What I Discovered
Querencia: The Spanish equivalent of ‘happy place’ is so much more. It refers to the point where you’re willing and able to stand your ground
“Until we stop ourselves or, more often, have been stopped, we hope to put certain of life’s events ‘behind us’ and get on with our living. After we stop, we see that certain of life’s issues will be with us for as long as we live. We will pass through them again and again, each time with a new story, each time with a greater understanding, until they become indistinguishable from our blessings and our wisdom. It’s the way life teaches us how to live.” This is one of many powerful extracts from Dr Rachel Naomi Remen’s best-seller Kitchen Table Wisdom: Stories that Heal, which was first published in 1996.
Bursting at the seams with interesting ideas that can enrich your life, this marvellous book introduced me to the concept of ‘querencia’, an incredibly layered Spanish word. I was so intrigued that I looked up the word and I found an article that said that ‘querencia’ refers to a place in a ‘corrida’ or bull ring where a bull feels safest; it’s a place that a bull goes to (and a bull might stand there for a while) in order to gather his strength. Each bull has a different place, and the matador makes every effort to keep him out of that spot.
Therefore, it’s not just a ‘happy place’, a metaphysical spot where you feel calm; ‘querencia’ refers to the watering hole from where you draw your strength. It’s a place in your mind where you’re not only at peace, but where you feel safe and where you’re reminded that you’re powerful and unstoppable. Of course, your journey to this mental sanctuary can begin from a physical spot: a quiet study, or a swing on a porch or balcony or even on a bench at a park.
The route to querencia is different for everyone – just like the spot for each bull is different. For me, it begins with meditation. Here’s what works for me: Switch off anything that may distract you (just for a few minutes every day); and allow yourself to reflect on your life’s journey. Think of how far you’ve come, the challenges you’ve overcome to get here, and the amount you’ve grown as a person, and remind yourself – say the words out loud, if you can – that you’re strong, that you believe in yourself and that you will achieve whatever you set out to.
It’s a truly empowering practice. Life can often seem like a tough matador who’s got the upper hand. But don’t let the matador of life distract you; don’t let anything keep you from finding your querencia when you need it.
Read this for great stories that heal.
Retreat & Recover
Joe Dispenza’s path to boundless potential
I’m so excited to share this with you. I had the most amazing experience at one of Joe Dispenza’s ‘progressive retreats’ in Warsaw, Poland. Joe Dispenza, as many of you must know, is a best-selling author and chiropractic doctor. On his social media profiles he describes himself as “researcher of epigenetics, quantum physics and neuroscience.” Joe has designed a number of different retreats, but this programme is designed to push you out of your comfort zone, help you push past your perceived limitations and overcome challenges. Attended by 1,500 people, the retreat was a combination of inspiring lectures and powerful meditations which extended over two-and-a-half days.
What I loved: That Joe works with data and science as well as meditation. Those who attend undergo brain scans before and after his retreats, so the transformation is studied. What made the experience even dearer to me was the recognition of the fact that Joe relies on the Vedas; he layers Vedic ideas with science so as to prove them and uses terminology and methodology that appeals to a western audience. The energy of the group at the gathering is so strong, you simply cannot leave unchanged.
I’m so excited to share this with you. I had the most amazing experience at one of Joe Dispenza’s ‘progressive retreats’ in Warsaw, Poland. Joe Dispenza, as many of you must know, is a best-selling author and chiropractic doctor. On his social media profiles he describes himself as “researcher of epigenetics, quantum physics and neuroscience.” Joe has designed a number of different retreats, but this programme is designed to push you out of your comfort zone, help you push past your perceived limitations and overcome challenges. Attended by 1,500 people, the retreat was a combination of inspiring lectures and powerful meditations which extended over two-and-a-half days.
What I loved: That Joe works with data and science as well as meditation. Those who attend undergo brain scans before and after his retreats, so the transformation is studied. What made the experience even dearer to me was the recognition of the fact that Joe relies on the Vedas; he layers Vedic ideas with science so as to prove them and uses terminology and methodology that appeals to a western audience. The energy of the group at the gathering is so strong, you simply cannot leave unchanged.
Methodology: There’s a lot of focus on the pineal gland breath – which is the same as the concept of mool bandh in yoga to invoke your kundalini. The difference between Joe and others who offer such retreats is that he uses science and research before and after meditation.
Overall experience: Fabulous. I’d recommend this to everyone. It’s more than life-changing; it leaves you changed at the very core of your being.
