Words from Costa Rica! (01/04/08)
Here are my first words from my fasting retreat in Costa Rica!
I must tell you that internet access is quite a challenge here, as
the signal constantly goes in and out. So if you don't hear from
me for a while don't worry!
The facilities are spectacular, the people fabulous, and as I reach
day 3 1/2 of my fast I am doing very well. Blood pressure is
gradually going down as expected, and I feel fine. I'm moving
more slowly, resting a fair amount, and only thinking about
food occasionally, mostly it's simply not on my mind anymore.
We're told the first week is often the hardest, as the body goes
through so many changes as it tranisitions into fasting mode,
where it shifts to burning fat as fuel instead of the carbohydrates
I normally eat. 80-10-10 eaters like me can feel an energy crash
faster than others who have been eating animal foods and grains,
because the simple carbs from fruit are utilised as fuel so immed-
iately and efficiently, whereas those other foods take much longer
for the body to utilize, and so supply some fuel for a longer
period of time. . . . interesting.
Each afternoon we have a 3 hour gathering together in the main
room with Doug Graham for a lecture and discussion time. We
will be learning in detail what our bodies are doing as we fast,
and what to expect.
The view of the mountains from my little balcony of my room
is absolutely spectacular! I watched the sun rise over the big
mountain this morning, from my balcony hammock.
I'll try to send another update in about a week.
Till then..
To your radiant health & energy,
Ellen Livingston
More words from Costa Rica (01/10/08)
Day 9 of our fast, and all is well. Doug tells us to expect
much more weakness as we move fully into week two,
erratic sleep cycles, more emotions, and possibly more
noticeable symptoms. I can say I have experienced all
of these, but nothing dramatic. Occasionally each of us
is granted a profound insight, which we delight in sharing
with the group.
The days pass relatively quickly and quite
pleasantly for the most part. Doug's afternoon lectures are
quite entertaining and informative, and we spend a lot of
time in bed. I am also finding the interns and other fasters
to be truly delightful companions as well. We feel already
like a little family, a special kind of tribe on a very special,
intimate journey together.
Well, that's all for now, I'm going to get back to my
resting, trusting that my infinitely wise body is at all times
vectoring me toward perfect health.
Till next week..
To your radiant health and energy,
Ellen Livingston
News from the fast in Costa Rica (01/17/08)
It's day 16, and all is well! We are all just in coasting mode
at this point, taking each day as it comes. The days all just kind
of blend together . . . .
I did have a special experience the other day, when an Emerald
Green Toucanette crashed into my window, and then perched on
our hands for about 45 minutes as it slowly recovered from its
concussion. Happily, it eventually flew off, apparently just fine.
It was beautiful to have such an intimate encounter with such a
gorgeous tropical bird!
We spend most of our time in bed or otherwise horizontal these
days, so there really is not much to tell. People are reporting symptoms
of various kinds clearing, like scars shrinking, skin clearing, sore
or injured joints becoming pain free, etc. Also, emotional clearings
are happening, and profound insights and dreams. Personally, I am
having frequent experiences of profound peace and relief, and a
simultaneous letting go of the need to hold on to certain limiting
beliefs and associated emotions. As you can imagine, this feels
very, very good!
Well, that's all for now. I don't have a whole lot of energy, but you
can rest assured that all is well and as it should be, and I will have
lots more to tell as we enter into our final stretch soon . . . .
To your radiant health and energy,
Ellen Livingston
News from the fast in Costa Rica (01/24/08)
Day 23, and all is well. Only one of our 12 fasters has chosen
to break her fast a couple days ago, the rest of us hang in there
together. We have a heavy metal theme song, "Going the Distance"
that we play every day to inspire us in this final week. The only
real drama we've had is that an older lady on the fast got up too
quickly and passed out on a trip to the bathroom one night, fell
and cut her face. Her attitude has been fantastic, and she is mending
very quickly - healing moves at super speeds during a fast. Those
of us who "go the distance" will break our fast on Sunday afternoon
with a few small bites of watermelon, so stay tuned!
Doug encourages us to hang in for the final week because, as
he describes, the fast is like a snowball rolling down a hill - it
picks up momentum as it goes, and the last days of the fast are
super productive, worth much more relative to the earlier days.
Doug's daily lectures continue to be very interesting and
informative, though I must admit we are not laughing as hard
at his jokes any more, and some of us sleep through much of
the lecture!
Some other events of interest are that the interns saw a very
large wild jaguar-like cat just outside the dining hall! And, for
a little more excitement, one afternoon a huge boulder randomly
dislodged itself from the hillside directly opposite our fasters'
cabins, and came crashing down the hillside headed directly for
us! We saw it coming, and in our lazy, hazy fasters sort of way
wondered if we ought to get up or something . .. . anyway, by
a stroke of good fortune it came to a terrific crashing halt about
a foot from our cabin - truly a miracle, as it could easily have
crashed right into our beds!
Well, that's the fasting news for this week. I am doing my very
best to keep myself focused on the present moment, but can't
help looking forward immensely to those first bites of luscious
red watermelon in just a few short days . . . .
So, to your radiant health and energy,
Ellen Livingston
I'm back from Costa Rica, here's a final update (02/12/08)
I am safely home from my journey.
What a journey it was! A journey deep
into my mind, body, and soul. I have
learned so much . . . about myself,
about human nature, about health, about
the healing power of fasting. And I have
greatly expanded my raw tribe with some
very special new friends from around the
globe. I feel deeply supported on my
quest for true health, happiness, and
freedom.
The almost 2 weeks of post-fast recovery
in Costa Rica were in some ways actually
more challenging, both emotionally and
physically, than much of the fast, even
while they were also fun. It is
rather humbling how long it takes to get
up to speed again after all that deep rest
from the usual demands of life.
My weight and muscle tone will take some
time yet to rebuild healthfully, and some
diligent commitment on my part.
Re-entry at home is also quite the challenge,
but full of exciting new potential as well.
I treasure the experience I've had, and
will record as much as I can for future further
sharing with those of you who are interested.
Benefits from the fast continue to unfold day
by day.
Thank you to all of you who sent little notes
of support along the way. I read them all, and
they meant a lot to me!
A regular newsletter will be coming soon, hopefully
next week.
To your radiant health and energy,
Ellen Livingston
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