First Experiences a Succes!
Yes! The first silent & mindful walks are a success. I prepared two walks for the 2-3 day mindful retreat we will offer our guests. I know in The Netherlands it is quite popular. Alfons my friend, who visited me, did one in Rotterdam, in a bustling city, and another acquaintance experienced it also! They were both very positive about their silent walk. So, that just motivated me to continue.
Extensive Mindful Course
I bring life back in the whole extensive course I took in the Covid time. Also I finished a course to teach mindfulness. It was all during Covid time. In The Netherlands I wouln’t think to set up a retreat or silent walks. But here in Portugal, with all the nature and quietness around Casa da Lima and me, it is just the next step. We are living an eco-retreat life. With the permaculture on our 3000 square meter terrain, and nature and silence surrounding our house and us. The location, and nature surrounding Casa da Lima, puts it all together.
Doing these exercises and walks near the mountains, and flowing water, we see and hear outside, it brings the dots together.
Luckily I didn’t lose my notes and books during the emigration. They were safe in our sea-container for ate least three years. The people who know me, know that I am not a yoga-person. I will do mindful exercises and exercises to keep your body and mind healthy and focused. But if you like to do yoga, you have lots of space to do your own exercises out in nature, on beautiful spots you choose yourself!
The Mindful Walk
Who to take on the silent walk? Since the Chief-Pilgrim and his wife walk the caminho several times per year, they are not the best choice. They knew how it was for them the first time and they had a lot of solitary walks. So, first I tried it with Jaap-Willem.
Luckily I was right and now after we did the silent walk he confirmed it himself: it was interesting and good to experience it.
I also gave separate mindful exercises to several pilgrims! One wrote a very good review!
“I was also able to enjoy one of Ay Lin’s retreats: Body Scan Meditation, something new for me and quite profound.” Maria Lucia, Colombia, May.
The private retreat was a succes too!
“I was in Ribeira de Alcalamouque last fall and enjoyed a walking retreat avant la lettre. Highly recommended! The wonderfully mild climate makes it – even in the dark months – a very pleasant place to stay outside for a long time and enjoy nature. The rolling hills are lovely and calm the mind. The fossils that you always find connect the present with the past, so that the excessive tranquility of the environment does not feel like a detachment, which is what I actually came for, but rather as a deepening and connection with the earth, people, nature and history. Casa da Lima is a beautiful place in the middle of the fields and hills. Fruits and vegetables grown in our own garden on the table, retreats, walking tours. The hosts are hospitable and very pleasant, and at home in all markets!” Maria The Netherlands Nov..
