LET GO OF EGO?

We have come to view ego in and of itself as basically a learned coping structure. Ego is an assembly … sometimes a tower.

We suffer unpleasant experiences as children from scary to traumatic. Since we want to repeat the pleasurable experiences and avoid the unpleasant ones, even at a very young age, we devise ways to get attention to insure we are not left alone or abandoned. The first time we learn what abandonment feels like, we objectify it … thinking, “mental note ... don’t want to have that happen again.”

If we feel neglected, perhaps we adopt a more ‘needy’ posture towards others. Our neediness then becomes part of our structure.

So we modify our ‘structure’ to incorporate those learned survival tools into our personality and system of belief. If you look at the concept of ego as resembling our best version of self, you realize what amazing function it has in the pursuit of simple survival. Our traumas and insecurities are masked by the bravado of, “It doesn’t matter” or “I’m stronger (better) than that” or other coping skills.

There is a certain gap or variance that exists in all of us which is the difference between who we think we are versus who we actually are. The difference is variance. The less you have of it, the more you know your true self.

Ego, while a brilliant tool for survival, tends to separate us from our inner (higher) being. It separates us from our authenticity and vulnerability. It is only when we actually agree to fully accept ourselves that we can then ask for the same acceptance from others.

Encounter your true self. At least get closer to it … maybe even for the first time … in that place there are no limits!

The process of transformation always begins with an encounter with yourself. In coming to terms with our most authentic self, we create the possibility of a foundation to learn and to change addictive behaviors.

We begin again. We create on a pure white canvas.

RENEW. RECONNECT. REMEMBER!

Essentially the artist must let go of ego to propel his or her deepest creativity. In order to do that one must undergo multiple transformations. You have to ‘clear a path’ to the fullest capacity of consciousness.

Let me try to explain.

Ego is for the most part a static structure. The ways that we interact socially as well as the tambour of our internal dialogue are fixed within. It’s the way our ego functions. The ways we cope are well-worn pathways. The way we react to conflict, pain or disappointment is fixed. Typically our ‘inspiration’ will also come from this fixed structure of our ego. This I refer to as static inspiration.

Dynamic inspiration is born from the purity of a deep-seated knowing. When we encounter ourselves in a true and authentic way, there potential exists to unlock dynamic (full motion) inspiration and creativity! Letting go of self-imposed structures and limitations creates infinite novelty or possibility in our life. The skill and talent of the artistic part of us breaks out and literally everything becomes possible.

This begins to shift your consciousness back towards its original clear state.

Our consciousness profoundly sits at the very pinnacle of human experience. Everything we are or will be; all our experiences; all of creation flows through human consciousness. The support of consciousness is what I am going to refer to as a ‘bridge’. It is about our access to our individual consciousness.

BRIDGES TO CONSCIOUSNESS

There are 7 bridges to consciousness. Our unhindered approach to these bridges allows us to completely know or be who we are! Take a moment to notice the themes that are associated with each of the bridges.

1)	FOOD	TASTE – HEALING – REGENNERATION – LIFE FORCE
2)	SOUND	VIBRATION – MUSIC – HEALING
3)	COLOR	VISION – PINTA
4)	MOVEMENT	YOGA – HEALING – CHI ENERGY
5)	NATURAL WORLD	PLANTS – LIVING BEINGS – GARDEN
6)	FAMILY	TRIBE – INTAMACY – AHO MITAKUYE OYASIN
7)	CEREMONY	AGNIHOTRA – ANCESTORS – THE SHAMAN – NOSTALGIA

Because these bridges are to the most sacred part of us, they in and of themselves become sacred practices. The idea is to integrate these various elements into a sacredness around your life that involves, plants as food, plants as medicine, music, movement, stillness, natural world, sound vibration, tribe, ceremony and color.

When people begin to incorporate these sacred practices into their lives the gap that people feel with themselves and with each other closes. We realize that we are all interconnected. New relationships begin to emerge and the very way that we interact with each other redefines itself. People work together in collaborative relationships and in sacred communities. We work together to sustain each other.

Our connection with the earth and our land grounds us, helping us to remember where we came from. By forming a connection with the land, we grow food and create a self sustainable and earth-conscious way of living. Our bodies begin to heal, renew and regenerate through eating pure organic foods. Through ceremony we offer gratitude to the land and to our ancestors who created the path for our lives.

OUR HOME

People used to live in a way that integrated these 7 different bridges into every aspect of their daily lives. Indigenous cultures live closer to the natural world and are more integrated into their natural world. Song, art and movement are a part of their daily work and routine. Community and ceremony are held in high importance in balance with work and play. All aspects of these different elements exist in balance and in a natural flow or cadence to their lives. This is simply the expression of human consciousness.

As we ourselves began to explore more meaningful ways of living, our home and our lives began to take a different form. By shedding old restrictive ways of living, more dynamic new ways began to emerge. Our home began to feel like a canvas for this expression. Suddenly a home began to feel more like a sacred space or a temple.

Our move to the White Mountains of Arizona was a very interesting transition. At the time we were living in the suburban sprawl outside Denver, CO. In 3 years time we went from living in the countryside to living in a housing development project. We did not even know our own immediate neighbors. When they began to build a Starbucks two blocks away is when we decided to leave.

The contrast and strangeness of that experience is very different to our home now. The land itself here feels alive. Ancient artifacts and rock glyphs from the Anasazi can be found nearby. We live just a short drive from the Apache reservation and their sacred mountains. We feel a strong sense of community and connection with others in this place.

Our home is our ongoing exploration of the potential of how people can live … it comes alive when we have others here to share this with!

3-DAY RETREAT

We invite you to our home for a 3-Day exploration of your deepest creativity. Feel the openness of being with others who seek to bring transformation into their own lives. With each other we will begin to rebuild these bridges that connect us with ourselves, with our land and with each other.

This retreat is hands on so get ready to work, play and be vibrant! We will experience music while we plant seeds into the earth, movement of our body during sacred ceremony, the brilliant color of food while we prepare delicious raw organic meals. With our whole being we will experience this reconnection with each other.

Both Ralph and Tatiana will guide you through this self-exploration process. They each bring different elements that synergize and work in alchemy together to bring a truly dynamic experience. The retreat is set at our home. It is close, personal and real. Our hope is to inspire you to create your own sacred living space in your own home, and in your own community.

LINDEN MARKET & GREENHOUSE

Last year Ralph and Peter began an organic farming project to grow and supply organic produce to the community. Ralph calls it the food factory. We began to connect with our own land to create a more sustainable way of living. Growing your own food is one of life’s greatest joys. It is a form of healing. When you plant seeds into the earth, a bridge is created with the natural world that reconnects you back with the primal force of creation.

The idea with this project was to do what we love to do, and create a business that was both interesting and a service to our community. This is a new way of working in which we share, sell and barter with others in a collaborative way to support each other. This is a model that we wish to share with you. With a little bit of creativity, we can create new ways to support ourselves and sustain each other through cooperatives.

Visit our Linden Market Organic Produce website to read Our Story and how we began this project.

RAW FOOD EXPLORATION

The importance of consuming uncooked fruits and vegetables cannot be understated. Cooked food is depleted of enzymes (the ‘living’ aspect of raw food) and phyto-nutrients. Simply put, viable enzymes in uncooked food are essential to digestion, nutrient transport to the cells, and are literally the energy conductors to our body. Cooking food essentially ‘kills’ natural enzymes. Phyto-nutrients are natural bioactive compounds found in fruits and vegetables essential to healthy living.

We incorporate the philosophy that raw, uncooked living vegan diet can transform a person’s physical state of wellness and energy no matter what their current diet is. We believe that living food is for everyone!

Sample Menu:

Breakfast: Raw muesli, green juice, wheatgrass
Lunch: Nut pate wraps w/ sprouts, dehydrated kale chips
Dinner: Raw tacos, curry corn salsa, green salad w/ tahini ginger dressing
Juices & Smoothies: green juice, pear kiwi lime, carrot ginger beet

You will learn that raw food is not necessarily restrictive … raw food is exciting! There will be food preparation and demonstrations in our kitchen. All of our fruits and vegetables are organic, much of it locally grown in season. In addition to meals we will have fresh juices, smoothies and snacks throughout the day. You will not go hungry!

LOGISTICS

Retreat Cost: $345.00 in house, $295 camping

This 3-Day retreat (Friday–Monday) includes:

• 3 night’s accommodation; in house rooms on first come first serve; 5 spaces in guest rooms, 5 spaces for camping are available
• Delicious all raw vegan meals and juices of fresh organic food
• Daily demonstrations on gourmet raw food preparation, juicing, and natural diet
• Activities including sound vibration healing, color and art design, sacred ceremony
• Bound workbook to get you started; sections on raw living foods, some our favorite recipes, articles, and other information on organic farming and natural living
• Airport pickup on Friday and drop off on Monday from Phoenix airport

You are welcome to stay as our guest for a couple days before and/or after, just contribute $20/day towards cost of food. Planting party ~ Help us plant our garden this spring!

Arrival & Departure: Plan to arrive on Friday and depart on Monday; if you are staying additional days communicate with us about your plans.

Transportation: Cost of flights is not included but we can help organize travel to Phoenix with an optional regional flight directly to Show Low; drive from Phoenix is a scenic 3 hour drive; we will make one airport pickup and drop off by shared van.

LOCATION

We are located in Linden, Arizona (next to Show Low pop. 11,000), a small mountain town located in the White Mountains (3 hours northeast of Phoenix).

The White Mountains of Arizona remain a best-kept-secret tourist destination with ample year round activities. Our place is at 6,300 ft elevation on 4½ acres of tall pines (very secluded).

If you want to take a day trip we are a few hours away from many attractions to see in the area: Sedona/Flagstaff, Grand Canyon, Navajo Canyon de Chelly, Apache Mt. Baldy hiking & camping, Hopi petro glyphs, Anasazi cliff dwellings, Red Rocks Lavender Farm, Alpaca Ranch, and many other places.

CONTACT

For more information about this experiential retreat please contact us:

Ralph Miller

info@plantthink.com

(720) 837-0215 Arizona (US)