The 2018 Chiang Mai MRIAC 5th annual retreat in Northern Thailand was the first I attended. The retreat is open to all Mahats that have sat a level 1 Mahat course with Melaney Ryan.
Mahat Meditation retreats are a sacred gathering of individuals with the collective aim of deepening their Mahat Meditation practice. Such gatherings include this annual ten day retreat in the mountains of Chiang Mai that I attended. On www.mriac.com.au I had booked the Mahat Meditation courses I attended online and read that previous participants of this Chiang Mai Retreat had described it as life-changing. Meditators would receive support and guidance as they experienced both profound and radical transformations through the Mahat Meditation understanding of the makeup of consciousness, just what I was wanting, I booked.
The retreat was held at Veranda Resort and Spa set on a hill village in Chiang Mai. The location a private valley with rice and tea terraces, natural ponds and orchids. Breathtaking. I got to enjoy this view on my spacious deluxe rooms private balcony, also at the infinity pool and at the top restaurants balcony morning and noon with a nurturing plate of Thai food.
We had a group buffet for breakfast and lunch with the view of the white temple on the hill beckoning the Mahats for their dawn walks. Daily this consisted of the most beautiful Thai dishes I had ever been so lucky to put to my lips…ohhh the sticky rice and mango. As I sat taking in the nature amongst a beautiful group of humans I thought you are in the right place Melanie, thank you Melanie for investing in your journey.
Throughout each day we’d meet for different meditations and lectures in a massive hall that was covered floor to ceiling in the grey and white floral motif seen in the photos. An incredible space to practice in. The first day explained the definition of Mahat Meditation, Mahatma energy, the heart centre, integration/awakening, the connection and was followed by a sacred heart meditation practice.
Before breakfast on the second day we practiced grounding and anchoring exercises followed by the lifting light frequency meditation. After breakfast was talks with Melaney covering topics co-creation and manifestation followed by level one Mahat practice with manifestation technique. We had the afternoon to rest, swim or explore Chiang Mai, the opportunity to have dinner on the grounds or in city. The perfect first full day.
The following 8 days had different talks, meditations, self care exercises, ITA movement and open silent meditation times with Melaney whilst HUM mantra was playing. After our practice we would talk together in the foyer about our meditation experiences and the group energy with a cup of tea, if you didn’t find me there it was because I was laying under a group of hanging lamps in a huge egg shaped wicker lounge just taking in everything my body, mind and spirit was feeling in that moment. One day I had such a heart release I was tingling all over, with vibrations from my chest, it felt so pure and light. I’ve never felt anything close to that, I felt so blessed.
As part of the retreat we also had several excursions we could decide to partake in. The Wat Umong temple located in a Forrest is a 13th century temple also referred to as the tunnel temple because of its system of tunnels at the base of the Doi Sutherland mountain. We were taken to the Bang Kang Wat artists village to enjoy the laid back atmosphere of small and lovely shops with craft-makers, jewelers, potters, painters, clothing and accessories, food, juices, coffee and more. The walking markets in Chiang Mai, some great local food followed by listening to local live Jazz musicians.
A dear local friend of MRIAC took the group as I rested to visit the Khun Pauy local school that the MRIAC community supports. It is not a materially wealthy school so welcome the support from the visit. The group spent time in a local village to spend time with Thai locals and then trekked through the jungle to a waterfall that rescue elephants frequent, sounded like an amazing day. I also missed another day excursion to the Doi Ithanon national park. It is one of the largest national parks in Northern Thailand and is home to spectacular waterfalls and an abundance of stunning scenery. The group visited the beautiful Mae Ya waterfall where they took reflection time, meditated, swam in the fresh water and took in the breathtaking sights. But don’t feel sorry for me missing those days, I still meditated with the group in the meditation room, had time to receive a massage both days by the local village ladies, and caught up with everyone for amazing tales of their day over equally amazing Thai food. I had those days for me time, for my recovery, this was my first trip after my accident and what a trip it was sharing in such a beautiful community of Mahats and connecting to the Earth energy in Chiang Mai.
