When my husband moved out, I found myself depressed, alone, and without a sense of purpose—unless you consider sleeping until noon and then going on 12-hour eating benders a higher calling.
For six months, I spent teary nights alone, recreating the pasta sauce he’d made for me on our first date. The kitchen, once the heart of our home and the soul of our national television cooking series, had fallen dark. So, too, had I.
Friends and family reminded me that I was nothing if not resourceful. Told me to follow my heart. But how could I follow a heart that was, like a bird stunned from hitting a windshield, wounded and lacking any sense of direction?
Between naps and second helpings of Sour Cream and Onion Baked Lay’s, I—now heavier in body and spirit—found myself thinking of Flavia Cueva and her Hacienda San Lucas in Copán, Honduras. When I had met her the previous summer, I was instantly drawn to her fighting spirit. Ten years earlier, Flavia, her own marriage having ended, returned to her family’s century-old hacienda in the mountains overlooking the breathtaking Maya ruins. Out of her own ruins, she built an intimate eco-retreat at which others could find healing.
As I thought of Flavia, I remembered her kitchen, where the rhythmic slap slap, slap slap of corn dough being pounded into tortillas provides its heartbeat. This place, I decided, was where I needed to go to rebuild my life and learn to restore my own heartbeat. I put down my bag of chips, packed just one suitcase, and booked a plane ticket to Honduras, the country whose name translates literally to the depths. I had no way of knowing what awaited me in this strange land, or just how fitting its name would prove to be.
Immediately upon my arrival, I plunged head first into the dark waters of the unclaimed parts of myself. I waded in my guilt, my shame, my rage, my stubborn refusal to forgive. I studied with medicine women. I experienced temazcal, an ancient Mesoamerican rebirthing ritual that takes place in a steamy, womb-shaped dome lit only by the red pulses of volcanic rocks. I cooked alongside Flavia’s Maya Ch’orti’ staff, preparing simple dishes with medicinal plants from the area: chipilín, esquisúchil, loroco, purple basil, cacao. (Somehow, the recipes featured in the cookbooks I’d authored seemed too complicated now. Pretentious, even.) I explored ancient temples, and hiked to hidden waterfalls deep within the jungle. I gave up my wristwatch, allowing the energies of the Maya tzolk’in calendar to guide my way. And I discovered rosa de Jamaica, the popular iced tea that was pressed into my hand seemingly every time I left my room.
Made with dried Hibiscus flowers, a bit of raw sugar, and a splash or two of lemon, rosa de Jamaica was a refreshing treat that I couldn’t get enough of. No matter what the day held, as the sun slipped behind the hazy, blue mountains of nearby Guatemala, I could be found at the far edge of Flavia’s property, a glass in hand. There, high above the river that snaked lazily between me and the remains of the ancient kingdom beyond, I prayed.
[popuppress id=”4481″]
“I want love,” I’d say in between sips. I made my plea to the birds, to the sky, to the air, to anyone and anything that would listen, and hopefully help grant my wish to get my husband back.
Six weeks into my stay, during a Full Moon Sacred Fire Ceremony at the hacienda, I heard myself. I mean really heard myself for the first time: IwantloveIwantloveIwantlove.
I looked across the fire at the yoga instructor who had patiently helped me become more flexible in both mind and body. The Guatemalan shaman who had taught me the ways of Maya spirituality—teachings that focused on the human experience being a perfect balance of light and darkness. When my eyes met Flavia’s, she offered me a warm smile. All this time, I had been angry with the universe, with God. Why hadn’t my prayer been answered?
At that moment, I realized it had been. Love was in the women who gently guided me back to life. In the food we co-created. In the fresh flowers they picked for me. In the hacienda’s Labrador Retriever puppy that nuzzled me when I cried, and danced at my feet when my smile returned. I offered my new mantra—I am love—with gratitude and without expectation. Love was all around me. Maybe even in that glass of red liquid with which I’d become so smitten.
It was nearly seven years later, in the summer of 2014, that I learned the ancient spiritual and medicinal significance of rosa de Jamaica’s key ingredient. I was working on Secrets of the Ancient Healers, a course I brought forth with my dear friend Nick Polizzi of The Sacred Science. While researching the 250+ medicinal plants we’d documented on our travels throughout the Americas, I researched the properties of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.
To the Maya of past and present, it is used as a hypotensive, or treatment for reducing blood pressure. This, I already knew. I’d been diagnosed with genetic high blood pressure at the age of nine, and credited it in part with my ability to get off prescription drugs after more than 25 years of horrible side effects—and warnings from countless doctors that I’d die without my meds.
What I didn’t know was that they also used Hibiscus for another kind of heart condition: heartache. It is believed that it soothes emotional trauma, gently nudging open the tightly packed petals of the “flower” within. In fact, in my friend Rosita Arvigo’s book Rainforest Remedies: One Hundred Healing Herbs of Belize, she explains that a wife whose husband has strayed but still loves her may prepare Hibiscus tea to entice him to return to her.
Even more interesting to me was realizing that the stunning red flower that I’d seen depicted in so many images of the Hindu goddess Kali—whose starseed name is the same as my surname—is actually the Hibiscus. Like her, the flower symbolizes time and change, death and rebirth. Is it any wonder this energy was ever present during my painfully beautiful spiritual death and rebirth?
In the end, I didn’t get the love I so desperately wanted. But I got the love I very much needed. Powered by it and rosa de Jamaica, I rose from the depths, rediscovered my purpose, and remembered how to fly.
Hacienda San Lucas’ Rosa de Jamaica
1 handful dried hibiscus flowers
3 cups water
Juice of 1 lemon
Raw sugar to taste
Place the flowers and water in a pot. Bring to a boil. Stir gently for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, and allow to steep for 30 minutes. Strain. Season to taste with lemon and sugar. Serve chilled.
Shannon Kring is an author, filmmaker, and speaker who leads healing retreats around the world. Her next one is with the Sacred Science Tribe, in her beloved Copán.
To find out about upcoming retreats to the Maya lands, visit sjwebinar.wpengine.com/copanretreat
Iam going to try this sounds good
It is delicious! Let me know what you think!
Thank you,love very much,I hope one day travel with you.
Thank you, Galina! I hope to travel with YOU someday!
Thank you for sharing
Thank you for reading and commenting, Cynthia!
Shannon, where do you get hibiscus flowers? Can I order them?
Hi Jeanne, dried hibiscus flowers are commonly available online. l like bulkapothecary.
Thank you for reading/commenting, Jeanne! (And thank you, Joe, for answering Jeanne!) You can order it online, and if you happen to have a Mexican grocery store in your community, they almost always have it. My Whole Foods does, too. I hope you give it a try!
The name in English is Hybiscus, can find them in USA in stores like Whole foods or try in latin markets.
Thanks so much, Claudia!
awwwww, you poor thing. having a healing center to go to must have been such a hardship! You ppl crack me up
I hope that others who seek a deeper connection with his or her spirituality don’t need to go to the extremes I did. I know now that one can truly just as easily find inspiration anywhere, and that the opportunity to connect with your highest power and uncover your highest self can happen absolutely anywhere in the world. I guess I needed a very big wake up call at the time! I wish you the best on your own journey.
You know, at first I thought the same thing as justachick. “Ya right, a retreat, wow, I wish I had those opportunities. I am going through similar situation now with my husband, your story reminded me of a time when I had Rosa de Jaimica in Mexico. I was 17 at the time and loved it. For some reason over the years, I have wondered how to make this. In the end, your story has given me hope that I can recover from my situation, no matter how it turns out.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.
B
Thank you,,deaest girl! A joy and privilege to be found by you! …it seems like yesterday when I welcomed you for the first time in our small family hacienda lodge. You have become part of the family who now, instead of tears, bring joy, laughter, work and hope to an entire community. Your love energy is now helping to clear the path for those who like you many years ago, need to feel whole. Bravo to the love habiscus potion! It’s really all so simple; if only we trust our own essence!
Eternally grateful to you, my earth angel! <3
Beautiful story, Shannon … heartache and forgiving … forgiving always brings you back to your real self xx
Yes, it does! Thank you so much!
Beautifully written Shannon and your words brought me to tears. I love the recipe for healing the heart. I will be trying that for sure. x
I really appreciate the kind words! Thank you!
Thank you for sharing your motivational and hope-giving story. <3 I am looking forward to taste the miracle Hacienda San Lucas`Rosa de Jamaica to experience the
the miraculous effect for heart and soul. And the delicious taste of course <3
Thank you so much!
This speaks a million words to me! Thank you! <3
Two days ago I was searching the internet for exactly this reason – to find a place to recover from a wounded soul and heart. The Maya lands sound so wonderful. This story captures the type of maternal healing I crave, in a nature based environment – imbued with healing energy and wisdom traditions. Also, the gentle activities described – of healing from going back to simplicity. I too hope to find my place of retreat for recovery of my soul. Thank you so much for sharing – I know I'm not alone! <3
Thank you so much, Carol. I am so glad my words resonated with you. I wish you the very best in your journey, wherever it may take you.
Thanks Shannon for your words of encouragent! <3
I'll search for dried hibiscus flowers in health shops and healing centres here.
I have two prolific hibiscus bushes growing in my garden, and so the dried flowers might be available.
I've just written a longer reply, but from a mobile phone, it's easier for it to disappear before saved and posted.
I had mentioned I present with some but not all of the syptoms mentioned in your response to Peck.
Thank you! and all at Sacred Science for your work!
Who is allowed to go to this retreat in Copan, Honduras?
I would be very interested.. I live in South America and am a retired physician.
I saw Nick Polizzi s movie and was very impressed.
Thanks for your answer
MarionvB
YOU are invited, Marion. Everyone who feels drawn to the magic of Copán is welcome to share in it. Please visit sjwebinar.wpengine.com/copanretreat. I very much hope to travel with you soon, and thank you for reading my story.
I m documentary filmmaker. Would you be interested in creating documentary about your work , your place?
Cheers
Thanks so much for your interest in our work. We’d love to learn more about yours. Please feel free to contact us via [email protected]. Thank you!
Very interesting! I am in pre-diabetes stage, and read that this helps lower blood glucose. https://www.bu.edu/bhlp/Clinical/cross-cultural/herbal_index/herbs/Hibiscus%20Rosa%20Sinensis.html
Thank you, Peck! I really appreciate the link. Here are the properties I came up with for our Secrets of the Ancient Healers program: Hypotensive, diuretic, expectorant, nervine, suppurative, and used to treat insomnia, poor circulation, constipation, high cholesterol, stomach conditions, colds, cough, nerve diseases, hair loss, heart weakness, cellulite, postpartum hemorrhages, excess menstrual flow, skin conditions, headache, painful menstruation, and to prevent miscarriages. Best wishes for a return to health!
i am going to try this tea
Thank you for reading, Nancey! I hope you enjoy the tea!
l am going to try. Thanks!
Let us know how you like it! Enjoy!
Thank you for this…I don’t know how or why…bit I stumbled across this and I can relate to you in so many ways. My situation might be different but my feelings the same.
Thank you
May you be blessed on your journey, Isobel. Thank you for reaching out.
Don’t know where I’ll find some Hibiscus petals, but I will surely try this. Right now I’m going through a heartbreak now, and also looking for reconciliation sometime soon. It hurts so bad ~~~~*
I am so sorry to hear this, James. Please know you’re not alone. And like so many others, I hope you find yourself on the other side. Until then, I send my best.
Thank You.
Wow Shannon, how brave to change your life like that and be able to see the love. That´s not easy to do, I think if we do as you did and open our eyes to the love around us, we can all change our lives in an instant. Thank you so much for showing this to us.
Thank you, Bes, for your sweet words. Love is always the choice, isn’t it? I only wish I had learned it earlier! 🙂 Best wishes to you on your journey!
HIBISCUS PR JAMAICA ALSO LOWERS BLOOD SUGAR AND REGULATRES INSULIN-GOOD FOR DIABETICS
Thank you, Shayna! It’s a pretty flower that packs a potent medicinal punch!
It is by the journey through our grief and meeting our pain, we access the depth of our heart thanks to others so we can recognize Divine Love in everything in alignment with God. Great example!
Aloha,
/Alexandra
Amen to that, Alexandra! Thank you so much!
People usually do not want complications when it comes to participating in promos and contests.
Mobile apps are a variety of different types
of product that are created on computers to be utilized on phones.
Real estate mobile marketing gives realtors new, fresh ways how to make money online fast at home reach out to potential clients.
Hi there, you have actually done a superb task. I will certainly
digg it and directly recommend to my friends.
I make certain they’ll benefit from this web site.
my blog navigation systems support (Gavin)
Hello there! Woulld you mind if I share your blog with
my twitter group? There’s a bunch of people that I believe would actually appreciate youur material.
Please let me know. Thanks.
Have a look at mmy blog – off grid living (https://Youtube.com/watch?v=0May8OTPFLU)
There are a number oof ahtion weight loss programs with food plans for those of us wantng to
learn how to get a flat stomach. A trim, flat stomach is an essential part
of that look too. To check if you are hydrated, I also suggest you mak sre that your urine
is either transparent or else light ellow in color.
For newest information you have to pay a visit internet and on the web I found this site as a finest site top load washing machine for 2015 (http://besttoploadwasher2015.com)
most up-to-date updates.
I merely couldn’t leave your site juwt before mentioning that I definitgely appreciated the regular
details you offer your site visitors. I’m going to be back to visit brand-new posts.
my site solar energy for home use (https://Youtube.com)
Helpful short article, specifically just what I would likee to discover.
Thanks!
My wwebpage Making solar panels
the apple stock robot current price
may increase or decrease with regards to the market conditions.
However, we require a lot of cash to get share in comparison with buy
option. Here’s my 3-Step Performance Clarity Process
– TM to find out if it’s you or your system, or both. When we trade
option, how much cash that we can profit and lose is actually identical to when we trade share.
Report Junction is often a one-stop look for all
your investment lessons, trading ideas, and then for Analysis of currency markets news.
Not bad the fact that the potential for unlimited income.
I’m curious. Will ANY sort of Hibiscus flower work, or is ti just the tropical hibiscus that work? There are also Hardy Hibiscus that grow in N America that are similar, but yet different. Do you think that using those flowers would produce anything that might be harmful?
Hiring a personal training Point Cook professional is going to help you be accountable and remain motivated throughout your workout session. So,
a successful personal trainer gold coast; https://www.Youtube.com/watch?v=_I35dHpZPoU, training program in Sydney is possible only with a good trainer.
The fact that you will have an expanded knowledge base concerning how you can eat healthier and exercise in a more effective manner
makes the benefits provided by a personal trainer invaluable.
There’s definately a lot to find out about this issue. I like all of the points you
made.
my webpage jak schudnąć po 30
The best way to get over a woman is to get over a different one…
Your style is so unique in comparison to other folks I’ve read stuff from.
I appreciate you for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I’ll just book mark this blog.
My web blog Scie circulaire
I do not even know how I ended Austin TX make up artist, http://www.opengo.com.cn/blog/member.asp?action=view&memName=DarcyDimattia731227, here, but I thought this post was good.
I don’t know who you are but definitely you’re going to a famous blogger if you aren’t already 😉 Cheers!