“Here we are on a journey from birth to death, with an opportunity to contribute a verse to the song of life. I want to sing of a deep awake world. I want to sing of a new tribe of compassionate, creative, wise, liberated, erotic, sublime, appreciative, unique individuals, living lucidly as one and many… If you do too, let’s sing together and raise the roof.”
How Long Is Now?, Tim Freke, 2009
A little over four years ago, on that first fateful date with Seeker, he gave me a copy of a little book called Lucid Living, by Timothy Freke. I read it the following day in one sitting – only took about 30 minutes to digest, but the impact was profound enough to shift the course of my life for good. It packs a punch, this little morsel, and I remember exactly where I read it (in bed, broad daylight, hungover from too much drinky with Seeker) and how I felt as I meandered through it (shocked, thrilled, awed, and holy shit – SAFE.) The book outlines a little of life’s mystery – creating a beautiful metaphor between lucid dreaming, and our so-called “waking” lives. It is audacious and yet loving, profound yet simple, and I started looking at my world in a new light after having read it.
Tim made such an impression with this bitty beast, I did a ton of research on the author himself, and found he had created a group called the Alliance for Lucid Living. The ALL, for short, is a group that supports people who have found their way to this awakening – to bring us all together so we can keep talking the talk, and walking the same – with support and love. I joined straight away, and started receiving the infrequent but magnificent emails. I watched Tim’s schedule, noting that while he did all these intriguing workshops and talks, he didn’t do them often in the states, and never in a place I could actually attend. As I read more of and about him, however, he quickly reached hero status to me – he’s written 31 books, has a freaking awesome, British sense of humor, and just absolutely exudes Big Love (one of his trademark phrases). I was simply enamored with his mission to awaken people to their true natures – to show the door to the Oneness with such gentleness and humor. And success. He has legions of folks, myself included, testifying to the power of his philosophies. His ideas are tried, tested, and true – I’m living proof. He helped me wake up.
Then came the day I had been waiting for. An ALL newsletter in the summer of 2009 revealed that Tim would be speaking at the Science and Non-Duality conference in San Francisco, and putting on a day-long retreat as well. Orion and I made immediate plans to attend both, and we had an absolute blast. The workshop did a number on me. Not only did I start to really feel this space of Big Love that Tim talked so much about, I got to meet this Hero of mine. Some of us even had dinner with him afterwards. And as Orion and I sat talking to this remarkably humble, brilliant being, we said simply “Man, come to Vegas. We need you out there. We’re ready.”
A few months of correspondence transpired, and lo and behold – we actually inked this desert dream. Tim and his long-time friend and assistant Anthony came to visit us last week, here to infuse Vegas with a big beautiful wake-up call. I had one of my heroes STAYING IN MY HOME. We spent the week together. He makes it hard to hold him in hero-status, however, as he’s just so human. So full of love and lacking all that superiority business. I, at least, had a fucking fabulous time. We had a sushi dinner to introduce him to the community, along with a local radio interview (which Orion and I were blessed enough to assist with.) Then we had a Stand Up Philosophy events, another trademark of Tim’s, where he gave a teaser for the Main Event and gave people a glimpse into his insight and offerings. It was a fantastic night. 50 or so seekers heard some truth, and felt a connection beyond their separate selves. That would have been enough. But the money shot was coming.
Last weekend, we hosted Tim’s famous Magical Mystery Experience workshop in our home. 20 folks from literally around the world (Mexico, Britain, Ecuador, Los Angeles, Las Vegas) joined us for a deep dive into the great mystery of life and love. Tim combines a lot of revealing, insightful banter with a bunch of intensely beautiful exercises. They all help each participant celebrate their separate consciousnesses (for without them, we would have no identity, and no ability to reflect and experience on what we *really* are, in that awesome oneness sense), and to step outside this space and into the realm of that glorious Big Love. It’s a tough process to describe. But oh my god is it ever powerful. I cried a whole lotta happy tears all weekend. I got to share this heart-exploding experience with some of my Very Favorite People (BFF + her Painter partner, Orion, several angels from Vegas, etc.). And I absolutely, unequivocally fell more in love with myself, my friends, and the whole wide world.
Tim doesn’t pretend to have all the answers. He’s refreshingly honest in the way he readily (and humorously) admits what he doesn’t know. Which, as he states it, is just about everything. But what he does is re-awaken us to the deliciousness of life, it’s very mystery and magic. And he’s figured out a very gentle, hugely effective way to lift folks right up into the space of oneness – of complete and utter love like you’ve never experience.
Words simply cannot express how huge and awesome this weekend was. Tim gifted us all with unspeakable awakenings, allowed us to bond and feel the oneness with each other, and just as precious to me, became a real friend to Orion and myself. It’s quite a miracle when someone who literally changed your life from afar suddenly becomes a very real fixture in your waking world. First Tori Amos, now Tim Freke – and this time it’s much more real. I really couldn’t be more grateful.
We’re doing it again this September – we’ve tentatively chosen September 3-5 for the next big event – another Magical Mystery Experience, complete with a Standup Philosophy Event on Thursday, September 2nd.
If you gift yourself with only one consciousness exploration this year, this is really, truly The One. I’m a retreat junkie – I’ve been to many experiences that are crafted to help wake us up to who we are. But none are more powerful – in the most gentlest of ways – than Tim Freke’s Magical Mystery Experience. This is a safe, intimate, heart-expanding experience, and everyone who came last weekend had a profoundly beautiful time. We’d love to see you at the next one. I’ll keep this blog updated with the next go-round, but seriously, set your travel plans now if you aren’t already in Las Vegas. You deserve to know this love. I sure as hell do, and every cell in my being is still rejoicing.
He must be a hero: he looks at least 4 stories tall!
*giggle*
Odd, because I’m actually taller than he is, and I’m only THREE stories tall. Well, that’s optical illusion for you!