The Stories We Create and the Love That Remains
The Stories We Create and the Love That Remains
Great day everyone. How are you all feeling? What is new and exciting in your world? I would love to hear from you. I feel called to share these words with you and please share if it resonates with you too.
Lately, I’ve been noticing something about the mind. When someone I love is right in front of me, my heart knows the truth. There is warmth, connection, presence and love.
Yet sometimes, when they are not with me, my mind begins creating stories.
Stories that I did something wrong.
Stories that someone is upset with me.
Stories that love is disappearing.
Stories that I need to fix something before it is too late.
The mind can be incredibly creative in its attempts to protect us.
What I am learning is that these stories often have very little to do with the present moment.
They are old echoes.
Echoes from times when love felt conditional.
When mistakes carried consequences.
When disconnection felt unsafe.
When being ourselves did not always feel welcome.
The nervous system remembers these experiences long after the mind has forgotten where they came from.
And so the invitation becomes not to fight the stories, but to notice them.
To pause.
To breathe.
To gently ask:
“Is this true right now?”
More often than not, what I discover is that the love is still there.
The friendship is still there.
The relationship is still there.
Only the story has changed.
“Sometimes the mind tells us stories to keep us safe, while the heart quietly waits to show us what is true.” Treenz
Working with Iboga and other plant and animal medicines, has taught me many things, but perhaps one of the greatest teachings is that healing is not always about adding something new.
Sometimes healing is simply seeing clearly.
Seeing the old pattern arise without believing it.
Feeling the fear without becoming it.
Allowing the body to soften enough to receive what is already here.
Recently, I’ve also been reflecting on friendship.
How precious it is to truly connect.
To hear someone’s voice.
To sit together.
To laugh.
To share honestly.
In a world that often moves quickly, genuine connection feels like medicine.
As does rest.
As does grief.
As does allowing ourselves to feel exactly what is here without rushing to change it.
I am learning that strength is not always endurance.
Sometimes it looks like crying.
Sometimes if looks like reaching out.
Sometimes it looks like trusting that love does not disappear simply because fear has arrived.
As I continue this path of awareness, service, ceremony, and nervous system restoration, I am becoming more and more convinced of one thing:
The heart knows.
And when we become quiet enough to listen, it gently guides us back home.
“Not every feeling is a message about the present. Some are old wounds asking to be held with compassion.” Treenz
For more reflections, images and experiences from Africa, you’re welcome to visit Iboga Journey on Instagram.
@IbogaJourney
And if you feel inspired to give, there is a beautiful farming community in Cameroon rebuilding after a devastating bush fire. Any support is deeply appreciated, Basse
https://gofund.me/37a1be3d
Thank you for reading this far. I invite you to ask yourself these questions, if you feel called. What lens are you living your life through right now? For example it could be a lens of guilt, shame, fear, grieve, anger, peace, love, humor?
How would your life look and feel like without that lens?
Much love and appreciation to you all.
With gratitude,
Basse,
Treenz
Are you ready to experience the Master of Plants?
Upcoming Session Dates
June 5-7 Space Available
July 10-12 Space Available
August 7-9 Space Available
Sept 7-12 Women’s Veteran Retreat
Self Application Kambo Course Available Upon Request
Private Kambo, Jaguar and Iboga sessions available
www.ibogajourney.ca
woodistruth@proton.me
