Join Estelle Willemse as she becomes a committed member of Khula Dhamma eco-village near East London, to live in an eco-friendly, sustainable way in harmony with nature. [for part 1] [part 2], [part 3], [part 4], [part 5] and [part 6]

It is Monday 27th April. I am back at Khula Dhamma, and a month has passed since my return from the Vision Quest...

I have returned from the Vision Quest transformed. A new person. I do not recognize the restricted aspects of my old self anymore. The experiences I have been granted & the guidance I received, have given me the gift of new life.

The process of the Quest allowed me to let go & release myself of many old psychological patterns and bondages that kept me from experiencing the mysteries and the magic of divine human nature. Expectations were more than met & transcended far beyond the limitations of my perceptual mind.

Being guided & participating in such a quest with my fellow residents & friends from Khula Dhamma was an extraordinarily healing experience. Lasting bonds were created, and exponential growth was made possible by the combining of our intentions for ourselves & our visions for the rest of humanity.

On a physical level I was tested to my limits & was faced with many realizations, some profound, some quite daunting. On the 4 day solo time, I lived in a small cave on the top of one of the Skilderkranz mountainous peaks, where I was left to stew within and without the confines of my body, mind and emotions. The time spent both in solitude and in shared activity in ancient, undisturbed nature, brought gifts that I will carry with me forever.

The benefits of taking part in ceremonies such as these on a communal level are quite profound, and what I am realizing is that this may well be the key to transforming & healing on a global scale. Coming together in groups & communities & helping each other grow on a mental, physical & spiritual level can create vast positive change, as every individual is given acknowledgement & the opportunity to explore and offer their individual gift to the world in a supportive environment.

Once again returning to the loving arms of Khula Dhamma having gained even more insight into the nature of life I am humbled. Ceremonies such as Vision Quests and meditation (retreats) are honored at Khula Dhamma as an important part of an individual’s journey to discovering their purpose & we were welcomed with excited faces & open arms.

I am forever grateful to my teachers, guides & friends, Yan and Tim, and fellow KD residents, who facilitated the Quest. They are truly gifted individuals who guide from their hearts and give all of themselves, selflessly, in order for the questers to find themselves.

Coming back and reading through my past blog entries, I can see how my perception of reality has changed due to living in this environment. Living in the moment day to day, close to nature, living mindfully & consciously surrounded by people of similar intentions & ideals has a lasting effect on you. A deep shift towards unity.

May all beings be able to, if not today, one day experience the deep joy & meaning this style of existence brings.

“The next Buddha will not take the form of an individual.
The next Buddha may take the form of a community;
a community practising understanding and loving kindness,
a community practising mindful living.
This may be the most important thing we can do for the survival of the earth.”

- Thich Nhat Hanh

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”

- Ralph Waldo Emerson