Heading into the retreat in Malibu, I felt worn out. I figured it would be two days of more fierce yoga, and I was totally ready for it, but I also figured there would be a hefty dose of hokum. I stand a bit outside of the yoga world, so a two-day retreat was going to be a little uncomfortable for me.
But, I was pleasantly surprised to find out the retreat was being help on a sacred Chumash ceremonial ground just north of Malibu Beach called Wishtoyo. It was no frills. We slept on the ground. Just a couple dozen people hanging around learning stories about the culture’s traditions, beliefs, and how they carry what was taught before into today’s way of life.
I love that stuff.
Red Star – one of our guides – spoke about forgiveness, unifying all people, and moving forward together. He pointed out how trying to make up for the past can’t ever really be done. The past is over. He led us in songs and dances from his tribe. He welcomed us into a world we could never have known.
The Chumash people believe they came to this world on a rainbow bridge from the spirit world. The Wishtoyo Ceremonial ground is a bridge from the past to the present. Red Stat – and his family – was our bridge into this new culture.
On The Bridge
In between the rituals and traditional ceremonies, we all just spent time hanging out, getting to know each other. Kind of like… networking. Are you hearing me on this networking thing, yet? My fellow yogis and yoginis were from all walks of life. Everyone was in a very different place.
As you can imagine, the “guy on the vision quest” story seemed to go over quite well.
But, rather than the usual response – “Oh cool. Where you headed next?” – I got very different responses from these people.
“Wow! That’s amazing.”
“You’re so brave to be doing this.”
“You’re the inspiration people need.”
Everyday People
Most of my trip so far has been “in” my circle. My friends. People who travel. People with unconventional lives. To them, what I’m doing is just another thing that someone’s doing. Cool.
Don’t get me wrong. I love my people. But, most of them are already on a similar path.
But, to people outside of those circles, it’s awe-inspiring.
And you know what? It freakin’ is. I’m on a freakin’ vision quest! Who does that?
I realized up until this point, the people I was telling my story to weren’t the people that needed to hear it. They were all the people I already resonated with enough to be friends with.
You’re bound to hang around people like you. When it comes to your story, the people that need to hear it aren’t the people like you. They’re the people that want to be like you.
Take a look at your Facebook friends, your Twitter followers, your Instagram…ies. Are these people just like you? Then, you need to change your audience. Go to Meetups on unrelated topics. Find Ignites or other speaking events. Join Facebook groups where people are asking questions you know the answer to.
Get your message in front of people that need to hear it. Tell your story to someone who will be inspired by it.
In that vain, if you know someone that would benefit from my message – from this story – please share these posts.
