The next couple of days at BK moved by quickly. I would wake up at 530am to do the morning flush ritual that cleansed the liver, a very important organ that helps take out the toxins and bacteria in our body and produces bile needed to digest food.
The simple cleanse drink was composed of a lemon or 3 pieces kalamansi, a pinch of sea salt and warm water. After the cleanse, I would join the daily 7am yoga class or at times practice on my own.
Below is a photo of the yoga shala from the stairs. The stairs lead up to the rooms located directly on top of the shala. All the beds have a mosquito net cover and each room has an electric fan that helps keep the air cool at night.
The simple cleanse drink was composed of a lemon or 3 pieces kalamansi, a pinch of sea salt and warm water. After the cleanse, I would join the daily 7am yoga class or at times practice on my own.
Below is a photo of the yoga shala from the stairs. The stairs lead up to the rooms located directly on top of the shala. All the beds have a mosquito net cover and each room has an electric fan that helps keep the air cool at night.
In the afternoons, there were various classes one could join i.e. raw food demo, guided meditation, qi gong, intro to ayurveda, etc. Or one can opt to just be still and do nothing, walk around the gardens or go to the nearby beach.
On certain days, the BK Team would help schedule the colon hydrotherapy (colon cleanse), body scrub and therapeutic massages, all of which serves a specific purpose in the detox journey.
These body treatments made my experience all the more enjoyable. It was really such a blessing for me to be able to pamper my body -- which I have a tendency to stress and overwork at times.
On the third day of my stay, Daniw conducted a raw food demo that demonstrated how simple it was to make cashew milk, raw food desserts made from raw cacao and cashews, various sauces that made our lunch and dinners even more delicious. She shared with us the delicate aromas of organic essences that helped bring the flavor of raw food to the next level. This made me all the more appreciate the wonderful meals that Daniw and her team would prepare for us during our detox journey.
Our breakfast was composed mainly of assorted fruits, coconut milk with raw cacao, chia seeds, oats and dried coconut. We would then be given a green smoothie made of local greens at 11am. Lunch would be a feast of local vegetables with a special sauce made of veggies mixed with oils, herbs and spices. Then at 3pm, we would be given snacks that all us absolutely adored i.e. ice cream, coco-choco balls, dehydrated bananas, raw cookies made of coco nectar and bananas. Soon after, a lovely dinner composed of a soup and vegetable main dish would be served at 630pm. It was my first ever foray into 100% raw food but I have never felt better! No hunger pangs were experienced throughout my week long stay. No coffee and tea during the week as well... I didn't miss this at all.
On Thursday, a day of silence and coconut feast was scheduled. Again, another first for me as I have never done a silent retreat and a pure coconut feast for a whole day. Bhante, a Buddhist monk originally from the UK, and Nils, our qi gong teacher, made sure we were ok throughout the day -- using only hand signals. The day moved by quickly and I felt even better, lighter and clearer after having gone through the day of silence.
Silence is clearly a powerful tool that allows us to reconnect with our selves. Nourishing ourselves on a mono diet of coconut, on the other hand, allows us to use very little energy in digesting, thereby giving us more time to focus on our inner selves. No to internet access, no to calls, no to any major movement. Yes to inner energy, yes to personal growth, yes to listening within!
As a perfect complement to the week long journey, Pi, a co-founder of BK, led several Inner Dance sessions for us. I had read a bit about Inner Dance prior to my arrival in BK, but did not realize that the sessions would have such an effect on me. Amazing!
During the Inner Dance, Pi's gentle voice gently guides you throughout the session. He helps you focus internally with beautiful music and drum beats at the background. Then, at a certain point, your body begins to move and you feel that your inner spirit suddenly comes alive in all this movement.
You are suddenly releasing emotions which you know had always been inside of you but never got a chance to express freely. You move with absolute freedom but at the same time you are conscious of all things happening around you. It is magic, it is truly amazing! You realize that all you need to do is to TRUST, absolutely, completely and unconditionally.
Pi has a beautiful gift that he continues to share with people from all over the world. He guides people as they go through their inner journey, some of which are easy, but often times difficult. It may take years before one is able to confront the inner self. But, at the right time, it will come.
It came to me at the right place, right moment, right time. All I needed to do was to trust in the process.
May you all have peace, peace and everlasting peace. Namaste...
Please visit the following to know more about BK, Maia Earth Village, Daniw and Pi's Inner Dance
