a first cigarette will definately make you choke. But no sir this was heavenly. Wow how mad was that. !! She - or her tobacco spitting ancestor keep grinning and nodding at me. Then it was time for the healing as each of us went to her. When she placed her hands on me I went completely limp, I ended up with my forehead resting on her knee. The energy was so peaceful and strong.
Then she announced that it would be amusing for the ancestor to watch us dance with fans. So a assistance brought fans in for each of us and someone out on Om Mani Padme Hum. I was away, brilliant. We were all laughing as we twisted and turned in time to the music. Then it was time for our golden coconut Melukat. I went first. She stood at the alter and poured the coconut water into my hands and then onto my head. Next thing I was back on the floor . Wow. I felt really wonderful.
This is our first day, as usual we are all getting on wonderfully. Theres been lots of laughs and hugging, and a few tears. At the end she said that I and Emma share the same energy, which made us both cry , haha. Now tomorrow we start at 9.45 for a full day visiting 2 different healers then ending up back at the Ashram. Ohhh cant wait .

Bali Hali

Well its nearly here. Nearly time to leave for Bali. Somehow I felt I would never get to this point, I suppose I was too afraid to think I would be ok and well enough to go. Now I am allowing myself to feel excited and to accept the journey that the Universe has planned for me. This is no ordinary holiday, this is stepping into the unknown world of spirit as I have never experienced before. This is heavyweight.  This is going to take me completely out of my comfort zone. I shall be handing my body over for spirits to inhabit, to dance as Shiva, Durka, Kali or some other Hindu deity. Something for me as a bit of a control freak is going to be quite a challenge. But what an opportunity !! Cant help thinking what they are going to make of my body. Its going to be an experience for them too I reckon!  Anyhow I am going to be supported by two of my amazing friends, we will all be in it together. A little enclave of the Reiki Ravers !  I am taking my netbook so Wi Fi willing I shall update my blog as often as I can and I will endeavour to be as honest as I can in explaining all the experiences as they happen.  I shall be leaving on Sunday and arriving in Bali on Monday lunchtime local time. I still can hardly believe its nearly here.
So much happening, I have decided to go ahead and create another treatment room in the shop, which I would like doing in the two weeks between Bali and Casablanca so that I can make sure it turns out how I want it to. I am trying to find venues for my meditation groups. I am going to have a stand at the MBS fair in July to promote my new business.  I am going to the two day teachings of the Dalai Lama in Manchester in June. Phew. What more can I do ?? I feel that I am travelling at 100 miles per hour, but I am enjoying it, and definately being driven and being given the energy to cope with it. Apparently I am supposed to still feel fatiqued etc. Luckily it doesnt happen very often. When it does I just flop until it passes, but to be honest its hardly anything. I believe the Universe is helping me out with this just like it has done all along.  Anyhow thats me off, on a journey of a lifetime, supported by the Universe ..........