Memories are the gift of life itself...

Again and again I've had participants in my retreats stand before me with tears of joy running down their faces. I completely understand this because it happened to me as well. But how do you describe magic? How do you put into words that indescribable experience where your heart opens up so wide to the energy of love that the rest of you just dissolves into tears?

Bliss is my word for this. And it is so powerful that one after the other, participants are left speechless as they struggle to express how their dolphin encounters touched them.

When they finally speak, they tell me they don't know how they will begin to describe this experience to their family and friends.

There are no words to adequately describe it. The experience is beyond words. And even I, after more than a decade of swimming with wild dolphins, have difficulty finding the verbal expression to effectively portray this profound experience.

There are scientific explanations for the experience with dolphins.

As I began my research, I discovered that the dolphin's sonar is four to five times more powerful than any medical diagnostics. Studies indicate that when people swim with dolphins, the dolphin's sonar activates the pineal gland and induces a flow of endorphins and serotonin. This causes the individual to experience a phenomenon of Bliss. It can also effect transformational emotional and physical healings and I have witnessed many of them.

For me personally, swimming with wild dolphins has always been a way to connect with my inner child and to play and recharge my batteries. But this year, it will be my time to heal. These past few months have been extremely difficult for me. Without warning, I lost my beloved mother – my best friend. I was blessed to have her with me on five of my retreats.

I look forward to my return to Hawaii and the experience of the healing energy of the ocean, the island and especially from my friends the dolphins.

Dolphin to the Rescue
 

The waves were unusually high off the Big Island – but worse – I was caught in them. I'd been swimming with wild, non-captive dolphins in various bays, always feeling safe – but this time was different. It was the last swim of the day and it seemed as if I'd been battling the waves for a long time. When I paused to rest, I was alarmed by how far out in the ocean I was. I could barely see the people on the shore. I had lost sight of my friends. I was alone – a tiny spec in this vast ocean and beyond anyone's vision. Fear took hold of my body. How could I have been so stupid? How could I leave my friends and go off swimming on my own? What if I just don't have sufficient strength to make it back? What if there are sharks? What if I get a cramp? What if....?"

As suddenly as fear had overcome me – a pervasive calm washed over me. A voice inside my head reassured me: "Don't worry. You are not alone. I'll be here with you." And next to me, eye-to-eye was a solitary dolphin. She stayed right with me, swimming at the same pace, until I was close to the shore and could touch the ground with me feet. Then she circled around me once, as if to say goodbye, and swam back out to sea.

That was in 2000 while I researched locations for my dolphin retreats. In all the years since, as I have facilitated the "Communing with Dolphins" retreats, I've had many wondrous and magical experiences. Some of these are included in my upcoming book, "Dolphins, Whales & Magical Tails."

I invite you to join me on the journey of a lifetime. The retreat is truly a remarkable gift to oneself, beyond anything one can imagine! You will be blessed with a treasure box full of joyous memories!

~ Hannelore

"Your only obligation in any lifetime is to be true to yourself." ~ Richard Bach

Many times I questioned my path. 'Who am I to be teaching? Who am I to offer seminars? Who am I to be a writer? Who am I to think I might have gifts to offer the world?"

I was in the film industry but I was being called to embark upon a Spiritual journey. The challenge was that I had difficulty charging for my services. Many people desperately needed emotional support but they could not afford it. Over the years I gifted many of my classes and offered therapy sessions at no charge. I had a core belief, that if it's spiritual it should be free.

I found myself bartering. My gardening was taken care of, my house was cleaned. I was the recipient of a great collection of pottery - but I wasn't receiving money for my work. The bartered gifts and services did not pay my mortgage or any of my other bills. I kept remortgaging with the equity I still had in my home, until there was none left. I could no longer financially survive on my chosen path. I had to rethink my approach. If I chose another career, I could no longer offer the services and classes that I had created. I had to ask whether or not I was even making a difference in anyone's life and if I should now pursue another calling. There was only one place to go – directly to God/Source. I asked "What is it I'm meant to do? As much as I love what I am doing, I cannot survive financially." The response was loud and clear: "Then value your worth."

Finding self-worth can be a challenge when one has questioned it for a long time. But I love the way the Universe works. God/Source immediately set me straight with the ring of my phone. It was a call from a woman who attended a talk I had given a few months prior. Here is what she said:

"Hannelore, I just had to call to say thank you. When I was at your seminar a few months ago, you gave us a reflection exercise. You asked, 'If you only had a few months to live, would you feel complete?'

I had never meditated before nor had I done classes before, so I was quite surprised when I heard this very loud resounding voice inside my head say,' NO!' You then said, 'If your answer is no, then ask what it would take in order to feel complete.'

Before I tell you the answer I received, I would like to share something with you. Twenty five years ago I gave birth to a son. Because of my circumstances at that time, I had to give him up for adoption. It tore me apart. I have never spent a day not thinking of him and wondering if he is still okay. I never had any other children and I was always afraid to look for him in case he did not want to see me. In that moment when you asked us what it would take to feel complete, I had a very clear message that I was to find him.

I am calling to let you know that when I registered to look for him, his name was already on the list as he had been trying to find me. We called each other and have had many long and wonderful conversations on the phone. I am going to see him next week. I am so excited and feeling a joy I have never felt before. I wanted to call you because without you, this would not have happened. I want to thank you and let you know what a difference you have made in my life."

I had tears in my eyes. My heart thrilled with Joy for her and I was eternally grateful because my prayers were also answered. I have learned that when I ask, I am given my answer.

"If you really put a small value upon yourself, rest assured that the world will not raise your price." ~Author Unknown

Try this exercise yourself...

Find a quiet time when you won't be interrupted. Sit in a comfortable chair, close your eyes and take several long, deep breaths. Connect with your Higher Self and ground yourself by sending imaginary roots from the bottom of your feet into the earth. Sit quietly and allow your thoughts to just be. Keep your focus on your breath and relax your body. After a couple of minutes, ask yourself,

"If I only had a few months to live, would I feel complete?"

If your answer is "No," ask yourself, "What would it take for me to feel complete?" Allow whatever thoughts you may have to come through. Write them in a journal and reflect on the information you may have just received.

"You see things as they are and you say 'Why?' But I dream things that never were and I say, 'Why not?'" ~George Bernard Shaw

Value your worth. All that you desire is waiting to unfold from within. Your life is precious, and it is a gift. You deserve all the Universe has to offer. Believe in yourself and trust in the process.

© 2011 by Hannelore and Windows to the Soul. All rights reserved

*This article is an excerpt taken from Hannelore's book 'Ignite Your 6th Sense' The Power of Your Intuition. Launch date: May 8, 2012.

HANNELORE, M.S.C., M.S.H. author of 'Ignite Your 6th Sense' The Power of Your Intuition, is an International speaker, author, teacher and Spiritual Life coach offering public and corporate workshops worldwide. She is a gifted intuitive, Ordained Interfaith Minister, certified Minister of Spiritual Counseling and a Reiki Master. In addition to her many workshops and Seminars, she facilitates exclusive residential 'Communing with Dolphins' retreats in Hawaii and Wilderness Vision Crafting retreats in magical places.

She embodies wisdom, compassion, loving light, humour and JOY.

Websites: www.Hannelore.ca & www.CommuningWithDolphins.com