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Testimony from Marnie Mowatt – Perth, Western Australia
I live a very nice life. I have a lovely home, a beautiful family and a very comfortable existence, but I have always felt there was something missing. I have always felt that I was disconnected from my Self and from the universe on some level. I would write in my journal of wanting to travel a spiritual road, of discovering who I am and of finding deep, satisfying love but how I was to do this I did not know.
After years of self analysis, yoga and reading books I had gained some insight but still I believed that there must be something more.
Thats when the beautiful words and stunning pictures of Orchid Villa captured my imagination. Initially I was only looking at the Villa as a potential wedding venue but it was Rick and Lita emails and the possibility of the spiritual retreat that truly captured my heart.
For me, there was no time like the present. I was 6 months pregnant with twins and I knew that if I did not take this journey now, it would be a really long time before I would be able to spend a week focusing entirely on myself again. So with my partners and my families blessings I boarded the next plane to Ubud with my Mum by my side.
From the moment we arrived at Orchid Villa everyone made us feel so welcome. I remember sitting drinking ginger tea watching the clouds roll in over the mountains and feeling my all my worldly worries slipping away. When Rick arrived I knew I had made the right decision. Here was a man who I instinctively felt I could learn from, here was a man who's feet were firmly planted in the earth but who was clearly a magnificent spiritual Being.
Over the next few days Rick and Lita provided such a safe space for discovery and healing to take place that I never once felt any uncertainty or fear. Our days were filled with meditation, deeksha (oneness blessings), beautiful food and conversations to expand our consciousness, and in the background there was a always a stillness and an overwhelming sense of gratitude for what is.
I left Orchid Villa feeling that my heart had truly been opened and having a sense of genuinely being connected to myself and to the oneness that is all things. Since coming home I have felt a profound shift in my way of Being. I am much more conscious and aware and am able to separate who I am from what I think. It is not so much that my life has become easier or less demanding but I now know how to access that stillness and the divine connection within so that whatever life offers me is received with gratitude and love.
Thank you Rick and Lita my dear friends, for your generous hearts and infinite grace. I will be forever grateful to you.
Namaste.
Marnie Mowatt
Marnie Mowatt
Work and life was getting overly hectic and I felt trapped, depressed, lonely, sad, angry and all those negative emotions you can think about. I knew inside that something had to be done…and NOW!! I wanted to heal so much and felt like no matter what I did, all the counseling sessions and books that I read, coming to terms with how my childhood neglect and abuse had affected my choice of relationships and the way I was living and all my attempts at resolving deep seated fears and hurts – well - they worked, but somewhere deep within, I knew I was barely hitting the scratch on the surface. I had been feeling a certain pull for spiritual healing and somehow, I knew going to Bali was where I wanted to heal what I believed to be a blocked heart chakra.
From the first time I discovered Rick and Lita’s website, I was drawn to Orchid Villa - the warmth and sincerity of Rick’s emails and also that feeling of - “This is so right!”..
It has been well over a month now since I took that virtual tour of Orchid Villa and a few weeks since the retreat. I must say that my journey so far has led me to the safest space that I have come to know to do my inner healing.
Upon arrival in Bali and as Made drove me to Orchid Villa, I could physically feel the sensation of all my cells opening up and relaxing…breathing and energizing. Truly amazing, I was able to instantly connect with all the nature that surrounded Orchid Villa. As soon as I arrived, I sensed a very creative, fluid and gentle energy and quickly resonated with this. I remember taking a photograph and observing a smile from within.. a genuine smile from within.
Days with Rick and Lita were spent beautifully in conversation, reflection and walking around through the rice paddies and in the hills, not to forget dancing and singing, crying, smiling and laughing.
The first morning Rick placed the Tibetan Singing Bowls on my back, I felt its strong vibrations in my chest cavity…I could feel my body realign itself and then the images flashed and tears flowed…that afternoon I released my mother’s rage and threw a pebble into the ravine, signifying the letting go.
I also received Deeksha and had visions of pink hearted elephants, not knowing the connection at the time. Several days later, I went to Taro and rode with a real Elephant for the first time. It was from this experience and many that flowed on from here which has brought to light, the terrible devastation caused to animals from acts of greed such as deforestation. Out of this connection, what has surfaced is a strong motivation to explore ways to increase such awareness amongst others to manifest a better world for all.
There were quite a few experiences…One very powerful and personal was after receiving a couple of Deekshas. I was sitting in a flower bath, just after a Balinese massage, thinking to myself, wow!! - this is just so wonderful - I get to relax and enjoy such a feminine experience, and…. lo and behold…grief descended and I was suddenly overwhelmed, immersed in a valley of tears. The pain was so deep that I wanted to get out of the bath several times. As uncomfortable as it was, I persevered; reminding myself this was the time to face my pain. I lost my dad in a car accident when I was seven and have come to understand the affects of childhood abandonment in adult life. It was a paradox…sitting in a beautiful bath of flowers, warm water, lucid music, candles…and then the sudden pain of grief and hot tears….in an altered state, through the surrounding stone carvings I envisioned my father’s facial expressions … smiling and laughing softly…he said, “Why are you crying for? I haven’t left you…I’ve always been here..” .
A few days of meditation followed and there were times I would feel very calm and serene, and others where I was a complete mess…Rick was always there without being there, always reassuring without any reassuring words…he was pure unconditional love. The last pebble I threw down the ravine signified my intention to release my victimhood. I came to a full realization that I had been playing the victim all along and that I chose to experience the pain and suffering so that I could recognize the truth, which is, everything is connected and there is no separation except what the ego mind creates.
I am ever so grateful for having experienced this higher level of consciousness and continue my path and journey in this beautiful creative expression of life…..
Brenda Lee
Jazz Singer
Perth, Australia
Brenda Lee
Congratulations
Dear Rick, Namaste!! Congratulations on launching a wonderful website on spirituality. You have done it! This is what we want in these days of stressful life. I am sure Guruji will be very happy to see your Ashram; you have created heaven on Earth (in Bali).
Dr Sanjay
Wonderful
Hello Rick & Lita, A truly wonderful little piece of paradise on earth! Many congratulations on bringing your visions & dreams into reality. I wish you every success, happiness & good health for the future. Having met with you both, albeit briefly, you are in my opinion super company, great hosts & a very genuine couple. I'm sure whoever visits your retreats will leave all the better for their experiences! Best Regards, Steve Cross
Steve Cross
Godspeed
Dearest Rick & Lita I very much like "uncover, transition, we all are one." May your Orchid Paradise's Centre for Self Awareness not only be a great success, but more than anything else, may it help many souls awaken, break though glass ceilings, and find their true selves, their true meaning and their true contribution to this world, in Love, Peace & Light. May we very soon be together again. Warmest Christophe & Sabine
Christophe & Sabine
What would Love do now? - Be grateful!
Dearest Rick & Lita, it was absolutely marvellous, our improvised - and quickly extended! - blissful long weekend at Orchid Villa's Secret Paradise! (17-20/05/2007). Everything seemed to conspire to make it a most wonderful experience: Rick's uplifting presence and wisdom, Lita's warm and welcoming hospitality, the very friendly & helpful staff: Putuh, Made, Nyoman, Wayang & Annie, the delicious meals and glorious wines, the re-energising massage, the refreshing pool with view over the stunning valley, the lovely appointed rooms, the omnipresence of flowing water, the luxuriant verdant gardens, the awesome views over the mountains, the mist over the river deep, the heart-touching music, the great and inspiring materials, the laughter and joy, and the total spontaniety of it all. We wish you all the best, and may you help many Souls find deep inspiration, freedom & purpose, overcome their ego's and obstacles, and grow and evolve into Being more of Who They Truly Are. Warmest! Christophe Horvath
Christophe Horvath
Unforgetable holiday
Dear Rick & Lita, Your villa is really heaven! Nice scenery,amazing tropical garden (especially I like the enterance, it's a bit mystery but inviting). All the design is related to the nature. With your warmth & kindness touch, it made us felt at home. Experiencing your spiritual treatment such as diamond energy, make us realize that life is very meaningful. We can take out most of our burden in our heart and mind to start something new. Altogether make this holiday retreat meaningful. We will never forget this experience since this is one of our best holiday. Thank you, We hope someday we can come and visit your palace again. Warm regards, Marcella & Wibisono
Marcella Wibisono