Editor’s note: After a 30-year career in financial services and the not-for-profit sector, Monique Giroux took early retirement at 55, traded in her business suit for hiking boots, and sold her home and possessions to pursue a slower-paced, minimalist, nomadic lifestyle. Read about her solo traveller experiences in “Tales from a Grey Nomad: How to Live a Simpler, More Meaningful Life.”
Like many women embarking on their first solo journey, emotions and insecurities can arise. As the vast world lay before me, brimming with possibilities, I found myself unsure where to begin, deciding for myself was a skill seemingly forgotten in a life dedicated to the needs and expectations of others.
Amidst this solo traveller whirlwind, I discovered the profound influence of water on both my inner and outer odyssey of self-discovery. From Balinese healers and the sacred temples of Vietnam to sound healing in Thailand, water has served as a conduit for exploration and connection, transporting me across picturesque landscapes of Asia.
Bali
In Bali, water emerged as a potent healer. First with the blessing of a simple bottle of water by a shaman, marking the beginning of a daily ritual that intertwined gratitude and mindfulness into my mornings. He also prescribed a visit to a nearby temple for clarification. My pilgrimage to the Hindu temple Pura Mengening ushered in a sense of rejuvenation and spiritual cleansing.
Near the end of my time in Ubud, I assembled my new “Bali Girl Gang” for a day at the Bali Botanica Day Spa, a sensation further heightened by an aromatic Ayurvedic abhyanga massage followed by a soothing floral bath.
Vietnam
In Vietnam, I had the honour of spending a week with the nuns and monks of Plum Village to follow in the footsteps of the life of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. Together we visited places of significance in his life like Trang An in the Ninh Binh Province and the ancient city of Hoa Lu. Trang An was the headquarters for the Ly and Tran dynasties (11th-15th century), the golden era of the history of Vietnam when Buddhism was practiced in the whole country.
After this tour, I spent time in Hoi An. Adapting to the ebb and flow of travel and transitioning to a new place as a solo traveller, I asked myself, “What do I need today?” The response was time to reflect, walk on the moist sand, create a gratitude mandala on the beach, and cleanse my energy in the vastness of the South China Sea grounding and bringing me back into balance.
Thailand
Many years ago, I was introduced to the groundbreaking work of Dr. Masaru Emoto, a Japanese scientist renowned for his study of water. Dr. Emoto conducted a series of experiments exploring the impact of words, thoughts, and emotions on water. Dr. Emoto’s experiments involved subjecting pure water to various stimuli, including meditation, prayer, and written words placed nearby.
The findings were nothing short of remarkable. Dr. Emoto conclusively demonstrated that the quality of our intentions profoundly affects water: positive such as joy, love, and gratitude gave rise to intricate, symmetrical crystalline patterns, whereas negative expressions like “evil” or “disgust” led to distorted, chaotic formations devoid of crystalline structure.
If we as humans are 60—75% water, I wondered what impact my negative thoughts would have on my body? This realization shifted my understanding of the interconnectedness between mind and body, prompting a shift in my self-talk towards greater gentleness and kindness.
Recently, during a transformative Holistic Yoga and Sound Therapy training on the serene island of Koh Yao Noi, Thailand, my comprehension deepened further with cymatics, the study of sound and vibration and its effect on water and our internal biological systems.
Through sound healing, the body’s equilibrium can be restored by aligning with resonant frequencies. Personally experiencing the effects of vibration in numerous sound therapy sessions reinforced the potential of this modality in promoting holistic wellbeing.
As my journey of self-discovery unfolded, the element of water emerged as a steadfast companion, guiding me through moments of uncertainty and revelation. From the tranquil shores of Bali to the hidden water temples of Vietnam each encounter with water deepened my understanding of its impact on our lives.
Reflecting on the lessons learned as a solo traveller, I came to appreciate the intricate interplay between our intentions, thoughts, and the very essence of water itself. This newfound awareness serves as a poignant reminder of the interconnectedness between mind, body, and the natural world.
Connect with Monique at linktr.ee/flourishment.