by Urara Taoka
We sang and danced to the Song of Vajra extensively for six days.
How fortunate we were to be able to participate in such a retreat!
During the 9:15 a.m. session, we worked on clarity using scent. We started with guru yoga and sang the Song of Vajra. After, maintaining that presence, we walked around smelling the various essential oils scattered around the mandala. It was a very effective practice, although it was new to us; this practice is based on the teaching of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu in 2012 in Namgyalgar. The purpose is to learn how to relax with smell. We observed the movements and memories that the scents evoked in our minds and bodies, without judging or deciding which scents we liked or disliked. I found it quite difficult at first, as I was working as an aromatherapist and get to use analyze and judge its quality, but on the third day, I started to get the hang of it.
Due to technical issues with Rinpoche’s recording, the program was changed, which increased the practice time and made the retreat more intense. However, there was always a free and effortless atmosphere. Some people only attended the afternoon session due to work or other commitments, and everyone seemed to participate while respecting their own availability.
Each day, Arnaud gave us a “guide” of practices essentially, rather than just explanations. These “guides” literally guided us through the practice experience, and were extremely helpful.
We sang the Song of Vajra at different speeds, divided it into sections, reflected on the meaning of each series, and repeated singing and dancing to that part. We continued to observe how these sounds and teachings resonated within us.
In this way, I felt my experience gradually becoming clearer and deeper each day.
Arnaud has the skill to open the heart of the group and get them working, making the sangha feel so warm and comfortable.
Thanks to Luda even those who couldn’t dance SOV were able to incorporate movement into the practice by simply stepping along with the syllables, allowing both beginners and long time practitioners to deepen their connection with the transmission.
Luda’s stability, clarity, and compassion always held the space of this new style of practice firmly in place.
On this retreat, we hardly used any audio recordings; instead, we sang using our own voices. It’s been a long time since I sang so much! Practicing using our own voice and sound permeates every corner of our body.
At the end of each day, I swam on the beach, watched the sunset, and be in the sounds of the ocean. I slept soundly everyday like a child…..
I had just set aside a few days for a personal retreat, so I changed my plans and decided to dive into this collective practice. Thanks to the sangha, who acted as a mirror, I discovered many limitations that I would not have noticed if I had practiced alone.
I felt like I truly understood the importance of collective practice that Rinpoche always talked about.
The natural perfume we received at the end was empowered and will recall us of the experience of this retreat.
A huge thank you to the two of dedicated instructor and to the families who danced with!!!
