Pour les gens non francophones qui me lisent, je me permets un texte en anglais! Vous pouvez le traduire avec votre navigateur web si requis! 😉

During this Tantra retreat, we have been speaking a lot about Shiva and Shakti. In oversimplified terms (I know!), Shiva can be understood as Consciousness and Shakti as the energy, and all the manifestation of it in the material world, for instance, physical forms, actions, emotions, thoughts.

In my life, it has been easier to experience Consciousness and it can still be difficult to invite and enjoy fully Shakti! On December 24, I decided to push myself at the edge of my confort zone and experience Shakti. Experience spontaneity and following intuition.

So, I went to the bus station, and took the bus to Chiang Dao without planning in advance like usual for me. In Chiang Dao, I was walking toward the hostel and felt in my body that it wasn’t right. I turned back, visited a funky temple on my way and ended up in a nice hut close to nature for a couple of nights. Taking time to explore, to walk around, to meet people, to write this blog, to taste food, to meditate in temples, was absolutely delicious. Without stress or expectations to accomplish something. Such a gift to be present in the now!

Cave bar

The building next to the huts resort where I stay is the Cave bar. I have been there on the 24 and 25 to celebrate Christmas and meet people. And also to explore the edge of my confort zone. I have never really enjoyed bars, too loud, drunk and unconscious people, not really finding my place there. I went anyway and played pool, dance (a bit), tried Thai beers and met nice people!

I had interesting conversations with people, discussing about tantra, ecstatic dances, nice places visit around and elsewhere in Thailand. I feel my English speaking is getting better and I can see I’m less stressed to approach people.

Adventures

I feel today was my best adventure so far in Thailand! I have visited the caves in Chiang Dao with Sarah, whom I met yesterday at the bar. It was so amazing! Like a museum full of pieces of art, carved by water and time. Nature is so creative! Shakti in action! Different colors, different textures, different shapes. Some of the rooms felt like a cathedral, it was so impressive! The energy there was also special and powerful, especially in the room with the laying Buddha. Being underground, in the belly of mother Earth was warm, grounding and sometimes a bit heavy. And I have learned more Thai words in the visit with a guide than in 5 weeks traveling in Thailand!

At the exit of the caves, there was a map with the attractions around. One of them was a waterfall. So we decided to go there with our bicycle (I rented one the day before). It was so nice traveling in small roads in the countryside with stunning views of rice fields, fruit trees, and amazing mountains all around. Witnessing also people’s everyday life, working in the fields, burning leaves, kids leaving school, etc. Just the bike ride was so worth it even if we wouldn’t had found the waterfalls.

We found the waterfalls at the end of a path through the forest and a banana plantation. The waterfalls were small but cute. And the whole place was really nice. It is used for ceremonies. We were the only humans there and it was really nice to enjoy a place not crowded with tourists!