Is this a memory of what used to be, or a vision of what’s to come?

Here’s how it goes.

I’m inside a large tipi of a Native American tribe.  It’s late at night and a fire is blazing in the center of the buckskin tent.  About twenty people are gathered inside, most of them women sitting in a circle around the perimeter.  Next to the fire at the center sits a bed of buckskin and fur.  A man and a woman, presumably the tribal chief and the medicine woman, sit beside it.

Two adolescent children enter the tipi and sit down on the fur and leather bed.  The smell of smoke pervades the room and the women in circle are chanting and humming very quietly, almost under their breath.  This chanting has been going on for quite a while prior to the children’s entrance, perhaps for hours, and everyone inside the tent has entered a light trance state.  The children are electric with anticipation, excitement, and nervousness.

The tribal elder paints marks on the forehead, cheeks, and abdomen of the young man; the medicine woman paints around the eyes, breasts, and belly of the young woman.  As they are being painted, two lovers in their late twenties step into the center of the circle.  This beloved couple kneels, facing each other, naked except for strips of leather tied around their waist.  The adolescent girl sits watching this scene with the medicine woman; the boy with the chief.

The lovers, still kneeling and facing each other, begin to undulate, sway, and dance for each other as the chanting from the women builds getting louder and louder.  As she dances, the woman drags her fingers across her own skin, playing with her nipples, pinching, carressing, and pulling, stroking her face, her arms, her thighs.  The man follows her lead, touching his thighs and chest, running his fingers over his strong belly as part of their dance.  They untie their leather clothes and both begin to stroke themselves, their eyes fixed on one another, their hands stroking and caressing their genitals with the kind of electrified touch that can only arise out of inner stillness.

The children take in this whole scene, the entire community united in a love trance as the beloved couple moves like a pair spirit animals together.  The medicine woman has her arms around the adolescent girl; the chief’s arms are around the boy.  Both children are held within the nurturing comfort of their tribe.

The lovers become more and more aroused through their dance; and the children see the man’s cock growing hard and long, casting shadows on the tipi walls.  He lays his beloved down on the bed next to the fire, parts her legs, and sits between them.  He massages her belly, her breasts, her thighs.  He holds his hands over her vulva.

When she is ready, he penetrates her with his fingers, and continues to massage her within, as he does so she goes deeper and deeper into trance and ecstasy.  He kneels down and places his mouth on her sex.  Eventually, her orgasms roll one after another, nearly inseparable.  In a break between the waves, he penetrates her.  They ride and dance together as he skillfully guides her from one position to another.  When she is spent and he is ready to ejaculate, he pulls out and places his hand on his wife’s belly, asking with his eyes if he can come on her belly.  She smiles and invites him.  He comes outside the body so that the children can see the ejaculate and watch the process.  The beloveds heave and smile, softening into the bed and each other, entwined together next to the fire.

The medicine woman and chief hold the adolescent couple and invite them to whisper questions in their ears.  When they are done with the questions, they are asked if they would like to go and love one another and explore each other’s bodies in a nearby tipi that has been prepared for them.  They do, and are sent off with prayers, blessings, and knowing smiles.

The village has been initiating its young into the sexual mysteries in this way for as long as they can remember.  In the morning, the young adults will be welcomed.  They will begin learning their respective responsibilities to the tribe as they are now becoming adults.  It’s a sacred day.

____________________________________________________________

This whole scene occurs to me as beautiful and wholesome.  It lights me up and enlivens my whole being.  I imagine what it might have been like had I been initiated in this way, or if my friends or family had been.   I wonder how many awkward, confusing, isolated moments could have been averted, held within a deeper sense of interconnection.

Some might consider an initiation of this kind scandalous, dangerous even.

I wonder, is it? Or is it good medicine?

You are a holy human animal!

The tender press of the divine into flesh

is not some faraway fantasy.

It is available to you here and now.

Beneath the static drone of repetitive thinking,

beyond the electric glare of this screen,

is the pulse of your animal body,

the heave of your breath in your bones.

Your fears are clues in a massive scavenger hunt,

and your fantasies are roadmaps to home.

On this journey,

there are a thousand roads,

a million guides,

and a single expert:  you.

by Robyn Lynn

What will we do in the workshop?

We’ll share openly about our common needs as human beings for closeness, touch, and connection.   We’ll explore, teach,demonstrate, and practice several ways for our needs for connection to be met on emotional, intellectual, and physical levels.  We expose some of the unconscious forces that keep us from getting the love, touch, and connection we need and move through them together, cooperatively.  We’ll talk, listen, be in small groups, dance, breathe, and give and receive touch–always at your own choice and discretion with full consent.

Will I be put on the spot?  

Nope.  We know that you will emerge in your own unique way in your own timing when you are ready.  We won’t call you out or put you on the spot unless you expressly tell Robyn or Robert that you’d like to be challenged in this way.

Who will be there? 

That’s still shaping up.  Usually it’s a a small group of women, men, a few couples, mostly singles who have a sincere and open-hearted desire to grow in their own sexual-emotional strength and empowerment.  I screen each participant to ensure we can create a coherent heart field together.

It seems kind of scary to tell the truth about my feelings and my sexuality with strangers.  What will it be like? 

You’re right.  It can be  scary.  And kind of exciting, too.  The environment we create is set up in such a way to affirm your vulnerability and encourage you to open in just the ways that serve you.  You will be welcomed in your vulnerability, and in your choice to share as much or as little as you like.

Is it ok if I’m scared? 

Yep.  If you aren’t at least a little twitterpated, then you might be asleep.  Everyone’s a little nervous when we first get together.  That’s the energy we use to make something beautiful together.

Is it ok if I’m turned on? 

Completely.  Fear and arousal are two expressions of the same energy.  They’re both fully welcomed.

Will there be nudity?

Yes. It’s part of experiencing the normalcy and innocence of who we all are.  You get to choose if and how much you choose to be undressed.

Will there be physical contact?

Yes.  We’ll explore giving and receiving loving attention through movement, dance, and massage.

Will there be sexual contact? 

Yes, our sexual needs are also welcome.  Like everything we do, sexual contact is always 100% optional and consensual.  We’ll guide you to to give and receive verbal consent for exactly what you want and what you don’t want to give and receive.  You’ll be guided each step along the way.

What if I find the other people creepy, don’t feel attracted, or don’t feel safe?

Well, then I suggest that you don’t open up until you feel genuinely moved to do so.  The truth is, something beautiful happens each and every time we do this work.  For most people, a certain kind of mask falls off revealing an immense beauty in themselves and in those around them.  It’s a bit of a miracle.  Your heart will tell you what to do and I strongly guide you to listen to it.

Is this some kind of group sex thing?

Physically, no.  Energetically, yes.  We’ll be exploring aspects of sensuality and sexuality that may be new to most people–sober, meditative, one-way, healing touch.  Contact will be with hands only and gloves will be provided to honor everyone’s health.  But there will be no intercourse or oral sex of any kind in our events.  What does happen is that a potent energy generally arises and coalesces in the room as we explore together, and this energy fuels each participant’s awakening and empowerment, bringing him or her to the next natural step in their evolution.

Common Workshop Logistics Questions

Where is the workshop held? 

In a large, private historic home in Tacoma, WA.

When is it? 

Saturday & Sunday September 10 & 11, 2011

11-8 both days

What about lunch?

We’ll have a leisurely break for lunch.  There’s a kitchen available onsite plus restaurants nearby.  You need to bring your own food or go out to eat.

What about lodging? 

There will be room for some of the participants to stay overnight on Saturday at the workshop site.  Let Robyn know right away if this is your preference.  Other participants will commute and stay at home.

What if I’m flying in from another city? 

We’ll do everything we can to make it smooth for you and will do our best to arrange for transport to and from the airport and possibly lodging.  Inquire with Robyn to make arrangements.

What should I bring with me? 

• a closed container water bottle
• a small bottle or jar of your favorite massage oil (we recommend coconut oil for its versatility, you can get it with the other cooking oils at most grocery stores)
• one flat sheet
• a pillow or backjack to sit on
• (optional) journal & pen

What should I wear?

Wear clothes you can move in–stretchy, comfy things that breathe are best.  Layers are great.  A sarong or quick cover-up can be useful.

How much does it cost? 

$300 per person, $250 if registered by Aug. 20th.  Incentives for discounts are available–inquire with Robyn.

How do I pay?

Send payment via Paypal to robyn@thepresentsense.com or use the buttons on the Event page.

I have some more questions.  Who should I talk to? 

Contact Robyn.

206.579.2603

robyn@thepresentsense.com

Find out MORE!
Contact me: robyn@thepresentsense.com 206.579.2603

“Why are hands and mouths and nipples more policed than elbows and backs?”

“What do you mean?” I ask.

“Well, you just brushed me with the back of your hand and it felt good.  Then you touched me with the front of your hand and it felt great.”

“Okay…”

“So, say I were to accidentally brush up against a woman’s breasts with my back as I passed by her.  This would be no big deal.  Or say the back of my hand grazed her body as we passed, incidental contact.  She probably wouldn’t think much of it, nor would anyone else.  But if the front of my hand touched her body, especially her breasts or her butt, I’d be considered a total creep.  Why is that?”

I laughed.  It may seem like an obvious question. And there are all kinds of reasons, of course….it could be seen as invasion of her personal space, an act that is trying to take rather from her rather than give, it could even be seen as a perpetration.  It isn’t socially acceptable to make palm-to-breast contact with a stranger……handshakes are ok, but not boobshakes.  We all know this is how things are….but why?

Think about your so-called private parts for a moment.

Pliable Lips.  Wet Tongues.  Erectable Nipples.  Moist, dark, mysterious places, pulsing with electricity and life.

All those nerve endings.  All that chance for bodily communication, one synapse chatting away to another, spilling all the secrets of our seeming separation. Inside this communion, the illusion that I am separate and alone in this huge universe dissolves.

Now, simply, I am.

Yikes.

Why are our so-called “private parts” private? Because they hold within them one of the greatest pathways for human beings to experience union with the interconnectedness with life.  When we are connected–to source and to each other–we are powerful.  And I dare say our power scares us.

I could go on and on about how the organized State and the political power of the Church have tried to keep commoners from their power through instilling sexual shame and fear.  About how, for countless generations, we have been sold the increasingly subtle message that earthly life is either profane or a waiting period until we get to the “real” home (Heaven), that sex should be avoided in favor of an ascension toward God or a divine power who dwells beyond this earthly realm.

Communion is no longer something we experience with our tender, innocent flesh, but as symbolized play-act with wafers and grape juice.  But that anonymous “they”–the Church, the State…..who are they?

If I really pay attention, with clear eye and honest heart, I see that I’m the one duping myself.  I’m the one who holds me back from tapping in to our massive collective power.  I’m the one afraid of connecting all those synapses into a big, networked “WE.”  But as dear Freud used to say, “Fear is a wish.”

I laugh out loud with my face pressed into the pillow.  My lover and I hold each other.  I love this path.

My heart continues to be connected and woven with Seattle and its beautiful community, and I will be visiting the Seattle area regularly.  If you’d like to be notified of upcoming Seattle visits, please email me robyn@thepresentsense.com.  And those of you in the Bay Area, I’m looking forward to our paths crossing!

for your awakening.

It’s a temple of wisdom,

meant to be explored with reverence and curiosity.

Pass through one gate

and the next one appears.

Want a useful hint?

The password is compassion.

And tender rowdy love helps, too.

]]> http://thepresentsense.com/archives/313/feed 0 http://thepresentsense.com/archives/250 http://thepresentsense.com/archives/250#comments Tue, 06 Jul 2010 05:48:03 +0000 Robyn Lynn http://thepresentsense.com/?p=250 I’m headed out on July 7th for a few weeks on the Big Island, staying with friends at Kipuka Temple, unwinding in the rural quiet hush of it all. 

The last time I visitied Hawaii, I was completely nourished by the experience….so far outside of all the normal pressures, away from the bazillions of cell phone signals flying through the air, miles and miles from any stores or restaurants, with a beautiful black sand beach that I could swim naked at, humpback whales breaching in the distance.

The good, simple food and good, complex people were honey to my soul.  When I was there, I told myself that I would get myself back to Hawaii within six months, ideally for a month or longer stay.  So here I am, one-way ticket in hand, ready to go back for more!  I’ll be checking out permaculture communities while I’m there, particularly La-akea Gardens, learning as much as I can to bring back to the Longhouse community in Seattle.

I might get the honor of being trained in as a guide to the sacred Yoni Cave…a place I was reverently and graciously introduced to on my last visit one of my teacher’s teacher’s…the humble and potent Amara Wahaba Heartsong.

I’ll be bringing the spirit of aloha back to the Northwest in a few weeks time and will be available for sessions again in Seattle August 1st and after.

In the meanwhile, get thee to CLITORAL REVELATIONS ON JULY 10th!  Long-time teacher and total pro Helen Finch is teaching in my place while I’m gone and it’s going to be a great event.  I know many of you have been on the fence about Clit Rev for a while now–JUMP!  We make it completely comfy to sit on your edge and lean in! 

aloha,

Robyn Lynn

*robyn*

( click the image for more info )

Grantor: Robyn Lynn Thoren

Grantee: The Public

Date: May 17, 2010

I, Robyn Lynn Thoren, am called to a ministry. It has been revealed to me that that which is called the Divine is the living life force, the spark of creation that flows in infinitely interconnected streams throughout the universe from the furthest star to the nearest point within the human body.  It is my calling at this time to focus on the Divine as immanent, present in the physical world, and in the physical beings that inhabit it.

I am therefore called to facilitate rituals, workshops, classes, sessions and other activities that provide a direct experience of embodied divinity. I hereby declare myself as sovereign.  I conduct my life and ministry according to Divinely guided values, and although no external authority may intercede or interpret this guidance on my behalf, I am beholden to the mutual well being of the interconnected web of life.  I give thanks for this opportunity to be of service to the All.

Respectfully Submitted May 17, 2010