Finding Space in Silence

/ November 20, 2015/ Holistic Nutrition, Recipes, Yoga/ 0 comments

A month in Bali Silent retreat teaching yoga and guiding meditation taught me a lot of things and specially to cultivate space between inner thoughts and my inner self.

I was fortunate to stay in the single rooms in the retreat instead of the staff house. Although I would speak during my classes and interactions with the friendly staff, I tried to spend most of the time in silence.

I grew fond of eating and walking mindfully. Taking my meals at the lodge with everybody and just seating by myself contemplating the surroundings changed the way I eat. I took time to savor the wonderful local and fresh foods, to chew properly, to allow gratitude fill me for the food that surrender its life to nourish us and the people that prepared it.

The walks along the rice fields and the jungle became a magical time to connect with nature and the people working in the rice fields. Just a simple exchange of a greeting, “Selamat Pagi”, and smiles was enough to feel a rush in my heart. Everything felt so vibrant and shining.

Spending time with my true self, my friend within became my favorite thing to do. During those times, new insights and revelations came to me. It took me a while to process all these experiences. I am still working on it!. And yet, I like to share with you some of the things silence taught me so far:

  • Don’t have to say everything I think
  • Don’t have to talk all the time
  • Saying only things that matter, that help, than can make a difference
  • Stop giving words a lot of power
  • Giving advice or feedback only when asked
  • Being with some one rather than doing stuff with some one
  • Being in silence when you don’t know what to say, better than mindless chatter
  • Enjoining the company of my friend within guilt-free
  • Listening more and less of just hearing
  • Finding space between your thoughts and response
  • Responding rather than reacting
  • Stop fretting the past and worrying about the future
  • Staying present in the now!

Finding space in silence had the most impact in my life. I feel really empowered with this knowledge and cannot keep it to myself.

Above all, I felt an incredible sense of peace. Try it some times. Star small. You’d can surprise yourself. Let me know your experience.


2015_07_25 ducks waterfall

We ate lots of duck eggs at BSR. They roam around all day in the rice fields and in the evening their care taker leads them to their blue tent where they sleep. It is quite a site to watch them slide down the terraces towards their shelter. They all piled at the rim of the wall clearly not wanting to go down until the first one does and the rest follows. It is like a waterfall of ducks!

Eggs in nest

Poached eggs in veggie nest

This dish is inspired in one of the dishes for breakfast. It quickly became my favorite breakfast. Veggies and duck eggs, not only yummy, but a powerful combination that sets you up right to face the day.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup of sweet potato cut into julienne strips
  • 2 cups of organic black kale cut into pieces
  • 4 duck eggs or 2 cups of small cubes of tempeh
  • 2 table spoons of ghee or coconut oil
  • 1 tsp of ground coriander seeds
  • 1 tsp of ground cumin
  • ½ tsp of Himalayan salt

Preparation

  • Melt the ghee in a pan
  • Add the cumin and coriander seeds and cook for a minute of so to release the flavors
  • If using tempeh, add the cubes now and cook for a couple of minutes.
  • Add the sweet potato and cook for a couple of min.
  • Add the kale and sprinkle the salt. Stir everything.
  • Sprinkle a bit of water.
  • If using eggs, make a nest of each egg, crack and place on each nest.
  • Cook until eggs are done or for a couple of minutes if using tempeh.

If you can’t find duck eggs, just replace with organic eggs. Emphasis on organic. I saw with my own sad eyes how they raise chickens with music and light all day and night so they grow faster. Imagine how would you feel if you are not allowed to sleep!

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