Earth Letter - December 2023
Welcoming the Seasons of Celebrations…
Dear Friends of DLTN,
Summer Solstice blessings to all.
I hope you are staying close and connected to the peace and calm of Mother Earth.
I have just arrived home after retreating from everyday life for 4 glorious days and nights with a small group, into the magnificent rainforests of the Bunya Mountains.
My next retreat will be in March 1-5th, 2024. There are still a few places available if you would like to join. Simply get in touch!
The Bunyas is an exceptionally sacred site above the Western Darling Downs. A site of extreme significance to the East coast tribes of Australia, as it once was a meeting place for thousands of original people who came from all over to gather in the Bunyas. Some walked up to 6 months to get to the Bunyas.
A joyful time!
A celebratory time!
A place where people came for ceremony, to resolve disputes, play team sport, exchange ideas, trade, establish right marriage, and enjoy feasting together on the abundant supply of Bunya nuts.
Bunya nuts are delicious bush tucker derived from large pine cones that grow on the ancient Bunya pine tree. Needless to say, the Bunya tree is adored and respected as extremely sacred to original people of Australia.
The Bunya Mountains were cared for impeccably by the traditional custodians, the Wakka Wakka people, before colonisation of Australia by the English.
The Bunya pine tree once grew prolifically across Gondwana, the great southern landmass which consisted of present day Australia, Antarctica, Africa, South America, Madagascar and New Zealand.
Now, the Bunya Mountains is the last place on Earth where there is a remaining stand of Bunya pine trees...
A forest of almighty beauties to walk amongst and listen deeply to…
I love this sacred site with the same love I have for my parents and my grandparents. They are my respected Elders.
I stay astute to acknowledging the gift of being able to walk freely in the rainforests and deserts of Australia.I walk with the deepest respect for the culture of First Nations people and I acknowledge that the first in time have (and always will be), best at Law.
Hope you enjoy this EarthLetter highlighting more my recent ramblings with lovely people who have come and deeply listened to Nature with me!
Iris
Deep Listening to Nature guided mindful walk and stillness practice by the water with a social group of women from the Gold Coast.
‘You carry Mother Earth within you. She is not outside of you. Mother Earth is not just your environment. In that insight of inter-being, it is possible to have real communication with the Earth, which is the highest form of prayer.’
Thich Naht Hahn
Poetic Message received from Deep Listening to Nature
Bunya Mountains.
Hand-in-hand with friend or foe, you’re still hand-in-hand.
You are one human family.
The Mother of us all models how to blossom on Higher Ground.
Mother Earth models how to Love beyond fear.
How to forgive, beyond disrespect.
How to continue to grow no matter how much has been destroyed.
How to keep giving, no matter how much has been taken.
How to have patience.
How to endure.
How to persevere
How to forgive.
Earth is a sustainable Force.
I therefore must make contact to the same Force, for I have a responsibility to do what Earth asks of me.
For I am Nature,
And Nature is me.
So, I too, must concentrate solely on peace, creativity, love, kindness, humility, harmony, symbiosis and grace.
Flowing on and on and on, gaining strength and courage as I increase the Flow with the Earth as my Elder.
Love is the Current whom flows always into a peaceful still ocean within me.
Slow down.
Arrive.
Be still.
Remember.
Remember the child you once were who played so freely? Look to the children right now, and follow their lead as they go outside to play in the Sunlight.
With nowhere to go, nothing to ‘get’, or ‘gain’, no knowledge to advance or to forget, no secrets to ‘unlock’.
Just relax. It’s ok. There is nothing to do here. Simply be bare foot at home on Mother Earth.
I have been having a wonderful time guiding a couple of social groups of women into the deep listening mindful practice walk in the rainforest at the base of Springbrook Mountain.
We enjoy the still point in the program by the freshwater rainforest creek.
‘When we listen deeply together, we hear so much more.’ Iris
Upcoming Day & Overnight Retreats
Binna Burra
Glamp-Out.
Feb 1-3
Camp-Out
August 5-8
Bunya Mountains
March 1-5
December 6-10
Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealand
March 15-21
Outback NT
Women’s Retreat
July 14-20
Uluru
Women’s Retreat
July 24-29
To book your place, for more information, or for a tailored DLTN guided walk/retreat, please contact Iris via iris@deeplisteningtonature.com or 0417937720.
Binna Burra ‘Glamp-Out’
The DLTN Binna Burra ‘Glamp-Out’, at the height of Spring, was so nourishing for all. It’s quite incredible how much one can really relax and let go of stress and tension in such a short time.
The retreat is 2 nights and 2 days. It feels much much longer due to the depth and breadth of the deep listening practice and how much everyone allows themselves to play.
So beautiful.
Next Binna ‘Glamp Out’ is February 1-3, 2023.
See you Next Year!
The uplifting warmth of the Summer season offers the opportunity to come together, put our differences aside and soak up the miracle of this very moment of living life on Mother Earth.
For those of us who may not be surrounded by human family and friends over Xmas, may you be in touch with the Earth and every living thing.
For all the creatures great and small, are our friends and family too.
Gurumah-respect
& L O V E ,
Iris xx
Final Uplift…
Travel writer and Author Nina Karnikowski joined me recently on retreat to Uluru and then we met again at DLTN Women’s Culture Day at Kingfisher Waterhole, Tuntable Falls. Enjoy this gorgeous reel Nina created.
Remember; these meaningful and replenishing mini-retreats nourishing women’s culture will always be by donation to encourage & support everyone to come .
Please click on Nina’s link for a taste of the sweetness of these nourishing DLTN Days.
Thanks for reading and for being a part DLTN.
Feel free to reply with any questions or insights.
~ Iris and the DLTN team