During my initial yoga teacher training in 2007, we played a game called “the beauty I see in you is...” Each student was paired up with an unfamiliar person in class and asked to sit crossed legged facing each other, knee to knee. One of the things I have always enjoyed is my personal space. I was convinced that this yoga program was determined to break this quality down in me and force me to become a close talker. Super uncomfortable about being in such tight quarters, to self - preserve, I said something along the lines of, “Sorry, had onions for lunch,” and maniacally laughed. What a perfect way to start; making my partner think that I’m one crazy bitch.
The purpose of the exercise was to repeat this phrase, “the beauty I see in you is…” over and over again with direct eye contact. The sentence needed to be finished differently each time. For some reason I can’t remember who my partner was or what was said, but I do recall tears streaming down everyone’s face as the words began to shift from the physical beauty of a person to more abstract images. For example: the beauty I see in you is, your radiating heart, as opposed to outwardly attributes of face and body. Sweet, simple affirmations to help the person seated across discover themselves and become closer to their truth. It broke a lot of us down.
However, some things don’t change. If I can feel your breath on my face as we talk, no offense, but I will back up.
Let’s be cliché shall we? As we all know; beauty is in the eye of the beholder. What one person perceives as pretty or attractive is not necessarily how another will acknowledge it. We all have thoughts on what we deem as sexy, gorgeous, handsome and cute.
There is no right or wrong; it just is.
But what does seem to be true across countries, is the idea that if we connect to the positive energy of a person, animal or place, it generally creates a stronger sense of attractiveness. Most people will say in a relationship that once they got to know the heart of their partner, they became even more handsome; also, the reverse can be true.
Either way, physical beauty is only so deep. If you have a shit personality, no amount of hotness will save you.
Indonesia is fucking gorgeous. I don’t care who you are or where you’ve been. When you drop into these Islands you’re going to have a mental orgasm. She’s a stunner. She’s not perfect, but pretty damn close. If you stay here long enough and dive into the culture, you’ll see her flaws. A few blemishes will become obvious: burnt garbage, the division of rich and poor, the unsavory smells, the way some animals are treated, and the inability to walk on the streets without tripping over uneven cement. But I’m conscious that these issues take place around the world, so overall she’s got a lot to offer.
I choose to look beyond these things – not ignore, but I’m not here to change this country in an aggressive “look at the perfect foreigner” kind of way. I’m here to change myself and hopefully make connections that will ripple effect into my home, community and beyond.
I stare into her heaving bosom. She breathes so vibrantly, that I can’t help but breathe in rhythm with her. She’s so inspirational. So soothing as she fills me up moment by moment with the most amazing sights sounds and experiences.
As I write this, I am in the interior of Bali. This is an area that was recommended to me by a good friend. He said that this place would blow my mind. It has. My house is about $50.00 US and could probably handle a family of six comfortably. I am traveling alone; but it feels as if my extended family has come to visit: the birds, crickets, cows, moths, snakes (I’m sure) that surround my house in the hills make me feel right at home.
When I woke up this morning, I started to make my way across the open air patio to the precarious spiral staircase down to the toilet. Bleary eyed and pee pee dancing, I took a moment and looked out into the distance. Immediately, I felt this massive wave of energy blast my body. I stood still and observed the intense colors and beauty surrounding me.
Holy shit, I’m in paradise.
Through eye snot, I blinked a few times to clear my vision. Directly in front of me stands the largest volcano in Bali; reminding me, it could take me out at any time. I backed up and bowed.
My connection to this place just reached a new level.
I cried. In fact I bawled. I can’t even tell you why; except that the power of this place brought me to my knees.
I don’t miss the traffic, the busyness, the noise and the distractions. This place is a reflection of me. I look out in nature; the roaring ocean, the delicate sand and the greenery that’s laid itself out like an acrylic painting to support the distant mountains, and I see me.
The early morning haze hangs in the sky, much like the veil that gently covers our own beauty until we warm to the fact of how precious and perfect we truly are, from the inside out. As dawn turns into late morning, the clouds slowly disappear and the radiance of our souls begins to shine thorough. The sun just turned up the dial and we’re glowing. If nature has taught us anything, it’s to allow things to unfold in an organic ebb and flow. What we can be sure of, is as the night flows into day, our mist will clear and our beauty will be known. Do we resist? Sure. Are we scared? You bet. But for the first time we can look beyond our skin and truly feel the staggering beautiful person we are becoming.
You are nature unfolding day by day. And you can't hide nature.
The purpose of the exercise was to repeat this phrase, “the beauty I see in you is…” over and over again with direct eye contact. The sentence needed to be finished differently each time. For some reason I can’t remember who my partner was or what was said, but I do recall tears streaming down everyone’s face as the words began to shift from the physical beauty of a person to more abstract images. For example: the beauty I see in you is, your radiating heart, as opposed to outwardly attributes of face and body. Sweet, simple affirmations to help the person seated across discover themselves and become closer to their truth. It broke a lot of us down.
However, some things don’t change. If I can feel your breath on my face as we talk, no offense, but I will back up.
Let’s be cliché shall we? As we all know; beauty is in the eye of the beholder. What one person perceives as pretty or attractive is not necessarily how another will acknowledge it. We all have thoughts on what we deem as sexy, gorgeous, handsome and cute.
There is no right or wrong; it just is.
But what does seem to be true across countries, is the idea that if we connect to the positive energy of a person, animal or place, it generally creates a stronger sense of attractiveness. Most people will say in a relationship that once they got to know the heart of their partner, they became even more handsome; also, the reverse can be true.
Either way, physical beauty is only so deep. If you have a shit personality, no amount of hotness will save you.
Indonesia is fucking gorgeous. I don’t care who you are or where you’ve been. When you drop into these Islands you’re going to have a mental orgasm. She’s a stunner. She’s not perfect, but pretty damn close. If you stay here long enough and dive into the culture, you’ll see her flaws. A few blemishes will become obvious: burnt garbage, the division of rich and poor, the unsavory smells, the way some animals are treated, and the inability to walk on the streets without tripping over uneven cement. But I’m conscious that these issues take place around the world, so overall she’s got a lot to offer.
I choose to look beyond these things – not ignore, but I’m not here to change this country in an aggressive “look at the perfect foreigner” kind of way. I’m here to change myself and hopefully make connections that will ripple effect into my home, community and beyond.
I stare into her heaving bosom. She breathes so vibrantly, that I can’t help but breathe in rhythm with her. She’s so inspirational. So soothing as she fills me up moment by moment with the most amazing sights sounds and experiences.
As I write this, I am in the interior of Bali. This is an area that was recommended to me by a good friend. He said that this place would blow my mind. It has. My house is about $50.00 US and could probably handle a family of six comfortably. I am traveling alone; but it feels as if my extended family has come to visit: the birds, crickets, cows, moths, snakes (I’m sure) that surround my house in the hills make me feel right at home.
When I woke up this morning, I started to make my way across the open air patio to the precarious spiral staircase down to the toilet. Bleary eyed and pee pee dancing, I took a moment and looked out into the distance. Immediately, I felt this massive wave of energy blast my body. I stood still and observed the intense colors and beauty surrounding me.
Holy shit, I’m in paradise.
Through eye snot, I blinked a few times to clear my vision. Directly in front of me stands the largest volcano in Bali; reminding me, it could take me out at any time. I backed up and bowed.
My connection to this place just reached a new level.
I cried. In fact I bawled. I can’t even tell you why; except that the power of this place brought me to my knees.
I don’t miss the traffic, the busyness, the noise and the distractions. This place is a reflection of me. I look out in nature; the roaring ocean, the delicate sand and the greenery that’s laid itself out like an acrylic painting to support the distant mountains, and I see me.
The early morning haze hangs in the sky, much like the veil that gently covers our own beauty until we warm to the fact of how precious and perfect we truly are, from the inside out. As dawn turns into late morning, the clouds slowly disappear and the radiance of our souls begins to shine thorough. The sun just turned up the dial and we’re glowing. If nature has taught us anything, it’s to allow things to unfold in an organic ebb and flow. What we can be sure of, is as the night flows into day, our mist will clear and our beauty will be known. Do we resist? Sure. Are we scared? You bet. But for the first time we can look beyond our skin and truly feel the staggering beautiful person we are becoming.
You are nature unfolding day by day. And you can't hide nature.
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