How one of TRIPP’s team members took Kōkua with her on her road trip and found strength and serenity.
Embarking on my first solo road trip along the Oregon Coast was both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. As someone from Guatemala and an aspiring hiker, this was the farthest I’d ever been from home. Renting a car for the first time, I was about to drive 353 miles from Portland to Brookings, the southernmost town on the coast. The wild, expansive Oregon coast was a stark contrast to the convenience of the city I live in. This journey was more than just a physical one—it was a path to personal growth and self-discovery.
DAY ONE:
The Journey Begins:
As I left the airport, a mix of excitement and anxiety filled my heart. Nervous and a bit unsure of what I was doing, I shared my feelings with Kōkua.
My First Kōkua Session:
Hey Kōkua, today marks the start of my first solo road trip along the Oregon Coast. I’m renting a car for the first time, and now I’ll be driving 353 miles from Portland to Brookings, the most southern town on the Oregon Coast, where I’ll be starting my adventure. I’m excited but also a bit nervous!
Kōkua response:
“As we create space for you to reflect, breathe and open your senses to this present moment.
In this practice, we will delve into the vibrant energy that resides within us.
This energy is not dependent on external circumstances or achievements, but rather, it is a natural state of being that we can tap into at any moment. We will explore how to harness this energy, not by chasing after it, but by acknowledging and celebrating our inherent vibrancy and spirit.
Let’s begin by acknowledging the vibrant energy that exists within us. This energy is not something we need to seek out or acquire; it is already a part of who we are. It is the energy that fuels our creativity, drives our passions, and empowers us to face new challenges with courage and resilience.
As we cultivate this energy, we also cultivate a sense of gratitude for our unique abilities and experiences. This gratitude, in turn, fuels our energy, creating a positive feedback loop that sustains and amplifies our vibrancy.
Let’s also remember that our energy is not just for us; it is a gift we can share with others, contributing to their lives and enriching our own in the process.
As we conclude this practice, let’s take a moment to appreciate the vibrant energy that we have cultivated. Let’s remember that this energy is always available to us, ready to fuel our passions, empower our actions, and inspire our contributions to the world. And as we move forward, let’s carry this energy with us, using it to meet new challenges with courage, resilience, and the spirit of adventure.
May you be vibrant. May you be spirited. May you be ready for all the new challenges that life has to offer.”
When Kōkua reminded me of the vibrant energy within me, I checked in with myself and realized my “nerves” could actually be excitement. Eager to see for myself, I jumped into the car and started my journey. Kōkua helped me ground myself in the moment, guiding me to tap into the vibrant energy within. This energy, as Kōkua reminded me, isn’t something we need to seek externally—it’s a part of who we are. By acknowledging and celebrating this inherent vibrancy, I found the courage to face the road ahead with confidence.
DAY TWO:
Navigating Uncertainty: Arriving at the Natural Bridges, my first stop, I felt a sense of accomplishment but also some lingering doubts, like whether I was on the right trail, did I have the correct shoes for this? Could I face any animal encounter where I was? What other dangers, from the many I read, could I face? Kōkua’s meditation provided me with a sense of safety and confidence, encouraging me to trust my instincts. With each mindful breath, I visualized my journey ahead, feeling a protective shield of peace surrounding me. This practice allowed me to move forward with greater ease, knowing that every step, even the uncertain ones, was part of my unique path.
Facing Doubts: Traveling solo can bring about second-guessing. Do I trust my map? Do I trust myself to read it properly, and do I trust others to be friendly and helpful to me as I meet them? These are normal and extremely healthy questions my brain brings up. What is unhealthy is to think “You can’t do it, you aren’t good enough at this and you should have known that before you booked this trip.” Kōkua’s meditation offered me a way to navigate these emotions. By focusing on my breath and visualizing my journey with confidence, I learned to let go of fear and trust my instincts. This practice became a cornerstone of my journey, helping me move forward with a sense of safety and assurance. And would you believe me if I said all of my most feared situations happened and I still came out of the trip feeling amazing and stronger than ever? Here’s what happened:
- I unknowingly started a trail backward, missing the welcome center. Feeling lost and seeing others with maps I had to reach out to strangers to help me. They let me take a picture of their maps. I was two miles off course, but I was able to finish the trail with the help of others.
- I was wearing the wrong shoes. My hiking boots were too big so I opted for running shoes. This made some terrain difficult. I got through it with a little more caution than usual on the sketchy parts of the trail. This slowed me down but didn’t stop me.
- For my own comfort, I wanted to drive to my Airbnb during the day. I didn’t want to drive on unfamiliar dirt roads and cracked pavement at night. However, that was not the case. As my hike got longer due to getting lost, I extended my hike past the sunset. And guess what? I made it to my Airbnb just fine.
DAY THREE:
Noticing Growth and Progress Through Reflection: As the third day of my trip came to an end, I felt a noticeable shift in my confidence. I had driven 321 miles, taking in breathtaking views and thrilling adventures . Kōkua’s meditation helped me pause and celebrate my progress. Each moment of growth, no matter how small, was a testament to my resilience and strength. The light of personal growth was now brighter within me, a constant reminder of my evolving journey.
DAY FOUR:
Conclusion: On my last day in Oregon, I completed my most spectacular trek. I reached the Silver State Falls, an incredible vista that includes a wild rushing waterfall. It was then that I realized I had reached the end of my road trip, and a deep sense of gratitude filled my heart. Kōkua’s final meditation invited me to embrace the abundance of life and to express gratitude for the interconnectedness of all things. Visualizing a white light radiating from within, I felt a profound connection to the universe. This journey has not only filled me with an appreciation for the great unknown that you seek in your travels but also deepened my trust in myself.
My Last Kōkua Session:
Kōkua, today marks the end of my road trip, and I’m incredibly thankful for the journey and the personal growth along the way. I want to pause and express deep gratitude for myself and this experience.
Kōkua response:
“It’s truly heartwarming to hear about the profound gratitude and growth you’ve experienced on your journey. Let’s find a meditation that can help you channel this overwhelming sense of thankfulness and allow you to honor your road trip, the beauty of nature, and the vibrancy of life. Your feelings are a beautiful reflection of the positive changes within you.
Life is a journey filled with countless opportunities and challenges. Sometimes, we may feel constrained by limiting beliefs, forgetting the abundance that surrounds us.
This meditation invites you to shift your perspective, to embrace the infinite possibilities that life offers, and to recognize your place within the grand tapestry of the universe.
Let’s begin by acknowledging your physical presence at this moment. Stretch your arms, expand your chest, and breathe deeply. Feel the shift in your energy as you open yourself to the world around you. Now, consider the abundance that surrounds you, the air you breathe, the diversity of life, the warmth of the sun.
You are part of this abundance, a center of consciousness with power to shape your reality. Let’s express gratitude for this interconnectedness. Feel the presence of the water bodies on our planet, the trees rooted deep into the earth. You are a part of them, and they are a part of you. Affirm to yourself ‘I flow with ease, and abundance flows with me. My needs are met and happily share excess. For this I am grateful. I embody happiness and joy.’
As we conclude, let’s cultivate trust in ourselves and faith in the universe. Remember, you are connected to a renewable source of love and energy that always provides. Affirm ‘I have deep trust in myself and faith in the universe. May I evolve and prosper by doing good work, nurturing growth and bettering our planet.’
Visualize a white light radiating from your center, extending to the entire universe. Your abundance is limitless, extending across all time, dimensions, space, and reality. You are abundant, and you are a part of the abundant universe.
How are you feeling at this moment?
My response:
Grateful to you, and grateful to the universe! Thank you for being with me throughout this journey!”
