As my favourite author and mythologist Joseph Campbell said: “Life has no meaning. We give it meaning.” And one of my favourite ways to give my life some meaning is by taking my mind, body, and soul to new places. And few places awaken my senses, creativity, and love of adventure, more than Africa.
So when I had the chance to go on a “Soul Safari” in Swaziland and South Africa, a year after my first life-changing adventure there with William Whitecloud, founder of Natural Success and author of The Magician’s Way, I knew there would be more magic. I convened in Johannesburg with 22 other soul-adventurers, including our leader William, before heading to private game reserves and African lodges for 10 days of exploring both the wilds of our consciousness and this part of Africa.
It was a journey of the earth and of the spirit. It was like taking my soul on tour.
Africa has an extraordinary vibration that is both high and grounded… from the purple skies to the red soil; from the rooted energy of the people to the raw and wild nature of the animals; from experiences one might expect to those only an outrageous imagination could manifest. Below are 10 reflections on this safari for the soul.
Reflections on a Soul Safari
1) THE PAST IS OVER–YOU CAN LIVE FROM YOUR GENIUS
This was the theme and intention of the Soul Safari, to truly let go of the past so we can create every day, experience, and moment from our genius—our super consciousness and highest source of creative power. We did an exercise to imagine being without a past: in general and in relation to a big dream. For me, in both cases, imagining being free of the past was liberating, exhilarating and as expansive as the African skies. So called “problems” dissolved and only possibilities remained. A feeling of fun, curiosity, and unbelievable freedom moved like a wave through my body.
2) THE PAST IS ONLY OVER IF YOU STOP IDENTIFYING WITH YOUR THOUGHTS, FEELINGS AND BELIEFS
To be free of the past you must live in the present and release preconceived ideas of what is ‘true’ based on what you already know and have experienced in the past. If you’re still holding on to old fears, thoughts, and unconscious beliefs, you are simply re-living the past and dragging it forward into your current reality.
3) YOUR IMAGINATION CREATES YOUR REALITY
Imagination is the real director of your life and the reality you can create. Before many of our Soul Safari game drives we would imagine and set an intention for what we’d love to see, for example, leopards mating, a rhino, or a whole family of giraffes. And in many cases that’s just what we saw…and more.
There were incredible “Discovery Channel” moments on our game drives and when travelling between lodges—zebras seemingly looking you in the eye; five giraffes just a few feet away; tracking leopards as they moved through the bush and through a herd of impala—encounters that would have been impossible to plan or choreograph yet were co-created ‘in the moment’ with our imaginations, intention, and often the added vision of experienced guides and trackers. Not to mention the vibration of the wild animals themselves; I swear there were times when we ‘called them in.’
4) THE BEAUTY IN THE BEASTS!
Wild animals are not just beautiful (some more than others) but also they are wise. They hunt, eat, mate, sleep and play amidst almost constant danger knowing this could be their last day at the watering hole or the last attack by a predator that they survive. Yet they live in the moment not ruled by their circumstance, conditions, or even size. We saw a herd of impala “barking” at two leopards as they walked by, letting the big cats know that they’d been spotted and the impala were not afraid. One female impala actually approached the leopards as if to say “bring it on.” According to our guide, impala have the speed and stamina to out run a leopard, so the cats didn’t even bother with pursuit once they’ve been seen.
5) YOUR ACTIONS DEFINE YOU MORE THAN YOUR THOUGHTS
This applies to animals and humans! Refer to aforementioned bravado of the impala standing up to the leopards, as well as the animals that only survive (and eat) if they capture their prey. One of the game rangers told us that hyenas are better hunters than lions—the former have a 60-75% success rate while lions only capture about 15% of what they pursue. Interesting. Hyenas appear more strategic in their attacks—and they are definitely focused on end results!
6) YOU CAN REDEFINE YOURSELF AT ANY MOMENT…
… and that will alter what you experience. If you define yourself as a victim you will have little power in manifesting what you want and will be at the effect of other’s actions. However, if you define yourself as a kick-ass creator, genius, or even a magician, you can create real magic and experience amazing results—on safari and in life!
7) A STATE OF WONDER CREATES THE WONDERFUL
Being in a state of innocence, that kind of wonder and awe you had as a child opens your imagination and intuition to experience the extraordinary. When there’s only curiosity, no expectations, and no need to know, define, or explain anything—you see people, things, and animals (!) with new eyes. Pure magic.
8) MUSIC ADDS TO THE MAGIC
We travelled between lodges, game reserves, or different locations in vehicles of about 8 people. Our group had our very own “DJ driver,” Lindz, who was a professional DJ complete with several playlists on his iPhone. We travelled through Swaziland and South Africa listening to Fleetwood Mac, Bob Marley, and a few upcoming British artists. It was our own version of Carpool Karaoke and Bob Marley’s “Everything’s Gonna be Alright” became a key part of the soundtrack to our African journey. Fabulous.
9) SOUL ADVENTURES ARE BETTER SHARED
When you travel both in the physical world and in spirit with like-minded, like-hearted people it can be an intimate, intense, and often hilarious time. Through shared experiences that are beyond words or description, deep bonds and often life-long friendships are formed. The soul-inspired adventurers I connected with in Africa are now some of my closest friends.
10) NOTICE
Self-awareness can be summed up in one word: Notice. That’s the advice our teacher William Whitecloud said his mentor gave him.
Notice where you are: in your head or in your heart?
Notice what messages you are sending to your subconscious. Which ones have the power?
Notice how you are defining yourself: as complete (whole and in your higher self) or incomplete (in your ego or identity)?
Are you present in the moment or projecting past thoughts, feelings, and beliefs?
You evolve and become more self-aware simply by noticing what’s happening in the moment… without judgment and without the need to fix anything. Mastery in life is the ability to notice where you are in your consciousness and refocus at any time.
NOTICE.